Micro elements -

all the different

camera work and edits

By Ariyen Ahmed

Extreme close up

An extreme close up is a tight shot where the detail of an object or person is seen or one part of a character’s face or other object. For example, here you can see clearly whats on the phone as it shows in detail.

Close up

This is a close up which is used to show the details of the actor at that point. Specifically their facial expressions and thoughts. The viewer can clearly see the emotions present as the face takes up most of the frame. For example, you can clearly see in the close-up to the left that she is annoyed and to an extent angered. This also shows that he may be a main character.

Medium Shot

This is a medium shot where you don’t see the entire body but from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters.

Long Shot

This is a long shot where you can see the whole body. It contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place. The examples here show the characters in their whole costume and clearly shows it is set in New York in two of them due to the setting.

Extreme long shot

This is an extreme long shot where you can see the whole surrounding. It contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location(setting). This is also known as an establishing shot.

Track

This is a tracking movement where the camera is being placed on a track to follow a subject. Having the camera on the track allows it to be still and not shake. Using it to follow a character will allow the audience to feel how the character moves and their pace.

Pan

This is a panning movement where the camera lens moves from one side to another, i.e left to right. It is used to show the whole scene as the camera moves horizontally whilst maintaining the same level of detail.

Tilt

This is a tilting movement where the camera lens moves up or down while keeping its horizontal axis constant. It is used to show the height of a person or an object and provide that feel to the audience.

Zoom

This is a zooming movement where the camera moves towards or away from an object. It is used to zoom in on a character's face to show their emotions. For example, here you can see more detail in the character's face as the camera zooms in.

Cut

A cut is a type of transition from one sequence to another. It is quite often used in action scenes such as fighting to show the fast pace and also show how things can happen in a short period of time. It is most commonly used in situations when a scene is ending abruptly for dramatic or comedic effect.

PacePace is the speed in which the camera moves, how quick or slow the shots are, and how quick the shot changes its angle or the shot itself. It can create different moods and atmosphere depending on the speed. For example, in fast-paced scenes, there is an intense atmosphere with different shots changing quickly.

Performance

The performance is the actual acting part of the shot involving the actors. If the acting is good in terms of authenticity and it being believable then the audience will be engaged. For example, here it shows the drummers performing towards the camera i.e towards the audience.

Diegetic and non-diegetic soundDiegetic sound: sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source

is implied to be present by the action of the film. This can be voices of characters, sounds made by objects in the story and music in the story.

Non-diegetic sound: sound whose source is not visible or has been implied to be present in the action. This can be commentary from narrator, sound effects and mood music.

Mise en scene

Mise-en-scene is everything in the frame or shot. This includes: settings and locations, props, costume, hair and makeup, and sound and lighting. These are important because they allow the scene to come to life and engage the audience and make it believable for them.