CinematographyCinematography
Process of capturing moving images on Process of capturing moving images on film.film.
3 key terms in shooting a 3 key terms in shooting a moviemovie
Shot- one uninterrupted run of the Shot- one uninterrupted run of the camera ( can be short or long)camera ( can be short or long)
Takes- refers to the number of times a Takes- refers to the number of times a shot is takenshot is taken
Setup- one camera position and Setup- one camera position and everything associated with iteverything associated with it
The Job of the The Job of the Cinematographer Cinematographer
Use the camera as maker of meaningUse the camera as maker of meaning Use the powers of a visual language to Use the powers of a visual language to
tell the story and convey meaning of the tell the story and convey meaning of the moviemovie
Cinematographer’s Cinematographer’s ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities
Cinematographic properties of the shot Cinematographic properties of the shot (film stock, lighting, lenses)(film stock, lighting, lenses)
Framing the shot (proximity to camera, Framing the shot (proximity to camera, depth, camera angle and height, scale, depth, camera angle and height, scale, camera movement)camera movement)
Speed and length of the shotSpeed and length of the shot Special effectsSpecial effects
Film StockFilm Stock
Gauges- size of film (IMAX is 10 times the size Gauges- size of film (IMAX is 10 times the size of the standard size 35mm)of the standard size 35mm)
ColorColor Color film can not only be tinted but can be hand Color film can not only be tinted but can be hand
paintedpainted Black and WhiteBlack and White
These do NOT lack color. There are tonal ranges, These do NOT lack color. There are tonal ranges, contrast of these tones and depth ranges that are contrast of these tones and depth ranges that are considered when using black and white film.considered when using black and white film.
Speed (degree to which it is light sensitive)Speed (degree to which it is light sensitive)
Lighting SourceLighting Source
Natural lightingNatural lighting Artificial lightingArtificial lighting
Focusable spotlightsFocusable spotlights FloodlightsFloodlights Reflector board- most often used to redirect Reflector board- most often used to redirect
sunlight or cause shadowssunlight or cause shadows
Lighting QualityLighting Quality
Hard light- shines directly on the subject Hard light- shines directly on the subject creating crisp details and defined border creating crisp details and defined border usually used with serious/ tragic storiesusually used with serious/ tragic stories
Soft light- light hits from various Soft light- light hits from various directions, blurring details, usually used directions, blurring details, usually used with romantic or comic storieswith romantic or comic stories
Lighting DirectionLighting Direction
3 point system- light can be thrown from 3 point system- light can be thrown from virtually any direction virtually any direction Key light- main lightKey light- main light Fill light (opposite key light)Fill light (opposite key light) Backlight- usually behind the subjectBacklight- usually behind the subject
Lighting from above pg 152Lighting from above pg 152 Lighting from below pg 153Lighting from below pg 153 Backlighting p153Backlighting p153
LensesLenses
2 types of Lenses2 types of Lenses Prime lensesPrime lenses Zoom lensesZoom lenses
Prime LensesPrime Lenses
Short-focal-length Short-focal-length Produce wide angle viewsProduce wide angle views Make subject appear farther than they areMake subject appear farther than they are
Long-focal-lengthLong-focal-length Flattens spaceFlattens space Makes subject look closerMakes subject look closer
Middle- focal- lengthMiddle- focal- length Corresponds to day-to-day normal sense of focusCorresponds to day-to-day normal sense of focus
Zoom lenseZoom lense
Produce images that stimulate effect of Produce images that stimulate effect of movement to or from subjectmovement to or from subject
Magnifies imageMagnifies image Can make a shot seem artificialCan make a shot seem artificial
Framing the ShotFraming the Shot
Extreme long shotExtreme long shot Long shotLong shot Medium long shotMedium long shot Medium shotMedium shot Medium close-upMedium close-up Close upClose up Extreme close upExtreme close up
Camera AngleCamera Angle Eye level angle-Eye level angle- creates a “neutral attitude” creates a “neutral attitude”
toward subject(s)toward subject(s) High Angle-High Angle- implies the observers sense of implies the observers sense of
superiority to the subjectsuperiority to the subject Low Angle-Low Angle- creates sense of feeling helpless in creates sense of feeling helpless in
the presence of the subjectthe presence of the subject Dutch Angle-Dutch Angle- tilt shot, gives the impression that tilt shot, gives the impression that
the world at view is out of balancethe world at view is out of balance Aerial View-Aerial View- implies the observer’s omniscience. implies the observer’s omniscience.
ScaleScale
Size and placement of a particular object Size and placement of a particular object or scene in relation to the rest.or scene in relation to the rest.
Camera MovementCamera Movement Pan shot –camera moves horizontally on Pan shot –camera moves horizontally on
stationary tripod, good for setting, guides stationary tripod, good for setting, guides us to characters or actions that are us to characters or actions that are importantimportant
Tilt shot- camera moves vertically on a Tilt shot- camera moves vertically on a stationary tripodstationary tripod
Dolly shot- (tracking shot) camera is on Dolly shot- (tracking shot) camera is on wheel support can move with the action wheel support can move with the action or in/ out on subject, commonly used at or in/ out on subject, commonly used at moment of realizationmoment of realization
Camera Movement cont.Camera Movement cont.
Zoom - magnifies the image or demagnifies Zoom - magnifies the image or demagnifies the image, different from “dolly’ing in on the the image, different from “dolly’ing in on the image, the spatial relationships between object image, the spatial relationships between object and camera do not changeand camera do not change
Crane shot- camera is mounted on an Crane shot- camera is mounted on an elevating arm which also is able to move, elevating arm which also is able to move, giving the camera full horizontal and vertical giving the camera full horizontal and vertical capabilitycapability
Handheld Camera- can be used to create more Handheld Camera- can be used to create more realism (like the viewer is actually there) or a realism (like the viewer is actually there) or a loss of controlloss of control
FrameFrame
Framing controls what we see (what IS Framing controls what we see (what IS on the screen and what is left out) and on the screen and what is left out) and how we see it (up close, far away, from how we see it (up close, far away, from above or below)above or below)
Framing is the POV (Point of View)Framing is the POV (Point of View) Omniscient POVOmniscient POV Single character POVSingle character POV Group POVGroup POV
Speed and Length of shotSpeed and Length of shot
Slow motion- can be used to reverse our Slow motion- can be used to reverse our expectations or heighten awarenessexpectations or heighten awareness
Fast motion- accelerates action by Fast motion- accelerates action by photographing it at less than normal speed photographing it at less than normal speed and then projecting it at normal speed. and then projecting it at normal speed.
Long take- can run one to ten minutes while a Long take- can run one to ten minutes while a normal take lasts on average 10 seconds. normal take lasts on average 10 seconds.
Special EffectsSpecial Effects
Create the illusion of reality or a Create the illusion of reality or a believable alternative realitybelievable alternative reality
Fools the human eye into perceiving Fools the human eye into perceiving motionmotion
Creates images that would be too Creates images that would be too dangerous, too expensive or impossible dangerous, too expensive or impossible to achieve.to achieve.