Cinematography

Learning objective

To be able to show the understanding of cinematography and how it is used within thriller films.

Lesson outcomes

ALL : Define at least one camera element. E

MOST : Describe at least 3 or more camera elements .C

SOME : To be able to use media terminology to analyse the camera shots with an example. A

Cinematography 

 Is the act or making of a film with the combination of camera elements , displaying how a scene is shot.

Elements to consider when making a film.

-Generic conventions- this can come under sound, mise-en-scene, lighting ect, all generic conventions are what the audience will expect to see when making a thriller film, combining these factors and thinking about how they all can be used  will differ between a thriller and other genres.

- Target audience: When thinking of a film, having a target audience to aim at will mean satisfying and pleasing viewers will be easier then if you try and aim the film at everyone, for example having a target audience of a certain age group or gender.
 

-Genre: Type of category or film, in this case a thriller genre.

 - Team work:  How the team will be able to pull together and make a good film with all the

   correct factors

 - Editing: Editing give the option of improving scenes or enhancing on them what you can not do straight from recording.

The three elements that make up cinematography are:

Ø  Camera movement - Represents the audience's viewpoint or perspective, during the course of filming. Movement plays a significant role in the emotional language of film images and the audience's reaction to the action on the screen as the camera itself may be moved to create an effect.

Ø  Camera angles- The camera angle marks the precise place at which a camera is put to take a shot. It may be shot from various camera angles. This will give / show the audience a different viewpoint.

Ø  Camera positions –This is the position of the camera and how a scene is shot by where the camera is placed.

Camera Movements

0.30 – 0.33 (pan shot) follows he woman from her dresser to the bathroom, indicates a change of location.

2.37 -2.47 (tracking shot) in which the focus from the subject , in the case the woman’s foot is taken away and follows the stream of running water down the drain.

2.47 – 2.54 ( zoom in ) a zoom in into the plug, shows the running water seeping down, although it is in black and white we can make the assumption that there is blood mixed in with water the use of this camera movement outlines the remains of her washing away down the drain.

2.55 - 3.24 (zoom out) from a small portion of her eye to her into face, showing not only is she dead but the complete facial expression is shown in a slow motion for the audience to anticipate.

Camera Angles

 

(Straight on angle) shows the action straight ahead, able to see her facial expression without being at an angle.

 

(High angle shot) slightly tilted above the action enables the audience to witness the killing to an extent in a birds eye view, capturing a wider coverage.

( Low angle shot ) low angle shot of the shower head is sort of like point of view shot as the woman as the water flows down.

 
Camera Positions

Over the shoulder shot – This helps create the suspense of the man creeping up on the female character, we as the audience can see it coming however she is unaware as it is over her shoulder facing her back.

Extreme close up – focuses on a specific section, usually on the face, here the focus is on the female’s eye. The fact that it is wide open with no movement indicates she is dead.

Close up  - Shows a larger surface area of the woman’s face, confirms her death by all parts of her features such as her still facial expression and position of her face on the floor.

Medium long shot – displays just above the knee of the female character, showing her actions from a distance.  


  
Relation To My Own Thriller Film :

In relation to my thriller opening, cinematography is considered when filming is taking place, looking back at my preliminary task I hardly had any range of cinematography.  Positions, angles and movements can create an effect such as detail and suspense depending how a scene is shot. I could use various shots such as high angle to show dominance within a shot or close ups to show reaction and detail.