Cinematogrpahy Notes

Basic Film Terminology
Shot > Edit > Scene

A Shot is any continuous piece of uninterrupted filming.

• Most shots last for no more than about 10 seconds
• The Camera or subjects may move during a shot, however the filming is uninterrupted.

An Edit is classified as any break in the film where one shot ends and the next shot begins.
The four most common types of edit are:

• Cuts
• Dissolves
• Fades
• Wipes (occasionally)

A Scene is a collection of shots, arranged through editing into a specific order. Scenes are commonly used to create a narrative.

• When reading film it is common to analyse individual scenes rather than specific shot.
• A scene with two characters having a conversation would likely consist of fewer shots than a fast paced car chase.

A Genre is a loose set of criteria for a category of composition; the term is often used to categorize literature sand speech but is also used for any other form of art or utterance.

Film Language
Elements used to elicit an emotional response in the audience.
Mise-En-Scene
Cinematography
Sound
Editing

Mise-En-Scene (French for Put-In-Scene)
This is the combination of all the visual element within the frame.
Style of Acting > Props > Setting > Lighting

Cinematography
Framing > Camera Position > Camera Movement > Focus > Perspective > Exposure > Speed

Editing
Graphic Relationships; Jump cut: shortens events; Match cut: Graphic matching of one
object visual element with another
Rhythm: beat of the film
Passing of time; rate at which the film operates Eg. 20 years in 1 hour

Sound
Music > Sound Effects > Dialogue