Post on 28-Mar-2015
Introduction to FilmCinematography
Cinematography
Cinematography: "writing in movement”
Everything that has to do with cameras and lenses, with film/film stock (and its digital equivalents), exposure and processing of film/digital images.
Cinematography
Mise-en-scene What is filmed
Set Design Color Lighting Actor’s
Performances Diegetic Sound
Cinematography How it is filmed
Framing Aspect Ratio Film Stock Camera Elements
Camera Angle Camera Movement Camera Position Camera Lens
Exposure
Cinematography
Other Issues Digital Cinematography
Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) has brought changes in Cinematography, which was traditionally based on chemical/photographic images and effects.
Visual Special Effects Often done in post-production (esp. digital effects).
Lighting Since it is part of “what is filmed,” it is often seen as
part of a film’s mise-en-scene. However, the cinematographer has significant input into lighting decisions.
Framing As with lighting, framing involves the director and
cinematographer.
Framing
Angle, level, and distance of framing each shot
Offscreen space versus onsceen space
Framing
Extreme Wide Shot Very Wide Shot
Framing
Wide Shot Mid Shot
Framing
Medium Close Up Close Up
Framing
Extreme Close Up Cut-In
Camera Angle
The angle between the camera and the subject.
Straight-on (Eye-level) angle
High-angle
Low-angle
Low-angle
Bird’s Eye
Point of View
The Lady in the Lake1947 Detective film Shot entirely from main character's point of view
Slanted or Canted angle (Dutch tilt)
Slanted or Canted angle (Dutch tilt)
Slanted or Canted angle (Dutch tilt)
Height of Camera
Tokyo Story (1953) Yasujiro Ozu
Aspect Ratio
Ratio of screen width to height Classical Hollywood ratio (1.33:1) Widescreen ratios (1.85:1, 2.35:1) Video conversion
Pan-and-scan Letterbox
Aspect Ratio
Rules of the Game, Jean Renoir, 19391.33:1 (4 to 3)
Aliens, James Cameron, 19861.85:1
Rebel Without A Cause, Nicholas Ray, 19552.35:1 (Cinemascope)
Aspect Ratio
Converting from film to TV.
2.2 to 1 Pan & Scan; 1.33 to 1
Film Stock
Selection enables cinematographer to control: Color reproduction Light sensitivity Contrast levels Sharpness Grain and resolution
Singin’ in the Rain Technicolor Film Stock
Film Stock
Other Types Kodachrome Kinemacolor Cinecolor 35mm 70mm IMAX
Film stock deteriorates over time
Camera Lens
Focal Length The distance from the
center of the lens to the point at which the light rays meet in sharp focus.
This length determines perspective relations and depth cues on the flat screen surface.
Normal lens: 35-50mm
Camera Lens
Wide Angle Short focal length (35 mm or
less) which produces a wider angle of view
Effect: distorting straight lines, exaggerating depth
Camera Lens
Telephoto Lens Lens with a long focal length
(75mm or more). Effect: collapse depth cues by
enlarging distant planes and making them seem close to the foreground planes.
Camera Lens
Zoom lens Lens with a focal length that can
be changed during a shot. Shift to telephoto range
magnifies the image and flattens the space
Shift to wide-angle increases depth cues and demagnifies the background.
Depth of Field
The range of distance within which objects can be photographed and remain in sharp focus. Short focal length has greater
depth of field. Long focal length reduces depth
of field.
Camera Movement
Pan Rotates horizontally, side to side
Tilt Vertical pivot, up and down
Dolly, tracking, or traveling shots Crane (and boom or jib) shots Hand-held and steadicam shots
Camera Movement Dolly, Tracking,
Traveling shots: all basically the same.
“Tracking shot” came from the “tracks” that dollies moved on.
Traveling shot is generally reserved for movements taken from a vehicle.
Boom/jib shots Camera mounted on counterweighted boom; some
booms can also telescope in or out. Can use for combinations of pans & tilts,
horizontal, vertical or diagonal moves.
Crane shots Shots look the same as boom shot, but often
motorized or with hydraulics for movement.
Camera Movement
Hand-held shots Can pan or tilt or track Hand-held movement is obviously
“unsteady”--which is how we know it’s a hand-held shot.
Steadicam A device which dampens
unsteadiness, producing a relatively smooth movement, even when walking or running.
Steadicam first used in Rocky (1976)
Camera Movement
Cinematography
Putting it all together with story boarding.
Example: The Lord of the Rings