Visual Literacy Flashcards
What are visual techniques used to do?
- establish a context/location
- emphasize an element of character
- emphasize a plot detail
- increase tension
- establish a connection between plot elements
- highlight a relationship
- evoke an emotional response
- speed up or slow down the pace of the film
What is static art?
Still images in photographs, drawings, paintings, posters, ads.
What is sequencial art?
Images which move from frame to frame in print form which appears in storyboard, graphic novel, comic strips, and the photo essay.
What is film study?
Study of a moving image which is filmed.
What is a shot?
Continuous, unedited piece of film of any length.
What is a scene?
A series of shots edited together.
What is a sequence?
A series of scenes edited together.
What is parallel action?
Narrative strategy that crosscuts between two or more seperate actions to create the illusion that they are occuring simultaneously.
What is objective camera?
Scene is shot from the viewpoint of a spectator watching from outside the scene.
What is subjective camera?
Scene is shot from the viewpoint of a character directly involved in the scene.
What is off-screen action?
Something we hear but takes place outside the frame. (character/actor heard outside of camera view)
What is screen?
Refers to the actual physical screen on which we play a film.
What is voice-over (VO)?
Words spoken off-screen and heard over the visual shots. (narrator)
What is blocking a shot/scene?
Process of finding camera position, lighting, actor positions, and movements for each shot.
What is a set?
Refers to the actual construction in which the actors are filmed.
What is a prop?
Any object on a set, though clearly, the objects that characters will touch become more important.
What are costumes?
What the characters are wearing.
What is a hook?
The opening sequences in a film catching the audiences’ attention and draw them into the plot.
What is a caption?
Printed line(s) of text appearing at the bottom of the screen to describe the setting or to translate foreign words.
What is mise-en-scene?
French for ‘‘put in scene.’’ It means placing on stage. Refers to everything in the frame of a static/moving image (ex. lighting, props, setting, noise, etc).
What is space?
Used in individual shots to create symbolic meaning or dramatic effect. People and objects may be places in formal patterns and shapes to add another layer of meaning.
What are proxemics?
Camera shots; refers to spatial relationships among characters in the mise-en-scene and the apparent distance of the camera from the subject being filmed/photographed.
What is an extreme long shot?
(ELS) shows landscapes or view of whole world, town, or city. Purpose:
- establishing shot
- emphasize vulnerability
- establish ‘‘awe-inspiring’’ mood
What is a long shot?
(LS) overall view from a distance of a character’s environment; subject’s whole body and entire area of action is shown.
Purpose: - establish setting
- introduce main characters
- indicate emotional separation