Sound and Moving Image Research
Introduction
For this project I was asked to produce a 2 minute video that will show my production process of my final end of year work. Before producing video I will be showing research into techniques, shots and filming styles that will help me understand better how to produce my video.
A film style is a group of conventions used by filmmakers to add visual appeal, depth and meaning to their work. Each filmmaker develops his own style, but few styles that transcend individuals are: film noir, musicals, surrealism. Film style is different from film genre, which defines what a film is about, for example romantic movies are about love. A style can be applied to any type of genre.
Camera angles
Eyelevel Angle-
An eyelevel angle is the one in which the camera is placed at the subject’s height, so if the actor is looking at the lens, he wouldn’t have to look up or down. Eyelevel shots are incredibly common because they are neutral. They often have no dramatic power whatsoever, thus they are ideal for romantic comedies and news casting.
Low Angle-
Low angles are captured from a camera placed below the actor’s eyes, looking up at them. Low angles make characters look dominant, aggressive, or ominous.
High Angle-
In a high angle, the camera is above the subject, looking down. This position makes characters look weak, submissive, or frightened.
Birds Eye-
This shows a scene from directly overhead, a very unnatural and strange angle. This shot does, put the audience in a godlike position, looking down on the action. People can be made to look insignificant, ant-like, part of a wider scheme of things.
Camera Shots
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.
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.
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 mid 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 close-up contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot.
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.
Two Shot contains two peoples (or other individuals) together.
Over the Shoulder Shots are shot from behind the person towards their subject. Generally the frame is cut off just behind the ear, although there are several variations. A good technique to use to get this shot is to frame the person facing the subject with about one third of the frame.
Point of View is an effective shot that gives the audience the feel that you’re seeing it from the eyes of the performer. It is taken from near the eye-level of the actor and shows what he might see. It could be used to give the perspective of other animals too like a frog, a bird, or a fish.
Techniques
Time-lapse - it is a technique that basically speeds up time by turning a scene that has a slow state-of-change into a video that plays in high speed. This technique is best for capturing the work process as it allows to see the complex progress effectively and quickly.
Hyper-lapse - this technique brings standard time-lapse to life with camera movement. To achieve it you need to move the camera at the same interval in both space and time.
Screen capture software - to capture a digital process it is good to use a screen capture software as it allows you to record images and videos of your computer using your web-cam.
Editing:
Cutting- replacement of one shot with another
Invisible editing- referred as a seamless editing that looks is made so smooth that viewers don't notice the individual cuts
Match Cut - it is a cut between either two different spaces, object or compositions, in which an object in both shots graphically match and that often helps to establish a strong continuity of action
Flash cutting - fast and short cuts
Cross cutting - alternates shots of two or more lines of action occurring in different places
Transitions:
Dissolve - fading out one shot and fading into the next is used to show a change in location or time
Fade - dissolving to black or from black (or different colour) is used mainly to simulate the passage of time
Defocus - basically blurring the picture, used mainly at the end or the beginning of the scene
