This is an ADLAB PRO video.
ADLAB PRO is a project funded by the European Union.
This video is made available to you
on a Creative Commons licence.
Hello. I’m Iwona Mazur from Adam Mickiewicz University
in Poznan, Poland. In this ADLAB PRO video
I will talk about film language.
This is Unit 8 "Screen AD: film language"
in Module 2 "Screen AD".
Film language comprises different filmic techniques
that are used to tell the story in a film.
They can be grouped into three broad categories:
mise-en-scène, cinematography and editing.
Mise-en-scène refers to what is being filmed in a shot
and includes, for example: the setting,
costumes and makeup as well as staging,
that is the actual performance of the actors.
These elements are normally prioritised in AD,
as you will surely describe the setting,
the characters and their actions.
Cinematography deals with how individual shots are filmed
and comprises such aspects as the shots’ photographic qualities,
framing and duration.
Photographic qualities include colour, speed of motion,
lighting or camera angles.
For example, a scene can be shot in black and white
to indicate a flashback.
In AD, you can convey this
either using a filmic term, for instance
“Now in black and white”
and let the audience infer what it means in the film narrative.
Or you can explicate the meaning of the technique:
“A flashback”.
Framing, on the other hand,
determines what is presented within a film frame.
It is linked to various types of shots,
which can range from long shots to close-ups.
We will return to describing shot types in a moment.
The last aspect of cinematography is shot duration.
A long take can be used to allow the audience
to appreciate a certain landscape, for example.
In such a case,
the AD could be more detailed and read out at a slower pace.
Finally, editing
refers to how shots are arranged.
In AD, fast cuts, for example,
could be reflected using short and simple sentences.
Before you start describing a film
determine what filmic techniques have been used
and what functions they serve.
A close-up of a woman’s eyes could be use to highlight her fear.
In your AD you can name the technique,
“Eyes in close-up”,
name it and describe its function
“A close-up reflects fear in her eyes”
or only describe the function or meaning of the close-up
“Fear is reflected in her eyes”.
You can also reflect filmic techniques
using the corresponding language structures.
For example, instead of just saying
“A man is drinking water”
you can say “A hand holding a glass of water”.
This will suggest to the blind viewer
that what is shown is a close-up of the hand
rather than the whole figure of the man.
Remember that although conveying what is happening on the screen
in you AD is a priority,
it may also be useful to reflect how the story has been depicted.
This will help persons with sight loss
actually ‘see’ the film in their minds’ eyes.
To prepare this video I used the chapter on film language
in the ADLAB guidelines. Read it, if you want to find out more.
I also recommend reading Perego’s article on film language and tools.
I hope you have learned some interesting things
about reflecting film language in AD from this video.
The preparation of this presentation
was supported by ADLAB PRO. Audio Description:
A Laboratory for the Development of a New Professional Profile
financed by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme,
Key Action 2, Strategic Partnerships.
Project number:
2016-1-IT02-KA203-024311.
The information and views set out in this presentation
are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
the official opinion of the European Union.
Neither the European Union institutions and bodies
nor any person acting on their behalf
may be held responsible for the use
which may be made of the information contained therein.
This was an ADLAB PRO video.
ADLAB PRO partners are: University of Trieste,
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona,
University of Antwerp, Adam Mickiewicz University,
RTV Slovenia, Utopian Voices,
Soundfocus and Royal National Institute of Blind People.
ADLAB PRO was funded by the European Union.
This video was made available to you
on a Creative Commons licence.