Micro Elements and Camera Shots

Micro Elements and Camera ShotsBy William DillingCamera ShotsExtreme long shot A extreme long shot gives us an idea on location and the surrounding area, By looking at this image we can see that the film is starting at night time and in a built up area of a large American city.

Long ShotA long shot can describe an area in more detail, holding the same sort of purpose as a extreme long shot, we learn more about the surrounding area. In this image we can see that is set in America and that it is based in the 80s we can tell this by the type of clothing the woman who is running is wearing and also by the truck driving away. We can tell from this image that the director wants us to focus on the house as it is the most in shot, we can also tell that this is the place where this particular scene is about to start.

Close UpClose up shots allow us to see in detail the actor/ in this case the actress face in detail, this shot tells us that the character is happy but at the same time extremely tired or dopey, we can see by the lipstick, eyeliner and headband that she was planning on a fun day/night out and about with friends or a partner.

Extreme Close UpExtreme close ups allow for us to see in extreme detail what the actor/actress is doing for example in this photo snorting crack cocaine, we can also tell from this image the girl who is snorting it. Extreme close ups usually still make it clear which character is being shown by giving away certain traits in this case her bright read nails and blond hair.

Mid-shotMid-shots display usually the torso of a character and up, they also give the possibility to show more than one character and allow the viewer to partially if not fully the location. We can tell from this image that the character is in the bath and that it is his birthday, we can also learn from mid-shots the main character of a scene, this is character who is mostly given the spotlight for example the one in the bath is the primary character and the secondary characters are in the mirror.

Medium Close UpMedium close up shots are used mostly in conversation but in this scene we can see that it is used to show the emotional state of Detective Riggs and what he is doing (Loading a gun)this would not work in a close up as you would not see the gun and it would be pointless in a mid-shot as you would see more than you would need to removing the emotion that needs to be captivated.

Medium Long ShotMedium long shots are used to display mass characters at once, this type of shot can also be used when a character is moving ( the same as a standard long shot) In this scene we see a group of police officers all in convocation, no other shot could captivate all the characters in the same way, this medium long shot includes all of the characters and shows facial expressions.

Over The Shoulder ShotThis type of shot is mostly used when one character is talking to another it is also used as a way of showing a character is being watched for example a stalker/hitman is watching upon their pray. In this shot we see a convocation between detective Riggs and Detective Murtaugh, the person who is talking at this moment is Riggs and the camera is focusing on Murtaugh who is listening,

Camera MovementPanning ShotA Pan is used to sweep an area (From left to right or from right to left) for example in this shot the camera Is panning the beach most pans either capture the area or end on where the next scene will be set. This shot is also classed as a tracking shot as it is tracking the dogs movement.

Tracking ShotA tracking shot is used to track a moving object or person for example in this shot the camera is tracking a falling body, tracking shots are used to enhance the feel of the scene and on the hole they move where you would look if you were at the scene.

CutA cut is when one clip jumps to another without a transition effect, this type of editing is often done when a mistake is made or the directors want to reduce the films running time.

ZoomA zoom is used to pinpoint in on a location that we have scene from afar, in this scene we can see that the camera is being zoomed into an apartment, the place that could be beginning of the story.

PaceLethal Weapon starts off slow paced to build up on tension and the characters story's and then drops you straight into fast paced action crime, comedy thriller. It follows the linear and Hollywood narrative theory meaning that the film goes chronologically (Linear), also we can tell what will happen by the end (The hero will succeed) (Hollywood)

TiltA tilt is often used when the director is attempting to put you in the eyes of a character. In this case our character is looking over a balcony.

PerformanceFrom the beginning of Lethal Weapon we can tell the genre is crime and thriller this is expressed by the woman (Amanda Huntsacker) who is on drugs jumping out of one of the top floors of an apartment building, we can link this to crime as we know police will be involved and we can link it to thriller for the unknown aspect of the death we know it was a cause of mainly drugs but if it was only that then the film would end before beginning.By the 2nd 3rd scene it is clear that Lethal Weapon also has strong comedy aspects in the scripting weather it be Murtaugh thinking his new partner is a law breaker or even the fact that Riggs jumps willingly of a building with a suicidal man it is clear comedy is involved.Moving on to the Action aspect this genre is known to be their from the first scene it isnt until Joshua one of the main villains starts shooting freely around the streets and at funerals that we are truly confirmed on the element being their.Diegetic Sound and Non-DiegeticDiegeticThis type of sound is noise that can be heard by the characters not just the viewer, sounds like this can be gunshots, car crashes , blazing fires, explosions , trains , waterfalls, characters talking at the location i.e. busy streets.Non-DiegeticNon-Diegetic sounds are noise's that cant be heard by the characters only by the viewers sounds like this consist of caned laughter, narration or over music.

Mise-en-sceneProps; Guns, Cars, Bullets, glasses, Cake, Lamps, Tables, Beds, Curtains.

Costumes; Suit, Jeans, Shoes, Shirt, Dress.

Sets; Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, office, streets, nightclub, bar, garage, trailer, beach.

Actors; Detective Murtaugh, Detective Riggs ,Joshua , The General, Michael Huntsaker, Dixie.

Lighting; Colour Tempratures, Silhouetting to enhance the mood,