CHAPTER 2CHAPTER 2THE LANGUAGE OF THE LANGUAGE OF

MOTION PICTURESMOTION PICTURES

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Explore the elements of Explore the elements of Visual Visual

CompositionComposition;;

Examine the Examine the Language ElementsLanguage Elements of of moving pictures;moving pictures;

Acquire knowledge to Acquire knowledge to Compose an Compose an Entire SceneEntire Scene SeamlesslySeamlessly;;

Learn how to maintain Learn how to maintain ContinuityContinuity, and , and avoid common mistakes in building avoid common mistakes in building Image Image SequencesSequences..

COMPOSITIONCOMPOSITION: THE FRAME: THE FRAME

COMPOSITIONCOMPOSITION: ASPECT : ASPECT RATIORATIO

COMPOSITIONCOMPOSITION: RULE of : RULE of THIRDSTHIRDS

REPRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL REPRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACESPACE

Depth and PerspectiveDepth and Perspective

ScaleScale

ForegroundForeground and and BackgroundBackground

Light Light andand Shadow Shadow

HeadroomHeadroom and and NoseroomNoseroom

Mise en SceneMise en Scene

AngleAngle

REPRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL REPRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACESPACE

Depth and PerspectiveDepth and Perspective

SHOT TYPESSHOT TYPESLONG SHOT (LS)LONG SHOT (LS)

SHOT TYPES SHOT TYPES MEDIUM SHOT (MS)MEDIUM SHOT (MS)

SHOT TYPESSHOT TYPESCLOSE-UP (CU)CLOSE-UP (CU)

SHOT TYPESSHOT TYPES EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU)EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU)

MORE SHOT TYPESMORE SHOT TYPES

Medium Long ShotMedium Long Shot (MLS) (MLS)

Medium Close-UpMedium Close-Up (MCU) (MCU)

Two-ShotTwo-Shot

Three-ShotThree-Shot

MORE SHOT TYPESMORE SHOT TYPES Objective PerspectiveObjective Perspective

Subjective PerspectiveSubjective Perspective

Point-of-viewPoint-of-view Shot Shot

Over-the-shoulderOver-the-shoulder Shots Shots

OverheadOverhead Shot Shot

MOVING SHOT TYPESMOVING SHOT TYPES

An element in a motion picture can be An element in a motion picture can be defined by its location in defined by its location in FourFour DimensionsDimensions: its place in : its place in WidthWidth, , HeightHeight, , DepthDepth, and , and TimeTime..

MOVING SHOT TYPESMOVING SHOT TYPES

PanPan

TiltTilt

ZoomZoom

DollyDolly

Tracking Tracking (Trucking) (Trucking)

FrameFrame ShotShot SceneScene SequenceSequence ActAct FeatureFeature,, Episode Episode,, oror Program Program SeasonSeason SeriesSeries

BUILDING BLOCKS OF VISUAL BUILDING BLOCKS OF VISUAL PROGRAMSPROGRAMS

CutCut

Fade – inFade – in

Fade – outFade – out

DissolveDissolve

WipeWipe

TRANSITIONSTRANSITIONS

THE MASTER SCENE THE MASTER SCENE METHODMETHOD

Master Shot

• Captures all of the Relevant Action

• Gathers other shots to provide Variety

• Directs the audience’s Attention

THE MASTER SCENE THE MASTER SCENE METHODMETHOD

THE MASTER SCENE THE MASTER SCENE METHODMETHOD

“Photos Courtesy of William Olsen; Illustration by Jesse Knight”

CONTINUITYCONTINUITY

Physical ContinuityPhysical Continuity• Continuity ErrorsContinuity Errors• Script SupervisorScript Supervisor

Temporal ContinuityTemporal Continuity• Overlapping ActionOverlapping Action• Jump Cuts Jump Cuts

Spatial ContinuitySpatial Continuity• Position JumpsPosition Jumps• EyelinesEyelines

The LineThe Line

CONTINUITYCONTINUITY

EXERCISESEXERCISES

1. 1. Select a classic painting. What is the Select a classic painting. What is the StoryStory told told in the painting? How would you adapt the in the painting? How would you adapt the painting into a painting into a SceneScene for a motion picture? for a motion picture?

2.2. Write an idea for an Write an idea for an OriginalOriginal scene that can be scene that can be recorded using the master scene method. recorded using the master scene method. Construct the scene Construct the scene WithoutWithout sound or title sound or title cards. How will you communicate the story to the cards. How will you communicate the story to the AudienceAudience? ?

3. 3. Using a Using a StillStill camera, take three pictures that camera, take three pictures that demonstrate a change in a person’s situation demonstrate a change in a person’s situation from from Happy to SadHappy to Sad. How do . How do AngleAngle, , FramingFraming, , and and Surrounding ElementsSurrounding Elements support your story? support your story?

Copyright 2008 Taylor and FrancisCopyright 2008 Taylor and Francis