Day 1 - Video Language
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To expand on basic audio and video production techniques you will explore common video language, screenplays and script writing, editing and standard production considerations, like scouting or budgets.
Begin your learning by becoming familiar with basic video terminology and camera considerations. At the end of the lesson you will be creating your very own video that will give you a glimpse of video and audio production. |
Video Language
No matter how seamless videos may appear, they are really long assemblies of individual pieces, placed one after another in strings as long as one thousand units or more. These individual pieces are called shots.
A shot is a single, uninterrupted visual recording, a length of tape during which the camera has operated continuously. Of course, shots are not just strung together in random order. They are organized according to a set of rules.
A "take" is one attempt to record a shot. Slating (labeling) a single recording is recommending when filming a production. For instance, slating would include "Scene 37, shot A, take 3".
A shot is a single, uninterrupted visual recording, a length of tape during which the camera has operated continuously. Of course, shots are not just strung together in random order. They are organized according to a set of rules.
A "take" is one attempt to record a shot. Slating (labeling) a single recording is recommending when filming a production. For instance, slating would include "Scene 37, shot A, take 3".
Camera Angle Names
A camera angle is a distinctive, identifiable way of framing subjects from a particular position at a particular image size. Most camera angles have specific names because they are relatively standardized setups that are used again and again. They convey information effectively and look attractive to viewers.
Subject Distance
The most common angle names describe the apparent distance between the camera and a standing adult (subject). These angles are:
Extreme Long Shot: The figure is tiny and indistinct in a very large area.
Long shot: The figure is small in the frame and less indistinct.
Medium Long Shot: The standing subject is distinct and somewhat closer, but with considerable head and foot room.
Full Shot: The standing figure fills the screen from top to bottom, often with just a small amount of head and foot room.
Three-Quarter shot: The shot shows the subject from about the knees to top of their head.
Medium shot: The shot shows the subject from the belt line to the top of the head.
Medium Close-up: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.
Close Up: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.
Big closeup: The shot shows the subject from below the chin to the forehead.
Extreme closeup: The shot shows the subject from the base of the nose to the eyebrow.
Subject Distance
The most common angle names describe the apparent distance between the camera and a standing adult (subject). These angles are:
Extreme Long Shot: The figure is tiny and indistinct in a very large area.
Long shot: The figure is small in the frame and less indistinct.
Medium Long Shot: The standing subject is distinct and somewhat closer, but with considerable head and foot room.
Full Shot: The standing figure fills the screen from top to bottom, often with just a small amount of head and foot room.
Three-Quarter shot: The shot shows the subject from about the knees to top of their head.
Medium shot: The shot shows the subject from the belt line to the top of the head.
Medium Close-up: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.
Close Up: The shot shows the subject from the shoulders to the top of the head.
Big closeup: The shot shows the subject from below the chin to the forehead.
Extreme closeup: The shot shows the subject from the base of the nose to the eyebrow.
Horizontal Angles
After subject distance, the most frequently used angle names are based on horizontal camera positions; front angle, three-quarter angle, profile angle, three-quarter rear angle, rear angle.
After subject distance, the most frequently used angle names are based on horizontal camera positions; front angle, three-quarter angle, profile angle, three-quarter rear angle, rear angle.
Camera Height
Shots may also be labeled by the vertical angle from which the camera views the action.
Shots may also be labeled by the vertical angle from which the camera views the action.
Lens Perspective
Another type of shot name is based on the appearance created by a particular camera lens. Directors will often call for a shot by the type of lens to be used when they want to stylize rendering of perspective.
Wide angle: Lens exaggerates apparent depth and dramatizes movement toward and away from the camera.
Normal: Lens renders perspective approximately the way human vision perceives it.
Telephoto: Lens compresses apparent depth of field and de-emphasizes movement toward and away from the camera. Telephoto are used to dramatize congestion and to intensify composition on the two-dimensional screen.
Another type of shot name is based on the appearance created by a particular camera lens. Directors will often call for a shot by the type of lens to be used when they want to stylize rendering of perspective.
Wide angle: Lens exaggerates apparent depth and dramatizes movement toward and away from the camera.
Normal: Lens renders perspective approximately the way human vision perceives it.
Telephoto: Lens compresses apparent depth of field and de-emphasizes movement toward and away from the camera. Telephoto are used to dramatize congestion and to intensify composition on the two-dimensional screen.
Shot Purpose
In addition to camera position, camera height and lens type, shots are often named for the purpose they serve in the program.
Master Shot: The purpose of a master shot is to record all or most of a scene in full shot or even longer, capturing the action from beginning to end. After the master has been taped, matching closer shots of the same action are made to replace parts of the masters in the final editing stage.
Establishing shot: the purpose of an establishing shot is to orient viewers to the general scene and the performers in it. Though beginning a sequence with an establishing shot is also considered old-fashioned, it is often helpful to introduce one early in a sequence.
Reverse shot: the purpose of reverse angle is to show the action from a point of view nearly opposite that of the main camera position. The position is nearly, but not fully, the opposite point of view.
Master Shot: The purpose of a master shot is to record all or most of a scene in full shot or even longer, capturing the action from beginning to end. After the master has been taped, matching closer shots of the same action are made to replace parts of the masters in the final editing stage.
Establishing shot: the purpose of an establishing shot is to orient viewers to the general scene and the performers in it. Though beginning a sequence with an establishing shot is also considered old-fashioned, it is often helpful to introduce one early in a sequence.
Reverse shot: the purpose of reverse angle is to show the action from a point of view nearly opposite that of the main camera position. The position is nearly, but not fully, the opposite point of view.
Over the shoulder shot: the purpose of an over-the-shoulder is to include part of one performer in the foreground while focusing on another performer.
Cutaway shot: the purpose of a cut away shot is to show the audience something outside the principle action, or to reveal something from an on-screen person's point of view.
Insert Shot: The purpose of an insert is to show a small detail of the action, often from the point of view of a person on the screen.
POV shot: the purpose of the POV shot is to show the audience what someone on the screen is seeing.
Glance-object shot: Often, the cut-away, insert, and POV shots are used with other angles to make pairs of shots that some critics term "glance-object".
Cutaway shot: the purpose of a cut away shot is to show the audience something outside the principle action, or to reveal something from an on-screen person's point of view.
Insert Shot: The purpose of an insert is to show a small detail of the action, often from the point of view of a person on the screen.
POV shot: the purpose of the POV shot is to show the audience what someone on the screen is seeing.
Glance-object shot: Often, the cut-away, insert, and POV shots are used with other angles to make pairs of shots that some critics term "glance-object".
Bringing it all together!
The Coen brothers demonstrate the important use of shot types and choice of lens.
Making Transitions
Besides language (the paragraphs of our story) we need to understand the rules for making transitions between chapter of our story. In video, a chapter is a sequence. The conventions for transitions from one sequence to another were established long ago and were strictly observed in classic Hollywood movies.
Fade-In: begins with a black screen, which lightens gradually until the image reaches full brightness.
Dissolve: is an effect in which one image is gradually replaced by another.
Wipe: is an effect in which a line moves steadily across the screen, progressively replacing the old image.
Fade-In: begins with a black screen, which lightens gradually until the image reaches full brightness.
Dissolve: is an effect in which one image is gradually replaced by another.
Wipe: is an effect in which a line moves steadily across the screen, progressively replacing the old image.
The above are old conventions, which are typically broken in modern films. Although, these can be useful when making your feature film.
Modern Transitions:
With the use of digital video effects (DVE) such as Final Cut Pro, or Premiere and After Effects CC there are countless transitions to choose from when creating your final video. For example:
Modern Transitions:
With the use of digital video effects (DVE) such as Final Cut Pro, or Premiere and After Effects CC there are countless transitions to choose from when creating your final video. For example:
- Flips: the screen appears to revolve, as if it shows the other side.
- Fly-Ins: the incoming picture swoops across the screen.
- Rotations: geometric forms with the outgoing shot on one face revolve to reveal the incoming shot on another face.
Assignment
1) Download the a copy of "Video Language Assignment" and complete all components.
2) Complete the "Talking to Yourself Short Activity"
3) Upload a copy of the completed film to Google Classroom.
2) Complete the "Talking to Yourself Short Activity"
3) Upload a copy of the completed film to Google Classroom.
| video.language.assignment.pdf |
| video.language.quiz.pdf |