180 degree rule-Match on action-shot/reverse shot
Preliminary Exercise:Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
Friday 28 May 2010
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Editing
EDITING
Editing – the stage in the film-making process in which sound and images are organised into an overall narrative.
Continuity Editing – the most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward. Also nick named invisible editing referring to how the technique does not draw attention to the editing process.
Jump Cut – An abrupt, disorientating transitional device in the middle of a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and/or cut between two similar shots, usually done to create discontinuity for artistic effect.
Credits – the information at the beginning and end of a film, which gives details of cast and crew etc.
Cross Cutting – the editing technique of alternating, interweaving, or interspersing one narrative action (scene, sequence or event) with another – usually in different locations or places, thus combining the two: this editing technique usually suggests Parallel action (that takes place simultaneously). Often used to dramatically build tension and/or suspense in chase scenes or to compare two different scenes. Also known as inter-cutting or parallel editing. Check out this amazing example from Coppola's 'The Godfather' (NOTE-NOT THE ORIGINAL MUSIC!!)
Cutaways – A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action, object, or person (sometimes not part of the principle scene or main action), followed by a cutback to the original shot. Often used in TV Drama to show a character's reaction
Freeze Frame – the effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in on one event or element.
Eye-line Match – a type of edit which cuts from one character to what that character has been looking at. Look at this example here (around 30 seconds in)
Flashback – a scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the film’s narrative.
Graphic Match – an edit effect in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other. A famous graphic match from Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey'
Juxtaposition – the placement of two (often opposed) images on either side of an edit to create an effect.
Linear Narrative – a style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.
Montage Editing – the juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning.
Parallel Editing – a type of editing in which events in two locations are cut together, in order to imply a connection between the two sets of events.
Visual Effects - visual effects are usually used to alter previously-filmed elements by adding, removing or enhancing objects within the scene.
Match on Action - A shot that emphasises continuity of space and time by matching the action of the preceding shot with the continuation of the action. (For example a shot of a door opening after a shot of a close up of a character’s hand turning a door handle)
Editing – the stage in the film-making process in which sound and images are organised into an overall narrative.
Continuity Editing – the most common type of editing, which aims to create a sense of reality and time moving forward. Also nick named invisible editing referring to how the technique does not draw attention to the editing process.
Jump Cut – An abrupt, disorientating transitional device in the middle of a continuous shot in which the action is noticeably advanced in time and/or cut between two similar shots, usually done to create discontinuity for artistic effect.
Credits – the information at the beginning and end of a film, which gives details of cast and crew etc.
Cross Cutting – the editing technique of alternating, interweaving, or interspersing one narrative action (scene, sequence or event) with another – usually in different locations or places, thus combining the two: this editing technique usually suggests Parallel action (that takes place simultaneously). Often used to dramatically build tension and/or suspense in chase scenes or to compare two different scenes. Also known as inter-cutting or parallel editing. Check out this amazing example from Coppola's 'The Godfather' (NOTE-NOT THE ORIGINAL MUSIC!!)
Cutaways – A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action, object, or person (sometimes not part of the principle scene or main action), followed by a cutback to the original shot. Often used in TV Drama to show a character's reaction
Freeze Frame – the effect of seemingly stopping a film in order to focus in on one event or element.
Eye-line Match – a type of edit which cuts from one character to what that character has been looking at. Look at this example here (around 30 seconds in)
Flashback – a scene or moment in a film in which the audience is shown an event that happened earlier in the film’s narrative.
Graphic Match – an edit effect in which two different objects of the same shape are dissolved from one into the other. A famous graphic match from Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey'
Juxtaposition – the placement of two (often opposed) images on either side of an edit to create an effect.
Linear Narrative – a style of storytelling in which events happen chronologically.
Montage Editing – the juxtaposition of seemingly unconnected images in order to create meaning.
Parallel Editing – a type of editing in which events in two locations are cut together, in order to imply a connection between the two sets of events.
Visual Effects - visual effects are usually used to alter previously-filmed elements by adding, removing or enhancing objects within the scene.
Match on Action - A shot that emphasises continuity of space and time by matching the action of the preceding shot with the continuation of the action. (For example a shot of a door opening after a shot of a close up of a character’s hand turning a door handle)
Textual Analysis-Pride and Prejudice
In this extract Mr Darcy appears to think himself socially superior to those around him. How does the extract construct this representation through editing?
Textual Analysis-Waterloo Road
Discuss the way in which the representation of class and status are constructed in the clip from 'Waterloo road'.
Textual Analysis-Clocking Off
Look at the use of camera in this clip. What effects do the different uses of camera create?
Textual Analysis-The Ball Cruncher
The clip represents gender through the female character who is introduced in the first few minutes. She is portrayed as a scary, dominant woman (as suggested through the episode's title!) Give specific examples of how camera and sound construct this particular (fairly humorous!) representation...
Technical Elements of the Moving Image-Mise-en-scene
Look at this still image from a 'Being Human' promotional pack. There are lots of clues and references to spot all constructed through props and set design. 
Go to this link for a bigger version
Technical Elements of the Moving Image-Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene-French for 'put in the scene'. Refers to all the elements organised in pre-production and before filming starts e.g. location/production design (the look of a set)/props/costumes/lighting
These elements will suggest a great deal to the audience about how characters are being represented. You can analyse still images and make statements about how characters are being constructed through mise-en-scene and camera (shot/composition/framing)
Thursday 27 May 2010
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Sound
Diegetic sound-sound that is part of the 'world' of the clip. Sound that matches the images on screen. An example of diegetic sound would be 'ambient sound'. Ambient sound or ambient audio means the background sounds which are present in a scene or location. Common ambient sounds include wind, water, birds, crowds, office noises, traffic, etc.
Ambient sound is very important in video and film work. It performs a number of functions including:
In this clip from 'Lost' note the use of incidental music and the focus pull to make the audience focus on his feet!
In this clip at the very beginning there is a sound motif used in 'Lost' to let the audience know that there's a flashback.
Sting -Either a brief crescendo stab of music used to enhance the drama of the current situation just before an Act Break (called a "dramatic sting" when used this way), or a brief comical stab on music to enhance a punchline at the end of a scene (most famously, the so-called "rimshot" — ba-dum-bum-ching).
Sound bridge-refers to an outgoing sound (either dialogue or sound effects) in one scene that continues over into a new image or shot - in this case, the soundtrack, not a visual image, connects the two shots or scenes.
Note the use of sound in this Dr Who clip. Much more like a film score
Dialogue/Voiceover-dialogue can tell us a lot about representations. What do the characters say and what does this reveal about them?
All these elements together are collectively referred to as the soundtrack
Examples of aural horror from 'Clip Joint'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/jul/07/clip-joint-shocking-sounds
Sound bridge-sound continues from one frame to the next, 'bridging' the two frames
Ambient sound is very important in video and film work. It performs a number of functions including:
- Providing audio continuity between shots.
- Preventing an unnatural silence when no other sound is present.
- Establishing or reinforcing the mood.
Sound effects-often used in TV drama to draw the audience's attention to something. Note how the sound of the bus has been amplified in post-production at the sound mixing stage in the clip from 'Skins' posted earlier
Non-diegetic sound-sounds that are not 'natural' to the text e.g. musical score (in film), incidental music (music in TV), sound motif (musical phrases that relate to characters/emotions/moods)
In this clip from 'Lost' note the use of incidental music and the focus pull to make the audience focus on his feet!
In this clip at the very beginning there is a sound motif used in 'Lost' to let the audience know that there's a flashback.
Sting -Either a brief crescendo stab of music used to enhance the drama of the current situation just before an Act Break (called a "dramatic sting" when used this way), or a brief comical stab on music to enhance a punchline at the end of a scene (most famously, the so-called "rimshot" — ba-dum-bum-ching).
Sound bridge-refers to an outgoing sound (either dialogue or sound effects) in one scene that continues over into a new image or shot - in this case, the soundtrack, not a visual image, connects the two shots or scenes.
Note the use of sound in this Dr Who clip. Much more like a film score
Dialogue/Voiceover-dialogue can tell us a lot about representations. What do the characters say and what does this reveal about them?
All these elements together are collectively referred to as the soundtrack
Examples of aural horror from 'Clip Joint'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2010/jul/07/clip-joint-shocking-sounds
Sound bridge-sound continues from one frame to the next, 'bridging' the two frames
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Canted angle-a shot made with the camera leaned to one side and filming at a diagonal angle. Not very often seen in TV Drama but... 
The canted angle is a camera shot in which the camera is deliberately slanted to one side. This can be used for dramatic effect and helps portray unease, disorientation, frantic or desperate action, intoxication, madness, etc.
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Zoom-Reverse Zoom-self explanatory! Not often used in TV Drama as it is a very obvious use of the camera and would detract from the sense of realism most TV Dramas are trying to create. When used in TV Drama it would usually be to draw the audiences' attention to something important within the scene.
Check out this video with examples of a combination of a camera zoom and a tracking shot in the opposite direction! Creates a weird effect. First used by Hitchcock in 'Vertigo'
Check out this video with examples of a combination of a camera zoom and a tracking shot in the opposite direction! Creates a weird effect. First used by Hitchcock in 'Vertigo'
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Hand-held-self explanatory! Used a lot in horror/thriller/action films. Perhaps even used too much here in 'The Blair Witch Project' 
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Steadicam-this shot is named after the equipment used to get it.
a hand-held camera technique using a stabilizing Steadicam (introduced in the late 70s), with a special, mechanical harness that allows the camera operator to take relatively smooth and steady shots, though hand-held, while moving along with the action; the resulting images are comparable to normal tracking shots on a wheeled dolly
This clip from Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' make use of a steadicam to film the boy on his go-kart going down the corridor
a hand-held camera technique using a stabilizing Steadicam (introduced in the late 70s), with a special, mechanical harness that allows the camera operator to take relatively smooth and steady shots, though hand-held, while moving along with the action; the resulting images are comparable to normal tracking shots on a wheeled dolly
This clip from Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining' make use of a steadicam to film the boy on his go-kart going down the corridor
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Tilt shot-the camera moves on a vertical axis up or down. Commonly down to up! Often used to suggest power or menace e.g. a small child looking up an adult
Look at this student project and an example, among others, of a swish tilt- a faster tilt!
Look at this student project and an example, among others, of a swish tilt- a faster tilt!
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Tracking shot-the camera moves on tracks and follows the action. Sometimes referred to as a 'dolly shot' after the equipment the camera is mounted on.
From Martin Scorcese's 'Goodfellas'-one of the longest and most famous tracking shots in cinema
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mHtkpkxiA
Look at this selection from the Guardian's 'Clip Joint' series-use of the long take in films
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/jan/05/1
From Martin Scorcese's 'Goodfellas'-one of the longest and most famous tracking shots in cinema
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mHtkpkxiA
Also check out this from David Fincher's 'Panic Room'
Look at this selection from the Guardian's 'Clip Joint' series-use of the long take in films
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/jan/05/1
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Camera movement-pan. The camera remains in a fixed position and moves left-right or right-left. Check out this from Alfred Hitchcock's film 'Rope'. Hitchcock deliberately tried to avoid using cuts so uses camera movement instead to move the narrative on. 
Wednesday 26 May 2010
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Focus pull-the camera focus changes-see the video below. This technique draws the audience's attention to certain elements within the frame-directs our attention.
The focus pull is useful for directing the viewer's attention. For example, if there are two people in shot but only one is in focus, that person is the subject of attention. If the focus changes to the other person, they become the subject. This is often used in drama dialogues — the focus shifts backwards and forwards between the people speaking. A slightly more subtle trick is to focus on a person speaking then pull focus to another person's silent reaction.
The focus pull (AKA rack focus) is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.
The focus pull is useful for directing the viewer's attention. For example, if there are two people in shot but only one is in focus, that person is the subject of attention. If the focus changes to the other person, they become the subject. This is often used in drama dialogues — the focus shifts backwards and forwards between the people speaking. A slightly more subtle trick is to focus on a person speaking then pull focus to another person's silent reaction.
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Shallow focus-not all elements of the shot are in focus. The effect draws the audience's attention to the subject in focus-something the director needs us to notice
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Rule of thirds-part of the composition/framing of a shot
What is the Rule of Thirds?
The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts
With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image. Not only this – but it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements in your photo.
The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds#ixzz0p2iJx71M
What is the Rule of Thirds?The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically) so that you have 9 parts
With this grid in mind the ‘rule of thirds’ now identifies four important parts of the image that you should consider placing points of interest in as you frame your image. Not only this – but it also gives you four ‘lines’ that are also useful positions for elements in your photo.
The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds#ixzz0p2iJx71M
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Low angle-the shot is composed with the camera below the subject or at a low level. The effect makes the subject appear bigger in the frame. Used to suggest the reverse of the high angle! 
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
High angle-camera is above or higher than the subject. The effect in the frame is to make the subject seem smaller. Often used to reflect power in relationships or to make the subject seem smaller/inferior/vulnerable 
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Over the shoulder shot-like it says! Again a technical convention commonly used in TV Drama as it helps construct the idea of characters in conversation. Makes it seem more realistic
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Point-of-View shot-used to show a particular character's point of view. Enables the audience to empathise with that character.
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Two-shot-often seen in TV Drama as it is a technical convention used when filming dialogue
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Long shot-using the body as guide again, a full body shot 
Technical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Close-up-generally used to show a character's reaction/in order that the audience can focus on information crucial to the narrative.
Mid-shot-from the waist up
Mid-shot-from the waist upTechnical elements of the Moving Image-Camera
Camera shots
Establishing Shot-to establish information for the audience. Commonly location but could also be the time when the text is set.
Master Shot-to reference a specific location understood by the audience as belonging to the 'world' of the text. Indicates where the action is about to take place.
Representation of regional identity-'Shameless'
How does it represent a working class family from Northern England?
http://www.youtube.com/show?p=J_Vjg63aqj4&s=1
http://www.youtube.com/show?p=J_Vjg63aqj4&s=1
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