Lesson 1
Everything we see within the frame, from props, sets, costuming, makeup, lighting, the use of space, the actor’s movements, and their expressions.
Mis-en-scene
The most extreme version of a low angle, it is shot from the ground looking up at the subject
Worm's eye view
- the camera is “locked-off,” meaning it is stationary, typically on a tripod (no camera movement)
Static shot
Bright lighting with a strong key light and strong fill light, it eliminates harsh shadows from the subject
high-key lighting
use repeated shapes, colors, or objects to to emphasize anomalies, such as your subjects, which will stand out by breaking the repetitive flow
Pattern
how a character is dressed
Costume
This type of shot frames a subject's head and cuts off around mid-chest.
Medium close-up
the camera moves vertical (up or down) with respect to the subject, while remaining level (no rotation)
Pedastal
this light serves as the main, brightest source of light on the subject
key light
use lines in the composition to direct the viewer’s eyes to your subjects.
Leading lines
the appearance of the face that shows a character’s feelings
Facial Expressions
to achieve this camera angle, the camera is above the subject looking down at the subject
High angle
the camera stays in a fixed position, and rotates left or right (horizontal rotation)
pan
Light sources that are elements of the scene within the frame (ex. flashlight, torch, desk lamp, lantern, window, fireplace, etc.)
Practical lighting
use blank or empty areas to surround your subjects, drawing attention to them; excessive amounts of emptiness create a sense tension, anticipation, or isolation.
Negative space
the objects used by actors
Props
This type of shot is so tight that it only frames a detail of the subject, such as a subject’s facial features
Extreme close up
an intentional rotation on the x-axis that is so fast that it creates an often disorienting blur effect, this same technique can be used when rotating the camera on the y-axis, but it would be a whip tilt
Whip pan
focused, direct light casting harsh, angular shadows with defined edges
Hard lighting
a number expressed in millimeters (mm) that indicates the lens’s angle of view—how much of the scene will be captured.
Focal length
the positioning and movement of the actors
Blocking
also known as a canted angle, the camera is angled on the axis of the lens; it turns vertical and horizontal lines into diagonal lines
Dutch angle
also called trucking, the camera moves alongside the subject left-to-right or right-to-left
lateral tracking
also known as color palette, this is the choice of colors when designing a film, scene, or shot; color choices are used to stylize, set a tone, convey a mood, represent traits, draw focus, etc.
color scheme
a small area of the scene is in focus while the rest is out of focus
shallow focus