CONVENTIO

NS OF FILM
 Learning
Objective
We will revise the elements of
construction that film makers
use to bring their stories to
life.
 FILM
STRUCTURE
 When we study film, we consider the
following:
1 2
How the film employs How the film employs film
narrative conventions conventions (in other
(in other words, the ‘story') words, what we see and
hear)
This includes elements like This includes visual
character, setting, plot techniques and audio
events, theme etc. techniques.
To start discussing a film's construction,
you'll need to understand the following
terms...

Shot
A single 'run' of the camera. This is the
basic unit from which a film is
constructed. The length of each shot
determines the pace and rhythm of the
scene. The typical shot lasts around 5-8
seconds.
• A Long Take – reveals complex scenes,
often with in them, as they unfold in
real time.

• A Short Take – can last under a second

and switches rapidly.
Sequence Scene
A group of shots A group of sequences
depicting one action, which depict an event
or, which seem to in the story and occur
belong with or depend in one place.
upon each other.
A scene is generally a
A typical sequence larger unit than a
might be between 3 to sequence.
18 shots)
CINEMATOGRAP
HY & LIGHTING
Camera shot types are also
referred to as viewing
distance.

They describe the distance

between the camera and
the subject.

There are five main types of

camera shots.
 Close-up Shot Mid Shot Long Shot

An object or an actor’s An actor is seen from An actor’s entire body

head takes up most of the waist up (this is the is seen as well as some
the screen. It is used to most common type of of the setting. It shows
reveal emotion through shot). It shows emotion a character's emotion
facial expression. through facial through posture and
expression as well as gesture.
body language.
 Extreme Close-Up Shot Extreme Long Shot

This is a very close shot and may This shows the landscape of the
be only a small part of an object film with a barely visible
or person. It is used to raw our character in the distance. It is
focus to show a specific detail. used to show setting or make a
person look small or vulnerable
in their surroundings.
 Camera angles are also
referred to as viewing
perspective.

They describe the angle

ofthe camera in relation to
the subject.

There are six main types of

camera angles.
 High Angle Low Angle Eye Level
Shot

The camera is The camera is The audience sees

positioned above the positioned below the the subject straight
subject, looking subject, looking up. It on (this is the most
down. This makes the makes the subject common type of
subject looks small, looks large, imposing shot). The subject is
weak, powerless or and powerful. observed with no
insignificant. bias.
 Birdseye Undershot Dutch Tilt
View

The camera is placed The camera is The camera is tilted

overhead or directly positioned directly on it’s axis so it
above the subject. beneath the subject. It produces an image
Characters and is often coupled with that is similar to tilting
objects are made to point-of-view shots one’s head on the
look small compared when the character is side. It’s often used to
to their surroundings. looking up at convey tension or
something. chaos.
 There are four main types of camera
movement.
Panning Shot Tilt Shot

The camera is stationary and The camera is stationary and

the head moves from left to the head moves up or down on
right or right to left on a a vertical axis. It is used to
horizontal axis. It is usually show the height of something
used to show a setting or or to mirror someone raising or
landscape. lowering their head.
 There are four main types of camera
movement.
Zoom Tracking
Shot

The camera is stationary and The camera moves on tracks

the focus changes to zoom in or or wheels, from a helicopter or
out on an object, character or crane or from the body of a
setting. It is used to draw focus person. They often follow a
to a particular detail. traveling or moving subject.
 There are two main types of
lighting.
High Key Low Key
Lighting Lighting
Description – Description –
Brightness, Sharp contrasts
openness, between light
light and dark

Effect - Allows Effect - Creates

a range of a mood of
moods to be mystery and
conveyed suspense
 AUDIO
TECHNIQUES
 Musi
c
Music in film is a
powerful emotional
trigger that achieves a
number of things:
• It creates mood or
atmosphere
• It establishes setting
• It reinforces or foreshadows
certain events
• It gives meaning to a
character's actions or
 Sound
Effects
Sound effects are any sound,
other than music or speech,
artificially reproduced to create
an effect.
 Dialogue &
Voice
Dialogue is defined as a
conversation between two or
more people in a movie.
THEATRICAL
ELEMENTS
 Settin
g
The setting is the place in which the
action occurs. It gives us information
about the time, location and atmosphere.

It can also provide challenges for the

characters to overcome.

Settings can convey ideas for example

opulence, squalor, a particular culture
etc.
 Costu
me
Costumes can quickly convey a
good deal about characters.

Costumes are carefully chosen

to represent a range of things
about characters – their
occupation, age, status,
personality, mood and so on.

Colours are generally used

symbolically when it comes to
costume.
 Prop
s
Objects that actors manipulate or
that are a part of the set are
called props.

They too can reveal information

about character, setting, and
themes.

Think about the symbolism or

connotations of different objects.
 Actin
g
Acting, like painting and filmmaking, is
an art and there are many tools that an
actor has at his or her disposal to
communicate a character to an
audience. Consider the following:

• Body language – Including facial

expression, gesture, posture and
movement,
• Voice & delivery of lines - the way
that an actor chooses to say his or
her lines
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!