Film Techniques Flashcards
Director
Person responsible for making the artistic decisions on a film
Flashback
Scene or sequence to show a past event that is inserted into a present scene
Music
Used to create the theme, mood or atmosphere of a film. Can be diagetic (seen on screen) or non-diagetic (can’t be seen on screen)
Narrative
Story in a film
Setting
Where the action of a film takes place
CAMERA SHOTS AND ANGLES
Aerial shot
Camera shot taken from a high altitude such as a cherry picker, crane or plane
Camera angles
Angle of a camera can be high, low or at a tilt
Close up/extreme close up
Camera shot taken a short distance away
Establishing/panoramic shot
Wide shot used to establish setting and atmosphere (often used at the beginning of a film)
Frame
Positioning of an individual in the shot
Full shot
Usually displays the whole height of the object or subject (full length body shot)
High angle
Taken with the camera looking down on the subject or object (can be used to portray vulnerability)
Long shot
Shot taken from some distance away. Different to a panoramic shot, but still includes some scenery and the full height of subjects or objects
Low angle shot
Shot taken from below the subject or object looking upwards (can be used to suggest dominance or power)
Medium shot
Shot where the camera acts as the eyes for the subject of the object enabling the audience to see the character’s point of view
Tilt
Movement of the camera (usually up or down)
Zoom
Similar to tracking shot but the camera moves in closer to the subject or object
Point of view shot
Shot where the camera acts as the eyes for the subject of the object enabling the audience to see the character’s point of view
TERMS OF FILM ANALYSIS
Metaphor
Sequence that represents something else (road in background can represent new beginning)
Symbolism
Object or image that represents something beyond the literal (Winter trees may symbolise death, crucifix may mean sacrifice or a door may symbolise entering new worlds
GENERAL FILM TERMINOLOGY
Dialogue
What is said by the characters in the film
