Before starting my blog and research, I want to establish some key terms and media language I will frequently be using throughout, I will also highlight them depending on their category and according to the key in my introduction. For any media theories/theorists I will post separate blogposts in further detail.
Camera:
Angles:
Dutch- Tilted angle, denotes something is off
High- Looking down to a subject, makes the subject appear vulnerable
Low- Looking up to a subject, makes the subject appear dominant
Focus:
Deep Field- All of the shot is clearly in focus
Pull/Push- Changing focus during the shot, pulling/pushing from one subject focus to another
Shallow Field- The subject is the main focus of the camera and the background is blurred
Movements:
Pan- The camera moves horizontally
Tilt- The camera moves vertically
Track- The camera follows a subject, referring to the tracks the camera is placed on to create a smooth movement
Zoom- Moving closer (zoom in) or further away from a subject (zoom out)
Shots:
Aerial/Bird's Eye View- A shot from above in the perspective of a bird
Close Up (CU)- Subject is filmed closely and in detail, usually head and shoulders
Establishing Shot- Establishes the narrative and scene and reveals exposition of the narrative
Extreme Close Up (ECU)- Most detailed and narrow shot of a subject
Extreme Long Shot (ELS)- The largest shot type showing the subject from the greatest distance
Long Shot (LS)- Subject is framed from head to toes
Medium Long Shot (MLS)- Subject is framed from head to knees
Medium Shot (MS)- Subject is framed head to waist
Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS)- Subject seen over another subjects shoulder
Point of View Shot (POV)- A shot from the perspective of the subject
Reaction Shot- Subjects reaction showed within a sequence
Two Shot- Two subjects framed, usually showing a relationship/bond
Editing:
Continuity- A sense of reality and verisimilitude is created, also known as invisible editing as it should go unnoticed
Crosscut- Alternating scenes to create a sense of parallel action or to compare two scenes
Cutaway- A shot that interrupts an action by introducing an unrelated subject before returning to the original action
Ellipses- Time passing through editing
Flashback- Highlighting a past event and breaking the timeline or continuity of a media text
Freeze Frame- A pause in action to highlight an event or subject
Graphic Match- Ellipses achieved through a match of a visual element between two scenes
Jump Cut- An abrupt shot in the middle of an action sequence that is noticeably different and creates discontinuity
Match on Action- A shot respecting the continuity of he action and matches the preceding shpt, eg a door handle moving and then a door opening
Shot Reverse Shot- A sequence of action between two subjects which shoots one subject, then the other, and returns back to the original subject
180 Degree Rule- An imaginary line drawn between two subjects and the camera within a sequence, which cannot be crossed or will create discontinuity, important to keep within a shot reverse shot sequence
Key Language:
Connotation- A symbol or association made by a denoted element
Connotation- A symbol or association made by a denoted element
Convention- A frequent element or reoccurring theme that becomes an expectation
Denotation- The literal meaning or visual detail
Genre- Reoccurring elements in media texts allowing for them to be grouped together into categories
Intertextuality- Use of symbols within a text to refer to other texts
Mise-en-scene- From French, meaning "what's in frame" and referring to everything seen within the frame
Signifier- An important detail with a symbolic or deeper meaning
Verisimilitude- The attempt to create a text that is credible and as close as possible to reality
