Techniques Definition

Allusions References to other images/visual media, including art, films, pop culture, religious icons, etc.
Sometimes in the form of a parody (referencing another image but making it humorous), these usually
recontextualise or “change the meaning” of the original media.

Angles/lines The ‘direction’ of an image based on the angles or lines within it. Horizontals create a sense of calm,
verticals a sense of structure and diagonals a mood of unease or being off balance.

Body Facial expressions, body language and gestures used to show character’s attitudes, moods or
Language personality. Often focussed on overall body movement and positioning.

Close-up Shot When the frame is mostly or entirely filled with a character’s face, an important object, etc. Used to
create viewer focus and show that whatever is being shown is important. Often used on character’s
faces in highly emotional images.

Colour Colours are symbolic of different emotions, moods, etc. and are used to evoke corresponding responses
(Hue/Tones) in audiences. Purple is a colour of royalty, wealth and luxury whereas red symbolises lust, passion,
anger and so on. Also consider how saturated colours are (are they bright and vivid or dull and
desaturated?).

Composition What an image is made up of – where things are placed, how it is framed, the colour and lighting used,
etc. This generally refers to the image as a whole.

Contrast Placing things that are considered opposite close to each other. Contrasts can be between colours
(black and white), sizes (large and small), textures (rough and smooth), etc. to create interest and
complexity. One small contrasting colour/size/shape in an image is also usually highly salient because it
stands out.

Framing The camera shots and angles used in images/films to create different audience reactions and emotions.
E.g. close-up, extreme close-up, mid shots, aerial shots, etc.

Gaze Where a character looks, which then directs viewer’s eyes. A ‘demand’ gaze involves direct eye contact
between a character and the viewer, an ‘offer’ has the character look at something within the image,
drawing the viewer’s eyes there too. Can also be used to express emotion/intent.

High Angle A shot taken from slightly above something/someone, looking down on it/them. Creates a sense of the
Shot character being weak, helpless, intimidated, etc. May also be used to represent someone literally
looking down at an object/scene (point of view).
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Law of Thirds By dividing an image into equal thirds along the horizontal, the vertical axis you can break it into 9 equal
sections which each have different connotations, Movement is expected to from the left thirds to the
right thirds, otherwise it’s read as moving backwards (literally or figuratively). Characters in the top right
third are seen as powerful or in control, while those in the bottom left thirds are weaker or being
controlled.

Lighting How a shot is lit or not lit. This includes natural lighting (the sun, open windows, etc.) and man-made
lighting (lamps, torches, etc.) as well as feature lighting such as coloured lights, spotlights, moving lights,
etc. Lighting has a major impact on the mood and atmosphere of an image (low light is seedy, harsh
light is unnerving, soft light is intimate, etc.).

Long/Wide A shot that is made up of a large landscape, cityscape or other kind of scene, Generally these are used
to get across lots of information at once, such as the layout of a room, the location of an event, the
number of people around, etc.

Low Angle A shot taken from slightly below someone/something, used to present them/it as being in a position of
Shot power, dominance or control. It may also be used to have someone literally look up at
someone/something (point of view)

Mid Shot A shot that is approximately half-filled with a figure, object, etc. Usually these are ‘regular’ shots and
are very common for character conversations/interactions or showing a select area or object within an
area (a desk, chair, etc.).

Point of View How the shot is framed in reference to the viewer or a character. Does the shot take the character’s
point of view (a shot of a character leaning out a window cutting to an aerial shot looking down from a
window) or is the audience placed level with, above or below the characters/objects/action?

Positioning Where have objects and characters been placed in the shot? What is in the foreground, middle ground
and background and why have they been placed there?

Salience How much any section of an image draws the viewer’s eyes – the most salient feature of an image is
whatever/wherever the viewer’s eyes are first drawn when they look at it. Salience is always deliberate
and usually created through contrast, colour, framing and layout.

Symbolism The use of one image/object to represent an idea or concept that is more complex than it is. Religious
symbolism, pop culture symbolism and animal symbolism are all very common.

Text Words used within images to convey a literal or figurative message. Consider the font, colour, size,
Techniques Definition

weight, etc. of the text, where and how often it has been used and the connotations of the words
actually used.

Vectors The lines or paths viewer’s eyes follow when looking at an image, usually vectors are deliberately
created to lead the eyes to a focal point or important feature. Because we read left to right we tend to
follow vectors in the same direction across an image.

Film-Specific Techniques Examples

Technique Desfinition

Aerial Shot A shot usually taken from a crane or helicopter to show a landscape, city, or many other el
a single moving shot. Usually these are used to establish settings, large spaces/areas or a s

Costuming The clothes, makeup, hairstyles, accessories, etc. designed to be worn by characters to rep
personality, status, heritage, culture, etc. Often characters clothes will fit within one or two
colour palettes or tones and use fabrics of similar textures. Colour symbolism often comes
(a character wearing earthy colours may be associated with gardening, plants and nature).

Cut The splicing of two shots together so that one seems to instantly move to the other. There
different types of cuts – jump cuts are more jagged and create a sense of fast pace or delib
editing, match cuts involve cutting between two very visually similar shots to create a more
flow.

Dialogue The words spoken by characters. Regular literary techniques are used her (metaphor, simil
personification, etc.) but also consider character vocal inflection, tone, pauses, etc. as well
range (does the character have a deep voice? A high, feminine voice?).

Diegetic The ‘literal sound’ created by the objects and people within a shot – sounds that the chara
Sound presumed to be hearing as well. This includes; character dialogue, fabric rustling, animals,
noise/voices, sounds made by objects (doors closing, rain), etc.

Digital Effects Any images, characters, setting and effects added digitally in post-production to add to or a
original shot. Remember that all digital effects are deliberate and have been added for a re
change the mood of a shot, change character gesture, etc.

Establishing The shot at the beginning of a film or scene that gives the basic or introductory informatio
Shot Generally includes or introduces the location, characters, etc.
Technique Desfinition

Fade In/Out A transition device whereby a shots fades into or out of black (or another image) at the en
beginning of the shot respectively. These are generally used to create a sense of slow move
intimacy or ‘trailing off’ in a shot/scene.

Montage The cutting together or several shots that show small pieces of a larger scene or idea to cre
sense of time passing/something occurring. Most commonly used in training sequences wh
character must become skilled in a task over time, so many shots of them completing diffe
exercises are cut together to create a sense of them improving over time.

Non-diegetic The ‘non-literal sound’ that has been added into a shot that the characters cannot hear. Th
Sound narration/voice-over, added sound effects, music (that isn’t shown to be produced from an
source such as a tv, dance party, etc.) and the film score/soundtrack.

Props Items and objects used within a shot to create a sense of setting, represent character inter
symbolise something else or be interacted with. Generally the most important props are th
seen as important by characters, as well as recurring props that feature in several different
throughout the film.

Voice-over Audio narration laid over the top of a shot’s regular soundtrack. Generally voiceover is use
audiences extra information, additional commentary or character’s specific views/commen
scene.