What is describing?
When you are asked to describe something ...it means...G I V E D E T A I L S about it.
How does this apply to film shots?
Describing generally means that you need to pick out some key details from the shot as well as naming the shot. A key idea to think about is how you use adjectives. This establishing shot diagram will help you think about different ways to DESCRIBE A FILM SHOT.
how do I start?
You could start by picking out the main details and making a list of them, like this...
water
boats rocks castle clouds moon |
then you can add details like this.... flowing water reflecting moonlight five rowing boats with lamps and several passengers slowly moving toward the castle steep and sharp, dark rocks ominous looking castle with multiple turrets dark, menacing clouds bright moonlight peaking past the clouds You might also notice other details, like the stars in the sky above and the lights in the windows. |
Finally, you put all your ideas together in a descriptive paragraph like this (remembering to use the location words from the diagram above:
The establishing shot shows five tiny rowing boats in the foreground slowly moving towards a castle with multiple turrets. The mood of the shot is ominous as the lighting is dark and the heavy clouds in the background look menacing. There is some hopeful aspects of this shot because there are stars twinkling in the sky above and the castle lights have an orange glow. Overall, it is an establishing shot full of mystery that creates curiosity in the mind of the viewer about what the inhabitants of the boats will discover when they reach their destination.
The establishing shot shows five tiny rowing boats in the foreground slowly moving towards a castle with multiple turrets. The mood of the shot is ominous as the lighting is dark and the heavy clouds in the background look menacing. There is some hopeful aspects of this shot because there are stars twinkling in the sky above and the castle lights have an orange glow. Overall, it is an establishing shot full of mystery that creates curiosity in the mind of the viewer about what the inhabitants of the boats will discover when they reach their destination.