Textual Analyses.

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS.

To analyse a moving image extract in terms of technical codes and representation. For this section of the exam we must know how to analyse and discuss technical aspects of the language and conventions of the moving image medium in relation to TV drama in order to discuss the representations of people.

1) Camera shots, angle, movement and composition;

SHOTS:

Aerial shot- A camera shot taken from an overhead position, Often used as an established shot

Close up shot- A head and shoulders shot often used to show expressions/emotions of a character. Also can be a shot of an object, fimled from close to the object or zoomed in to it, that reveals detail.

Exteme close up- A shot where a part of a face or body of a character fills the whole frama. Also can be a shot of an object where only a small part of it dominates the frame.

Establishing shot- A shot that establishes a scene, often giving the veiwer information about where the scene is set. Usually appears at the beginning of the scene.

Medium shot- The framing of an obejct from waist up.

Two shot- A shot of two characters engaged in a conversation.

Point of view shot- Shows a view from the subject's perspective.

Over the shoulder shot- Looking from behind a character's shoulder, at a specific subject.

Overhead shot- A type of camera shot in which the camera is positioned above the character, action or object being filmed.

Reaction shot- A shot that shows the reaction of a character either to another character or an event within the sequence.

ANGLE:

High angle- A camera angle that looks down upon a subject. Often used to make the subject appear small.

Low angle- A camera angle that looks up upon a subject, Often used to make the subject appear powerful.

Canted angle-A camera angle that makes what is shot appeared to be skewed or tilted.

MOVEMENT:

Pan- Where the camera pivots horizontally, either from left to right or right to left to reveal a set or setting. (A long continuous horizontal shot)

Tilt- Where a camera scans a set or setting vertically.

Track-A shot where the camera follows a subject/object. It includes smooth movements forward, backward, along the side of the subject, or on curve but cannot include complex movement around a subject.

Dolly

Crane- A crane shot is sometimes used to signify the end of a scene/film.

Stedicam- A stedicam is a stabilising mount for a camera which mechanically isolates the operator's movement from the camera, allowing a very smooth shot even when the operator is quickly moving over an uneven surface.

Handheld

Zoom- Using a zoom lens to appear to be moving closer to(zoom in) or further away from(zoom out) an object when in fact the camera may not move.

COMPOSITION:

Framing

Rule of thirds

Depth of field- Deep and shallow focus, focus pulls.

30 degree rule

80 degree rule (crossing the line)

2) Editing. Includes transition of image and sound- continuity and non-continuity systems;

CUTTING:

Cut:

Shot/reverse shot: Edits which switch back and forth between two characters interacting with each other.

Eye line match: A type of edit which cuts from one character to what that character has been looking at.

Graphic match.

Action match.

Jump cut: A cut between two similar shots, usually done to create discontinuity for artistic effect.

Cross cutting, intercutting or parallel editing: The editing technique of alternating, interweaving, or interspersing one narrative action with another.

Cutaway: A brief shot that momentarily interrupts continuous action by briefly inserting another related action.

Insert.

OTHER TRANSITIONS:

Dissolve.

Fade in.

Fade out.

Wipe.

Superimposition.

Long take.

Short take.

Slow motion.

Ellipis and expansion of time.

Post production visual effects.

SOUND:

Diegetic Sound- Sound that can be heard by the characters within a scene

Non Diegetic Sound- Sound that the characters cannot hear and is not part of the imaginary world of the story.

Synchronous sound.

Sound effects- Sounds that are added to a film during post production stage

Sound motif- A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea.

Sound bridge- Can lead in or out of a scene.

Dialogue- Words spoken by a character.

Voiceover- When a voice often that of a character in the film, is heard while we see an image of a space and time in which that character is not actually speaking.

Mode of address/ direct address.

Sound mixing.

Sound perspective.

Score- The musical component of a program’s soundtrack.

Ambient sound- The background sounds which represent a scene or location.

3) Mis-en-scene- Everything in the frame:

PRODUCTION DESIGN;

Location- The place where the scene is shot

Set design- The way the set has been decorated in order to express particular characteristics.

Costume- The clothing the character speaks volumes about their personality.

Make up.

Colour design- A scene's colours are very carefully selected in order to give off certain connotations.

Gesture and Posture- Character's physical movements and what that says about them.

LIGHTING:

High key lighting- Which appears to be natural(but very rarely is).

Low key lighting- Using a lighting system which intensifies shadows and gives a moody or scary effect.

Back lighting- When a character is lit from behind, thus silhouetting them.