Cinematic techniques
Frame- The smallest unit of a film
Shot- A chain of frames makes up a shot. This is the smallest
meaningful section of a film. Shots can be identified by noticing
where a cut occurs- this break indicates the end of a shot
Scene- This is a series of shots that remain in one setting, focusing
on one event, dialogue etc
Sequence- One or more scenes that form a coherent unit in a film,
much like a chapter in a novel.
CINEMATIC DESCRIPTION
TECHNIQUE
SOUND
Asynchronous A sound that either precedes or follows its
sound on-screen source – words or sounds not
synchronised with lip movements or action
on screen.
Synchronous sound Sound that occurs at the same time as the
action on the screen.
Voice- Over A form of asynchronous sound. The voice of
someone speaking is heard over the visuals,
which usually reflect action or character
analyses or setting etc.
SHOTS (how far
we are from
object)
Framing Include/Exclude from still, window/ door/
picture frames within shot to frame certain
characteristics and communicate certain
things
Establishing Shot Place the characters and action in a context.
(Extreme long shot) Setting/background is emphasized. A shot in
which the subject appears to be very far from
the camera. If a person is the subject, the
entire body will be visible, but will also be
very small in the frame, and much of the
surrounding environment will be visible. This
type of shot is usually used outdoors, often
to establish the setting of the following
action.
Long shot Shows the whole subject, with room to spare
at the top and bottom of the frame- much of
Frame- The smallest unit of a film
Shot- A chain of frames makes up a shot. This is the smallest
meaningful section of a film. Shots can be identified by noticing
where a cut occurs- this break indicates the end of a shot
Scene- This is a series of shots that remain in one setting, focusing
on one event, dialogue etc
Sequence- One or more scenes that form a coherent unit in a film,
much like a chapter in a novel.
CINEMATIC DESCRIPTION
TECHNIQUE
SOUND
Asynchronous A sound that either precedes or follows its
sound on-screen source – words or sounds not
synchronised with lip movements or action
on screen.
Synchronous sound Sound that occurs at the same time as the
action on the screen.
Voice- Over A form of asynchronous sound. The voice of
someone speaking is heard over the visuals,
which usually reflect action or character
analyses or setting etc.
SHOTS (how far
we are from
object)
Framing Include/Exclude from still, window/ door/
picture frames within shot to frame certain
characteristics and communicate certain
things
Establishing Shot Place the characters and action in a context.
(Extreme long shot) Setting/background is emphasized. A shot in
which the subject appears to be very far from
the camera. If a person is the subject, the
entire body will be visible, but will also be
very small in the frame, and much of the
surrounding environment will be visible. This
type of shot is usually used outdoors, often
to establish the setting of the following
action.
Long shot Shows the whole subject, with room to spare
at the top and bottom of the frame- much of
