SDL work on film aspects - English

SDL works on film aspects                

SDL work on film aspects

WALT: Analyse how film aspects (camera movement, colour, POV/POT, establishing shot) show meaning.

S.C: I can explain why and how: camera movement, colour, POV/POT and establishing shot are used to show meaning in film 

Aspects 1: How does POV or POT shot work?

A POV shot (otherwise knows as the ‘point of view’ shot)  is a film aspect that puts the audience in the character’s shoes, it allows the audience to see exactly what the character sees. Pov shot is usually established between two scenes; one where the character is seen and the other where it shows the character’s reaction to something. Although this shot is used in all types of movies/shows, this is a common trick in the horror genre; that is the audience is placed in the position of the killer who creeps up towards the victim.

A POT or point of thought shot is quite similar to a POV shot. POT shows exactly what the character is thinking/feeling then later acting on it. It basically gives the audience a visual expression of a character’s mind. This shot is useful in movies because  - like all film aspects - it draws the audience deeper into the character’s world, which makes the experience more personal as if the audience feels connected to and related to a scene. 

Filmmakers usually use different shots within a POT shot. For example: if a character is frustrated, they would use a close-up shot, or if a character feels threatened they would use a high angle.

Aspect 2: How does colorwork in a film?

Directors would often show the emotion and overall mood in a film by using color. Colour can also be used to enhance one’s story as it has a physiological effect on humans.

There are 3 factors to determine color: hue (color itself), saturation (intensity of a color), and brightness (how light or dark a color is). 

Hue consists of two main types one being monochromatic colors and the other being analogous colors. Monochromatic is basically where a movie is mostly shown as one color while analogous means a film using neighboring colors in a color wheel.

An example of a film that is monochromatic is ‘The Matrix’. ‘The Matrix’ is mostly shown as green because the movie takes place in a digital matrix and hence the title of this film we associate green with coding. It gives off a sickly quality that reflects the overall state of events in that world. 

Films would use desaturation to give off a certain feel to the film and an example of this is the film  ‘Dunkirk’. ‘Dunkirk’ makes use of desaturation. Colour is drained out of the film and so it gives the audience a cold, raw, and old vibe to the movie which helps the audience get drawn into the movie because we feel connected to it. 

Brightness and the lack of brightness can affect a film for example bright images may suggest an exciting and lively vibe whereas dark images give off a dramatic and eerie vibe. 

Aspect 3: How does camera movement work in a film? 

Camera movement in a film is important because it adds impact to key scenes by giving off pace and energy which allows the audience to feel as if they are part of the action.

Points to be discussed:

The pan:

The film while rotating a camera on its vertical or horizontal axis to keep a moving person or object in view. There are two types of pan; Whip pan and slow pan 

Whip pan is a swift movement from one subject to another almost as if someone is quickly turning to see something that catches their attention. Slow pan gives time for the audience to take in what exactly is happening, this allows the audience to understand the scene more. 

The tilt:

Technique in which the camera stays in a fixed position but rotates up/down in a vertical plane. Tilting the camera results in a motion similar to someone raising or lowering their head to look up or down.

Reverse dolly zoom:

A regular dolly shot is where the camera follows backward, forward, or moves alongside the subject being recorded. Although a reverse dolly zoom is quite like that but it combines zoom and dolly together. The movie ‘vertigo’ is the first-ever movie to use this movement. They used it when one of the characters was having an intense internal feeling. 

Difference between Steadicam and dolly shot:

Steadicam also knows as a gimbal is basically like a dolly shot where it moves to an open area focusing on a subject although Steadicam is stable and so it gracefully glides from one place to another. 

Handheld shot:

Like Steadicam or dolly where it moves to an open place focusing on a subject although it has a shaky effect which raises tension and anxiety for the audience. 

When using camera movements directors need to ask themselves if the shot they would use could help support the story of the film, after all, camera movement should capture the audience’s point of attention. 

Aspect 4: How does establishing a shot work in a film? 

Establishing a shot is a trick to show the audience everything, that is why it’s expensive. 

It is a perfect opener as a transition to a scene as the purpose of it is to establish a scene and it

also shows the relationship between the subject as well as the location. Not only does this

technique establish a location but it also establishes the tone.

Examples are given:

1. Location - Hotel 

Camera - Static

Tone - Lighthearted 

2. Location - Shuttle launch

Camera - Fast push-in

Tone - Epic