Post 20b: Film Language - Camera

To gain a wider understanding of different shots and to figure out what would be best for my short film I researched in to camera angles and techniques. Below are some examples of key camera techniques that I am going to use throughout my short film, with screen grabs from my short and other images to support. 

PANNING SHOT

A Pan shot is a horizontal camera movement in which the camera moves a long a central axis. After researching this camera movement I discovered that to produce an effective pan, that is smooth, practice will be needed. Below is an animation of a Pan shot, I collected from the internet. 

RULE OF THIRDS 

The rule of thirds is a technique of which divides a picture of piece into nine equal sections, and that important elements pieces should be placed either to the side or on the lines intersections. It is said that by aligning the subject with these points that it creates more depth, tension, interest and energy within the composition rather than just being centered. 

To the left is a screen grab from my short film  showing the rule of thirds. We have placed the character there to make the shot more interesting as otherwise he would just be sitting central talking to the camera which would have been a less effective shot. 

To the right is a image I gathered from Google images to show the rule of third in use with the lines. 

GROUP SHOT 

Group shots allow the audience to gain a wider understanding of the characters bonds, showing there relations. To the left is an example of a group shot from a drama film.

 I found the composition of the characters was effective and have tried to mimic this in my short film, as shown in the photo below, of the gang of boys from my short film. 

We have used multiple group shots in our short film to signify, Josh's connection with the gang of boys. In the screen grab to the right, we have placed the gang around a motor bike to make the piece seem more realistic, which is a key drama convention. 

CLOSE UP 

Close ups are used to display detail, allowing the audience to see the character emotions closer. This tight frame allows the audience to connect with the character or object. Close ups can also be used to make people sympathize for the character.  

I have and am going to use multiple close ups in my short film. Ranging from close ups of characters faces to connect and feel their emotions, also close ups of feet to build up tension. I feel close ups will play an essential part to our short film as allow are target audience to visualize easier, also as is such a short amount of time, the close ups will allow the audience to connect quicker. 

MEDIUM CLOSE UP

A Medium Close up, is similar to a close up except you see more is the object or character. Medium close ups are used to show the upper half of the body and the head. This allows the audience to still see the emotion of the character and what they are feeling but it also shows some action. 

The photo above is a clear  example of a medium shot as it allows us to still see the characters emotions but by adding in more the characters body we are able to connect further.To the right is a screen shot from my short film of the teacher shouting at the gang, by using a medium close up here we were able to get the audience to connect with the character, also feeling his anger adding more tension to this part of the short film.