Technical Codes
Types of
camera shot
·
Establishing shot – This is defined as the
first shot of a new scene, intended to show the audience where the action is
occurring. Generally, this is quite an expansive shot.
·
Long shot – With reference to a person, this means
they take up almost the full frame height. In other situations, it is defined
as a wide shot of the entire scene – with the primary intention to emphasise
the location of the scene.
·
Medium shot – This is defined as a shot in which only
the upper body of the subject is visible – intending to emulate a real-life
conversation.
Elements of this shot include…
1.
“Relatability” – being similar to everyday social
interaction
2.
Character and background detail balance
3.
Interaction
·
Close-up – This is simply when a part of the subject –
usually their face – takes up most of the frame. Usually used to enable viewers
to see characters’ emotional reactions to what is taking place.
·
Extreme close-up – This is essentially a more intense
version of the previously described shot – it gets right in and shows extreme
detail. Most commonly used as a way of getting the audience to focus on specific
details.
·
Two shot – Self-explanatory – this is a shot which
displays two subjects in frame. Used predominantly in interviews.
·
Point of view shot – This is a shot intended to convey
the subject’s perspective.
·
Over the shoulder shot –
This is a shot framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The
person facing the subject should generally comprise around a third of the
frame. This shot helps establish the subjects’ positions, providing a feel of
looking at one person from the other’s perspective. It’s common to cut between
these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different
speakers. There are many variations of this shot with different features
displayed – for instance, half of the subject’s face.
·
Shot reverse shot – Employed chiefly by Hollywood,
this film technique consists of one character looking at another, and then the
other character is displayed looking back at the first. As the characters are
shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking
at each other.
·
High angle shot – A high angle focuses on the subject from above, i.e. the camera is
angled down towards the subject. The purpose is primarily to diminish the
subject, make him appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.
·
Low angle shot – This
shows the subject from below, projecting an impression of being more powerful
or dominant.
Types of
camera movement
·
Panning – Defined as horizontal (left and
right) movement
·
Tracking
– Essentially the same as a dolly shot (utilising a mobile platform on
wheels for camera movement), but more precisely defined as movement
which stays a constant distance from the action – typically side-to-side
movement.
Editing
techniques
·
Eyeline match - Similar to the shot reverse shot
technique, an eyeline match is a film editing technique commonly associated
with continuity editing. "Eyeline" refers to the path of the looking
eye.
·
Match on action cut- This is an editing technique
(again for continuity editing) in which one shot cuts to another shot conveying
the action of the subject in the first shot. This creates the impression of
continuity - the action carrying through creates a "visual bridge",
drawing the viewer's attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues.
This is not a graphic match or match cut - it portrays a continuous sense of
the same action as opposed to matching two separate things.
Useful
websites include…
2.
Slideshare (http://www.slideshare.net/leviwigglesworth/shot-reverse-shot-and-match-on-action-media, http://www.slideshare.net/HannahCostello/eyeline-match and http://www.slideshare.net/joe940/match-on-action-180-rule-shot-reverse-shot) 