Key Aspect: Language - Editing and Light

Question 1

Which would be the best choice of lighting for a make-up advertisement?

a) HIGH KEY
b) LOW KEY

Answer 1

a) HIGH KEY

High key lighting adds a freshness to the image. It removes some of the more subtle tonal ranges leaving a high contrast in the image and reducing shadow. A make-up model’s skin would appear more perfect which is a key aim of the make-up company shooting.

Question 2

What is your KEY light?

Answer 2

KEY light is the main light source in your shot. This could be daylight/ambient light, but could also be a studio light which is the dominant light in your set-up.

Question 3

How would you define LOW KEY lighting?

Answer 3

LOW KEY lighting is the creating of low level light. Easily imagined as a dark space with very little light on the subject matter e.g. a horror movie shot in which the scene is very dark and the antagonists face is up-lit to add a sinister aesthetic. It can also be used in a soft way. to create mysterious or intimate atmosphere.

Question 4

What is an establishing shot?

Answer 4

Often a wide angle/distance shot which introduces the full scene/location.

Question 5

Most movies follow the CONTINUITY EDITING format, what is this?

Answer 5

One shot leads to the next - making the narrative easy for the audience to follow.

Question 6

In editing, what is a sequence?

Answer 6

A sequence is a series of shots (with cuts between) but into an understandable order one after the other to create a scene.

Question 7

NON CONTINUITY EDITING involves a disruption to the narrative. Where might we find this in a movie?

Answer 7

A flashback
A shot montage (with various subject matter)
A cut to a completely new scene set in a new location or with new protagonists.

Question 8

What is a MATCH ON ACTION?

Answer 8

When an action is scene in two adjoining shots e.g. when one protagonist punches the other…..
Shot 1: Protagonist 1 shown raising arm to punch
Shot 2: Protagonist 2 shown receiving the blow.

Question 9

What is a MATCH ON SOUND?

Answer 9

When a sound carries across two shots to create continuity e.g.
Shot 1: Protagonist shown chatting a party
Shot 2: Sound continues whilst shown another shot of the same party

This creates continuity - we know we are in the same time and location.

Question 10

Are editing and sound CULTURAL CODE or a TECHNICAL CODE?

Answer 10

TECHNICAL

Anything to do with use of technology is a Technical Code: camera framing, camera movement, lighting, sound, editing. These all come under the key aspect of LANGUAGE