Notes+for+Cinematography_Alain

Filmspace

Filming originally began as a distant, audience point of view: never able to get close to the characters or action Solution was to break up shots into separate fragments and sequences, the order of the sequences would determine what the audience perceives. Began changing up position of camera, using different length shots Point of view can be changed, different angles makes film more interesting Framing: First element of composition Provided with two choices: picking a position to view the scene or Isolating a part of the scene Important to position point of view Sequencing of shots directs the viewers in a certain explanation and gives them certain information. Setting up questions and expectations in the audience’s mind Usage of different depths in shots creates suspense and mystery, and also better at explaining Viewer is only able to see what is within the FRAME, so the director and cinematographer are able to position the camera to show specifically one angle or one part of the picture, or also to show the complete big picture You can both change the depth of field of the picture and make it close or long, and you can also change the angle while doing this. Filmspace allows you to take real objects and make multiple visual interpretations of them. HOWEVER, control over what the audience can see means you must be able to clearly communicate what it is you want to show, or else the audience will be confused and puzzled by the sequence of shots

Subjective and Objective Points of View: different types of camera shots are taken from different person’s views, e.g. first person and third person to give the audience different connections to the character. The closer the camera gets to a person, the more subjective it gets. If the camera is far away, the audience becomes objective. “The look”: the importance of a person’s facial expression in a subjective POV shot

Breaking the fourth wall: a technique used to bring the audience into the film, makes it not just a “film” that the “audience” is watching anymore.

Kuleshov effect, neutral face matched up with random scenes, affected the audience and how they felt. Importance of shots TO HELP EACH OTHER: combination not just singular individual shots.

Different types of shots: Wide shot: frame that includes the entire scene: determines size of location

Establishing shot: opening shot that explains the setting of the scene, usually the landscape

Laying out the scene, “Establishing the geography” helps orientation of audience and makes them more settled into the world of the film

Full shot: includes __all__ of the subject

Medium shot: closer version of a wide shot, shows more detail in the overall picture but doesn’t center in on the person or subject’s traits.

Two Shot: any frame that includes two characters: shows interaction of the characters in the scene

Character shots:

Close-ups (CU) Medium CU, Choker CU, Big Head CU, Extreme CU Clean single: close up without any other part of the actor. Dirty single: close up with a bit of the actor in front of him.

Over the Shoulder (OTS) Variation of Close-up: engages audience in the conversation going on in the two-shot

Cutaway A shot that changes the subject to something within the scene but is different from the previous subject. These are used to signify the importance of an object or person to the main storyline

Reaction shot: A cutaway to another subject and sees their response to what someone else is saying.

Insert: a close up on a specific part of a larger scene Practical insert: informational, help move the plot along Emphasis inserts: emphasizes emotions and pathos for a person or object Atomsphere inserts: help contribute to the mood or tone of the scene

Connecting shots: A shot that connects two varying scenes in order to prevent confusing the audience. Helps make the scene feel more complete and whole, like it is __all__ part of the same storyline instead of being divided into small sections. Ties everything together and emphasizes the physical elements of the narrative story.

Window and Door Matching: By matching windows and doors, a movie can be moved along with subtle unnoticeable transitions between locations or places, while also maintaining the continuity of the shot.