Cinematography Process of capturing moving images on film

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 35 mm) § 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 p 153

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 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.