Film Movement and Cutting

1. Film Movement and Cutting Film Analysis Part 2

2. Dolly Shots • AKA: Tracking shot • The camera is mounted on a device that has wheels and move on tracks. • Smooth, liquid feeling to the scene or sequence • Example: Kill Bill: Volume One • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFCb-iYTSg0 (0:00-0:38)

3. Handheld Moves • A camera operator films the scene with a lightweight camera • If the filmmaker wants smooth handheld moves, he uses a Steadicam, which involve a gyroscope • Example: Cloverfield • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkFcHUvyJ-k (0:00-1:00)

4. Pans and Tilts • Pans: Mounted on a device such as a tripod, and operator rotates the camera to the left or right • Tilts: Mounted and operator tilts the camera up or down • Example: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VbAt7yDSKs&feature=fvwrel (0:00-0:50)

5. Circular Choreography • When the camera circles the actors that are interacting with one another • Director may shoot the scene several times and edit them together to get the perfect sequence • Example: Death Proof (0:00-0:20) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW1aHS0KFRc

6. Ways to Capture Running on Camera • In film, there are various ways to capture an actor or a group of actors running on camera • Head-in • Pan • Lateral tracking • Frontal tracking • Rearward tracking • We will use Forrest Gump as an example for these types of tracking movement

7. Head-In • Actor runs toward a stationary camera and past it • Actor’s destination is unknown, creating curiosity • In this case, Forrest runs towards the camera and away from his followers as he decides to run back home

8. Pan • Camera pans as actor runs across the screen • Pan is meant to specify where the actor is running • In this scene, the camera pans as Forrest runs across the football field to score a touchdown

9. Lateral Tracking • Actor runs along side the camera, which is attached to a truck that moves with him/her • Meant to highlight the action of the actor rather than his or her surroundings • Can’t see where the actor came from or where he/she is going, just background • In this scene, camera tracks Forrest as he brakes his leg braces and runs from bullies. Audience is not aware of his destination.

10. Frontal Tracking • Camera is mounted on the bed of a truck and pointed at Forrest as he runs towards it; camera keeps up with the actor • Frames vary from long shots to close-ups • Meant to raise suspense • In this scene, Forrest is running away from bullies

11. Rearward Tracking • Exact same as frontal tracking, except that the camera is placed behind the actor instead of in front of him or her while running • Meant to show how fast actor is running/ what obstacles lie ahead for the actor • In this scene, Forrest is running towards the Alabama marching band after scoring a touchdown

12. Check Point! • An opening sequence that has nearly every shot, angle and movement (nearly)! • 007: Casino Royale (2006) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZxNbAwY_rk • How many can you identify?

13. Cuts • The manner in which filmmakers join together the various shots in a movie. • It affects the rhythm of the film and can serve to guide the audience through the film, making the connections that the director wants them to make • Example of a Cut: 2001: A Space Odyssey • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrdCC9ZHhwY (0:00-0:15)

14. Compilation Cutting • Shots to illustrate the story that the narrator is telling • Film tied together more by the narration than the order and rhythm of the shots • Used in movie trailers a lot! • Example: Love Actually • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoxXpqof8A

15. Continuity Cutting • A filmmaker follows one person or a group of people continuously and details what happens to them • Example: Goodfellas • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sr-vxVaY_M (0:00-1:10)

16. Cross-Cutting • Cutting back and forth between two or more actions going on at the same time • Can build excitement and suspense • Example: Inception • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmptU7vEkNU

17. Cut In • Flashes of cuts that seem to not relate to or contrast with the current sequence • Can be used to change emotion or foreshadow • Example: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw6GwhfNl7U (0:40-1:40)

18. Fade-Out and Fade-In • Fade Out: film screen gradually becomes black, changing the film’s rhythm • Fade-in: usually follows a fade-out. Leads to a different setting or scene. Can serve as an alert that a change in time or space is occurring. • Example: Django Unchained • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUdM9vrCbow

19. Dissolve • Poetic, soft shift between two scenes • Shots “melt” into one another • Softens the cut between two sequences • Example: The English Patient • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHFQAAhv_xI (1:00-1:16!!!!)

20. Wipe • One shot pushes the preceding shot across the screen • Can move up, down, across or diagonally • Example: Star Wars: A New Hope • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5k-pFjm0sg

21. Checkpoint! • Opening sequence that has multiple changes in movement and cutting • Can you find them all? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhjDnrw34QA (0:35-4:29)