Top 13 cinematic techniques in filmmaking
Top Film Techniques
Here are some basic techniques that will be useful for everyone who wants to learn more about the filmmaking process. Don’t forget that a movie is not only about what you shoot but also about how you do it. Read our article to learn about visual storytelling and tricks to engage the audience in the film.
Bird’s-eye shot
It’s a filming technique that shows a wide area of land from a very high angle. The objects are viewed directly from above. This shot is often used as an introductory shot to establish the setting and point up the small size of subjects.
Long shot
With the help of this cinematography technique, the viewer can get a more particular idea of the location of the scene. A long shot shows the whole human body from head to toe. Compared to the bird’s-eye shot, subjects stand closer to the camera.
The characters catch the attention of the viewer. But still, the audience is not emotionally involved. This shot is used to describe the surroundings of the scene. It should emphasize the moves and actions of the characters rather than their exact emotions.
Medium shot
This is one of the most popular shots used in movies. It’s often used to establish a new scene or location. A medium shot shows the characters sharing some information, captures the dialogs of two or more people.
The medium shot is also common for interviews in documentary films. The viewer can see the characters closely – from the knees up or waist up. It’s possible to see their body language and facial expressions.
Close-up shot
It’s a cinematic technique that features only the head of the character. The close-up shot aims at demonstrating the actors’ emotions and makes the audience engage with the characters and feel empathy for them.
This shot is also a basic tool for emphasizing significant details. It can be used to show an actress touching a ring on her finger. Close-ups help the viewers better understand the emotional state of the characters. The setting becomes really insignificant here.
Extreme close-up shot
This is the shot framing a part of the character’s face, for example, the actor’s eyes. It increases the drama and intensity of the scene. The viewer is captivated by the actor’s emotions. Extreme close-up works with objects too. It can show the hand cutting a wire to prevent a bomb blast.
Crane shot
It’s a type of shot when a camera is moving up or down by more than a couple of feet in the scene. The filmmakers use devices like cranes or jibs to put the cameras on. The thing is that they are quite expensive though it’s possible to replace them with drone cameras. Crane shots are supposed to add more suspense to the scene, and they can usually be found at the end of movies.
Tracking shot
This video shooting technique is used to follow a character or to explore the surroundings. The camera is mounted on a dolly, which is a wheeled cart placed on the rail track. The dolly is following the subject, otherwise, it would leave the frame.
The viewer gets a dynamic visual effect while watching such scenes. The camera can also be placed on a moving vehicle if the subject moves really fast.
Panning shot
Panning means turning the camera horizontally from a fixed position. It looks very professional when the camera moves smoothly and accurately. The motion of the camera is imitating the motion of the character’s head from left to right. Take advantage of this shot to show the surroundings.
Tilt shot
Tilt is a cinematography technique when the camera is moving vertically up and down from a fixed position within a scene. The shot switches the attention of the viewer from one area to another or can be used to slowly reveal something when the camera moves down. The tilt shot is often used as an establishing or introductory shot.
Dutch angle shot
In this shot, the camera is rotated so that the horizon isn’t parallel to the bottom of the frame. The Dutch angle demonstrates the emotional state of the characters which is disorientation, uneasiness, and tension. Directors of horror movies make good use of this cinematic technique.
Over-the-shoulder shot
This shot is taken from over the shoulder of one of the characters and shows the audience the other one. The head and the shoulder of the person in the foreground are out of focus when another person is in focus.
Over-the-shoulder shot is one of the most important techniques in filmmaking as it reveals the connection of the characters between each other, the viewer can see their interaction. These shots are usually taken when the characters have a conversation.
Zoom shot
It’s a technique of changing the focal length of the camera lens. This creates an illusion of the camera moving closer or farther to the objects. When you zoom in, the objects become bigger in the frame. Zoom out, and the objects get smaller. In both examples, the camera has a fixed position, and it’s not actually moving anywhere. The zoom shot focuses on a character or an object of the scene.
Point-of-view shot
This is the film angle when the viewers see what’s going on in the video through the character’s eyes. The audience sees the same as the actor himself. It helps the viewers feel like they are part of the story.
Point-of-view shot has become really popular with bloggers as they shoot their videos using action cameras placed on their heads, so the viewers can see what a blogger is going through.
top 13 cinematic strategies used in movies
Leading Film Techniques
Here are some fundamental methods that anyone interested in learning more about the making of movies might employ. Remember that making a movie involves both what you film and how you shoot it. To understand about visual narrative and techniques for drawing viewers into a movie, read this article.
a perspective shot
It is a method of filming that demonstrates a large region of land from a very high perspective. Direct top-down views of the items are taken. This photo is frequently used as an opening one to create the scene and emphasise how little the subjects are.
A long shot
The viewer can more clearly understand the scene’s setting with the aid of this cinematography approach. The entire human body, from head to toe, is seen in a long shot. Subjects are closer to the camera in this perspective compared to the bird’s-eye view.
The viewers are drawn in by the characters. The audience is not, however, emotionally engaged. This image serves to set the scene’s surroundings. Instead of focusing on the characters’ exact emotions, it should highlight their actions and movements.
Medium shot
One of the most frequently used shots in movies is this one. It’s frequently utilised to create a new scenario or setting. A medium shot depicts the characters exchanging information and records conversations between two or more persons.In documentary movies, interviews frequently use the medium shot. The characters can be seen up close, either from the waist up or from the knees up. Their facial expressions and body language are visible.
Close-up shot
It’s a style of cinema that only shows the character’s head. The close-up shot tries to show the performers’ feelings and elicit an emotional response from the spectator by bringing the characters to life.This image can be used as a simple technique to highlight important details. It might depict an actress stroking a finger’s ring. Close-ups make the characters’ emotional states more clear to the audience. Here, the environment actually loses its significance.
Extreme close-up shot
A portion of the character’s face, such the actor’s eyes, is framed in this shot. The scene becomes more dramatic and intense as a result. The actor’s emotions hold the audience’s attention. Even with items, an extreme close-up is effective. It might depict a hand severing a cable to stop a bomb explosion.
Crane shot
When a camera moves up or down in a scene by more than a few feet, it is known as this type of shot. To mount the cameras, the filmmakers use tools like cranes or jibs. The problem is that they are rather expensive, even though drone cameras may be used in their stead. The purpose of crane shots, which are typically used at the conclusion of films, is to heighten the suspense of the action.
