RESEARCH: CINEMATOGRAPHY
What is cinematography and a cinematographer?
Cinematography is the art of motion-picture photography that is used in many fields of science, business as well as for entertainment purposes and mass communication. The cinematographers (people who usually operate the camera and are directors of photography) are one of the most over-looked members of the production team, and are also responsible for all the visual elements of a film. They are expected to come up with creative and inspirational ideas related to composition, lighting, and camera motion– pretty much anything that the viewers can see in a given scene or shot. The cinematographer determines everything from colour to depth-of-field– how much of the shot is in focus and how much of it is blurry– from zooming in to the positioning of people and objects within any given frame.
What are the different shot types?
Here is a short powerpoint explaining the different camera shots used in a film and a few photographs that I took to go alongside them.
http://prezi.com/1hb2jxdhdbn8/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
What are the different compositions?
Within cinematography, there are different compositions. A composition in film, refers to the frame of the image and how the elements of the mise-en-scene appear in it.
Dominant contrast is the particular area of the frame where our eyes are first drawn to. This can be due to the lighting or the colour. In the following picture, our eyes would most likely be drawn to the lighter side of the image.
Subsidiary contrast are the areas in the frame which our eyes are drawn to after the dominant contrast (thus the names– subsidiary and dominant).
Symmetrical composition arranges elements of similar shape and size in almost the exact positions on either side of the given shot. Objects and characters are arranged symmetrically within the frame, creating a sort of a visual balance. When this is done, it usually pleases the audience as everything is well balanced. A popular example of this is in the film The Space Odyssey (2001).
Asymmetrical composition is the exact opposite. It does not place the objects or characters symmetrically and this is able to create a confused, misbalanced and disorientated composition.
Open form is when the frame is de-emphasised and when there is a sense that action may take place outside the set frame. In this, the frame does not act as a limit to the action.
Closed form however, is when the frame is carefully composed and precise like a painting; seeming theatrical– the frame acts as the boundary.
What are proxemics in film?
Proxemics refers to the physical distances between certain characters within the given frame. The film director uses proxemics to ensure that the right meaning is portrayed to the audience (such as relationships).
Intimate distance is when the characters are embracing, touching or whispering. It is usually about 15-45 cm, 6-8 inches between the actors. This can suggest that the characters have an extremely close relationship with one another.
Personal distance is for interactions among good friends and this is about 45-120 cm, 1.5-4 feet. This can paint a close but not intimate relationship between the characters.
Social distance is for communication between acquaintances and this is 1.2-3.5 m, 4-12 feet. This can display an impersonal relationship.
Public distance is used for public speaking– over 3.5 m, 12 feet. This suggests a formal or detached relationship.
What is rule of thirds?
The rule of thirds is a ideology in film production in which the frame is divided exactly into nine imaginary divisions. This helps in creating reference points which act as a guide for framing the image. The lines of interest usually occurs at 1/3 or 2/3 across the frame, rather than the centre. This isn't always necessary. When taking shots of people, the main line of interest is the line going through the actor's eyes and they are often placed approximately 1/3 of the way down the frame.
What are the different shot types?
Here is a short powerpoint explaining the different camera shots used in a film and a few photographs that I took to go alongside them.
http://prezi.com/1hb2jxdhdbn8/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
What are the different compositions?
Within cinematography, there are different compositions. A composition in film, refers to the frame of the image and how the elements of the mise-en-scene appear in it.
Dominant contrast is the particular area of the frame where our eyes are first drawn to. This can be due to the lighting or the colour. In the following picture, our eyes would most likely be drawn to the lighter side of the image.
Subsidiary contrast are the areas in the frame which our eyes are drawn to after the dominant contrast (thus the names– subsidiary and dominant).
Symmetrical composition arranges elements of similar shape and size in almost the exact positions on either side of the given shot. Objects and characters are arranged symmetrically within the frame, creating a sort of a visual balance. When this is done, it usually pleases the audience as everything is well balanced. A popular example of this is in the film The Space Odyssey (2001).
Asymmetrical composition is the exact opposite. It does not place the objects or characters symmetrically and this is able to create a confused, misbalanced and disorientated composition.
Open form is when the frame is de-emphasised and when there is a sense that action may take place outside the set frame. In this, the frame does not act as a limit to the action.
Closed form however, is when the frame is carefully composed and precise like a painting; seeming theatrical– the frame acts as the boundary.
What are proxemics in film?
Proxemics refers to the physical distances between certain characters within the given frame. The film director uses proxemics to ensure that the right meaning is portrayed to the audience (such as relationships).
Intimate distance is when the characters are embracing, touching or whispering. It is usually about 15-45 cm, 6-8 inches between the actors. This can suggest that the characters have an extremely close relationship with one another.
Personal distance is for interactions among good friends and this is about 45-120 cm, 1.5-4 feet. This can paint a close but not intimate relationship between the characters.
Social distance is for communication between acquaintances and this is 1.2-3.5 m, 4-12 feet. This can display an impersonal relationship.
Public distance is used for public speaking– over 3.5 m, 12 feet. This suggests a formal or detached relationship.
What is rule of thirds?
The rule of thirds is a ideology in film production in which the frame is divided exactly into nine imaginary divisions. This helps in creating reference points which act as a guide for framing the image. The lines of interest usually occurs at 1/3 or 2/3 across the frame, rather than the centre. This isn't always necessary. When taking shots of people, the main line of interest is the line going through the actor's eyes and they are often placed approximately 1/3 of the way down the frame.
Comments
Post a Comment