Media Language

Microelements

• Cinematography 
• Sound 
• Mise-en-scene: everything seen in the frame
• Editing

Use of the camera

Camera shots

Extreme close up (ECU)

Close up (CU)

Long shot (LS)

Wide shot (WS)

Medium shot (MS)

Point of view (POV)

Camera angles

Low angle

High angle

Over the shoulder (OTS): used during conversations

Camera movement

Pan- panning, camera person is still but the camera is moving

Tilt

Crane shot

Tracking shot: moving in parallel 

Rolling shot

Steadicam: the shining uses this shot

Sound

Diegetic sounds: inside the world of text, dialogue, sound effects, music within the scene like a radio

Non-diegetic sounds: everything outside the world of text, voiceover, soundtrack.

On-screen sound: the audience 

Off-screen sound: sound assumed to be in the scene but is off-screen during the action

Parallel sound: matches the action

Contrapuntal sound: doesn't match the action

A sound bridge: create a smooth transition between from one scene to another

Editing

Pace of editing

The length of each sequence establishes the pace of the film moving the action along.

The speed of editing will help to determine the mood of what is taking place on the screen.

If filmmakers want the audience to feel anxiety and suspense, the editing will be quick- the scenes/shots change frequently. E.g. The Bourne Ultimatum

If a relaxed mood is desired, the scenes last longer and change less frequently. E.g. Romcoms like the notebook.

One long-shot film example; 1917

The movie psycho has a quick speed edit where shots go back and forth to increase intensity.

Cross-cutting: edit together two sequences so the audience can see how they're connected. For instance, the two sequences are occurring at the same time, or perhaps a character is revealing a memory.

Cross-cutting can be used to very effectively develop a sense of drama. It can be used to create tension, increase anxiety, direct emotion, make subtle links between characters.

Style of editing

How shots are linked

Basic transitions include: 

Straight cut
Fade
Dissolve
Wipe

Straight cut: most common, known as an 'invisible' transition as it is seamless and feels natural

One-shot moves immediately onto the next, helping retain reality and doesn't break the viewer's suspension of disbelief.

Fade: a gradual darkening or lightening of an image until the screen becomes completely black/white. Used to indicate the beginning or end of a particular section of time within the narrative, can show the passing of time.

Dissolve: dissolving a shot off the screen while another is fading in. The audience can see both shots on the screen at the mid-point of the dissolve. Used when the filmmaker wants to show a connection between two characters, places, or objects.

Wipe: one image is pushed off the screen by another, images can be pushed either way.

Used to signal a movement between different locations that are experiencing the same time.

Advanced editing skills

Continuity editing

180-degree rule

shot, reverse shot: used to show conversations/arguments, but also helps to establish relationships

Mise-en-scene: French term meaning; in the scene/frame

The elements of mise-en-scene are:

• Settings and props
• Facial expressions and body language
• Costumer, hair, and make-up
• Lighting and colour
• Positioning of characters and objects in the frame

Colour: from the 1930-to 40s black and white represented reality while colour represented fantasy, Example; The Wizard of Oz the fantasy land is in colour

Denotation: the literal description of an idea, concept or object

Connotation: what we associate with a particular idea, concept or object

Colour will work on the subconscious mind to create a mood.

Positioning of characters and objects within the frame.

Where objects and characters are positioned is important

Objects and characters can be in the foreground, middle- ground or background

This can emphasise the relative importance of the object or character.

Characters or objects being equally placed within the shot allows for a balanced feel

Being placed toward the edges of the film indicates a distance between the characters

When the foreground and background are in focus it allows the audience to decide where to look and creates an overall 'deep focus'.

Focus pulling: draw characters in/pull them away. Allows us to connect or disconnect with a character

Lighting: standard lighting set-up

Key light: brightest 

Backlight: counteract the effect of key lighting or creates an outline/silhouette
Filler light: softens the harsh shadows created by the other  lights

Underlighting: when the main light source comes from below the subject, used in thrillers + horrors

Mr& Mrs Smith

Interestingly, the scene here uses mostly dark lighting although the two subjects of the scene still remain visible to the audience. Furthermore, using this dark lighting paired with dark yet formal clothing creates suspense, mystery and intensifies the scene so the audience is better inclined to continue viewing. Significantly, the action of one character sets off an explosion, filling the screen with fiery orange colour to connote the heat felt by the characters and further the viewing experience for an audience.

Other micro-elements used in this scene are the editing skills. Remarkably, the use of quick cuts from a variety of camera angles speeds up the pace of the scene and therefore intensifies the action. Furthermore, the camera is slightly shaky and moves with the action giving the scene a more authentic feel and therefore improving the experience for viewers.