Angles
What does a high-angle shot make a subject seem?
Weak, vulnerable, or small.
What is a close-up shot used for?
To show a character's emotions by focusing closely on their face.
What is the "Spielberg Face"?
A close-up shot of a character's face reacting to something off-screen, usually expressing awe or surprise before the audience sees it.
What does CGI stand for?
Computer-Generated Imagery.
What is diegetic sound?
Sound that originates from within the film's world, such as characters talking or footsteps.
What effect does a low-angle shot have on the subject?
It makes the subject appear powerful or dominant.
What is a medium shot?
A shot taken from a medium distance, typically showing a character from the waist up, allowing a balance of the subject and the surroundings.
Name a Spielberg trait related to family dynamics.
Fractured families, often showing families going through trauma, such as in E.T. and Jaws.
Which Spielberg movie is famous for its groundbreaking use of CGI?
Jurassic Park.
What is non-diegetic sound?
Sound that comes from outside the film's world, like background music or a narrator’s voice.
In what kind of scene would a director use a high-angle shot?
To show a character’s vulnerability or to emphasise their helplessness in a tense moment.
When is a wide shot typically used?
To set the scene and show a character's full body in relation to their environment.
How does Spielberg often use light in his films to create a sense of mystery or wonder?
He uses bright backlighting or silhouetted figures to obscure details and create intrigue, leaving part of the scene or characters hidden to draw the audience in.
How many minutes of CGI were used in Jurassic Park?
Six minutes
Is the sound of a door slamming in a scene diegetic or non-diegetic, and why?
Diegetic, because it originates from the film’s environment.
How does a low-angle shot influence the audience's perception of a character?
It makes the character seem intimidating, strong, or in control.
How does a medium shot help tell the story in a scene?
It allows viewers to see both the character’s expressions and some of the surrounding context, balancing emotion and setting.
How does Spielberg use music to impact his films?
Spielberg often collaborates with John Williams to create memorable soundtracks that enhance emotional moments, like the theme from Jurassic Park.
What scene in Jurassic Park shows a blend of CGI and animatronics?
The T-Rex paddock scene.
When a character hears a song on the radio in the scene, is the music diegetic or non-diegetic? Why?
Diegetic, because the characters can hear it as part of their world.
How can combining both high and low-angle shots in a scene enhance storytelling?
It can contrast power dynamics between characters, showing one as dominant and the other as vulnerable, creating tension or drama.
Why would a director choose a wide shot over a close-up?
To emphasize the environment or situation the character is in, often used to create a sense of scale or isolation.
What impact does Spielberg's use of childhood as a theme have on his films?
It creates a sense of wonder and allows children to be the heroes, as seen in films like E.T. and The Goonies.
Why were both CGI and animatronics used in Jurassic Park instead of relying on just one?
Animatronics provided realism for close-up shots, while CGI was better for dynamic movement and large-scale scenes.
What is the purpose of non-diegetic sound in a film?
To enhance the emotional impact or mood of a scene, often guiding how the audience should feel without being heard by the characters.