Cinematography

Cinematography

1. Shot types

   • Extreme close up
     • Extreme close ups show a section of a face or an object. By doing this it brings the audience really close to something, it can often generate fallings of discomfort
     • A director may choose to use an extreme close-up emphasizing something about that character’s appearance. In other situations it means a wide shot of the whole scene, placing the subjects in their environment.
   • Extreme long shot
     • Only environment or tiny characters swamped by the environment
     • Introduces setting or indicates the overwhelming nature of that setting for the characters involved in the shot
   • Close Up
     • A close up shot frames a part of a person /object.
     • This shot will be used to draw attention to something significant this could be a facial expression or an object important to the narrative.
   • Long shot
     • A long shot will have the whole body of the character will be visible as well as much of the setting in which they stand.
     • A long shot can communicate the relationship between the characters and the setting. When referring to a person, a long shot means they take up almost the full frame height.
   • Medium shot
     • This shot will usually have two characters that are shown from there knees/waist upwards.
     • You will be able to see there body language clearly and also their facial expressions. a medium shot will often communicate characters feelings and relationships with one another.

2. Camera positions

   • High angle
     • A high angle is normally when the camera angle is located above the eye level. This angle makes a character/object seem vulnerable or powerless.
     • These are usually used in films to make a moment more dramatic for the audience.
   • Low angle
     • Low angles help give a sense of powerlessness within the action of a scene. The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling.
     • The is used as the added height of the character or object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer.
   • Eye level
     • An eye level shot shows what a character is looking at.
     • It is usually used by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character's reaction.
   • Point of view
     • This camera position is usually used to help the audience feel as if the are there in the action with the characters.
     • Point of view is where we as the audience see what the characters are looking at.
   • Over the shouler
     • This position is used when two characters are having a conversation.
     • OTS helps involve the audience into the conversation.
   • Canted angle
     • When the angle of the camera is neither horizontal or vertical
     • Usually used in a horror film

3. Camera Movement

   • Tracking
     • Simple backwards and forwards movement.
     • Tracking in draws the audience into the action. Tracking out signifies that the sequence is over.
   • Pan
     • Left to right or right to left on a tripod
     • Follows a moving character / object, Usally used when creating a point of view shot
   • Tilt
     • Up or down on an axis.
     • Creates a sense of hight and power
   • Crane
     • Follows the action from a crane.
     • The camera gets attached to a crane and the camera follows the action from a vertical hight
   • Car mounted shot
     • Can be attached to either the side of windscreen of a moving car when the car is in shot.
     • Speed can be exaggerated or a conversation between two front seat characters can be filmed without cuts.
   • Handheld shot
     • Is where instead of a camera being on a dolly or crane someone is holding it following the action.
     • This is mainly used within documentaries or when someone is running to make the audience feel as if there are there with the characters in the situation,
   • Zoom
     • Alternative to tracking. It draws the audience in.
     • Movement into or away from a character/ object
   • Arc
     • Full or half circle
     • Use usually for the audience to see the reaction of the characters

4. Framing

   • If one character is to appear dominant, they might be positioned in the middles of the shot, standing higher than other characters.
   • The character might be shown squished in the frame by other characters, objects or building; this is called 'tight framing'
   • Within a frame, nose room can be added to contribute to meaning.
   • Without a nose room, it would not make sense that the characters is talking to someone, the nose room allows us to believe someone is there.
   • Creating a frame within a frame is an effective technique in generating meaning.
   • A suggestion of entrapment or danger may be established with the use of frames with frames.
   • A barrier is created between the character and audience; creating a lower level of engagement.
   • Vertical and horizontal planes/ points of intrest

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