Component 3: Technical Element (Classwork)

Here is a summary on the analysis of technical elements such as camera angles and movements, mise-en-scene, sound, and edit in media texts and how connotations interpret meaning. This helped me to recall my knowledge and what we had been learning in class that can be applied to my music video production. This blogpost is written by me (Audrey).

There are four technical elements that we had learned namely:

1. CAMERA angles and movements

2. Mise-en-scene (MES)

3. SOUND

4. EDIT

CAMERA

Camera angles and movements are fundamental as it shapes interpretation on how the story is told and how the audience experiences it. Every shot taken builds up an implied meaning to direct the audience’s response (emotionally).

Camera Angles:

The positioning of the camera in relation to the main subject. How a camera captures a subject creates the overall portrayal and determines how audiences view the subject. 

1. Long shot: Main subject is captured from a distance with their body fully visible. This shot is usually used to show action.

2. Extreme long shot: Captures the subject from a greater distance to make the subject appear small. This shot is usually used to showcase insignificance or isolation of the subject due to the comparison between the small subject and vast setting. 

3. Establishing shot: Shows the entirety of the setting which gives a context on the location to the audience. Frequently used in the beginning of a scene.

4. Medium shot: Captures half of the subject (from the waist and upwards). This shot is commonly used for dialogues which shows and focuses on both facial expressions and body language. 

5. Cowboy shot: Cowboy shots are usually taken on a lower angle and frames the subject from mid-thigh upwards, the subject usually appears bold and confident. This technique is usually used in action movie characters.

6. Close up: Captures the entire face (head) of the subject emphasizing on the facial expressions and emotions of the subject. This detail creates an emotional connection for the audience.

7. Extreme close up: Captures an even closer focus on a specific detail. The shot usually connotes that the subject is important as it creates tension.

8. POV: Captures the events/scene in the eye of a subject and makes it appears as if the audience is experiencing what the subject is. Usually creates a bond between the audience and the character, evoking a sense of empathy.

9. Over the shoulder: Captures a subject from over another character’s shoulders. This shot is frequently used for conversations.

10. High angle: Camera is placed above the subject and is tilted downwards which makes the subject appear smaller and vulnerable. Connotations: Weak and vulnerable.

11. Low angle: Positioned below the subject and is tilted upwards which makes the subject appear larger. Connotations: Power, dominance, and control.

12. Dutch angle: Tilted sideways which creates a vertigo-like effect to create a sense of uneasiness from the audience.

Camera Movements:

Camerawork or motion to how the camera captures the audience and keeps the story flowing. This controls how audiences follow the plotline from how they reveal events and focuses on the subject.

Fixed	Camera remains static	Calm, peace, normal
Push in	Camera moves slowly toward subject	Brings the audience closer, more involved, getting more serious.
Pull out	Camera moves slowly away from subject	Takes audience away from the action, leaving a character. Detaching from subject
Pan	Side to side, camera fixed	Reveal information, mirrors natural head movement of the audience.
Tilt	Up and down, camera fixed	Same as pan, just a different direction
Dolly	Camera moves around freely	More immersive, we are moving inside the subjects world, we feel part of the action
Tracking	Camera moves around on tracks	Similar to dolly, but smoother.
Crane	A tool that can move camera horizontally and vertically	Reveals the epic size of the setting, landscape.
Handheld	Camera is shakey	Very natural, immersive. High energy
Zoom	Zoom	Brings audience closer to budget. Draws our attention to something.

SOUND

	Description	Effect
Diegetic sound	Sound that can be heard by the characters within the media text.	Add a sense of realism. Reveal information to characters (and then audience)
Non diegetic sound	Sound that can only be heard by the audience.	Enhance meaning, create an emotional response in the audience
Trans diegetic sound	Sound that transitions from one to the other.	Creates a link between the audience and the world. More immersive

	Description	Effect
Melodic	Positive and pleasing connotations	Enhances a positive scene. Create positive emotions in the audience.
Discordant	Harsh and unpleasant connotations.	Enhance negative scenes.  Create suspense, tension, anxiety
Contrapuntal	Has an opposite tone to the on-screen visuals.	Adds deeper meaning to scenes. Insight into the character's thoughts. Maybe they seek pleasure in doing bad things.

MISE-EN-SCENE:

Mise-en-scene refers to the arrangement and design of visual elements within a frame or a scene. 

EDIT:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:

This classwork had refreshen my memory regarding technical elements and had helped me understand more on terminologies. I am able to recap this whole classwork as my Media Studies teacher had provided a presentation I can reread. This classwork would help me when applying for the music videos technical elements.