Research : Cinematography - Ms Begum

What is Cinematography ?

Cinematography:

- Cinematography is the combination of how the way the shot is framed, the angle it is taken in and the movement of the camera.

- All these techniques allow the audience to have a different representation of the character and how the audience response in different ways.

- The way the shot is framed allows the audience to see more or less of the scene and how the character is feeling or what situation they're in. For example, close up shot allow the audience to see the characters feeling through facial expressions.
- The angle the shot is taken allow the audience to see how the character is presented as inferior or superior. For example, taking a shot from high angle which is above the person's head makes the character look vulnerable and inferior. In contrast, taking a show from low angle which is below the person's feet makes the character look powerful, dominant and superior.
- The movement of the camera allow the audience to engage in the action of a scene. For example, the protagonist is being chased by the antagonist, the camera movement would be up and down or across, tilt or palling. This will allow the audience to notice where they are and what situation they're in.

Camera shots and size:

Shot sizes are the different types of camera shots.

There are many different camera shot:

''XLS'' - Extreme long shot is when you can see the character from head to toes and the surrounding. This will allow the audience to notice the characters, what they are doing and where they are. For example this is an extreme long shot of a scene from 'The Conjuring'', Lili Taylor who played 'Carolyn' part was being possessed in the basement with the camera being positioned to capture the scene, this allow the audience to see the surrounding. This leads for the audience to have sympathy towards the character due to what happen in the scene.




''LS'' - Long shot is when you can see the character from head to toes with no surrounding. This will allow the viewers to get an insight of the character's characteristic or features. For example their appearances and their gender. This is a long shot of 'Jason' from 'Friday the 13th', he is presented with long dark clothes & holding a machete. This helps the audience to notes that he's a bad character and leads the audience to have an idea of 'Jason' is going to commit a crime.








''MCU'' - Middle close up shot is when you can see the character from the shoulders and above. This will allow the audience to see the character's facial expressions and some body language. For example this is middle close up of 'Lorraine' from 'The Conjuring' showing the viewers that she's focusing on the mirror through her facial expression. This makes the audience have an idea of her being concerned due to what is going to happen to the character in the movie.




''CU'' - Close up shot is when you can see the character's face only. This will allow the audience to see the character's facial expression whether if they're feeling negative or positive. For example this is a close up shot of 'Lorraine' from 'The Conjuring' showing the viewers that she's looking back and feeling unsafe. This leads the viewers to expect what's going to happen next to 'Lorraine' and also a sign to the audience to prepare for the next scene.




''MS'' - Middle shot is when you can see the character's from their chest and above, quite similar to middle close up shot to show the character's posture, some body language and to show the importance of their characteristic through facial expressions. For example this is a middle shot of 'Lorraine' from 'The Conjuring' showing that her posture was ready to turn but her face expression shows that she's terrified. This helps to makes the audience to have a chill-excitement feeling as they know what to expect in the next scene.




''XCU'' - Extreme close up shot is when the camera is focus in one particular part of the character's body to shows importance and the key moment in thrillers. For example the camera is focusing on the character's eye, and we can justify a number of feelings just by looking at this one particular part. This makes the audience think about how the character's feeling through eye contacts and also helps the audience to reflect due to what happen in the movie.

''ES'' - Establishing shot is when you can see the whole location and mostly used in the beginning of a film, it gives the audience an idea of where the film is being set, for example this is an establishing shot of 'The Amazing Spider-Man', this allow the viewers to notice the location and have an insight of where the scenery of the film is being set. 

Camera Angles:

- Camera angles is where the camera is being positioned to take shots from different angles.

''High Angle'' is when the camera has been positioned above the character. This camera shot makes the character look less powerful and vulnerable towards the audience. The used of this camera angle makes the audience feel sympathy towards the character as they see them as the victim. For example the 'female victim' is being looked down from the camera showing that she's weak and useless.

''Low Angle'' is when the camera is has been positioned underneath the character. This camera shot makes the character look powerful and dominant towards the audience. The used of this camera angle makes the audience afraid or admire the character as they are presented as hero or an antagonist. For example 'Chucky' is being filmed from underneath makes him look extremely dangerous and fearful.

Camera Movement:

There are many different ways the camera can move for example:

- Panning shot is when the camera move across the screen. This video down here is an example of a thriller film called 'Moon In The Gutter', the panning shot showing the victim's body suggest that she has been raped and left dead on the street. This allows the audience to have a closer look at her dead body and feel sympathy towards the female victim. Also makes the question themselves to find out who the murderer is.

- Tilt shot is when the camera moves up and down. The opening of this video down here of a recent thriller film called 'World War Z' from 0:01 - 0:03 is an example. The tilt shot shows the whole scene where there are a lot of traffic in the early morning which suggest the time and location where the scene is being set. This helps the audience to not anticipate anything to happen yet as the scene is looking fine and peacefully where people are casually stuck in traffic in the early morning.

- Crane shot is when you take shots on a crane, it helps to make the camera movement flexible. This video down here of a action-thriller film called 'Taken 2' from 0:03 - 0:06 is an example. The crane shot is used to show the whole mountain scene who's involve in the scene. This allows the audience to note where the film is being set and makes the audience feel content as the scene is looking perfectly normal without any dark intentions.

- Zoom is when you zoom in or out of a scene to take a shot to capture emotions or to get away from it. This video down here of the most famous scene from the first thriller movie ever called 'Psycho' is an example. Zoom is used to show the character whole body from far away to close up to his face. This allows the audience to have a closer look at the character as the zoom shot is showing the viewers all the informations about the character from how he looks like to how he behave as the camera is getting closer. This makes the audience feel uncomfortable as they feel like the antagonist is moving closer and look right at them.

- Point of view shot is when the camera is being film to make it looks like it is from the person's view. The whole opening scene of this thriller film called 'Halloween' is an example. Point of view shot is showing the mysterious character's view as he walk inside the house. This allows the audience to see what the character is seeing and feel more engage as they feel like they're the character in the movie.

- Hand held shot is when the camera moves with the person. This trailer down here from a thriller movie called 'Paranormal Activity' is an example. Hand held shot is showing a real footage of how the viewers reaction whilst watching the movie. This helps to makes the trailer look more effective and makes the viewers who have not seen the movie feel frightened as they can see how other people react towards the movie but also boost up their curiosity to come watch and find out for themselves.

Conclusion:

- All the information above has helped me to have a deeper understanding of how each shot is being taken in different positions and angles. I'm looking forward to use the camera shot/size, camera angle and a few camera movement such as hand held shot, point of view shot, zoom, panning and tilt shot to develop my camera skills and also to use these techniques whilst doing my AS coursework's to gain as many marks as necessary.