Moving Images

Firstly…On the following slides you will see that particular words

are in bold. For each bold word provide a still image from

a TV Drama to illustrate the point being made. Consider

the presentation of this work too. When you have

completed the power point email it to me at:

nrabey@gordano.sch.uk

Shot DistanceThis is the most simple variable. Normal shots include

long shot, medium shots and close-ups. Extreme close

ups and extreme long shots are less frequently used.

When a long shot becomes a medium shot and vice versa

is debateable.

Extreme long shot

Extreme long shot This shot helps to show the layout and

size of the world. This is done by showing

the foreground, middle ground and

background together.

Here the mountain in the background if massive in comparison to

the characters in the foreground. This gives perspective on not

only the physical size of the mountain but the size of journey that

the characters will have to travel. The middle-ground helps to link

the two together by adding depth to the shot.

The sun setting in the east helps to add the aspect of time running

out and combined with the sizing and the journey the sense that

the adventure feels impossible.

Shot DistanceThis is used to influence the viewer’s sympathies. The

normal distance is medium shot to close up; which gives

a comfortable relationship with the person on the screen

for the audience. Extreme close ups are used to make

the viewer feel uncomfortable, with an evil character for

instance, or to emphasise the tension felt by the person

being interviewed.

Medium shot

Medium shot This medium shot has a blurred

background so the audience can see

the setting of the shot but no detailing

is shown, this allows all of the viewers

attention to be on the foreground.

The foreground shows the character’s upper body as well as the

weapon he is holding. As the bow is in the front it is the object that

stands out the most and shows that it has more importance. Also

seeing the whole of the character’s upper body helps the viewer

understand what action is being taken place.

Close up

Close up This close up is chosen to show the

significance of the characters appearance in

the scene.

Similar to the medium shot the background is

out of focus but this time there is an element of

lighting to give a powerful effect and suggest that the character

has and almost holy appearance.

This close up also shows the characters hand to show that the

object in his hands shows and importance and is a part of the

character. It also gives a chance for a good look at the character’s

expression and this helps to see what the character is feeling. In

this shot the character has a rather serious expression. Seeing this

expression in a close proximity shows that there is a solid reason

for the character’s feelings in the scene.

Moving ImagesThere is some implication that seeing closely is seeing

better. Sometimes a camera person will zoom in on a

face if there is some suggestion in an interview of lying or

guilt.

If an interviewee is placed in partial shade this can

increase the drama because it gives the impression the

viewer is privileged to hear some significant, secret

information.

Zoom in shot

Zoom in shot A zooming in shot has two jobs. The

first is to put emphasis on a particular area of the shot. The other is portray the character’s emotions; This is done by bringing the character’s face closer to the screen so the audience can see their expression but also to show the focus the character has on the area he is looking at.

In this scene the zoom in shot reveals the character’s realisation of what is to happen next. It also shows the he understands what needs to be done.

Partial Shade

Partial Shade Partial shade is a lighting

technique to help set the mood & atmosphere of a shot.

Here the shading covers part of the character’s face so his identity is hidden. This makes the audience question why the character wants to remain hidden and to what he looks like. This draws the audiences attention to the character but in the scene it helps the character to blend in with the dark background to be unnoticed.

This kind of shot can also portray that the character has a dark side and now ‘lives’ in the shadows.

Proximity or NearnessSubjects closer to the camera have greater importance.

Move the subjects in the picture around and you change

their importance.

Proximity

Proximity Proximity is used in a shot to

show the importance of a character when compared to another. In this scene the character in the foreground is closer to the screen showing that he has more importance. This also uses being closer to the screen to help give emphasis on the character’s expression as well as directing the audiences attention to him.

The character in the background is given less importance as there is less of him revealed in the shot and he is in the middle ground to further from the screen. This suggest what the character in the foreground is saying holds more importance and is what the audience needs to listen to and remember.

Soft FocusFuzzy frames are usually associated with romantic

moods. Shallow focus, which either the foreground,

middleground or background of the image is given focus

allows the film maker to direct the audiences’ attention.

Deep focus, which keeps everything in the image in

focus allows the viewer to choose what to focus on and is

often used to show realism (as seen in TV drama).

Fuzzy Frames

Fuzzy Frames This shot uses fuzzy frames to

set the mood.

Fuzzy frames help to get rid of any

sharp edges to give a softer look.

In this case it helps to give a romantic look to the

character and a ‘beautified’ look to her. In this case it

helps to show the affection in the two characters

Deep focus

Deep focus In this shot a deep focus was

used so that you can see all

the characters in the fore-

ground but so the audience

can also see what is happening in the background.

This is used to help show the setting. By seeing other

characters in the background it shows a busy

environment. In this case you can see other characters

not being serious and this lead the audience to think

that it is a very jolly and loud setting.

Shallow focus

Shallow focus Shallow focus allows only one

area in the shot to be in detail and

therefore the part of the shot that

draws the most attention.

Here the character in the foreground is given more detailing

and focus so the audience is drawn to this character. Also

the background is blurred so the audience doesn’t have their

attention to it and also makes it harder to spot detailing. This

doesn’t show anything about the characters in the

background suggesting they don’t have any importance and

so the audience only focuses on the foreground and to what

is happening with that character.