Film Studies

Question 1

What is a shot?

Answer 1

A shot is an uninterrupted lens that runs through a camera ​

Question 2

What is a take?

Answer 2

Is a single recording of a shot.

Question 3

What are the most common types of shots?

Answer 3

There are five basic types of shots:​
Extreme close up,​
Close up,​
Medium shot​
Long shot ​
Extreme long shot​

Question 4

Explain an extreme close up shot

Answer 4

Isolates an image

It is used to reveal certain emotions that would go unnoticed. ​

Question 5

Explain a close-up shot

Answer 5

A close up tightly frames an actors face, making their reaction the main focus of the frame. ​
A close up can show what a character is thinking and feeling. ​
It can be emotional ​
It can be scary because sometimes you don’t want to be too close to a scary character. ​

Question 6

Explain a medium shot

Answer 6

A medium shot is usually taken of the actor from the waist up. ​
It’s used to focus the audience’s attention to a particular character. ​

Question 7

Explain a full shot

Answer 7

A full shot shows the human body from head to toe. ​
A full movie shot shows more of the setting.​
It can be useful to show a character’s movement. ​

Question 8

Explain an extreme long shot

Answer 8

An extreme long shot frames the subject from a distance and focuses on its surroundings. ​
The character is usually still noticeable in the frame. ​
They are commonly used to establish a story. ​

Question 9

Explain a long shot

Answer 9

Appears to be taken from a distance.​

It emphasises the environment that the character is in. ​

Question 10

List some possible angles used in film

Answer 10

Eye-level.​
Low angle.​
High-angle.​
Bird's eye.​
Dutch tilt.​

Question 11

Explain an eye-level

Answer 11

The camera is placed at the level of the actor’s eyes.​

It is considered neutral ​

Question 12

Explain a low angle

Answer 12

Can make the subject appear bigger.​

Can make the subject seem powerful or threatening. ​

Question 13

Explain a high-angle

Answer 13

This can make the subject being filmed seem small and vulnerable. ​

Question 14

Explain a bird’s eye

Answer 14

The director shoots the subject from directly above. ​

Can be used to show a character having an outer body experience.​

Question 15

Explain a dutch tilt

Answer 15

Dutch tilt is where the camera is deliberately slanted to one side. ​
This can be used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness​

Question 16

What is a two-shot? What is a three-shot?

Answer 16

Two-shot:
A shot containing two figures​
Is used a lot during a conversation when the two people are equals.

Three shot:
A shot containing three people​
It requires distance in order to fit them all in.​
It can show more of the setting than the two-person shot. ​

Question 17

What is an over-the-shoulder shot?

Answer 17

Is where the camera is placed above the back of the head and shoulder of a subject. ​
This is mostly used for dialogue between two characters. ​

Question 18

What is an aerial shot?

Answer 18

An exterior shot from the air.​
Often used at the beginning of a film behind the title sequence.​

​

Question 19

What is a crane shot?

Answer 19

Can view actors from above or move up and away from them. ​
Allows for long takes.​
Looks as if the camera is flying above and around the action ​

Question 20

What is an insert shot?

Answer 20

Not of a person but an object.​
It is used to emphasize a relevant object.​
Often calls the audience’s attention to a clock, newspaper article, symbolic object ​

Question 21

What is a point of view shot?

Answer 21

Shows a particular character’s perspective.​
As if you are seeing from their eyes.​
Often used in horror or suspense​