Cinematic Technique 2025-26: Canted Angle / Dutch Angle

A canted angle / dutch angle is when the camera is tilted, usually to suggest imbalance, transition, or instability in the film.  It is often used to portray psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed.

This is NOT required, but viewers will be able to VOTE for it and the "Best Use" will be awarded

Cinematic Technique 2024-25:   Forced Perspective

• The Optional Cinematic Technique for 2024-25 is the use of the FORCED PERSPECTIVE

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• Forced perspective is a technique that utilizes optical illusions to make objects appear larger, smaller, farther away, or closer than they are. Human visual perception is influenced by observing the relationship between sized items and the camera or spectator’s position.
  Filmmakers frequently utilize forced perspectives to show fictional realms in which humans are much larger or smaller than other characters. The camera can create unique visual effects in forced perspective photography, allowing humans to interact with objects or other subjects in previously inconceivable ways. One individual stepping on the Eiffel Tower is an illustration of this.
  
  

• Here is a link to some examples: https://www.nfi.edu/forced-perspective/​​

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• This is NOT required.   

Cinematic Technique 2023-24   Extreme Long Shot

• The Optional Cinematic Technique for 2023-24 is the use of the EXTREME LONG SHOT

• Here is a link to some examples: https://georgedavisonstudios.com/blog/when-to-use-the-extreme-long-shot/​​
• This is NOT required.   ​

2018-19 Extreme Close-up​
The extreme close up is an even tighter shot on a subject than a close-up. The extreme close up shot frequently has the subject take up the majority or even all of the frame when used to frame a person. It often features only their facial features. The extreme close-up shot is traditionally used in film to allow the viewer to enter the character's intimate space, revealing certain characteristics and emotions that would otherwise go unnoticed from afar.



2017-18 Point of View Shot
A point of view shot (also known as POV shot, first-person shot or a subjective camera) is a short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera). It is often established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction. POV shots are not always limited to human points of view https://nofilmschool.com/2017/08/4-kinds-pov-shots-how-use-them-creatively-your-films



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2016-17 High/Low Angle Shot

A high-angle shot is a cinematic technique where the camera looks​ down on the subject from a high angle and the point of focus often gets "swallowed up." High-angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless when applied with the correct mood, setting, and effects.

A low-angle shot, is a shot from a camera angle positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up. Sometimes, it is even directly below the subject's feet. Psychologically, the effect of the low-angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful.

High Angle Shots - Make subject seem powerless

Low Angle Shot - Make subject feel powerful