Film Techniques

Question 0

Establishing Shot

Answer 0

Establishes setting of the scene; can be used sometimes to “collapse time”

Time, weather, environment

Question 1

Close Up

Answer 1

The lens is close to the person or object being filmed; used to show emphasis or importance

Question 2

Subjective Point of View

Answer 2

The viewer sees only from one character’s perspective; this technique forces the viewer to identify with the character doing the “seeing”

Question 3

Zoom In

Answer 3

Without moving the camera itself, the focal length changes, and we move closer to a person or object; used to direct the viewer’s attention and to tell the viewer what to look at.

Question 4

Zoom Out

Answer 4

Without moving the camera itself, the focal length changes, and we move farther from a person or object; used to tell the viewer information about how a character fits into his or her surroundings; gives information on the setting

Question 5

Dolly Shot/ Tracking

Answer 5

The camera is mounted on a mini railroad track and the camera is pushed along with the action; shows realism; makes the viewer stay connected with the action and the characters

Question 6

Fade Out

Answer 6

Transition Shot; used to collapse time; we move from image to complete darkness to indicate time has passed

Question 7

Fade In

Answer 7

Transition Shot; used to collapse time; we move from complete darkness to an image to indicate time has passed

Question 8

Dissolve

Answer 8

Transition Shot; used to collapse time; image fades out while the next image fades in

Never total darkness

Question 9

Wipe

Answer 9

Transition Shot; used to collapse time; Scene B pushes Scene A off the screen

Any direction; stylish

Question 10

Montage

Answer 10

A series of shots or scenes that are connected by a common theme, often accompanied by music; used to collapse time

Question 11

Double Exposure

Answer 11

One image is laid directly on top of another image; used to show a significant connection between the two images; can be obvious or subliminal

Question 12

Dutch Tilt

Answer 12

The camera is tilted on an angle and the scene is filmed on an angle; used to indicate a character is confused, in a chaotic situation, is angry, or is impaired.

Question 13

Follow Focus

Answer 13

While filming, the focal length changes and what was once clear in the shot becomes blurry and what was once blurry in the shot becomes clear; used to direct a viewer’s attention and to tell the viewer what to focus on

Question 14

Handheld

Answer 14

Rather than being mounted on a tripod, the camera is held during filming; since handheld camera work is often bumpy, it shows the realism of a scene; this technique makes the viewer feel involved in the scene

Question 15

Pan

Answer 15

The camera moves side to side horizontally; shows the viewer information about the setting and how the characters fit into the setting

Question 16

Tilt

Answer 16

The camera moves up and down vertically

Question 17

Cut on Form

Answer 17

Transition shot; collapses a lot of time; stylish shot; Scene A ends on a movement and Scene B begins by continuing that same movement

Collapse years