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Here are some sources discussing different shots, angles and techniques used in film making to help understand how to improve our own film:

Website showing different angles and shots in film making and their effects:

Interesting video explaining techniques in film making with some examples for inspiration for our own short film:

Here is a great example of a short film that won Tropfest 2013:

Significant Shots/Techniques

• Long shot: A long shot is used at the beginning of the film after the woman’s car breaks down. This shot displays how hopeless her situation is since the location is so empty and there is no help around.
• OTS shot: When we are introduced to the pregnant girl, the camera follows her back as she enters and navigates the building. Although not a direct perspective shot, the effect allows the audience to see how she is used to working there yet pregnant
• Perspective shot: An perspective shot is used of the man fixing the old lady’s tyre as she speaks to him through the mirror. The shot simulates how he sees her looking at him through the mirror. It was established the lady wasn’t originally keen on the man and is very posh so this shot gives the idea that she isn’t comfortable making direct eye contact or stepping out of the car, which will be resolved when she realises he is a good person.

In class we watched a short film from director Sejong Park about a boy during the Korean War in the 1950’s, and focused on the choice of different shots and angles and the effects this had on the audience.

Here is the exercise where we located and explained the idea of various shots and angles in “Birthday Boy”:

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Today in class we watched a video called “Porcelain Unicorns” which had many good examples of shots and angles. We specifically discussed and answered questions on why the director featured so many different shots in one small scene and why good coverage is good:

1. Why were so many shots (12) used in the opening sequence right up to the moment of the flashback?

The director chose to feature so many shots in the opening sequence as they are able to introduce the character/setting while also creating suspense. The constant cuts to new shots combined with the specific shots taken make the audience feel sceptical of the events in the scene.

2. How do those shots create expectation for the audience?

The audience, when seeing these shots, feel tension and suspense as to what the intentions of the man are. There are many shots of him looking around, unsure, and checking his directions on a small piece of paper, making the audience also feel unsure, especially when coupled with many cuts back and forth. There are also many shots of a mysterious box that the man has. As the audience see more of the box they grow more curious of its contents.

3. What camera angles were used and why?

A shot of his arm holding the package establishes his character through the idea o fraction, the audience becomes curious to its contents and his intentions. This is extended in the next shot of him holding a piece of paper with an address on it. We are finally introduced to the character as he is looking at the houses he passes, establishing that he is unfamiliar with the area. The low angle perspective shot of the door conveys how the idea of entering is intimidating and scary to the man. As he is about to enter he hesitates, as seen in a close up and the camera cuts to the window, which then cuts to a flashback of the same window, conveying that he remembers this window and house from previously.

4. What camera movements were used and why?

The camera moves upwards in the low angle shot of the door, simulating the mans perspective of looking up it awe and fear at the door. The camera also zooms in to the package when the man takes it out from under his arm, indicating that it is important and he intends to have it when entering the house. The camera slows down when it comes to the right house, letting the man come in front of it. The slowed movement simulates the man also slowing down as they have come to the correct place.

5. There is at last one example of a P.O.V (point of view) shot used in the opening sequence. Whose perspective is the camera showing? What effect do you think this choice has on the audience?

The P.O.V shot is in the perspective of the man looking up (low angle shot) at the door, as it zooms in. The shot makes the door seem big and intimidating to the man and the audience. Because of the shots used in the opening sequence, the audience can understand that the man is unfamiliar with this area and therefore is venturing into the unknown, creating suspense and engagement for the audience.

6. Why is it important for film makers to ensure they have good coverage – in other words, that they have shot a scene from different angles using different shot sizes?

It is important for film makers to ensure that they have lots of footage to work with when filming as this ensures they have the correct material they planned for and also the safety of extra shots they may not have intended to use but found that it worked well. After the actors and crew of a film have finished shooting, it is very hard to recollect everyone to re-film for anything they may have missed, so they must be disciplined that they have enough footage. It is better to have too many shots than too little, as you can easily choose to not include some but you cant easily get more.

Here is the Narrative Schema for our film (“Lost in Time”):

Here is the collaborative Google doc:

(Script, Storyboard, Shot list)

Narrative Schema

Reflection

How does the director of Lemonade Stand use music, sound, and voice-over to help tell the story?

The director of Lemonade Stand uses voice-over particularly at the beginning through the protagonists voice to give an introduction to the characters and scenario. Since the film is ditsy and funny it gets away with using a voice-over and makes it more childish and light-hearted.

The director also makes use of music throughout the film. Music can be used in many situation to highlight or exaggerate a specific mood or feeling that relates to the scene by playing particular music or even sound effects. For example, playing a sad violin tune when something sad is happening or adding a mystical sound effect when a discovery is made. You can find examples of when music is used in Lemonade stand. The mood us set with a happy, light tune and when the neighbour/antagonist enters a more menacing, ominous track plays. Also when the protagonist is just about to throw to the stone at the beehive suspenseful, grand music/sound effect is played to add tension as to the outcome.

In class today we watched a video that explain the ideas of Action and Fraction in films. Steven Spielberg, a critically acclaimed director, uses Action and Fraction in his filmmaking to express character and mood in an engaging way for the audience.

Action is based around a common phrase used by filmmakers and authors to “show don’t tell” referring to the idea that emotions and feelings of characters shouldn’t be told out loud like someone saying “I’m angry” but instead showing their anger through action such as their fist clenching or their face scrunching up.

Fraction is a technique used to introduce new characters by only showing a fraction of the character. An example used in the video was the antagonist of ET. Although the audience doesn’t see his face at first, the audience becomes used to the sound of his keys jingling and this fraction of the character so then we can relate this sound to the antagonist. Not only does it introduce a character but the object can also be used to display a characters personality or role (eg Indiana Jones’ whip)