Camera movement (level one film study)

Camera movement is how a director uses a shot to direct our focus to a certain point.
What are the purposes of the whip pan and slow pan: A whip pan is used to quickly show us something, like we are quickly turning our heads. A slow pan changes what is in the shot but lets us take in everything we see.
Tilt shot: The tilt shot reveals something to us which was either above or below the frame. This works really well as an establishing shot.
Reverse dolly zoom: This technique is often used to signal an internal issue with a character. This is usually shock or a realisation of something.
Steadicam vs dolly shot: A dolly shot is done by moving the camera on a track. Steadicam is having the camera secured to the camera operators body. This allows for more movement compared to the dolly.
Hand held shot: A hand held shot is held by the camera operator. Its shaky nature is often used to build anxiety in the viewer, which relates to a high intensity scene.
What should directors ask themselves when it comes to camera movement: The idea of camera movement is bringing something to the viewers attention. It is important that the audience focuses on what you are trying to reveal rather than the shot itself. "what am I directing the viewer's attention to?" is a question directors should ask themselves when it comes to camera movement.

Production design (level one film study)

What is production design? Production design is the overall look of a production due to the different set designs. Production design can be used to convey many things, and can make a production more meaningful.
What makes up production design? Every prop, set or costume  makes up production design.
What are the three main things production design can help to reveal?
Production can reveal three major things about a movie. It can set a scene's mood, can give us an insight into the characters and can reflect the themes from a movie.

Examples:


The set design of the lab (breaking bad) helps us to understand more about Walt. The lab is crowded, which reflects Walt's state of mind, which is full of thoughts and panic about his boss and his own survival. The lab equipment is very large, and looms over Walt and Jesse. This symbolises how this world (of making and dealing methamphetamine for a large company) is towering over the characters, who are not used to or suited to this level of danger.



The set design of Winterfell (Game of Thrones) reflects the Stark's values and attitudes. The frame is dark and cold, which is a key attribute of the northern parts of Westeros (where the Stark family live). This reflects the overall mood of the characters, who seem stern and serious, as opposed to characters from further south whose words are of no value and don't have to worry about the deadly change of seasons.