In this workshop, we learnt how to operate:
- High-key lighting, using a fill light, key light and a back light. When working with them, we had to be careful during the positioning, so we avoid shadows on the curtains and any unnecessary reflections and shadows.
- Low-Key lighting, using one main light which is positioned well enough just to shine light on the right places without making the scene look too dark or unprofessional.
- A green Screen, where we has a group of people dancing to a song of their choice, only to put the original music video clip as a background. This was the hardest task out of all, since there were creases on the green screen, sometimes there were too many people in shot, and the camera isn't supposed to be moved when working with green screen.
The one I found the easiest was the Low-Key lighting, as there wasn't much equipment to operate and it was quite straight forward. However, the one I found the hardest to edit was the green screen footage, since selecting the videos I want to work with and matching the gif sequence behind without looking unprofessional or out of place was hard to do
- Mid Shots - used a lot in this clip, to show the characters and accent on the importance of their actions in certain shots. Respects their personal space, but is also close enough to show us their reactions to different events.
- Long Shots - they are used to show the environment in the scene presented to us. Portraying the mass panic in the beginning, and then showing the result of Gwen's actions.
- Close-Up - only when Gwen is in the closet - breaks the boundaries and lets us determine her emotions through her face features.
Effects:
- Machine sounds and visuals - the beeping and the flashing of the machines around Gwen create a tense scene, keeping the audience on their toes and accenting on the rushed situation,
- Shaky camera and lights going out - a sign that the situation worsen - carries on the tension of the scene, grabbing the audience's attention before they get bored.
- Music - The soundtrack is loud and adds onto the tension, being typical for action movies. Starts off with a 'hero in trouble' type of music, but towards the end it focuses more on the damsel is distress aspect of the story line, helping us see Gwen as more vulnerable.
Genre:
This movie is clearly an action, super-hero movie. in the beginning, we can see it has the typical side-kick aspect to it, as the main hero is somewhere else, giving commands to their close side-kick. However, as the clip continues, it transforms into another popular narrative for action - damsel in Distress. Suddenly, Gwen is in trouble and helpless, telling us that she is actually a more complex character. The type of shots used in this clip are simple and straight-forward in order to focus on the action and get the best angle, keeping a shot for longer times, so the audience can take in the environment. Another identifying factor to the genre is the soundtrack used - it is very tense and upbeat, or slow and dreadful - the two main choices when showing a tense, action scene.
Image: From Dawn of the Planet of the Apes via 20th Century Fox.
The extreme close up is usually used in films in order to allow the viewer into the character's intimate space, introducing them to emotions and characteristics that would usually go unnoticed. The up-close view of a certain feature of the character intensifies on their reaction of the event happening. It creates a relationship between the viewer and the characters, allowing the audience to feel sympathy and build a connection with the film. Extreme Close Ups are often used in movies in order to emphasise the dramatic importance of certain scenes.
"An extreme close-up shows us objects and people differently than we see them. It calls attention to the subjects, making them more memorable visually" – Jennifer van Sijll, Cinematic Storytelling
The term Big Close Up mostly appears in scripts, storyboards and shortlists. Even though it could refer to both people and objects, it is mostly used to portray people. A BCU on a person usually includes most of their face features (eyes, nose and mouth) without showing their head
In Close Up shots, we usually see a tightly framed image of a person (usually the face if not specified) or subject. It helps the audience locate the main focus of the narrative, while establishing a connection with whatever is introduced to them. Close-ups display the most detail, but they do not include the broader scene
Mid Shot (MS)
Margot Robbie in the new "Suicide Squad" trailer as Harley Quinn.
Courtesy of YouTube.
Mid Shot usually shows a person/object in some detail, while still managing to fit some of the background in order to show the subject's relation to it's surroundings. It simulates the way we see someone when having a face to face interaction, as we don't usually pay attention to their lower body. In movies, mid shots are used to introduce characters, helping the viewer get an impression of them, without getting closer than necessary. Mid Shots could portray a character speaking without too much
emotion or intense concentration, or delivering information (which is why it is frequently used by television news presenters). The mid shot allows room for hand gestures and a bit of movement, as well as creating a neutral setting.
Mid Long Shot (MLS)
Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone The Amazing Spider-Man 2. (Sony Pictures)
Mid Long Shot, also known as the three - quarters shot frames the subject from the knees up, just in the middle between a medium shot and a long shot. Similar to the Mid Shot, it shows the relations of the subject with its surrounding, but on a bigger scale. It's often used in action movies, introducing an important character, or showing a fight scene. Mid Long Shots often can fit up to 3 people in one frame, helping the audience focus on their relationship or interaction.
Long Shots do the job of showing the image as approximately life size, corresponding to the real distance between the audience and the screen in the cinema. In long shots, the viewer gets a good view of the characters in the shot, as well as the emerging background detail. It is often used in movies as an establishing shot to introduce a new setting. It is called a long shot because the camera is placed far away to capture a large area of view.
Extreme Long Shot, or also known as Extreme Wide Shot (EWS), covers big areas giving a context to scenes. In the extreme long shot the screen space is filled primarily with the surroundings. Directors usually use ELS, because foregrounds an environment a central character finds themselves in.
In Point-of-View shots, the camera is positioned so that you see what the character would be seeing from their perspective. However, the shot might be of a part of the character (over a shoulder). POV shot gives the audience the illusion that they are the character in the scene and not just looking at it from an exterior view. Through this shot, the audience gets to see everything going on in the scene, as well as experiencing a certain character's emotions. Horror movie often use POV shots in order to build anxiety and tension.
Worm's-eye View shot portrays the subject from below (as thought the observer was a worm). It is often used for third perspective, with vanishing points on top, left and right. It presents the subject as tall, strong, and mighty.
Bird's Eye View shows an elevated view of an object, as though the observer were a bird. It is often used in making blueprints, floor plans and plans
Aerial Shot
Aerial shot is a shot taken from an airborne device, generally while moving. It is often used in the beginning of a film, establishing setting and movement. It is a variation of the crane shot, however it provides flexibility in movement of the camera and has a bigger overall reach.
Crane shots are often called "dolly-shots-in-the-air". They are taken using a crane/jib (a heavy piece of equipment), which is moved up and down, left and right and diagonally, making it easier to move the camera around during intense fight scenes and establishing shots.
High Angle Shot
The Avengers via Marvel Studios
Not as extreme as bird's eye view shots, in high angle shots the camera is lifted slightly above the subject/action with a crane, giving a general overview. High Angle shots often have the tendency to make the subject photographed look smaller and less significant, by being swallowed up by its surroundings.
Low angle shots are used to increase height of the subject portrayed in the shot. They help give a sense of confusion to a viewer, of powerlessness within the action of a scene. Usually the background in low angle shots usually tend to be a sky or a ceiling. The lack of detail in the background creates a sense of disorientation in the viewer. The newfound height of the subject makes it appear as the dominant figure and inspires fear and insecurity in the audience.
