Cinematography
What is Cinematography?
Cinematography is the art of visuals and camera work in film, it is constructed of shot types, camera movements and camera angles. It is one of the micro-elements of media. Cinematography can play a key role in portraying ideas and communicating messages to an audience.
Shot Types
The 8 basic camera shot types are:
- Extreme Long Shot (XLS)
- Long Shot (LS)
- Medium Long Shot (MLS)
- Medium Shot (MS)
- Medium Close-Up (MCU)
- Close Up (CU)
- Big Close-Up (BCU)
- Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Extreme Long Shot (XLS)
This shot type is taken from a great distance from the subject. It is used to present and emphasise space and scale as it gives a wide view of an area. Whilst the subject of the Extreme Long Shot may usually be a landscape scene, the XLS can be used to demonstrate the isolation of a character.
Long Shot (LS)
This shot is closer than the Extreme Long Shot, but on a human scale the whole person is clearly visible in frame and the complete surrounding scene is still visible.
Medium Long Shot (MLS)
With a human subject, the medium long shot cuts just below the knees, thus still giving a clear view of the surrounding scene but the human subjects are in more clear detail. Therefore, this shot is commonly used in scenes when multiple characters are interacting or engaging in dialogue with each other.
Medium Shot (MS)
Again, this shot is used in character dialogue scenes but is more useful in showing facial expressions in more detail. The shot cuts off around the waist, making humans the main subjects of this shot type rather than what is occurring in the surrounding scene.
Medium Close-Up (MCU)
Cropped between the shoulders and belt line, this shot makes the subject and their facial expressions the only focus of the scene. This shot type is typically used in news reports and interviews.
Close-Up (CU)
One of the more revealing shots, the subjects face can be seen in greater detail, including the eyes and mouth- this is known as the social triangle. This shot is useful in showing the facial expressions and emotions of a character.
Big Close-Up (BCU)
This shot is used show the facial expressions and emotions of a character in great detail, once again showing the social triangle of the face. The subject is isolated in this shot type, there is no view or detail of the background and surrounding scene. In this shot, part of the head of the subject can be cut from frame in order to emphasise the facial features.
Extreme Close-Up
Used the magnify something minute and obscure in great detail, this is a shot of very intimate space. This can work to either create a feeling of intimacy between the subject and audience or a feeling of unease and discomfort since none of the background scene is visible in this shot, adding the element of mystery to a scene and shot.
Camera Angles
Camera angles refer to the physical positioning of a camera in order to record from a certain view point.
High Angle
For a high camera angle, the camera is positioned above eye level and looking down upon the subject of the shot. When creating the sense that a character is being looked down upon by the audience or another subject, it can imply that a character is: weak, vulnerable, lower status, confused or child-like.
Low Angle
Being the opposite to the high camera angle, the camera is positioned below eye-level so that the audience are looking up at the subject. Creating this impression that a subject is towering over the audience or another subject can imply that a character is strong, powerful or superior and make an audience feel weak, vulnerable or small.
Eye-level Angle
For this angle, the camera is positioned level to the eye-line of the subject so it appears that we are looking directly forward at the subject. This angle can work to make an audience feel more comfortable, understanding or equal to a character since they are on the 'same level' as the subject.
Dutch Tilt Angle
One of the more peculiar camera angles, the camera is placed at an askew and tilted angle so that the subject looks off balance. This shot can be used to suggest an unbalance in a situation or psychological unbalanced within a character. The implication that something is wrong in a scene also works to build tension within the audience since the shot gives such a strong sense of something being 'off' but without revealing too much. When the angle was first developed it was used as a tool of portraying: madness,insanity and betrayal.
Camera Movements
Why are camera movements important?
Camera movements are extremely effective and important in adding a sense of movement and fluidity to a piece by following characters throughout a scene or by establishing a location. They can also work to disorientate audiences in order to play into the ideas of a filmmaker.
There are two categories of camera movements. The first is Motivated Camera Movement and this is when the movement is prompted by the characters movements and events within the scene- e.g. character looks left, the camera pans left. Then there are Unmotivated Camera Movements, these are camera movements that are representative of the filmmakers ideas or statements about characters or events- used to emphasise ideas.
Zoom
This movement is performed by keeping the camera in a stationary position whilst increasing the scale on the lens. It is used the emphasise a subject of importance within a scene- to specifically draw the audiences attention to something.
Pan
A pan is when the camera remains in a stationary position whilst being moved horizontally (left to right or right to left). Pans are most effective and commonly used for establishing a scene's location.
Tilt
Similar to a pan, the camera base remains stationary whilst being moved vertically (up and down). Also like a pan, it can be used as an introductory movement but rather than a setting it can be used to introduce characters or grand structures within a scene.
Dolly
For a dolly shot, the whole camera is being moved backwards and forwards using a vehicle or tracks. This movement can be extremely useful in creating the sensation of a fluid and fast moving journey as you follow a character as they walk or run in a scene.
Track
This is the same as the dolly movement but the camera is being moved from left to right instead of forwards and backwards.
Pedestal
The pedestal movement is performed by moving the whole camera up and down (usually on an adjustable tripod) whilst it remains in a fixed position. Similar to a tilt, the pedestal movement is effective in revealing subjects but focuses more on exploring and emphasising the details of the subjects bodily features as the shot travels upwards.
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