Shots:
- Medium shots
- Long shots
- Wide shots
- Close ups
- Very close up
- Extreme close up
Action matching:
Action match is a type of editing that cuts from one shot to another that matches the action of the first shot. A typical example of this a person reaching for a door handle then it cuts to the other side of the so that you see the person walking through the door opening the door. Below is an example of this. |
The idea behind low angle shot is to make the people or thing(s) on screen at that moment seem strong, powerful and superior. If you skip to 3:04 in the clip to the left you will see an example of a low angle shot.
Graphical matching:
This is another editing technique but instead of it being a cut (transitions to next shot with clean cut) or a match on action shot this will take one image and focus on that whilst everything around it changes with a seamless flow. Below is an example of this from Raiders of the lost ark. watch carefully as the paramount logo fades to the mountain. |
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180 degree rule:
The 180 degree rule is a rule in which you aren't allowed to cross an imaginary line (that runs down the middle of the two people in shot) through the use of a cut, you can only cross this line if it's in one continuous shot. However they can go anywhere on the 180 degree arc. To the right is a graphical representation of this. |
shot reverse shot:
These shots are often used whilst two people are holding a conversation, often filmed at eye level. In hollywood they use shot reverse shot as a type of continuity editing. below is what a shot reverse shot looks like. the top image is the 'shot' and the image at the bottom is the 'reverse shot' |
Sully Trailer Atmosphere Analysis
This clip is the trailer for the upcoming movie "Sully". The movie tells the tense and stressful story of the miracle of landing on the Hudson river. In order to create this stress and tension the producer would have used a number of different techniques such as sound, camera angles and editing.
In the beginning you can see that all the different shots were edited together in quick succession of each other, so that each shot is really quick and only about 1-2 seconds long. This helps to create a tense atmosphere because you don't know what's going to come in the next shot, therefor it keeps you hanging on the edge of your seat. Another way an atmosphere is created is through the use of sound. When the clip gets to 16 seconds in a piece of non-diegetic music begins to play, now this isn't any ordinary piece of music this piece of music is very slow and almost quite eerie. And finally there's the use of camera angles, an example can be seen 1:33 seconds into the clip where you'll see the passengers assuming the brace position but whilst this is happening the camera is angled above them. This could make them seem vulnerable and in turn create a stressful and/or tense atmosphere. |
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Sounds
Diegetic sound: diegetic sound is sound that can be heard by the characters in the scene. In this opening scene of "The Ring" the static that can be heard coming fro the TV is diegetic because the characters will be able to hear it as well.
Contrapuntal sound: contrapuntal sound is sound that sets a mood that's all too different to the one that's being set on the screen.
Here's a video from the film 'reservoir Dogs' showing an example of contrapuntal sound. You can see the contrapuntal sound being put into effect when the man in the white shirt turns on the radio. Asychronous sound: asynchronous sound is when the sound emanating from the video doesn't fit. e.g. a woman screaming and then seeing a train come out of a tunnel whilst blowing its whistle. below is a video demonstrating asynchronous sound.
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Non-diegetic sound: non-diegetic sound is sound that can be heard by the audience but not by the characters in the scene. below is a clip from "Dumb and Dumber". the music playing in this clip is non-diegetic.
Nonsimultaneous sound: nonsimultaneous sound is sound that bridges between the story and action on screen.
Post synchronisation dubbing: this is sound that's added during the editing process of movies.
Star Wars would have done a lot of this in the movies as the space ships wouldn't generate the noise them selves. For example, in the clip below you see some tie fighters flying over head, they wouldn't actually be making the noises they are dubbed on afterword's. |
Parallel sound: parallel sound is sound that is tailored to fit the scene, or in other words goes hand in hand with what's appearing on the screen.
In the clip below you can see the fight between Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan. Once they finish talking and begin combat you can hear some fast tempo music that aids with the build up of suspense. Synchronous sound: this is sound that perfectly matches what's happening in that specific scene, this however this not to be confused with parallel sound. An example of synchronous sound would be starting your car engine and hearing the roar of the engine.In other word nonsimultaneous sound is sound that we expect to hear, the car engine raw when you turn the key... Below is a video from "2012" this shows how nonsimultaneous sound is used in movies. In this clip when the car accelerates at speed you can hear the wheels screech, this is what you'd expect.
Sound bridge: a sound bridge is where sound is put over the top whilst cutting between different clips. the purpose of the sound over the top is to make it seem a bit more smooth. The part we're interested in, in this clip is at the very end when the music gets louder and it then cuts to the alarm clock. when this happens listen to the music and you should be able to hear it fade into the alarm clock 'beep' thanks to the nature of the music.
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Sound for effect - The Godfather
Sound is frequently used to create effect within films usually to reach a certain desired atmosphere best suited for the scene in question. In this opening scene from The Godfather, a solitary trumpet plays the motif that occurs at many other point during the film. This creates a rather lonely feel and eerie feel.
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This clip is from a point further on in the film and uses the sound of a train to help build tension throughout this scene. When Michael is in the bathroom, (retrieving the gun) we hear the train sound which dies away as he leaves. Then we hear it again which creates a tense atmosphere, which is ideal for committing the act of murder.
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Mise en scene
Mise en Scene is the arrangement of scenery and props within a scene of a production, whether it be a TV program or a movie. It plays a fundamental part in any piece of film or TV as it is the key to creating a suspension of disbelief and setting the scene. The mise en scene in every film and TV program is planned and thought out to great extent. Nothing the audience sees gets placed there by accident, every item in view is deliberately put there for a reason. The mise en scene in a camera shot can tell us a lot about what is happening and can also give context and a bit a background of what's happening.