SAC 1 Flashcards
Examples of Camera/film/video techniques
> The scenery in the shining is shot in a deep focus as an ESL through an ariel view tracks the small yellow voltzwagon as it drives along the winding road, and Psycho is filmed in a deep focus as it pans over the Phoenix city landscape. ~ OS
Perspective - The maze and corridor scenes in The Shining use a short focal lens. In Psycho majority of the scenes are created with a middle focal lens.
Define Camera/film/video techniques and qualities including shot selection, movement and focus
The way the camera is positioned to capture a scene, and the techniques and qualities that are used. It may be from different angles, or from distance. It is also about the depth of field or focus of the camera to convey a point or emphasise a camera, it could refer to shot selection.
Three Point lighting
Uses key light, fill light and back light. The shining uses three point lighting when Jack is being interviewed at the hotel, Jack is clearly highlighted, showing his importance, contrasted with the interviewer who appears to be in the shadow.
Psycho uses three point lighting on Marion in the Parlour Scene, a softer warmer look, inviting the audience to pity her and believe she is redeemable.
High key lighting
Used in the Here’s Johnny scene in the Shining to highlight Jack. In Psycho it’s used in the Shower scene when Marion is killed.
Both films use high key lighting in the bathroom scenes, emphasising the importance of these scenes
Fill lighting
Fill lighting is used in the shining when Dick is lying on the bed, with two lamps either side of him. In psycho Marion in the parlour scene is immersed in fill lighting from the Tiffany lamp next to her.
Back lighting
In psycho low key lighting with back lighting is used in the parlour scene on Norman causing shadows to be cast across his face.
In the shining it’s used on Jack as he sits at the bar, he is highlighted by underneath lights, distorting his features.
Visual Composition and Mis-en-scene
Psycho
- stuffed birds positioned around the parlour (seen from the POV shot as Marion looks around the room)
- Norman is placed surround by the birds, which gives a dark and uncomfortable feeling about Norman.
- Marion is placed in a warmer and softer environment created by three point lighting.
Visual Composition and Mise-en-scene
The Shining
Jack…
Actors/Actresses and Roles
Anthony Perkins - Norman Bates (antagonist)
Janet Leigh - Marion Crane (protagonist)
Jack Nicholson - Jack Torrance (antagonist)
Shelley Duvall - Wendy Torrance
Danny Lloyd - Danny Torrance
Acting in The Shining
> Jack Nicholson creates the character of Jack Torrance in the Shining through facial expressions, dialogue and body language.
uses facial expressions to communicate a clear message of insanity to the audience.
creepy smile, unblinking gaze and twisted up eyebrows
the dialogue “Here’s Johnny” with the cheesy smile the audience pick up that Jack is happy of the idea of killing his wife.
Acting in Psycho
> Anthony Perkins plays the antagonist character Norman Bates.
the audience are first introduced to Norman with his friendly nature and boyish charm to Marion.
but it’s overpowered by Normans darker side.
he is also portrayed as a nervous and uncomfortable character, such as constant fidgets, chews and stuttering - gets the audience to believe Norman is hiding something
Non diegetic and diegetic Sound
Diegetic Sound - Sound that is part of the world of a film. Example is dialogue
Non Diegetic sound - exists outside the world of the film. Example the screeching violin music in Psycho when Marion is being murdered.
Sound in Psycho
> The film opens with a non diegetic music score created with a high pitched violin. The chilling music sets the genre of horror.
as the characters are introduced the diegetic sound of their conversation reveals their secret love affair.
Sound in The Shining
> begins with a non diegetic edgy music score that introduces the horror genre and the possibility of danger.
the setting of the mountainous terrain and haunting music engages the audience by establishing the theme of isolation.
as the camera tracks the car the edgy music fades and a louder distortion begins emphasising the idea that the car is getting closer to danger.
Explain what is meant by the term opening and closing sequence in film text?
The opening and closing sequence of shots are those which begin and close the narrative text. The opening sequence introduces the normality of characters and emphasises this sense of normality and then to create the circumstances that the problem begins. It establishes time, place, setting, mood, characters style and narrative possibilities. The closing sequence represents the destination of the narrative, the one place it is heading to, it resolves the central problem.
