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Cinematography. Process of capturing moving images on film. 3 key terms in shooting a movie. Shot- one uninterrupted run of the camera ( can be short or long) Takes- refers to the number of times a shot is taken Setup- one camera position and everything associated with it.
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Cinematography • Process of capturing moving images on film.
3 key terms in shooting a movie • Shot- one uninterrupted run of the camera ( can be short or long) • Takes- refers to the number of times a shot is taken • Setup- one camera position and everything associated with it
The Job of the Cinematographer • Use the camera as maker of meaning • Use the powers of a visual language to tell the story and convey meaning of the movie
Cinematographer’s Responsibilities • Cinematographic properties of the shot (film stock, lighting, lenses) • Framing the shot (proximity to camera, depth, camera angle and height, scale, camera movement) • Speed and length of the shot • Special effects
Film Stock • Gauges- size of film (IMAX is 10 times the size of the standard size 35mm) • Color • Color film can not only be tinted but can be hand painted • Black and White • These do NOT lack color. There are tonal ranges, contrast of these tones and depth ranges that are considered when using black and white film. • Speed (degree to which it is light sensitive)
Lighting Source • Natural lighting • Artificial lighting • Focusable spotlights • Floodlights • Reflector board- most often used to redirect sunlight or cause shadows
Lighting Quality • Hard light- shines directly on the subject creating crisp details and defined border usually used with serious/ tragic stories • Soft light- light hits from various directions, blurring details, usually used with romantic or comic stories
Lighting Direction • 3 point system- light can be thrown from virtually any direction • Key light- main light • Fill light (opposite key light) • Backlight- usually behind the subject • Lighting from above pg 152 • Lighting from below pg 153 • Backlighting p153
Lenses • 2 types of Lenses • Prime lenses • Zoom lenses
Prime Lenses • Short-focal-length • Produce wide angle views • Make subject appear farther than they are • Long-focal-length • Flattens space • Makes subject look closer • Middle- focal- length • Corresponds to day-to-day normal sense of focus
Zoom lense • Produce images that stimulate effect of movement to or from subject • Magnifies image • Can make a shot seem artificial
Framing the Shot • Extreme long shot • Long shot • Medium long shot • Medium shot • Medium close-up • Close up • Extreme close up
Camera Angle • Eye level angle- creates a “neutral attitude” toward subject(s) • High Angle- implies the observers sense of superiority to the subject • Low Angle- creates sense of feeling helpless in the presence of the subject • Dutch Angle- tilt shot, gives the impression that the world at view is out of balance • Aerial View- implies the observer’s omniscience.
Scale • Size and placement of a particular object or scene in relation to the rest.
Camera Movement • Pan shot –camera moves horizontally on stationary tripod, good for setting, guides us to characters or actions that are important • Tilt shot- camera moves vertically on a stationary tripod • Dolly shot- (tracking shot) camera is on wheel support can move with the action or in/ out on subject, commonly used at moment of realization
Camera Movement cont. • Zoom - magnifies the image or demagnifies the image, different from “dolly’ing in on the image, the spatial relationships between object and camera do not change • Crane shot- camera is mounted on an elevating arm which also is able to move, giving the camera full horizontal and vertical capability • Handheld Camera- can be used to create more realism (like the viewer is actually there) or a loss of control
Frame • Framing controls what we see (what IS on the screen and what is left out) and how we see it (up close, far away, from above or below) • Framing is the POV (Point of View) • Omniscient POV • Single character POV • Group POV
Speed and Length of shot • Slow motion- can be used to reverse our expectations or heighten awareness • Fast motion- accelerates action by photographing it at less than normal speed and then projecting it at normal speed. • Long take- can run one to ten minutes while a normal take lasts on average 10 seconds.
Special Effects • Create the illusion of reality or a believable alternative reality • Fools the human eye into perceiving motion • Creates images that would be too dangerous, too expensive or impossible to achieve.