Techniques
Techniques
Directions: Read the description of each technique and look at any examples if possible to help you understand the technique before you start filming. For every technique, you should write down what you will film using the handout Film Plan found below. Be sure to get film that lasts around 7-10 seconds.
Directions: Read the description of each technique and look at any examples if possible to help you understand the technique before you start filming. For every technique, you should write down what you will film using the handout Film Plan found below. Be sure to get film that lasts around 7-10 seconds.
Birds Eye View: "A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird" This shot is often used in the beginning or end of movies. See example
Birds Eye View: "A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird" This shot is often used in the beginning or end of movies. See example
Close Up: A close up can be from the shoulders to the top of the head or even closer. The purpose of a close up is usually to help the audience connect with the character of focus. The audience should be able to feel the emotions of the person of interest. Try getting a picture of the eyes only which can add tension. See example.
Close Up: A close up can be from the shoulders to the top of the head or even closer. The purpose of a close up is usually to help the audience connect with the character of focus. The audience should be able to feel the emotions of the person of interest. Try getting a picture of the eyes only which can add tension. See example.
Cutaway: These shots cut from the action to a detail and then come back to the original shot. For example, a shot could be focusing on a skier going quickly down a slope. It might then focus on a person at the bottom of the slope looking toward the skier with shock on their face. The film could then focus on the skier laying on the slope next to a large tree. This gives you the illusion that the skier crashed and that is why the second person had a shocking look on their face. This also keeps you from having to see the actual crash that never took place. See an example.
Cutaway: These shots cut from the action to a detail and then come back to the original shot. For example, a shot could be focusing on a skier going quickly down a slope. It might then focus on a person at the bottom of the slope looking toward the skier with shock on their face. The film could then focus on the skier laying on the slope next to a large tree. This gives you the illusion that the skier crashed and that is why the second person had a shocking look on their face. This also keeps you from having to see the actual crash that never took place. See an example.
Cut In: A cut in shot will shift from a distant framing to a closer view of some portion of the same space. For instance, you could be filming a student writing at her desk from a distance. You could then shoot a more detailed aspect of the student such as her phone she is using to text. See an example.
Cut In: A cut in shot will shift from a distant framing to a closer view of some portion of the same space. For instance, you could be filming a student writing at her desk from a distance. You could then shoot a more detailed aspect of the student such as her phone she is using to text. See an example.
Dutch Angle: "The Dutch Angle (or Dutch Tilt) is a technique that involves tilting your camera to one side, resulting in a frame that isn’t level." See example.
Dutch Angle: "The Dutch Angle (or Dutch Tilt) is a technique that involves tilting your camera to one side, resulting in a frame that isn’t level." See example.
Establishing Shots: The establishing shot is used to start a new scene. It sets the stage where the film or movie is taking place. It could be a city, building, field, farm, restaurant, etc. Next time you watch a movie, pay attention to how the beginning starts. Is it a city skyline, a field, a mountain, etc.? See an example.
Establishing Shots: The establishing shot is used to start a new scene. It sets the stage where the film or movie is taking place. It could be a city, building, field, farm, restaurant, etc. Next time you watch a movie, pay attention to how the beginning starts. Is it a city skyline, a field, a mountain, etc.? See an example.
Fade In Fade Out: Fade in occurs when the focus slowly goes from black to light in a scene. Fade out occurs when the focus slowly goes from light to black in a scene. This usually occurs at the beginning and ending of a scene. See an example
Fade In Fade Out: Fade in occurs when the focus slowly goes from black to light in a scene. Fade out occurs when the focus slowly goes from light to black in a scene. This usually occurs at the beginning and ending of a scene. See an example
High Angle: Film the subject from above. The purpose of this technique is to make the subject appear vulnerable and weak. See example
High Angle: Film the subject from above. The purpose of this technique is to make the subject appear vulnerable and weak. See example
Long Shot: Long shots occur when you focus on subjects from a slight distance. This is often used when you want to introduce a character in relation to their world. For instance, if you are introducing Kathy, a waitress at the local diner, you might film her helping customers from the outside of the restaurant. See an example. See example.
Long Shot: Long shots occur when you focus on subjects from a slight distance. This is often used when you want to introduce a character in relation to their world. For instance, if you are introducing Kathy, a waitress at the local diner, you might film her helping customers from the outside of the restaurant. See an example. See example.
Low Angle: Film the subject from below. The purpose of this technique is to make the subject appear strong and powerful. See example
Low Angle: Film the subject from below. The purpose of this technique is to make the subject appear strong and powerful. See example
Over the Shoulder Shot: This angle involves taking a shot over the shoulder of another person to film the subject. It is often when there is a conversation between two people.
Over the Shoulder Shot: This angle involves taking a shot over the shoulder of another person to film the subject. It is often when there is a conversation between two people.
Pan: Panning consists of the camera pivoting horizontally on the tripod from either the left to right or right to left. When using this technique it is recommended that the camera moves slow and smooth. See an example. See example.
Pan: Panning consists of the camera pivoting horizontally on the tripod from either the left to right or right to left. When using this technique it is recommended that the camera moves slow and smooth. See an example. See example.
Shot Reverse Shot: “One character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character.” See example
Shot Reverse Shot: “One character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character.” See example
Tilt: Tilt consists of the camera pivoting vertically on the tripod moving from top to bottom or bottom to top. When using this technique it is recommended that the camera moves slow and smooth. See an example. See example.
Tilt: Tilt consists of the camera pivoting vertically on the tripod moving from top to bottom or bottom to top. When using this technique it is recommended that the camera moves slow and smooth. See an example. See example.
Track In: Camera moves in on the subject. See example
Track In: Camera moves in on the subject. See example
Tracking Shot: This technique involves the camera moving along with the actor or object together. For instance, if the actor is running from a crime scene, the camera man would be right along side the actor filming. See an example.
Tracking Shot: This technique involves the camera moving along with the actor or object together. For instance, if the actor is running from a crime scene, the camera man would be right along side the actor filming. See an example.
Zoom In: Zooming is discouraged for many shots because it is difficult on your eyes. Because your eyes can't zoom, zooming is considered an unnatural shot. Zooming in might occur if a close up adds meaning to the shot. "Zoom in on something or someone specific to make a point, like a dramatic zoom in to see an expression of surprise." To set up a Zoom, shoot a scene and then stop filming. Zoom in and film again. You might be able to get a decent result if you zoom in very slow. See an example.
Zoom In: Zooming is discouraged for many shots because it is difficult on your eyes. Because your eyes can't zoom, zooming is considered an unnatural shot. Zooming in might occur if a close up adds meaning to the shot. "Zoom in on something or someone specific to make a point, like a dramatic zoom in to see an expression of surprise." To set up a Zoom, shoot a scene and then stop filming. Zoom in and film again. You might be able to get a decent result if you zoom in very slow. See an example.
Zoom Out: Like zooming in, zooming out should be used sparingly because our eyes don't work that way. You might slowly zoom out on an object to let the audience see what is happening in the big picture. See an example.
Zoom Out: Like zooming in, zooming out should be used sparingly because our eyes don't work that way. You might slowly zoom out on an object to let the audience see what is happening in the big picture. See an example.