Film Language Flashcards
What is continuity editing?
Everything is filmed so that the viewer thinks they are seeing continuous action.
What is montage?
Style of editing where the shots are not joined in a logical order, but are juxtaposed to create effect.
What is cross-cutting (parallel editing)
Is an editing technique used in films to establish action occurring at the same time
What is the 180-degree rule?
It states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another. When the camera jumps over the invisible axis, this is known as crossing the line or breaking the line, and it can produce a disorienting and distracting effect on a viewer (reverse angle).
What is the rule of thirds?
the frame is divided into nine imaginary sections.This creates reference points which help framing the image. Aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject.
What is a focus pull (rack focus)
It is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot.
What is diegetic sound?
Sound which the characters within the film can hear (e.g. traffic, telephone, dialogue, etc.)
What is non-diegetic sound?
sound which does not exist within the story of a film, but is put onto the film in postproduction.
What is parallel sound?
Sound which reinforces or complements the image on the screen (e.g. children playing and laughing; happy voices; sounds of play)
What is contrapuntal sound?
Sound which clashes with or contradicts the image on the screen (e.g. people playing & laughing on a beach; sinister music; sounds suggesting fear)
What is a sound bridge?
Sound which continues from one scene into the next.
What is synchronous sound?
Sound whose source is visible on screen.
What is asynchronous sound?
Sound whose source is not visible on screen
What is a Foley Artist?
Foley is used in post-production to create
sounds for the most part, of people moving. Those sounds are not recorded live on set while the image is being shot, but they’re recreated later in the studio by a Foley Artist.
What is Mise-en-scène?
Visual elements that can be seen within an individual shot’. These include:
■ Setting and props
■ Costume, hair and make-up
■ Performance: facial expressions and body language
■ Lighting and colour
■ Positioning of characters and objects within the frame
What is cinematography?
The person whose job it is to set up both camera and lighting for each shot in a moving image text. The cinematographer has perhaps paramount influence over the look or tone of a shot or scene.
Extreme close up
Description: Focuses the audience’s attention on small details and these shots are often used more for artistic effects - magnifies effect.
Usage: To show discomfort of character, conveys mystery or tension or adds an emotional change.
Close up
Description: Head and shoulders are in the frame. Used if the director wants to focus our attention on one particular thing. This is often character’s facial expression.
Usage: Establishes relationship with character and their thoughts/feelings. Enables us to see key details.
Mid shot
Description: Enables us to observe some details of movement/action.
Usage: Enables focus on dialogue.
Pan
Camera moves left or right shaking
Extreme long shot
Wide view of scene in which subject is hardly visible. Gives sense of scale or is an establishing shot of scene to come.
Long shot
Gives overview of scene. Provides contact for subject and details the character might not see from their viewpoint.
High angle
Camera is usually above head height and angled downwards on the subject. Character looks vulnerable or weak. Audiences may identify with the ‘underdog’
Birds eye view
A shot form high above looking down. Subjects look small and insignificant. Can also be an establishing shot or used to film sports or documentation as all the action is contained in a single view.
Overhead
Camera may not be very high but angle is directly overhead. Shows several characters and objects at once, so the viewer can see what the characters can’t see.
Eye level
The most common angle. Camera is positioned as if it is a person observing a scene. Appears natural and heightens reality.
Point of view (POV0
Camera puts the viewer in the position of a character, so we empathise with them. Builds tension and heightens emotions. In an associated POV, the camera moves with the character, as if it is on their shoulder or in their eyes.
Over the shoulder
Used to show two characters talking. Provides extra information through body language and distance. Draws audience onto the conversation.
Two shot
Both characters have equal prominence in the frame. This establishes their relationship via body language.
Low angle
Camera is low down, for example on the floor, and angles upwards to the subject. Establishes the power, superiority or dominance of the character and can make them a symbol of authority and respect.
Canted angle/Dutch tilt
Camera angle is slanted to one side to portray unease, disorientation, action, drunkenness, illness or madness.
The three point lighting system
- Back light
- Key light
- Fill light
Back light
- Behind subject, separating them from background
- Provides depth and 3D definition and highlights
Key light
- Main brightest light
- Aimed at subject of shot
- Slightly to one side; casts the most and darkest shadows
Fill light
- Softer light
- Opposite key light; reduces key light’s shadows
- Creates mood by making shadows darker or lighter
- Reduces contrast to show natural detail
