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.