Generic Connotations of Elements AND Key Terms
These are a list of generic terms and possible connotations of some of the most common elements used when constructing a representation.
NOTE: Please don't use these generically as they still have to be applied to whatever representation is being constructed.
CAMERA
Types of shots
CU: Normally used to draw audiences closer to reactions/emotions key characters are feeling or highlight what is happening. This could be used to encourage or challenge stereotypes. For example: a CU of the "traditional man" becoming emotional when watching a movie with his wife could be challenging his stereotype.
MS or Head and Shoulder shot: Normally used to involve the audience within a scene, perhaps in the middle of a conversation between characters. For example: A shot-reverse-shot editing combination, filming a conversation between a man and a woman happily having dinner at a restaurant, using low key lighting and a non-diegetic sound of slow romantic music, could be used to create a preferred reading that they are on a date.
LS: Normally used to establish where the scene takes place. It could construct a positive or negative representation of the location the scene takes place in. For example: A LS of a decaying prison building using low key lighting could connote that the kind of criminals inside are the worst of the worst. An LS of a beautifully decorated house lit using high key lighting could connote that a happy family lives in there.
Wide shot: Essentially a very LS. This could be used to establish a location or to emphasise isolation of a single figure.
High-Angle shot: Makes characters look vulnerable and weak/powerless. It could be used to challenge of encourage stereotypes. For example: A high angle shot looking down to an MS of a prisoner from a warden's POV could connote that the prisoner is powerless in relation to the warden.
Low Angle shot: Makes characters look powerful, in control and/or dominant. For example: A low angle shot looking up at the warden from the prisoner's POV could connote that the warden is more powerful than the prisoner.
Hand Held shot: the camera is not on a tripod, which creates a feeling slight shakiness. Usually used to position the audience within a scene (POV) or to add energy to a moment. For example: a frantic scene in which a prison riot breaks out could be filmed using hand held camera to encourage the stereotype that fighting is dangerous.
Rule of thirds: States that there needs to be space in front of the characters depending on where they are positioned within the frame... if they are framed to the right, they should have space on the left. When a character is framed in the middle it usually connotes that they are either addressing a large group of people (usually breaking the forth wall - classic presidential shot) or they are very important within the scene.
Tight Frame: Describes a shot is composed with the person or object given very little space around them. Usually connotes that the person is either trapped within a situation or that they are very important. For example: If a teacher is having a go at a student we might use a tight frame in a CU of the student's face to symbolise that he is feeling very uncomfortable in a situation he can't get out of.
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Camera movement
Pan: Camera moves gently 180 degrees across the subject in a horizontal plane. Usually used to follow an "important" action within a scene. For example: We see a CU of leather boots walking across a classroom as the camera follows with a pan, this could connote that the person wearing the boots is important in the scene.
Tilt: Camera moves vertically up and down from a fixed position. Usually used to follow an important action within a scene. For example: We see a CU of rose falling from a desk as we follow it with a tilt, this could connote that a relationship is about to end.
Zoom: Used to get closer or further away from the subject. Usually used to enhance importance to a subject or to something they are saying or doing.
Steadycam: See this
Steadycam: See this
EDITING
Cut: The move from one shot to another. You need to use this term in your answer when you're writing about the scene... "we then cut to...". Just by using the term you're already addressing editing elements in your answer.
Dissolve: This happens when one shot dissolves into another. This is normally used to connote the passing of time.
Fade: This happens when a shot disappears into a black or white screen. A fade to black usually connotes the end of a situation. A fade to white normally suggests a dream sequence.
Montage: Series of shots edited together to show passing of time. Usually accompanied with music. Famous example is in the movie Rocky when he is training and getting better before his fight.
Parallel Action/editing: used to show two or more scenes happening at the same time. It could be used to connote that both activities are as important as each other to the narrative.
Quick editing: A range of quick shots cut together could connote that the action being filmed needs to happen quickly. For example: students hiding something from the teacher before the teacher comes in the classroom, if this is done using quick editing then it connotes urgency.
Slow motion: A technique that slows down the footage. This is normally used to emphasise that the action taking place is important. For example: an old man walking in the street trips over and falls, if filmed in a slow motion this could connote that his fall will be fatal to him.
Fast motion: A technique that speeds up footage. Normally used to compress time within a shot. A car travelling fast through the streets of London from a Bird's Eye View shot can connote that the car is in a rush.
Shot-reverse-shot: Technique used when a conversation is taking place between two or more subjects. This in itself just positions the audience in the middle of a conversation but when edited quickly this could construct other connotations - see quick editing.
MISE-EN-SCENE
High Key Lighting – A bright and well lit scene with very few shadows. Often used to make a location or character seem friendly, happy, safe.
Low key Lighting – a dimly lit scene with lots of shadows. Often used to make a location or character seem shady, untrustworthy, dangerous, unsafe.
Body Shape and Language – the way a character’s body looks and the way they hold their body eg confident, slumping down, covering from someone, etc. It tells us what type of person they are and how they feel about others. For example: The old teacher standing around taking to students with his hands in his pockets connotes that he is in control of a situation.
Facial Features and Expression – the way a character’s face looks and shows emotion. For example a shocked expression, sadness, a look of love. You can also comment on the way they look, such as an interesting feature such as bad teeth, small, squinty eyes, etc. It tells us what type of person they are and how they feel about others.
Props – Items a character possesses or picks up eg a gun or a bunch of flowers etc.. They can tell us lots about what type of person someone is.
Costumes – clothes a character is wearing. You could comment on the style, shape, choice of item, colour, etc. They can tell us lots about a character, what type of person they are, how they are feeling etc. For example a floaty dress might represent someone as being traditionally girly. A policeman’s uniform might represent someone as having authority and power. Baggy, shapeless clothes might suggest someone is shy, where as tight clothing might suggest they are confident and flirtatious.
Hair & Make Up – the appearance of the hair of a character and the cosmetics a character might be wearing such as lipstick, a skin head etc. They tell us things about the character. For example a woman wearing very little make up might be seen as being very naive and innocent.
Voice / Tone – The way a character speaks tells us a lot. Someone who stutters might be nervous. Someone who shouts may be angry and powerful.
Colour – Colours in a scene often represent things. Red can represent anger, passion, danger, love. Blue can seem calm and peaceful, sometimes sad. You must pick the most appropriate meaning for the scene.
Location – A place where the scene is set. A location can tell us lots about the people in it. For example a dirty, bloodstained basement could signify that a character was a villain or up to no good. A messy bedroom might signify that the character who owned it was disorganised. Don’t forget to look out for how a character reacts to their location as well (eg if they are comfortable there or not)
Breaking the Fourth Wall (Direct Address) – Describes a time where a character may look directly at the camera and speak to the audience. This is highly unusual but can be seen regularly in shows like Malcolm InThe Middle and House of Cards. This is designed to emphasise that character as the most important, as powerful, and as someone we should be siding with as it helps us feel like we are “one of them” and as though we are one of their friends.
SOUND
Ambient sound - The sounds of the location eg water noises near a river, cows mooing in a farm etc. They tell us what kind of place we are in and if we see how characters react to these sounds it tells us a lot. Noisy cars, horns, people, traffic represent a region as being busy and urban and not very homely.
Asynchronous sound – Asynchronous sound is where the sound is either out of sync with the visuals or is unrelated to the visuals. Sound that is just out of sync would make the viewer feel disorientated and would make the characters and scene seem strange. Sound that is unrelated to the visuals may be there for emphasising something. For example, in the Godfather film, we see a man murdering people in cold blood, but hear the sounds of a priest christening a baby. This contrast emphasises the loss of innocent life.
Dialogue – the words the characters say. What do the characters actually say? Do they reveal their beliefs, or their attitudes? How do they say it? If someone’s voice sounds nervous and wobbly it tells us a lot about their character. If they speak softly it implies they are weak or emotional. If they have a deep booming voice it makes them seem more masculine. Don’t forget accents as they tell us where someone is from and emphasise their differences from others.
Diegetic Sound: sound that you could hear if YOU were one of the characters inside the scene. This include words the characters say, background noises like traffic and crowd noise and even music IF it is heard by the characters eg at a club, on a television etc Diegetic sound can set the mood of the piece, influence a character’s behaviour or emotions, and help the viewer to see a scene as realistic etc
Non Diegetic Sound – Other sound that the characters in the scene could not hear . For example, a musical soundtrack, a voice over etc. Non diegetic music sets the scene and time period as well as atmosphere. A voice over allows the audience to hear someone’s thoughts and empathise with them.
Pitch – Low pitch described a sound that is deep and low (eg Thunder) and high pitch describes a sound that is higher and lighter (eg a phone ringing).
Rhythm – Describes the beat of the music, whether it is fast or slow. Sound or music with a fast rhythm is often used to increase a sense of urgency or threat. Sound or music with a slow rhythm is often used to depict calmness and peace. Sound or music with an irregular rhythm is used to confuse the audience and make them feel uncomfortable.
Voice over/narration: the use of a voice, over images, perhaps as an introduction, a linking narrative device for or to comment on action. It allows the audience to see inside the head of a character, helping us to empathise with them.
Sound bridge – a portion of sound that covers a cut, normally to link two scenes together. For example if you were to see a woman talking about how much she missed her boyfriend, and her voice continued as a sound bridge on top of the shot of him, even if just for a few seconds, it emphasises that he is the man she is talking about. Sound bridges are often used to try and mask cuts from the audience, making it seem more realistic.
Sound Effects – A sound accompanying an action, sometimes musical. For example in the film Psycho, short sharp violin noises accompany each stab of the knife during the famous shower scene. This emphasises the violence of each stabbing motion and makes it more dramatic.
Soundtrack: Music from a soundtrack (all the sounds) or score (just the music) emphasises the themes and emotions of a scene or character. Think about the beat and instruments used. For example a high energy dance track with loud crashing tones will emphasise someone’s youth.. a girly soft piano music might help us to see a woman as stereotypically delicate and feminine.
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