Glossary of Terms - ISL 2

Editing

Transitions	Straight cut from one shot to another to keep continuity and pace in the film
Dissolve	A gradual transition from one shot to another- fades into the next shot
Fade to black/white	One shot fades in/out to from black/white
Fade in/out	A shot is faded out to a black screen or in from a black screen
Cross cutting	Action cuts between two sequences to create links, parallels or contrasts between the two story lines and their settings
Wipe	A line moves across the screen showing a transition from one shot to another
Jump cut	An abrupt cut between shots
Continuity editing	Maintains the relationships in a film Calls the audience’s attention to specific objects/characters/ events Allows the film to shift through time Gives the film rhythm Shows action and reaction
Match on action	When shots are edited together to show how actions progress though time- shows a cause a effect
Shot reverse-shot	Edits together two shot from two different camera positions to give the impression of a conversation taking place

Glossary of Terms - ISL 1

  Camera Shots

ECU	To show one specific object in detail
CU	To show detail
MS	Show body positioning
LS	To set the scene
ELS	To set the location
Cut Away	To take the attention off one object and focus it on something completely different
Over-Shoulder	To see a person’s reaction
Noddy Shot	To show someone reacting to what has been said by another person
PoV	Seeing what the character sees
Bird’s eye view	To show a chase

 

Composition	Where objects are placed/ arranged
Framing	What you choose to include in the shot
High angle shots	Shot take from above the subject
Low angle shots	Shot taken from below the subject
Tracking shot	Camera moves on a dolly to follow the subject
Canted angle	Camera position is not straight towards the subject
Pan	Camera moves from left to right following the subject
Tilt	Camera pans vertically upwards
Zoom in/out	Camera focuses zooming in or out on a key detail
Steadicam	The camera moves around with the action
Crane shot	The camera takes a high angle shot looking down on the subject.
Aerial shot	The camera is positioned in a plane to get a ELS high angled shot

Film Noir Collage

‘Bourne Identity’ Opening

There is an extreme close-up used to show the fisherman cutting Bourne’s wetsuit to try and find more injuries that he may have sustained. Pervious to the shot, the fisherman had put the container on the side and started looking for other injuries. After the shot he discovers a scar which leads Bourne on to finding his identity because he doesn’t know. He finds a laser encoded message with a bank number on it; the story kicks off from there. The Major mise-en-scene details are the costume which Bourne’s wearing, the fisherman has cut it off of him and he is left naked. Also the laser encoded message is very significant because without it he would have never discovered his identity.

‘Bourne Identity’ Opening

This close-up shows the fisherman with the bullet pulled out of Bourne’s body; the previous shot shows the fisherman holding the bullet up in the light trying to identify the object. After the shot it shows the fisherman placing the bullet in the metal tray and then placing it further on the side. The main mise-en-scene details are the lighting, it’s a bit brighter and it gives you a visual on the bullet and how large it is. Also the props, we get a good look at the tool used to extract the bullet and also a tray used to contain it.

‘Bourne Identity’ Opening

Another close-up is used to show the fisherman rummaging through his medical tools after seeing that the injuries look like bullet holes. The shot then cuts to him with a tool in hand about to remove the bullet. The significant mise-en-scene details are the tools, this shows us the danger again because the tools may be unsterile and cause more damage. We also see what the fisherman has to operate in, very rough seas.

‘Bourne Identity’ Opening

A close-up shows the injuries Bourne has sustained, the audience doesnt know how he got them yet. There is a straight cut into the fisherman looking down at the injury. Before the shot the fisherman cut the wetsuit and peeled it back to reveal Bourne’s injury. After the shot it goes to a mid of the fisherman’s reaction. They are both still in the lower part of the boat, in the poorly lit room. Same Actors and no new characters have come into the room. Bourne’s wetsuit is now being cut off of him so the fisherman can get a good look at his injury and any others. The new prop that the fisherman has picked up out of his tool kit is a medic knife, he uses it to cut through the wetsuit.

‘Bourne Identity’ Opening

A mid-shot shows the man working on Bourne, his injuries are unknown to the audience at the moment. There is a straight cut into the next shot showing him peeling back the material to Bourne’s wetsuit. Before the shot, Bourne is pulled onto the fishing boat and after he is being operated on by the fisherman. They are both in the lower part of the boat, in a poorly lit room. Bourne’s actor is a young, looks physically fit whereas the fisherman’s actor is older and not as fit. Bourne is wearing a wetsuit which suggest he has been in the sea. The fisherman is wearing a sweater and waterproof waiders. There is low key lighting and the main prop is the fishermans medical tool kit, this gives us the immpression that there is a risk  because Bourne is being operated on with unsanitized equiptment.

 

‘The Bourne Identity’

Throughout the movie close ups are used to emphasise the characters emotions and what they’re reaction is towards the situation. Long shots are mostly used to show the environment ‘Jason Bourne’ is in but is sometimes used when he’s on top of buildings. Also movements of the camera are sharp to create suspense and making the situation realistic. The editing includes sharp cuts and smooth transitions; the benefit of using both creates tension and also shows when action is at its highest. Also the amount of cuts indicates the level of action too. The use of sound emphasises the thriller through both diegetic and non-diegetic. The storm, shouting, and water running under the tap are all diegetic sounds that add uncertainty and tension. However it is the non-diegetic sounds that make the situation more violent or more dangerous than what it really is, like enhanced gun sounds and punches. Mise-en-scene makes the hero and villain stand apart. ‘Jason Bourne’ has a calm stance and his body language is relaxed although he isn’t. Also the low standard surgery equipment that is used on the main character suggests the quality of the boat and further more adds a thrilling vibe to it.

Thriller genre research:

The main conventions of a thriller movie consist of a crime, it’s up to the hero to save himself and others; but the villain is usually more powerful and are trying to stop him. Thrillers are usually made of complicated narratives which leads the hero to different locations which may lead to the story progressing. The movies takes place in remote locations or urban environments, like isolated buildings where easily cornered or put in trouble. It’s up to the hero to think on his feet and get out of the dangerous situations. The hero in Thriller movies tends to be quite smart, nearly always has an army/military background and has his physical abilities tested throughout. Also the villain is smart but never fights; he has his henchmen to fight the hero. Also she/he has had emotional past. Common props in a thriller movie usually consist of a weapon (gun or knife) that the hero and villain both have and use to fight each other. The plot in most thriller movies shows a hero and a villain fighting, the hero intervenes with the villain’s plans. The camera work is usually quite still or moving around frantically, when there’s dialogue it focuses on the character and will have different angled shots to portray the character in different ways. For example, the use of a high-angled shot emphasises the vulnerability of the character in the film and gives the viewers the power of dominance. The editing is either fast or slow; this depends on the level of action. When the action is high fast-paced editing is used to emphasise the speed at which the character is moving or fighting. Slow-paced editing is used for dialogue to get people emotions and expressions. In movies the sound is either diegetic or non-diegetic, diegetic are the sounds which are present during filming and non-diegetic sounds are added later. They are added to emphasise sounds more and make actions sound more dangerous.