October Sky Camera Techniques and Terms

October Sky – Camera Techniques and Terms

Shot Types Definition/Explanation/Effect Created 1 Extreme Close Up (ECU) A Figure framed from the waist up

2 Close Up (CU) B Emphasise a portion of the face, a small detail

3 Medium Close Up (MCU) C Also known as an establishing shot. Indicates the environment and places the human figure in a setting 4 Medium Shot (MS) D Figure framed from the chest up

5 Long Shot (LS) E Often used for faces. Draws attention to detail, especially facial reaction Camera Angles Explanation/Effect Created 1 Low angle shot A Camera positioned high, looking down. Emphasises the vulnerability of the object or person in focus. 2 High angle shot B Special lens is used – gives context or setting of action. Like a panoramic photo. 3 Wide angle shot C Camera positioned low, looking up. Emphasises the size of the object

4 Subjective/Point of View Shot D Camera is looking directly down.

5 Overhead shot/Bird’s eye view E A shot from the perspective of a character, ie seeing it through their eyes Camera Movements 1 Zoom A The camera tilts up and down

2 Pan B Camera swivels slowly, giving a sweeping view of a large area

3 Head on C Camera moves along a track on a dolly, keeping pace with a moving object which is being framed 4 Tail away D Subject walks away from the camera

5 Tilt E Subject moves toward the camera, this involves the audience

6 Tracking F A smooth change in focal (focus) length to make objects in the frame appear to come closer or recede. The camera does not move. Transitions 1 Cut A Images slowly fades from the screen, usually to black

2 Cross cutting B Cutting back and forth between two scenes to create the impression that they are happening at the same time. This is often using to create the impression that they are happening at the same time. This is often used to highlight a contrast. 3 Re-establishing shot C As one image fades out, another fades in. The two images will be mixed together for a time.

4 Fade D Abrupt end to a shot. One shot is instantly replaced by another. This is sometimes used to emphasise a change in mood or to point to a contrast. 5 Dissolve E Usually a long shot, it shows the audience the whole scene/setting once again slowly.

Other stuff …….. 1 Voice over A SFX – noises other than spoken voices

2 Sound effects B A voice is heard but the person speaking is not on screen or does not appear to be talking. Maybe an unseen narrator or a character’s thoughts.