Camera Movements

Mwe - 28/09/12

Camera Movements

Different camera movements:

1. Panning shot - when the camera moves slowly across the set from one side to another from a fixed point. The camera man stays in the same spot.
2. Tracking shot - when the camera physically moves along a track in order to follow an action or reveal a scene. The movement is very smooth.
3. Dolly shot - similar to a tracking shot, only the camera is on wheels and can move in any direction.
4. Whip pan - a very fast version of a panning shot, when the camera quickly moves from one side to the other.
5. Crab shot - like a dolly shot, only the camera is close to the floor or in a confined space moving sideways.
6. Tilt up - where the camera is low and looking up at a subject.
7. Tilt down - where the camera is high and looking down on a subject.
8. Zoom in - moving in on an image, making it appear larger on screen.
9. Zoom out - moving out on a subject, making it appear smaller on screen.
10. Hand held - creates  a more home-made or dramatic feeling to a shot.

Examples of camera movements:


Panning Shot:













Tilting:




Tracking:

Camera Movement! (Such an annoying voice, but still useful!)

 

 

Camera movements are constantly used, not just to present a scene, but to present a character's emotion. For example, if the camera movement was frantic and dis-jointed the audience would be able to tell that the subject is paranoid, worried or even confused. If the movement was smooth and steady, the subject appears to be in control of the situation.

 

 

Camera Shots and Framing

Mwe - 23/09/12

Camera Shots and Framing

Different camera shots:

1. Long Shot - Shows the full length of a person or object. It is normally used to establish the location (Also known as an establishing shot).
2. Close Up - Tightly frames a person or object. Close ups display the most detail but do not include the broader scene.
3. Two Shot - Where there are two people (the subjects) in the frame.
4. Shot Reverse Shot - Where one character is shown looking at another character and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. (Editing)
5. Over the Shoulder Shot - A shot of someone or something taken from the perspective from the shoulder of another person. The back of the shoulder and of the head is used to frame the image of whatever the camera is pointing to.
6. Medium Shot - A shot from a medium distance. Contains a figure from the knees/waist up.
7. Extreme Long Shot - Contains a large amount of landscape. Used to establish the general setting.
8. Overhead Shot - A shot looking down vertically on the action from above.
9. Point of View Shot - Shows what the character is looking at. Shows the view from the subject's perspective.
10. Extreme Close Up - This shot is used to show extreme detail.

Examples of Some Camera Shots:


Extreme Close up

Showing detail - can be used for dramatic effect.


Overhead Shot
Looking down on a subject.








Extreme Long Shot










Point of View Shot

 Filmmaking: Composition and Framing Tutorial 

 

 

 

Still Shots of Eastenders 

 

 



Over the shoulder shot





 

Only the back of the head and shoulder is needed in this frame to make it an over the shoulder shot. The male character is in the middle of the frame, so he is obviously the centre of attention in this scene.

Two Shot

A tight frame with two subjects and little background.

 

Extreme Close Up

 

A tight frame showing the phone. Does not include the broader scene and is used to attract everyone’s attention to the object.

Long Shot

 

A shot taken from far away, showing the entire subject on the swing. This shot could have been used to establish the location (Playground) and shows that the character is alone. 

 

Medium Shot

Showing the characters from the waist up and helps to establish the scene.

 

Overhead/Extreme Long Shot

 

 

A shot looking down on a large amount of landscape. This helps to establish the general setting.

 

 

This is a post on camera shots and framing. I have used ordinary picture examples and also pictures from an Eastenders episode to show how it is done in filming. I have also included a video about framing which I think is helpful and clear.



Anchorage

Mwe - 19/09/12

Anchorage:

 

A somewhat clear definition of Anchorage: How a meaning is fixed - For example, how a caption fixes the meaning of a picture.

Of course, there is no such thing as a completely fixed meaning. Therfore, everything is slightly 'loose' or has some sort of leverage over the chosen subject or topic.   

 

You may want to see it as an anchor from a boat.

 

 

The anchor is the key thing, the key topic that everything moves around. It does not move but allows "The Boat" to move as long as it has some connection with "The Anchor".

 

 

 

 

 

The most clear example of this is seen with headlines and pictures. -

 

 

 

With this picture alone, you may think that it's adversing the christmas season, shopping, holidays ect. This has no real fixed subject or point because it has no anchor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Shopping Deals!            

 

This headline is the picture's anchor, as there is now a chosen topic that pictures and texts can revolve around. The chosen picture could have been mittens, someone skiing, fluffy jumpers ect. These would all have worked because they have a connection with the headline, but without this text the pictures could have multiple meanings!

 

So, the best a media producer can do is to "Anchor" the viewer/audience around prefered readings. This process is known as anchorage!

 

 

 This has been my interpretation of anchorage in media. I have tried to explain as fully as I can and hope that everything is clear and precise.

 



My First Post! - Semiotics & Juxtaposition

Mwe - 11/09/12

Lesson 1: Semiotics

Semiotics refers to the system of signs, such as pub signs road signs and star signs. Drawings, paintings and photographs are also included. However, what most people don't realise is that words, sounds and body language are also considered as important 'Signs'. 
In semiotics, denotation and connotation are terms describing the relationship between the signifier and its signified. 'Denotation' tends to be described as the 'common sense' meaning of a sign. The term 'connotaion' is used to refer to the 'personal' associations of the sign. Connote = meaning by association, a deeper meaning.

The 'Signifier' - The form which the sign takes.
The 'Signified' - The concept it represents.

There are three main types of signifiers.

1.) Symbolic: Signs that you have grown up learning, where in the back of your mind, you automatically know what it signifies.

2.) Iconic: This is the accurate representation of the real. (E.g. A photo) They have a physical similarity to the object that they signify. For example, the use of a wheelchair to signify facilities for disabled people.
Another example - we can usually find the men's and women's toilets by looking for the iconic signs on the doors.

3.) Indexical: Indexical signs are often based on logic or common sense. For example, a high temperature registered on a thermometer is an indexical sign that someone has a fever, or if you see smoke, it is an indexical sign that there is a fire. However, to assign these meanings to something, we would have to have previously experienced these signs.

The Power of Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition is used to create an effect. Two completely different objects have two completely different meanings, but when put together can create an effect or idea.
For Example:



A woollen hat creates a happy, calm atmosphere. The first thing that comes to mind may be the elderly or grandparents - A vulnerable and loving picture.






Juxtaposed with a dark, sinister background, they could signify the elderly being cast away and lost in the depths of society!


This has been a breakdown of my first Media lesson with Mr Wroe. I have tried to explain as easily and as fully as I can, the basics of Semiotics and Juxtaposition.