Film Language

Film language is very important when it comes to film making, below are the key terms in film language for horror.

Camera work: Framing- This is what is in the frame, and makes you see if the person or object is central. Shots- There are many types of shots including a high and low angle, close up, mid shot, long shot, point of view. When filming is makes you think about the purpose of the shot and how it works along with other things.
Camera movement- This makes you think about the movement such as if the camera is tilting, or tracking/following the action. It also makes you think about the meaning the movement adds to the piece.
Mise-en-scène- This term originally comes from the theatre, and it refers to the design of the shot. Within a shot there are a series of elements that work together to create meaning such as the: settings, props, colour, arrangement of objects, facial expressions from cast and costume.
Lighting- The lighting can be a very factor of the film, there must be a degree of realism and atmosphere in it to give it meaning. You have to focus on the light and shadow that has been created within the shot. Light can also be a useful factor to create drama.
Editing- The editing of the film is just as important as the filming. This is the way which the shots are cut together to make the final film. When editing you have to monitor how long the shots are, how fast it is and what meanings are created in the combination of two scenes.
Sound- There are two roles in sound in film: Diegetic (which is sound within the story) and non- diegetic (which is sound from outside the story). These contribute to meaning significantly. The most used one is dialogue obviously, but music is also used in film to create mood. Sound effects are used to add further layer of meaning.