Film Studies Flashcards
What is a shot?
A shot is an uninterrupted lens that runs through a camera
What is a take?
Is a single recording of a shot.
What are the most common types of shots?
There are five basic types of shots: Extreme close up, Close up, Medium shot Long shot Extreme long shot
Explain an extreme close up shot
Isolates an image
It is used to reveal certain emotions that would go unnoticed.
Explain a close-up shot
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.
Explain a medium shot
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.
Explain a full shot
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.
Explain an extreme long shot
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.
Explain a long shot
Appears to be taken from a distance.
It emphasises the environment that the character is in.
List some possible angles used in film
Eye-level. Low angle. High-angle. Bird's eye. Dutch tilt.
Explain an eye-level
The camera is placed at the level of the actor’s eyes.
It is considered neutral
Explain a low angle
Can make the subject appear bigger.
Can make the subject seem powerful or threatening.
Explain a high-angle
This can make the subject being filmed seem small and vulnerable.
Explain a bird’s eye
The director shoots the subject from directly above.
Can be used to show a character having an outer body experience.
Explain a dutch tilt
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
What is a two-shot? What is a three-shot?
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.
What is an over-the-shoulder shot?
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.
What is an aerial shot?
An exterior shot from the air.
Often used at the beginning of a film behind the title sequence.
What is a crane shot?
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
What is an insert shot?
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
What is a point of view shot?
Shows a particular character’s perspective.
As if you are seeing from their eyes.
Often used in horror or suspense
