Types of Camera Shot

Extreme Long Shot

• Also know as an establishing shot, it's purpose is usually to let the audience know where and when the scene is taking place. 
• It is often an exterior shot / shot set outside
• Any characters in the scene may be visible, but only from a distance.

Long Shot

• Often follows an establishing shot
• Could show the character , let the audience see them from head to toe
• Hints at the relationship between the character and their environment

Mid Shot

• Often follows a long shot
• Shows half a characters body (eg; waist up) 
• Allows the audience to see the character's facial expressions and body language in more detail, which may help them to figure out their motives or intentions and their 
• Audience become slightly more familiar with the character

Two Shot

• Shows two characters
• Let's audience know the relationship between these two characters

Close-up

• Close-up of a character would mean that you can see their head and shoulders
• See the character's emotions and clearly see their facial expressions 
• Can also be used to show the significance of an object 

Point of View

• Would be shown after a close-up shot of a character, to indicate whose point of view we are following
• Audience sees a significant object or the surroundings / action / other characters from the view point of a character
• This can help to put the audience in the characters position, so that they can better understand their motives. 

Extreme Close-up

• Shows only the characters face, and may focus on a particular feature, such as their eyes
• Draws the audience into the characters emotions
• Adds intensity to the scene, as it blocks out any other action or surroundings
• Focus completely on that character 

 
 

Own Film Idea - First Two Minutes of The Film

Film Pitch

Eden Lake

Eden Lake

Film Questions Homework

1. What does a director do?

 A director works with the writers and producers to convert their ideas into something that would be possible to film. A well known or respected director can help to create interest in the project and attract actors and financial backing. The director also decides which pictures will best convey the story to the audience, working together with each department to ensure that everybody has an idea of how the finished project should look. They must ensure that they get the actors to give their best performances and decide in which order the scenes will be shot.

2. What comes first, script or finance?

At least a rough draft of the script would need to be written up before financing, because the team that are making the film would need a clear idea of what the film was about, it's intended audience, cast and location before pitching the idea to a company for funding. After this, the script can be developed and finalised.

3. How can casting help the film get made?

 Casting can help to attract financial backing for a film project and ensure interest in the film. Well known actors will bring more attention to the film due to media and press coverage - this will usually mean that there will be more of an audience 'buzz' and people will be eager to see it.

4. Who is responsible for marketing?

The marketing team is responsible for the marketing of a new film. They identify the best audience for the film, and find the film's unique selling point to attract this audience and make the film stand out from others of a similar genre. Their main job is to persuade audiences to go to see the film and ensure that it does as well as it can.

5. Where do ideas for films come from?

There are many possible sources of inspiration for films. Some may be inspired by previous work by other people, such as adaptations of books and remakes of past films. Others may be taken from a news story or current world events, touching upon issues which are affecting the world, which people may show an interest in. Also, some films are made from original ideas from a screenwriter or director.

6. How does a film reach the right audience?


The film can reach it's intended audience through many means such as advertisements, posters, trailers and media / press coverage. The internet is also a valuable tool in reaching people, especially if bloggers / users of social networks are talking about it. 

Case Study; Working Title

Working Title films is a British film production company that was founded in 1983 by Sarah Radclyffe and Tim Bevan. However in 1992, Radclyffe decided to leave and was replaced by an independant film producer called Eric Fellner. The company's headquarters is based in Marylebone in London, England, but also works from Ireland and Los Angeles. It has been responsible for producing some of Britain's most successful modern films, such as Notting Hill, Bridget Jones' Diary and Shaun of The Dead.

Three films that working title have made in the past five years are;

• Atonement, which is a romantic war film released in 2007,  directed by Joe Wright and starring Keira Knightly, James McAvoy and Saoirse Ronan. The film made $129,266,061 from a budget of $30 million.
• Paul, which is a science fiction comedy released in 2010, directed by Greg Mottola and starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and the voice of Seth Rogen. The film made $97,552,050 from a budget of $40 million
• State of Play, which is a political thriller, directed by Kevin Macdonald and starring Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Rachael McAdams. The film made $91,445,389 from a budget of $60 million.
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City of God Opening UNFINISHED

The first minute of this film is very fast paced, the editing of the clips is choppy and the music has a fast and repetitive beat. Where people are shown, the camera is usually below them, looking upwards, making them look more intimidating, whereas the chickens are shot straight on.

The harsh metal of the knife contrasts against the happy expressions on people's faces. The sound of it sharpening against the rock cuts through the happy music.

There are lots of sound effects used along with the music to create a busy atmosphere.  As we finish following the chicken run away, a pool of blood on a white plate suddenly appears. Once the plate of blood is shown, the editing slows down and the music stops abruptly. Instead we are left with the diagetic sound of the scene - the chickens squawking, people moving, then a man shouting.

He commands that everybody go after an escaped chicken. His voice is loud and clear, but not aggressive in tone.