J Cuts: The audio from the next scene plays whilst the image from the previous scene stays on screen i.e: The camera stays on person A whilst person B starts talking
L Cuts: The image from the scene changes whilst the audio from the previous image is still playing i.e: The camera switches to person B when person A is still talking
Cut: When 2 different pieces of video are spliced together in order to ‘cut’ from one to another.
Fade: When one piece of video/black or white screen gradually becomes more opaque and turns into another video or into a black/white screen
Dissolve: When the image/scene on screen gradually becomes translucent and the next scene becomes more opaque until only the next scene can be seen
Wipe: The scene gets wiped off screen and replaced by the following one
Flashback: The scene cuts back to an event that’s already happened, usually used in order to add to the plot
Shot-Reverse Shot: The scene cuts from one image to the apposing one then back to the original. For example: cutting from person A eating in café, to someone walking into the café [the camera is where Person A is], before cutting back to person A
Cross-Cutting: The video cuts between two different scenes happening simultaneously but in different locations
Eye-Line Match: When a character looks off screen and the image that follows is what they’re looking at
Graphic Match: When the scene begins with either a similar shape or colour that the previous scene ended with
Match on Action: When a scene starts with the same action that the previous scene ended with
Meanings:
1 – She looks like she’s happily looking at the child
2 – She looks like she’s annoyed/fake smiling at the drums
3 – She looks excited about the beach
Editing: The relationship between shots and the process by which they’re combined post-production [This includes deleting, arranging and splicing clips so the audience doesn’t see any mistakes/imperfections]
| Film | Preference [_/10] | Memorable Scene | Film Element Focus |
| The Shining [Kubrik, 1980] | 7 | Redrum scene in the bedroom | Cinematography |
One Point Perspective: The camera is centred and draws the viewers attention towards the centre of the scene which creates an unsettling/eery atmosphere
Symmetry: Both sides of the screen are identical to each other and balance each other out which makes the viewer feel unease due to unnaturally perfect the scene looks
Deep Focus: Allows everything on screen to be in focus at the same time
Steadicam Tracking Shots: Allows the shot to be steady whilst following the character/object around the scene
Creating our first shoot was a fun experience overall, we all got along and were able to communicate ideas to one another freely which made the filming itself enjoyable and less awkward than it could’ve been. We were able to decide on rolls quickly and managed to plan out how we wanted the each scene to look and what angle/shot length we were going to use.
However, we did have a few issues with the camera as we were struggling to get it to focus for certain scenes which caused it to make a lot of noise throughout some of the scenes and we had limited lighting as we only had normal ceiling lights which also didn’t help the camera focus. There was a few times where we struggled to get the shot we wanted straight away as we couldn’t get the correct angle but we moved around certain props in order to get the shot right.
Tracking Shot [Steadicam]: The camera follows the subject around the scene, usually keeping the camera still through the use of a Steadicam. A tracking shot is used in order to immerse the viewer in the scene, making them move with the character which allows them to watch the scene unfold at the same time as the scene’s subject.
Pan: The camera moves either left or right without changing it’s base position, revealing something previously off-screen. Pans can be used in a variety of ways as they can be used at different speeds, therefore changing the tone of the film. For example: A quick pan is often used for comedic affect or to emphasize what’s appearing on screen whilst a slow pan makes the scene look more dramatic as they drag out the reveal of whatever is going to appear instead of letting it flash on screen for a few seconds.
Zoom: The camera is focuses on a subject and either allows more of the background to be seen by changing from a close up into a long shot or, most commonly, focus on a characters facial expression by through the use of a long shot into a close up. A zoom can happen quickly in order to create a dramatic or comedic tone or can be dragged out, adding tension to the scene and slowing the pace.
Cinematography: The art of creating videos through camera work
Cinematographer [Director of Photography]: The person behind the camera that’s in charge of the technical aspects such as the lighting and the camera itself. [They work along side a team of people]