Film Techniques Flashcards
Close up
Definition: A shot that tightly frames a subject, often showing just the face or an important detail.
Effect: Highlights emotions, draws attention to a specific feature or object, and creates intimacy with the subject.
Extreme close up
Definition: A very tight shot showing only a small detail (e.g., an eye or a hand).
Effect: Intensifies emotional moments, creates tension, or emphasizes specific, important details.
Medium shot
Definition: A shot that typically shows the subject from the waist up.
Effect: Balances focus on the subject and their surroundings, often used for dialogue scenes to capture body language and setting.
Long shot
Definition: A shot that shows the subject from head to toe, along with the background.
Effect: Establishes context and the relationship between the subject and their environment, providing a sense of scale.
Establishing shot
Definition: A wide shot at the beginning of a scene that establishes location and context.
Effect: Sets the scene for the audience, often used to introduce a setting or transition between scenes.
Over the shoulder shot
Definition: A shot taken from behind one character, looking over their shoulder at another character.
Effect: Puts the viewer in the perspective of one character, enhancing the sense of conversation or confrontation.
POV Shot
Definition: A shot that shows what a character is seeing from their perspective.
Effect: Immerses the audience in the character’s experience, creating a sense of empathy or tension.
High angle shot
Definition: A shot taken from above the subject, looking down.
Effect: Makes the subject appear smaller, weaker, or vulnerable, emphasizing power dynamics or emotional states.
Low angle shot
Definition: A shot taken from below the subject, looking up.
Effect: Makes the subject appear larger, more powerful, or dominant, creating a sense of authority or intimidation.
Editing
Definition:The process of selecting and arranging shots to create a cohesive narrative e.g. cutting, trimming, and transitions between scenes.
Effect: Controls pacing, mood, and tension and creates continuity and smooth flow between scenes.
Highlights key moments and manipulates time (e.g., flashbacks, montages)
Diegetic sound
Definition: Sound that originates from within the scene (e.g., dialogue, footsteps, or music playing from a radio).
Effect: Grounds the scene in reality, allowing the audience to experience the world as the characters do.
Non-diegetic sound
Definition: Sound that is not part of the world within the film, such as a soundtrack or voiceover.
Effect: Sets mood, guides the audience’s emotions, and can provide additional context or narration.
Lighting (High-Key and Low-Key)
Definition: High-key lighting is bright and even, with few shadows, while low-key lighting is darker with strong contrasts and shadows.
Effect: High-key lighting creates a cheerful, open mood, while low-key lighting adds tension, mystery, or drama.
Slow Motion
Definition: A technique where time appears slowed down in the scene.
Effect: Emphasizes action, adds dramatic weight, and draws attention to key moments.
Sound track
Definition: The music accompanying a film, including score and songs.
Effect: Sets mood, enhances emotional impact, and guides audience reactions.
