Media Language - Mrs Mallet

Camera Shots

·        Extreme Long Shot (ELS)

Wide view of complete setting.

·        Long Shot (LS)

Closer than extreme.

Shows complete scene.

Human figure visible.

·       Medium Long Shot (MLS)

Human in detail.

Almost full body.

Dialogue/Action.

·       Medium/Mid  Shot (MS)

Not close, not far.

Waist to above head.

Gesture/expression clearly visible.

Dialogue/Limited action.

·       Medium Close up (MCU)

Moderately Close

Human head and shoulders with room above head.

·       Close Up (CU)

Detail.

Face of person.

·       Extreme Close Up (ECU)

Detail.

Magnifying.

Mystery which is effective.

Camera Angles

·       High Angle

Object from above, looking down.

Create sense of scale.

Object small/vulnerable.

·       Low Angle

Opposite of above.

Look upwards towards subject.

Importance/Foreboding.

·       Eye Level

As if we're there as a spectator as camera represents audiences view.

·        Point of View

Camera is used as if it is the eye of one of the characters.

What the character sees.

·       Crane

Camera attached to crane.

Shows scene above.

Creates sense of scale.

Provides lots of information.

·       Dutch

Camera tilted to one side so horizon is on an angle.

Disorientating effect.

Unsettling for audience.

Editing

·       The Fade

The old image slowly blurs out to a newer one.

·       The Dissolve

Bringing a new shot into focus as the old one disappears.

·        The Wipe

One shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another or with a special shape.

·        Straight Cut

Creates a natural movement between shots and in many ways emulates the audiences own eye movements.

Lighting

·       Coloured Lighting

Gives particular effect to scene.

·       Diegetic Lighting

Lighting that appears to emanate from a source within the scene.

·       Location of Light Source

Positioning of light source creates dramatic effect.

·         

      Key Light

Hardest and Brightest light.

Focused on side of main object.

Main source of illumination.

·       Fill Light

Softer, more diffuse light.

Placed slightly on other side of main subject at same angle as key light.

Light fills in shadows cast by key light.

·       Backlight

Placed behind subject.

Works to separate subject from background.

Usually hard lights.

Create outline around subject.

Sound

·       On Screen Sound

Diegetic sounds that come from objects observable within the frame.

·       Off Screen Sound

Diegetic sounds that come from objects not seen within the frame.

·        Synchronous Sound

Sound/Music which matches the kind of action on the screen.

·        Asynchronous Sound

Sound/Music which does not match the kind of action on screen.

Special Effects

·       Green/Blue Screen

Technology used to superimpose images onto another and can be used to place a character into a location.

Computer Generated Imagery (CGI)

·       Creation of futuristic locations in science fiction.

·       Expensive technology used in higher budget TV with longer production times.