english - technical codes Flashcards
Extreme long shot
Often used at the beginning of a scene or film to establish location
Long shot
Gives the viewers a more specific idea of the setting
Full shot
Complete view of the characters. Allows the viewer to take in costumes of characters and demonstrate the relationships between characters.
Mid shot
Shows character/s from the waist up. Viewers can see the character’s faces more clearly as well as their interaction with others.
Close up
Contains just one character’s face, enabling the viewer to understand the actor’s emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character.
Extreme close up
Contains one part of a character’s face. Common in horror films, creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer.
Bird’s eye angle
Looks directly down upon a scene, used to establish setting.
High angle
Looks down upon a subject, makes the character look vulnerable, inferior or small. Demonstrate to the audience the perspective of a particular character
Eye-level angle
Equal footing with the character/s, allows the viewer to feel comfortable and familiar with the characters.
Low angle
Looks up at a character, makes the character appear more powerful. Can make the audience feel vulnerable or small by looking up at the character.
Dutch angle
Irregular or slanted angle, used to demonstrate confusion, madness or unease of a character. Can make audience feel uneasy.
A crane shot
Is often used by composers of films to signify the end of a film or scene. The effect is achieved by the camera being placed on a crane that moves upwards.
A tracking shot
Is similar to a dolly shot. A tracking shot moves on tracks to achieve the effect of following a character as they move through a setting. By using a tracking shot, the director gives the viewer a detailed tour of a situation.
A dolly shot
Is similar to a tracking shot. A dolly shot moves on a trolly to achieve the effect of following a character as they move through a setting. By using a dolly shot, the director gives the viewer a detailed tour of a situation.
Panning
Is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a set or setting. This can be used to establish a scene. Panning refers to the horizontal movement of the camera (from left to right or vice versa).