What are film techniques?

‍Film techniques are the visual and auditory means or elements that composers use to create powerful mediums. Through these, they are able to convey an array of themes, messages and emotions which appeal directly to audiences. 

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‍Techniques

Angle 

With the word angle, we typically refer to the tilt of the camera when compared to the character or scene that it is capturing (eg. wide angle, low angle, high angle, bird’s eye view). Camera angles allow audiences to understand power struggles and relationships, as well as to appreciate the setting. 

Close up shot 

This type of camera shot captures the faces of the characters. It is typically used to portray emotion. 

Colour 

The contrast of colours as well as the colour scheme of each scene plays a particular role in delineating characters’ emotions and setting the mood. Pay close attention to films that are set in different contexts and notice how colours help create setting. 

Costuming 

The clothing that is chosen in each film is representative not only of the historical period that it’s set in, but also of certain values that the composer and/or each character holds. It can also be indicative of social class and wealth/poverty. 

Dialogue 

The dialogue or direct speech between characters is imperative in understanding character relationships and creating a reflection of everyday life. It is used in films to drive the plot forward and to reveal aspects of people’s personalities. 

Dolly Shot

A dolly shot involves a wheeled cart with a camera placed upon it, moving alongside the action. By following the action, the scene becomes more intense and engaging. 

Eyeline match 

This technique refers to when the camera begins with a person looking at someone/somethings and cuts to a shot of the character/thing that they were looking at. This allows for perspective to build as they’re able to follow the gaze of the character. 

Fade in/Fade out

Fade out is most typically used when transitioning to another scene. Before fading into the new one, the screen slowly dims until it turns black. 

Flashback 

Flashbacks refer to events that have taken place in the past. The composer uses flashbacks to either complete gaps and amplitudes in the plot or to foreshadow events that will take place in the future. 

Lighting 

Lighting is crucial in establishing the mood of each scene. It can also help paint a more accurate depiction of a character as good or evil. When analysing the lighting, it’s important to make references to the contrast of light and dark (chiaroscuro), as well as whether there’s use of low-key lighting, shadows, bright lights etc. 

Long shot 

This technique refers to when the camera captures the setting or background of the scene. It is crucial when building a fictional world. 

Medium shot

This is the most common type of shot. It captures most of a character’s body and can depict multiple characters at once. 

Mise en scene 

This refers to the composition or ‘make up’ of the scene. It includes character placement, costumes and setting. In simple terms, it is what you would describe if you froze the film at a certain moment. 

Montage 

A montage is a type of editing sequence where multiple shots are played one after the other rapidly to create a particular narrative. 

Mood 

This is also referred to as the ambience or atmosphere which is created. It is the overall emotion of the scene (eg. foreboding mood, romantic mood etc) 

Music 

Music is imperative in setting the mood of the scene. The two types of music include intradiegetic sound and extradiegetic sound. The former refers to music or natural sounds that occur within the film (eg. birds chirping), whereas the latter refers to sound or music which is added in the editing process. 

Over the shoulder shot 

This is a type of shot that allows audiences to look over the shoulder of the character. This immerses them into the experience or point of view of that particular character. 

Panning shot 

In this type of shot, the camera is fixed, however, it follows the character(s) along in a horizontal manner. 

Point of view

This shot is taken directly from the perspective of the character. It is as though the audience are seeing from the character’s eyes. 

Props 

These are items that are used in a particular scene which add to the composition of the scene (eg. a suitcase). 

Recitation

This refers to the retelling of a text (eg. the poems of John Keats in ‘Bright Star’). This creates intertextuality. 

Setting 

With the word setting, we refer to the place where the action is occurring. 

Symbolism 

It may be an object or a motif which is used to convey a meaning supplementary to that of the literal. This adds depth to the plot and allows for multiple audience interpretations to arise. 

Voiceover 

This is used like a narrator in texts. It is usually a third person observer who narrates aspects of the film/plot. 

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By familiarising yourself with the above film techniques, you’ll be one step closer to mastering your English HSC paper! 

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