Film Techniques

Question 1

Long shot

Answer 1

Helps to establish the nature of the environment that surrounds the subject, and can help to suggest their relationship with it/position within it. Often used in establishing shots.

Question 2

Mid shot

Answer 2

Effect depends on what is being shot. A mid shot doesn’t really give us a close view of a character’s emotional responses - so it’s rarely used an emotionally fraught scene. Instead it can often lend a sense of stability and closure to a conversation between characters.

Question 3

Close up shot

Answer 3

Used to give emphasis to a particular object and to give the audience insight into the emotions of a character.

Question 4

Extreme close up shot

Answer 4

Focuses on a single feature of a character’s face, and is used for emphasis and dramatic effect.

Question 5

Over the shoulder shot

Answer 5

Used to convey a sense of the relationship between two subjects; can suggest proximity, distance, or dominance.

Question 6

Point of view shot

Answer 6

When the camera takes the perspective of the character; that is, the audience sees exactly what the character sees. This shot often encourages to identify with that character as we see the world through their eyes.

Question 7

Shot reverse shot

Answer 7

Often used in conversation, when the camera shoots something (perhaps a character talking) and then shoots a second character to capture their response to that action.

Question 8

Overhead/Ariel shot

Answer 8

The audience is made to assume an omniscient perspective above the subject. Can be used to make the subject appear diminished in importance and power, vulnerable, exposed, or trapped. Equally it can make a subject look predatory.

Question 9

High angle

Answer 9

Usually conveys a sense of the subject’s lack of dominance, weakness, or vulnerability. Used in combination with an over-the-shoulder shot, it can also give dominance to a particular figure within the frame.

Question 10

Low angle

Answer 10

Lends a subject dominance and power.

Question 11

Dutch/tilted angle

Answer 11

Suggests imbalance or instability.

Question 12

Pan

Answer 12

Stationary camera moves along a horizontal axis.

Question 13

Tilt

Answer 13

Stationary camera moves along a vertical axis.

Question 14

Zoom

Answer 14

Stationary camera, moving lens used to make the object closer or further away.

Question 15

Tracking

Answer 15

Camera moves to follow action.

Question 16

Boom

Answer 16

Camera is mounted above action and can “swing” toward or away from it.

Question 17

Camera movement

Answer 17

The way a camera moves in relation to characters (i.e., following some figures as they move while displacing others from the frame) can result in visual favour or preference to certain characters.

Question 18

High key lighting

Answer 18

Creates a bright and open looking scene

Question 19

Low key lighting

Answer 19

Shadow and darkness can help to create a sense of evil, danger, uncertainty, and suspense.

Question 20

High contrast

Answer 20

Can be used to juxtapose spaces or suggest duplicity (especially when used to light one half of a character’s face).

Question 21

Colour

Answer 21

Colours, over hundreds of years of art and literature in Western culture, have become symbolic (they suggest meanings beyond sim. The colour of filters, lights, and objects within the mise-en-scene can often be symbolically significant.

Question 22

Diegetic sound

Answer 22

Has a source within the fictional world of the film.

Question 23

Non-diegetic sound

Answer 23

Does not have a source within the fictional world of the film, and is usually added during post-production. Includes voiceover and music.

Question 24

Mise-en-scene

Answer 24

Everything that has been placed within the frame. This includes the set design, properties, placement of characters, and lighting. In the case of characters, placement can indicate visual preference or favour.

Question 25

Costume

Answer 25

Can often give us insight into the nature of a character, or convey something about their situation (their power and confidence, their vulnerability, and so on).

Question 26

Dialogue

Answer 26

Dialogue is used for exposition (explaining reasoning/background for on-screen action), as well as to give the audience insight into a character and their thoughts and feelings.