Core Principles of Visual Media, Narrative & Journalism
Design Fundamentals: Visual Principles
Understanding Design: Definition & Core Concepts
Design (verb):
- To conceive or create in the mind; to invent.
- To formulate a plan for; to make something for a purpose.
Visual Weight: Element Prominence
The prominence of an element within a composition. Affected by:
- Size
- Color
- Position
- Shape
Proportion: Element Size Relationships
The size relationship between elements in an image. Usually mathematical.
The Golden Ratio: Fibonacci & Phi
A proportion based upon the Fibonacci Sequence, where the relationship between numbers is φ (phi).
Fibonacci Sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21… (The next number is 34).
Phi (φ): The Golden Ratio is approximately 1.618. It is derived from the formula: φ = (1 + √5) / 2.
Visual Contrast: Highlighting Differences
Difference based on color, luminosity, texture, size, or shape.
Composition: Arranging Elements in Space
Combining elements in space, considering:
- Balance
- Symmetry
- Rule of Thirds
Reading Direction: Guiding the Eye
In Western countries, reading typically flows from left to right and up to down. This is relative to visual weight and is crucial for information hierarchy in communication materials.
The “Punctum” refers to a reference point for reading order, according to visual weight.
Scriptwriting Essentials: Types & Purpose
Understanding Script Types in Industry
Three primary types of scripts are used in the industry:
- Literary Script
- Technical Script
- Storyboard
Each script type has unique strengths and weaknesses, serving specific purposes.
Literary Script: Story & Dialogue Focus
Centered on the story and dialogue of the piece. It is the fastest to produce and allows for easy changes. It provides little to no graphical information and is usually developed before other script types.
A document describing on-screen action, dialogue, and character actions. It shows, rather than tells, what happens on-screen. It avoids interior monologues, lengthy explanations, and camera indications.
Technical Script: Incorporating Production Details
Usually created by the director after the literary script is approved. It incorporates technical details of the scene, often presented as a table. While formats can vary, the minimum information includes:
- Sequence
- Shot Description
- Shot Type/Angle
- Sound
- Shot Length
- Total Length
Storyboard: Visualizing Key Moments
Literally, a board of images where a series of visuals show key moments in a scene, accompanied by a small description. It may include short texts and camera indications, resembling a comic book.
Cinematic Language: Shot Types
Wide Shot: Environment & Scale
The subject appears small in its environment. Used to show a lack of familiarity with the environment, or an individual overpowered by their surroundings. Can be used without a subject to establish the setting where action occurs.
Full Shot: Subject & Location Relation
Similar to the wide shot, but closer. If the subject is a person, their whole body appears in the frame, encompassed by the environment. Used to express the relationship between the subject and their location. (Example: The Martian)
Close Full Shot: Subject Emphasis in Environment
An intermediate shot between Full and Medium shots. The subject is shown in its environment but occupies the majority of the frame. It emphasizes the subject rather than the environment.
Cowboy Shot (American Shot): Action & Capability
Shows the subject from the knees up. Named for its origin in Western cinema, where it allowed guns/hands at the side of the body to be visible. Used to emphasize the subject’s capability for action or their weapons.
Medium Shot: Character Focus & Transitions
One of the most frequently used shot types. The subject appears from the waist up or from the stomach up. It emphasizes the subject, as viewers typically focus more on the face and upper body. Often used as a “bridge” to smoothly transition between a full shot and a close-up.
Close-up: Emotion & Detail
Shows the face of the subject, emphasizing reaction and emotion. May show the full face or focus on a particular detail (e.g., eyes, mouth), becoming an Extreme Close-up. If used on an object, it becomes a Detail Shot or Insert.
Camera Angles: Perspective & Impact
Eye Level: Natural Connection
Parallel to the ground and focused on the subject’s eyes. This is the most common and natural angle, mimicking everyday vision. Used to generate a connection between the subject and the spectator.
Low Angle: Power & Dominance
Shot from below, focusing on the subject above the spectator and camera. Expresses the subject’s power over someone else or the spectator/camera.
High Angle: Vulnerability & Subordination
Focused on the subject from above. Contrary to the low angle, it expresses the vulnerability of the subject below the camera.
Aberrant / “Dutch” Angle: Altered Reality
The camera is not parallel to the floor; the angle is unnatural. Expresses an alteration of reality, suggesting something is amiss or altered. Commonly used in sci-fi, fantasy, or horror to convey altered consciousness, reality, or dream states.
Camera Movement: Dynamics & Focus
Movement Types: Static to Optic
Camera movement can be categorized into:
- Static: Absence of movement.
- Rotation/Panoramic: Camera rotates on a vertical or horizontal axis.
- Traveling: Camera moves through space.
- Optic: Alterations in the focal distance and zoom of the camera.
Traveling Shot: Following Action
Physical movement of the camera following a subject. It follows action and focuses attention. Can be filmed handheld, with a dolly, cranes, drones, or helicopters.
Panoramic / Rotation: Spectator’s View
The camera rotates on an axis, emphasizing the camera as a spectator.
Optic Movement: Changing Focus & Tension
The movement of camera elements to get closer to the subject, even though neither the subject nor the camera physically move. Expresses a change of focus or tension in a scene.
Transfocus: Shifting Depth of View
Changes the depth of view to achieve a change in focus within the scene.
Cinematic Concepts: Action Axis & Kuleshov Effect
Action Axis: Maintaining Visual Naturality
An imaginary line between the subjects of a scene. The camera cannot cross this imaginary line without breaking the visual naturalness of the scene and cinematic “theater.”
Kuleshov Effect: Juxtaposition & Meaning
The juxtaposition of two shots creates a different, richer meaning than those two shots viewed separately.
Creative Writing Techniques: Story & Character
Basic Creative Writing Techniques
Fundamental techniques include:
- Central Conflict
- Three-Act Structure
- Character Writing
Central Conflict: The Story’s Engine
A central conflict does not necessarily mean violence or confrontation. It is something in the story that the protagonists wish was different. It serves as the engine of the story; without conflict, there is no drama. It needs to be introduced early in the story. The magnitude of a story is often defined by the conflict it presents.
Three-Act Structure: Narrative Foundation
The most basic narrative structure, proven effective since ancient Greek storytelling. It typically includes:
- Opening
- Turning Point
- Rising Action
- Turning Point (often leading to climax)
- Resolution
Character Writing: Intent, Obstacle, Tactics & Arc
An effective way to create characters is to define their Intent, Obstacle, and Tactics:
- Intent: What a character wants to achieve.
- Obstacle: What prevents them from achieving it. A hero is as great as their obstacle. It is not necessary for the character to overcome the obstacle, but their effort to try will cause them to evolve.
- Tactics: How the character will face this obstacle.
Character Arc: One of these three aspects changes due to the events of the story, causing the character to change as a person.
Example:
- Intent: To eat a Margarita pizza, with extra cheese.
- Obstacle: There’s no pizza in the fridge.
- Tactics: Call JustEat. Make a song about it. Wear a ridiculous dress.
Persuasive Writing: Aristotle’s Rhetorical Appeals
Aristotle’s Three Parts of Persuasion
According to Aristotle, persuasion comprises three appeals:
- Ethos (Credibility)
- Logos (Logic)
- Pathos (Emotion)
Ethos: Building Credibility & Trust
Relates to shared values and beliefs with the reader. Addresses why the reader is important to us and why they should trust us.
Logos: Logical Argumentation & Data
Ensures an argument makes sense. Involves using facts and data, arguing points, reasoning, and demonstrating.
Pathos: Evoking Emotion & Empathy
Emotion evoked by images and channeled through stories. Involves empathizing with the reader.
Journalistic Writing: News Structure & Criteria
Journalistic Writing: The Inverted Pyramid
The archetypal structure of a news article, organizing information in a straightforward, intuitive, and attractive fashion. It answers the “Six W’s”:
- What / Who / When / Where / Why / How: Covered in the headline, sub-headline, and lead.
- Data in Decreasing Order of Importance: Additional details and minutiae follow.
Journalistic Writing: Newsworthiness Criteria
Elements determining whether a story is newsworthy.
Classic Criteria (in order of importance):
- Impact
- Recency
- Proximity (not just geographical)
- Rarity / Spectacle
- Emotion / Intrigue
Modern Criteria (in order of importance):
- Novelty or disruption of day-to-day life
- Originality, unpredictability
- Possible future evolutions of the story
- Social impact and severity of the event
- Geographic proximity
- Number of people impacted
- Fame of people and places involved
Journalistic Writing: Parts of an Article
- Title: Brief and impactful.
- Lead: A brief summary (one or two sentences) of the entire news item.
- Body: The rest of the text.
- Highlights: Excerpts from the body in a larger font, used for greater visual appeal in long pieces.
- Graphic Elements: Photographs, infographics, videos, and their accompanying descriptive texts or captions.