Wednesday, 12 September 2012

Camera Lesson Three: Different Shots

In this lesson we looked at different shots and the feeling or emotion they can convey. Through clever camera work, the editor can create expectations that the audience can buy into and then quickly change them with an establishing shot.

The shots we learned about in this lesson were:

Wide Shot: This is an establishing shot. It establishes the location and is often used at the beginning of a scene to clarify to the audience where the scene is taking place. It sets up an atmosphere that the audience can use to understand the scene.

Point of View (POV): This enables the audience to see the perspective one of the characters is seeing. This can make the audience feel closer to the characters as they feel they are being spoken to, or taking the route of the characters.

Over the Shoulder (O/S): Helps create some dynamic and space between the character and their surroundings. It is frequently used in horror and thriller films to imply that someone is being followed or watched by someone the audience cannot see.

Close Up: This is a shot that captures the characters head and shoulders. It can reveal the emotion the character is feeling, it  is much more personal and intimate than a shot taken from further away. It is useful in dramatic moments to see the emotion on the character's face.

High Angle: This is shot from above looking down. It can indicate low status or a vunerable character. It can also make a character look smaller than they are in reality.

Low Angle: This is shot from below looking up. Can indicate a higher status, power and intimidation. It can also be used to make someone look bigger or taller. (E.g Tom Cruise is shorter than a lot of actors, he may need to be made to look taller to make his character seem more powerful.)

We had a look at a scene from Pleasantville. It would appear that a boy and a girl are having a conversation. By having the boy situated on the right of the screen and the girl on the left, it made it seem like they were talking. Only close ups were used so we couldn't see where they were in comparison to each other. It then switches to a wide shot and we see that he is actually talking to himself and the girl is talking to her boyfriend, over the other side of the grounds.

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