300 likes | 409 Views
F o c u s o n. C I N E M A T O G R A P H Y. C i n e m a t o g r a p h y. Etymologically breaks down to "writing by movement." Like photography, light translates into visual information and meaning; however, apparent motion differentiates photography from cinematography.
E N D
F o c u s o n C I N E M A T O G R A P H Y
C i n e m a t o g r a p h y Etymologically breaks down to "writing by movement." Like photography, light translates into visual information and meaning; however, apparent motion differentiates photography from cinematography.
Elements of Cinematography • Lighting • Color (formally)/Contrast • Film stocks & gauges • Opticals (lenses, filters) • Effects • Shots*
Shots are Defined According to … •Size/Distance •Angle •Content •Movement •Point of view •Conventions Examples to follow from each category ---- •Initially, size/distance…
Defining Shots by Size/Distance… •Long shot •Full shot •Medium shot •Close-up •NB: Use ‘extreme’ sparingly
Defining shots . . . • By size/distance: a long shot often scans a wide area, providing information (literal and symbolic) including setting; it establishes parts of the narrative. (from the movie Signs)
Defining shots . . . • By size/distance:. . :a full shot reveals a character from head-to-toe or a full object, often providing some contextual information (literal and symbolic) such as setting and action. (from The Matrix Reloaded)
Defining Shots … . . . by size/distance: a medium shot reveals a character from waist up or most but not all of an object. Meaning (literal and symbolic) is created by being this close to the object or character--not full and not so close. (from the movie Signs)
Defining Shots … • . . .by size/distance: a close-up reveals a character’s face or a detail of an object. Consider how these two close shots from XXX literally show us Diesel’s character and symbolically make us feel intimidated.
Shots are Defined According to … • Size/Distance 4 • Angle • Content • Movement • Point of view • Conventions
Defining Shots by Angle … • High or Angle-down • Eye-level • Low or Angle-up • Bird’s eye • Aerial • Reverse • Oblique or canted frame
Defining Shots … ... By angle: High angle shot looks down on the subject, suggesting its literal shortness and symbolic weakness or inferiority. (from the movie Spy Kids II)
Defining Shots … . . . By angle: eye-level shot looks a character ‘in the eye,’ suggesting respect and equality or simply neutrality.
Defining Shots … . . . By angle: a low angle shot looks up to the subject, suggesting its literal height and symbolic power. (Blue Crush)
Shots are Defined According to … •Size/Distance •Angle •Content •Movement •Point of view •Conventions
Defining Shots by Content … • One-shot • Two-shotNB: check conventions for overlaps
Defining Shots by Content … • . . . a one-shot reveals one character • . . . a two-shot reveals two characters(from the movie Frida)
Shots are Defined According to … •Size/Distance •Angle •Content •Movement •Point of view •Conventions
Defining Shots by Movement… • Moving camera shots include dolly, tracking, crane, aerial, pan, tilt, etc. • Movement within the frame includes horizontal movement, through the depth of the frame, etc.
Shots are Defined According to … •Size/Distance •Angle •Content •Movement •Point of view •Conventions
Defining Shots by Point-of-View… • As in literature, film observes three points of view: • 3rd person (She, he, or it does it…) • 1st person (I do it…) • 2nd person (You do it… or, Do it!) • Unlike literature, film has more gradual shifts in point of view.
Defining shots . . . . . . By POV : 3rd person is the most common perspective in narrative film. The camera acts as an observer of some actor or action.(from the movie Collateral Damage)
Defining Shots … • . . . by POV: shifts occur in film from 3rd to 1st and back again relatively frequently. A 1st person shift places the viewer of the film in the place of a character. This can be gradual or complete.
Defining Shots … . . . By POV: 2nd person directly addresses the viewer of the film. This often enables some theoretical level in the film.
Shots are Defined According to … • Size/Distance 4 • Angle • Content • Movement • Point of view • Conventions
Defining Shots by Convention… • Shot / counter-shot is one of the most significant and popular of the Hollywood tradition. • Typically starts with full 2-shot; • Cuts in to medium one-shot of ‘a’ character; • Then, cuts to medium one-shot of ‘b’ character on opposite side.
Defining Shots by Convention… • Shot/counter-shot (S/C or S/R) • Reaction shot • Establishing shot (inside/out editing) • Eye-line match (cut) • Devil’s in details • NB: overlaps with content and other categories