Media Studies 09-11

In all pieces of film and television they use a variety of shots to show different meanings and also to help display the reactions and thoughts of the characters.

Extreme Wide shot (EWS) – The view from far away so that the subject isn’t visible yet, e.g/ Showing a city. This is usually used as an establishing shot, the next shot that is used to set the scene is the Very Wide Shot (VWS) – Where the subject is seen in the shot slightly, but the emphasis is still on a place rather than the character. When the subject is brought into the story they use a Wide Shot (WS) – So that the subject is the main focus in the shot and takes up the whole frame, this is the same as a long shot. Another shot that is used to introduce the subject is the Mid Shot (MS) – Which focuses more on one part of the subject but still displays most of it.  Medium Close Up (MCU) – Is used to show reactions ect from the subject and is between a Mid Shot and a Close Up. To show more deatil and focus on the subject they use a Close Up (CU) – Where part of the subject takes up the full frame, as well as this they use the Extreme Close Up (ECU) – This doesn’t have to be on the main subject, just shows extreme detail on one part of it.

A Cut Away (CA) shot is a shot of something other than the main subject action, where as a Cut In  shows some part of the subject in detail, e.g/ The hands. A Two Shot is used in comedy and drama, it is a shot with two people and is framed like a mid shot. The Over the shoulder Shot (OSS)  is also used in drama and it framed as though looking from behind something to the subject another shot used in drama is a Noddy Shot but this is more commonly used in interviews.  The Point of view shot (POV) Shows a view from the subject’s perspective, e.g/ The hand writing or typingA Weather Shot (WS)  turns the subject into the sky and focuses on that, sometimes used as an establishing shot.

To set up the cameras we need to firstly set up the tripod and make sure that is stable. Then we need to insert the battery into the camera and the tape. Once the camera is safely attached to the tripod and we’ve set the white balance we can set up the other manual features. To focus the camera we have to either turn the focus ring at the end of the camera clockwise or anticlockwise until the shot is in focus. If we don’t set the white balance on the cameras they will get the wrong shades for all the other colours and the shots will look unnatural, this is especially important if your moving between inside to outside. The cameras need to be set up and checked properly before filming.

All filming must be planned well or the film will be disorganised, the planning must be based around the audience and the purpose of the film so that the director can work out which shots will be best. To plan the shoot you need to find the correct location for the film, by looking at a few locations you can decide on the best one, including factors such as traffic noise and natural light. A script for the film is needed in order to plan what to shoot and where. Also in the planning process you will need to work out how to get the equipment and crew to the location. A shooting schedule will need to be planned to work out the quickest and easiest way to shoot the film.

The purpose of storyboarding:

The purpose of storyboarding is to plan the shot sequence of the film and work out the transitions between shots. The storyboard will have pictures of the start of each shot, it will explain the type of shot e.g/ Close up, establishing shot etc. Also next to the picture it will explain anything that happens in the shot, like whether the camera pans around the set or is stationary. The storyboards also explain the story to the director and can involve short amounts of diologue. During filming the camera crew can then keep checking the storyboard to know how they’re going to set up the cameras and film the sequence.