Camera Shots
A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters, and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film.
Hman kan thlak tikah hmanthlak chungah hmun le hma le a um mi kan hmuh khawh tawn. Hmanthlak ning phun hna hi muicawl chungah a um mi hmun le hma, lemcang hna le ruahnak hna langhternak caah hman an si tawn. Cucaah, hmanthlak ning phun hna hi muicawl sersiamnak ah an biapi tuk.
An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape. It is often
used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting).
This is also known as an establishing shot.
Lamhla piin thlakmi hmanthlak nih cun hmun le hma kha kau piin a langhter. Muicawl an zeih mi khuazeika ahdah a can tibantuk hi a langhter ter tawn. Muicawl hramthoknak zong ah hman ngai mi a si tawn.
A long shot contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea
of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will
take place.
Lamhla in thlakmi hmanthlak nih cun a zohtu kha hmun le hma ka khatkhat theng te zoh dingah a kan chimh. Lamhla in thlakmi hmanthlak nih cun khuazeika hmun ahdah thil a can lai tibantuk khi a kan chimh tawn.
A full shot contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot,
viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate
the relationships between characters.
A tling thlakmi hmanthlak nih cun lemcang mipum dihlak khi a langhter tawn. Hi thlakmi kan zoh tikah, a zohtu hna nih lemcang pakhat nih zeibantuk thilthuam dah aa hrukaih tibantuk a langhtger pinah lemcang pakhat le pakhat karah zeibantukindah an um ti zong a langhter tawn.
A medium shot contains the characters or a character from the waist up.
From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as
their interaction with other characters. This is also known as a social shot.
A cheu thlakmi hmanthlak nih cun lemcang pakhatkhat kha an tai in a cunglei lawng kha a langhter. Hi thawng hin, a zohtu nih lemcang pakhat nih muihmai zong ttha deuh in kan hmuh khawh pinah, lemcang dang he zeitin an um ti zong a kan hmuhter khawh. Biakchawnh caan hman mi hmanthlak ning te zong in ruahmi a si.
A close-up contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to
understand the actor's emotions and allows them to feel empathy for the
character. This is also known as a personal shot.
A naih hmanthlakmi nih cun lemcang muihmai lawng kha a langhter. Hi nih hin a zohtu cu lemcang pakhat nih a tuar in mi kha a kan hmuh ter i pehtlaihnak kha a ser tawn. Pumpak sining langhter caan hman mi hmanthlak ning in ruah mi a si.
An extreme close-up contains one part of a character's face or other object.
This technique is quite common in horror films, particularly the example above.
This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the
audience and the viewer.
A naih taktak in hmanthlak mi hmanthlak nih cun lemcang hmai te lawng a langhter tawn silole thil pakhat khat hmai. Hi bantuk hmanthlak ning hi cu khuachia-ka tibantuk zeihnak caah hman ngai mi a si. Rum le ra khi a sersiam i lemcang le a zohtu hna kan i pehtlaihnak zong fak deuh in a nun ter.
Camera angles
Camera tunmer ning
Camera angles are used to position the viewer
so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are
very important for shaping meaning in film as well as in other visual texts.
Hman kan thlak, muicawl kan thlak tikah, hmanthlaknak kan tunmer ning silole kan chiah ning dan hi an biapi aruang cu hmanthlak/muicawl umtining a kan chimh khawh. Cucu, muicawl ah a si ah a dangdang hmanthlak an si ah sullam an ngeih khawhnak ding caah an biapi.
A bird's eye angle is an angle that looks directly down upon a scene. This
angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an extreme long shot,
to establish setting.
A high angle is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject. A
character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles
are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular
character. The example above demonstrates to us the perspective or point of
view of a vampire. As a viewer we can understand that the vampire feels
powerful.
An eye-level angle puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s.
This is the most used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel
comfortable with the characters.
A low angle is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the
opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can
make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character.
This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from
another character's point of view. As with camera shots, you will be able to
see many examples of camera angles in any film or visual text that you view.
The next time that you watch television or see a film, take note of the camera angles,
and think of how they affect your perception (idea) of different characters.
Camera movement
Composers of films also use camera movement to shape meaning.
The following are some examples of common camera movements and how they can be
used to shape meaning in films.
A crane shot is often used by composers of films to signify the end of a
film or scene. The effect is achieved by the camera being put on a crane that
can move upwards.
A tracking shot and a dolly shot have the same effect. A tracking
shot moves on tracks and a dolly shot is mounted on a trolley to achieve the
effect in the example above. This camera movement is used in several ways but
is most used to explore a room such as a restaurant. By using a tracking shot
or a dolly shot the composer of a film gives the viewer a detailed tour of a
situation. It can also be used to follow a character.
Panning is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a set or setting. This can
be used to establish a scene.
Lighting
Lighting is a very important aspect for shaping meaning in
films. What kind of atmosphere is created in a room lit by candles? Have you
ever heard of mood lighting? A room that is brightly lit by neon lights might
seem to be sterile or a shadowy room might be eerie or scary. The lighting
technicians in a film crew have the task of creating lighting to suit the mood
and atmosphere of each scene in a film.
Cinematography
Cinematography is the combination of the techniques described
above. This includes camera shots, camera angles, camera movement and lighting.
Use the term cinematography to group all these together, for example, 'The
cinematography in that film was exceptional.'
Mise en Scene
“Mise en scene” refers to all the objects and characters in a
particular frame. More specifically, it refers to the composition of the frame.
When you use the term mise en scene, you are discussing where the composer or
director has placed all the elements of the scene within the frame.
Special Effects
'Special effects' are often referred to as 'FX'. Special
effects are used when a sequence or scene in a film cannot be achieved through
the usual techniques. Examples where special effects are used are when Superman
flies or when an explosion is too big or expensive to be filmed. Advances in
computer technology have made special effects a central part of many modern
films. Two of the more common types of special effects that are used today are
outlined below.
Computer generated imagery
(CGI) is three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics that are
used to produce special effects for all types of film. Some famous examples of
where CGI has been used include Shrek, Ice Age and for Gollum from The Lord of
the Rings. It is important to note that CGI is not only used to construct
virtual characters but can also be used to alter colour and lighting. Where a
director feels that there is not enough colour in a scene, CGI colour grading
can be used to brighten it up.
Bluescreens
In a lot of circumstances have been replaced by CGI. You will
still see examples of special effects using bluescreens used every day. The
bluescreen is an actual object. Actors are filmed acting in front of a
bluescreen and then, during editing, the background is replaced. This is how
the original Superman films created the effect of superman flying. Television
weather presenters use a bluescreen.
Sound, Soundtrack and Music
The sound, soundtrack and music in a film are very important
to the impact of films and play a major role in shaping meaning in the text.
Next time you view a film try to imagine a suspenseful scene without the music.
Does it have the same effect? There are a few factors to consider when
analysing sound in a film.
Diegetic sound is sound that occurs in film that is natural. These sounds
include doors opening and closing, footsteps, dialogue (the voices of the
actors if they are talking on screen), any music that comes from radios in the
film or played on musical instruments, thunderstorms, tyres screeching and
explosions. Any sound that is caused by actions or happens during the film is
diegetic sound. Imagine that the film is real. If you could hear that sound in
real life, it is diegetic.
Non-Diegetic sound is sound that is added to the film during editing. These
sounds include music and songs that are added to the film, music that sets mood
for films (such as screeching violins at suspenseful moments), narration
(voiceovers) and sounds added as special effects, especially in slapstick
(comedy using exaggerated physical violence) sequences. (the "boing!"
sound as a character is hit over the head - The Three Stooges is a classic
example of this kind of sound). Any sound that would not occur if the film were
real, is non-diegetic sound. For example, when you are sad, violins do not
suddenly start playing! Sound can also be enhanced. The difference between
sound, soundtrack and music is as follows:
Sound is what is generally referred to as diegetic sounds.
Soundtracks are any songs used during the film.
Music is the incidental mood music known as the film score.
Voice-Over is used to establish emotional connection to the main
protagonist and allow for transitions in time. It also allows for a narrative
perspective.
Editing
A dissolve occurs when one scene slowly fades into
another. This is often done to show the link between two scenes or the passing
of time. For example, footage of the school hallway 30 years ago might dissolve
into footage of the same hall today. This would emphasise the fact that it is
the same hallway while still focusing on the changes that have happened over 30
years.
Montage is a series of brief shots mixed to elicit an emotional response. These
helps move the passage of time, but also highlight a particular theme (i.e.,
Mabo's connection to land).
Sequence is an editing technique to allow for a flashback or dream sequence. This
usually involves a break in the linear narrative and provide important
character development.
Costume
Costume highlights setting and context, but also can highlight cultural, race
and gender differences. Notice how characters are portrayed through what they
wear, and how that changes in certain scenes.
