Shot type glossary

Extreme long shot (ELS)-

·         The subject is not clearly visible.

·         The purpose of the shot is to show the subject’s surroundings.

·         Particularly evident when being used as an “establishing shot”- the first shot of a new scene, designed to show the audience where the action is taking place.

·         It is also useful in scenes where the action is very spread out, for example, in war movies an extreme long shot will show the scale of the action.

Long shot (LS)-

·         The subject takes up almost the entire frame, for example, feet being at the bottom and head at the top.

·         Can be used to show a character in their environment.  

Mid shot MS)-

·         The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject.

·         Like seeing a person “in the flesh”. If you were having a conversation, you would not be paying any attention to their lower body parts, so that part of the picture is unnecessary.

·         Useful to show a subject is speaking without too much emotion.

·         Works well when speaker is giving information e.g. television news presenters.

·         As well as being an emotionally neutral shot, the mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement.

Medium close up (MCU)-

·         The medium close up is half way between a mid-shot and a close up.

·         Shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.

Close up (CU)-

·         A certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face.

·         Useful for showing detail.

·         A close up of a person emphasizes their emotional state. The viewer is drawn into the subject’s personal space and shares their feelings.

 

Extreme close up (ECU)-

·         The extreme close up gets right in and show extreme detail.

·         You would normally need a specific reason to get this close. It is too close to show general reactions or emotions in very dramatic scenes.

·         This shot can show important detail on an object.

Cut away (CA)-

·         A cutaway is a shot that’s usually of something other than the current action. It could be a different subject (e.g. a cat when the main subject is its owner) or just about anything else.

·         The cut away is used as a “buffer” between shots (to help the editing process), or to add interest/information.

Two shot-

·         Good for establishing a relationship between subjects. If you have two sports presenters standing side by side facing the camera, you get the idea that these people are going to be the shows co-hosts. As they have an equal prominence of the frame, the implication is that they will provide an equal input.

·         A two-shot could also involve movement or action. It Is a good way to follow the interaction between two people without getting distracted by their surroundings.

Over the shoulder shot-

·         Such shots can be framed from behind one person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame.

·         This shot helps us establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other’s point of view.

·         It’s common to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers.

Noddy Shot-

·         Common in interviews, this is a shot of the person listening and reacting to the subject. In fact, when shooting interviews with one camera, the usual routine is to shoot the subject using over the shoulder shot and one-shots) for the entire interview, then shoot some noddies of the interviewer once the interview is finished. The Noddies are edited into the interview later.

Point of view shot-

·         Point of view shots show a view from the subject’s perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that is obvious whose point of view it is.

Low angle shot-

·         Shots are taken from below the subject, looking up at it.

·         Gives the subject a sense of size, power and authority. Puts the viewer in a helpless/ inferior/ position.

High angle shot-

·         Shots are taken from above the subject, looking down at it.

·         Gives the subject a sense of helplessness, lack of power and inferiority. Puts the viewer in a position of power and authority.

Pan-

·         The camera moves from right to left (or L to R) following a subject.

·         Gives a sense of moving with the action or speed.

Tracking shot-

·         Camera mover on a dolly to follow the subject.

·         Gives sense of speed and moving with the action.

Tilt-

·         Camera pans vertically- up and down.

·         Can give a sense of height and size.

Canted/Dutch angle shot-

·         Camera position is not straight towards the subject.

·         Can give a sense of chaos, insanity or things being out of the ordinary.

Zoom in/out-

·         Camera focuses zooming in or out on a key detail.

·         Can highlight significant objects to the audience.

Steadicam/ handheld camera-

·         The camera moves around with the action.

·         Gives the viewer a sense of realism- of being part of the film.

·         Can create tension/ excitement when used in chase/ suspend scene.

Crane shot-

·         The camera takes a high angle shot looking down on the subject. Crane can track, pan and tilt.

·         Gives a sense of scale; of how the subject fits into the setting.

Aerial shot-

·         The camera is positioned in a plane or helicopter to get an extreme long shot high angled shot.

·         Gives a sense of location/ scale/ size.

Thriller conventions

Thriller Conventions

Typical shots? Mid-shots- used to show reactions and emotions of the actors

Close up- used to involve the audience in the action, and to give you a sense of claustrophobia and concealment

Use of composition/ framing? showing exclusion and inclusion of objects to create tension

Camera movement/ and angles? low/high angles to show loss and gain of power/authority

1st person perspective? allows the audience to feel empathy for the actor

3rd person? should be used more often than 1st person

Editing

Typical transactions?

dissolves- linking events

fade to black/ white- flash backs

quick cuts -to create tension

Structure

Duel narrative-

Thriller opening conventions

-titles, title of the film, directors, camera etc.

-indent- film company

What should happen within the first two minutes?

-introduce key character(s), an atmosphere, a plot intro(key event)

Sound

-non diegetic sound to create an atmosphere, and to enhance the plot. music/ soundtrack is used to reflect the atmosphere. ambient style music.

-better to avoid dialogue, perhaps a voice over?

Mise-en-scene

-props hint the plot, for example knives/ guns

-setting- realism, isolated

Characters-males- have dominance (killer/hero) -women- damsels in distress

-Use of light and dark for atmosphere

Narrative

Storyline- revenge

-justice/crime

Time sequences often change, to create a psychological effect

Sub-genres

-techno, supernatural, crime, religion, action, psychological, Film-Noir, science fiction, conspiracy, disaster, eco, medical, mystery, political, romance, spy

Double Indemnity analysis

How does Wilder convey the characters and their relationship in the penultimate scene of Double Indemnity?

Wilder uses cinematography for example the use of shot types and shot angles to show and outline to the audience what the relationship between the featured actors in the scene. This is shown when the male actor enters and he is developed from a shadow and when is in the room and begins the opening speech of the scene he is only visible from the shoulders down, as his face is in complete shadow. This shows the relationship between the pair by adding mystery to the male and his intentions of the visit.

Wilder uses shot types to symbolise the relationship, he does this by using high angles on the ‘femme fatale’ of the film. This is done to show that the male actor has taken authority and demands dominance of the scene. This symbolises that the relationship between the two should not have even taken place and that it should not continue. Throughout the scene he remains partially in shadows mainly to hide his expressions and keep the audience ‘’in the dark’’ creating a sense of mystery. When the male actor enters he sits on the arm of a chair, this suggest that he is of a higher authority than her. This is suggested by the fact that he deliberately places himself higher than her implying to the audience that he has dominance in the ‘relationship’ between the two. The female actress sits on the chair without a care in the world and this could symbolise that she has the belief that she is more dominant in the situation. This suggests that she takes control of situations but in their relationship she does not have any control or say in what happens. Wilder uses composition to portray the disgrace of their relationship, this is done as in the background during the scene there is a large chair. The chair is not being used, this may symbolise the absence of her husband through the absence of use of it.

Wilder show the ‘femme fatale’ sitting comfortably in the chair this could be taken as her sitting comfortably in the situation that has been thrust upon her. This could show that she knew that the relationship between the pair should not have taken place! She continues to believe that she has authority until the end of the scene where she show emotion and her inner feelings. He had the authority and control of the action from the beginning of the scene. When he positions himself on the arm of the chair, showing that he has not come to stay and that he went there to do one thing and that was to tell her where they stand and what will happen.

Wilder uses lighting to create a tense atmosphere. He does this by using German Expressionist film as his influence. This is particularly evident when the light is shining through the window on the scene and creates the ‘bar like’ shadow. During the scene there is a clear line between dark and light. This is heightened when the male is standing in the entrance and his head is fully engulfed by shadow, where the rest of him is fully light. Thus disabling the audience to be able to see his reactions and responses to her input to the action. The tense atmosphere conveys the characters by showing the confilct and tention in the relationship between the two.

During the scene Wilder uses over the shoulder shot to disable the viewer to see the response of the other party involved in the action. This is particularly evident when she is talking during the scene and the camera is fully focused on her, this is a good use of camera positioning but does not allow the audience to see the reaction to the action. This disables the audience from seeing each of the characters reaction which therefore leaves the audience with not a full understanding of the characters and their relationship.

At the end of the featured scene the femme fatal uses a gun. But within missconception passes it over to the ‘hero’ the gun is used as a main part in the scene and that being the only prop. This is because the male is distracted and has turned away and his attention is elsewhere. His attention is put towards blocking out the patronising background music that is being played in the street this allow the femme fatale to regain her authority but only momentarily. He regains the authority by gaining access to the gun. During this part of the scene the gun is not only used as a physical weapon but also a mental one. Until the gun became part of the scene the relationship had not been addressed properly and the gun allowed that to happen. The femme fatale uses the gun as her realisation of the relationship that she wants to happen compared to the relationship that they currently have.

Cape Fear analysis

How does Thompson create an atmosphere of threat in the school yard scene in Cape Fear (1962)?

Thompson uses non-diegetic sounds to create an atmosphere of threat. He does this by using a chromatic piece of music that builds up a quickened pace. This is done in the scene when Cady is walking towards the innocent Nancy. By the use of the chromatic music it allows the audience to feel fear for Nancy and they can easily symbolise the non-diegetic sound with danger and treat. This piece of music gets progressively louder as Cady is walking towards Nancy, therefore emphasising the feel of danger and the fact that Nancy is in a threatening environment. During the scene there is a variety of music pieces being played. One that stands out to me is a discord jarring sound when Cady grabs Nancy and shocks her and the audience at the same time. This sound suggests an atmosphere of threat because the non-diegetic sound is discomforting and discomfort implies danger.

Thompson uses diegetic sounds to progress on the feel of threat. A good example of this is when Cady is walking towards Nancy in the car and is walking past a water fountain. The fountain makes a hissing sound. This hissing sound could be described as a snake with symbolise danger and also in the bible snakes are described as being the devil. The use of the fountain allows the audience to see the danger that Nancy is in before she knows what stands before her. Thompson also uses Nancy’s screams to directly signify the threat of danger that Nancy is in. Even after editing Thompson keeps Cady’s footsteps in the film, it could be suggested that he has done this to create the element of threat, but it could just be to show the progression of him walking. The footsteps are shown as being a key point of the cut. This is because during the scene they symbolise the characters emotions, and this is shown because Cady’s footsteps are passed and consistent. This could show that he is trying to prove a point and also that he know what he is doing and has planned how he is going to go about it. Cady’s footstep is almost robotic; Whereas Nancy’s footsteps are rushed and clumsy suggesting that she is panicked and that she feels threatened. There is no structure to Nancy’s footing. This is seen negative because it show that she is trapped and that it could also symbolise that because her steps are disorganised that maybe she is and that she is panicked.

Thompson uses cinematography in a very active way, he does it extremely well when Cady is progressing towards Nancy, the shot type goes from an extreme longshot showing everyone walking in the opposite direction. This could be suggested as Nancy being abandoned and getting left. Then the shot progresses in to a mid-shot right through to a close up. This also emphasises the fact that Cady is moving towards Nancy putting her in an uncomfortable position symbolising threat and danger. A high majority of the shots on Cady are of his pelvic area. This is particularly evident when he enters the classroom shutting the door behind him. This shot suggests that Nancy is trapped with no escape, the shot is mostly threatening because the shot on the groin area suggest what he is trying to imply what he plans to do to Nancy. This creates a threatening atmosphere because he is doing it to get back at her father and the threatening behaviour is heightened because she has no escape. All the way through the scene there is a slight high angle on Nancy. This shows that she is the vulnerable party in the scene. Also when Cady is progressing towards Nancy, her face is fully shadowed even though the street is fully light by the sun. This could suggest that the shadow implies the danger that is to become, therefore the shadows foreshadow the element of danger.

 Thompson uses mise-en-scene to create a high amount of threat in the scene, an excellent example of this is when Cady is walking towards the can and he has a cigar in his mouth. The cigar is not used as just a cigar it is used to make a sexual threat to Nancy. This is so effective because it uses something that was so common during the time period that the film was made, and turned it into a sexual threat. During the scene you see the school bars that have been designed to have spikes on them and at certain angles it shows Cady looking like he is behind bars and this could be seen as Cady being where he belongs and that is where he should be. This image could be seen as threatening to the viewer as they can see what may happen to Nancy even though she does not.

Psycho analysis

How does Hitchcock use cinematography to create tension in the parlour scene in psycho?

Hitchcock uses the use of framing in that the two featured actors are not in the same shot together, creating an invisible boundary between them. This does not allow the audience to see the space in between them it allow the audience with an idea that there is a physical boundary between the pair and the barrier allows the audience to feel safe with the knowledge that Marion is safe as long as that barrier is present, Hitchcock does this to add a sense of suspense in that you are unable to see the other person’s reaction to what the actor on screen is doing. This use of framing adds tension in that the audience has no knowledge of anything that is off camera. This technique allows Hitchcock to bring more focus to the subjects on screen.

Hitchcock uses mid shot as the dominant shot type this is particularly evident when the two featured are having a conversation. This allows the audience to clearly see all facial expressions on the subjects involved. This shot type also allows the audience to see a small amount of the surroundings of the individual and this shot type can be linked into the use of shadows in that you are able to clearly distinguish between what does and doesn’t have a shadow. The shot type changes to a close up when Normans mood changes. This allows the audience to see the fact that his mood has changed and creates tension by the shot being so closely shot allowing the emotions to be portrayed to the audience through the shot type.

Hitchcock uses the composition of the shots to create tension in the parlour scene. This is evident when there is a shot of Norman with the background and the wall is full of birds and pictures; this is done when Norman is defending his mother from what Marion had just said. This is a very good use of composition because the bird in the corner takes up more of the shot that Norman does showing a greater dominance to the shot, this can also be taken as a means that Norman has less power than even a stuffed bird. The way that the owl is portrayed in the shot is as if it is going to attack, as it has its wings spread and conveys danger. This also emphasises the fact that Norman has just been verbally attacked and symbolises an attacking nature and adding to the theme of conflict.In the shot Norman is shot from a low angle this is done to show his dominance in the frame, and it also makes him come across as being dangerous. This is developed when Marion is shot from a high angle, the use of this shows that she is highly vulnerable all of these techniques remind the audience of a physical and psychological element of danger.

Hitchcock uses camera angles to create tension through dominance. This is evident when Norman becomes agitated and begins to defend his mother. In this shot Norman is shown in a low angle shot putting the audience below them and making them feel powerless and small in comparison. In this shot Marion is shown as being less dominant this is done by being shot from a higher angle and looking down on her, this is done to show that Norman is dominant and that she should feel threatened by his presence in the shot. The shot being taken from a high angle will allow the audience to feel empathy for Marion. In this frame there are many close ups of Marion’s face, thus showing her emotions and feelings providing the audience with evidence to allow us to feel sorry for her being put into this situation. All the way through Marion is shot from a high angle until she gets up to leave, she is the shot from a low angle showing that she is no longer vulnerable to the situation that she was in. These shot show tension through the use of showing dominance and vulnerability between the two featured actors.

Hitchcock uses shadows to create tension; this is particularly evident when Norman begins to get angry. In the shot Norman is telling Marion about his mother’s history and during this shot his main features are shadowed not allowing the audience to be able to see the emotions present on his face, this then creates tension. However Marion is in the light and has no shadows on her face thus allowing all emotions to be clearly presented to the audience even though the audience already knows she is a criminal. Marion stays in the light until she takes dominance over Norman, as she leaves she does not only take the dominance off of Norman but also the use of shadows. This technique can also be linked to the usage of high and low angle shots as they are what implies the dominance of a character throughout the scene. Also throughout this scene Norman has a normal shadow and shadowing on his face whereas Marion only has shadows on her from objects that she is holding such as the bread that Norman brings for her. This is used to produce a sense of mystery around Marion; even though the audience knows what she is doing at the motel Norman has no clues and just sees her as someone that is running away. And the absence of her shadow implies that something is not right about her being there. The shadows in this scene are important as they create tension and they allow the important objects to stand out.