Film Language Exercise: ‘Pans Labyrinth’ (From 1.32-5.22)
After having learnt a bit more of the technical language of film. We then did an exercise on a scene from Pan’s Labyrinth and picked parts out from the scene to try and figure out the camera angles, shots and movements that were used within that scene.
After having done this exercise as well as learnt the terminology used for film, I learnt quite a lot. I learnt that there actually is a lot that goes into making a film let alone a scene or even a short film. It’s interesting to see how certain angles, different shots and movements can help impact, create tension as well as help bring emotion and life to the story visually through film. Even though I don’t have much experience in making videos/films, I think that this would be an interesting medium to work with and is something that will challenge my communication skills as well as my creative skills. (I like how it will help broaden my understanding as well as develop my skills of communication/ story telling.)
Homework:
Carrying on from the first homework when we figured out the narrative arcs (3 Act film structure), we delved in deeper to try and understand and see if we can pick out the film techniques that were used within the short film and why.
Storyboard:
(Corrections made- scene 5- close up instead of chocker shot.)
After having looked into the film techniques that were used, I noticed the main techniques that were used in the film were…
Camera Angles:
- Eye level
- POV shot (to show intimacy as well as get closer to the character as well as show us what he sees in terms of routines and obsessive behaviour shown through repetition of POVs.)
- Low angle (slightly – to show a bit of power the girl has over the guy with OCD.)
- Ground level angle (of him walking- mixed with a tracking shot.)
- Over the head shot (usually when they’re in bed.)
Frame/shot:
- Extreme close ups to show the intimacy and really get close with the character/ main subject.)
- Close ups (still intimate but not as much.)
- Medium long shot (to show her within the surroundings.)
- Medium shots
- Over the shoulder shot (for the conversations.)
- Knee level shot (show her walking- different from the ground level shot of the guys feet.)
Camera Movement:
( There were a lot of slight movements, some more obvious then other, most scenes were mainly slow zoom ins or outs…)
- Zoom in/ smooth dolly ins.
- Tilt
- Pan the surroundings
- Tracking shots
- Still shots to just focus on the subject as well as its surroundings.)
A lot of the techniques that were used were mainly to emphasise as well as were used to showcase and put us into the shoes of the man with OCD. We see this poetic short film through the eyes of the main character with OCD. We see what it’s like to be obsessive/ have OCD as there are also repetition of shots used in the film. Throughout the film we get very intimate with the girl to really understand the guy’s perspective through the use of techniques like extreme close ups and eye level shots. Also, a lot of POV shots are used when it comes to his routine like washing his hands and locking the door all to understand the main character, as well as see what it is like to fall in love with someone while having to struggle with OCD.
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