Research Cinematography

What is Cinenatorgraphy?
Cinematography is looking at the way the shot is framed, the angle it is taken in and the movement of teh camera. All these things give the audienence different representations of the character and allows the audienece to respond in different ways.

Camera sizes
There are many different camera sizes that can be used within film; such as:

• XLS (Extreme Long Shot)

An extreme long shot is a wider frame value in which subjects in the frame are small. Thais may also be known as an establishing shot; used to allow the audience to have a full visual of the mise en scene; often used to show scenes in thrillers such as disaters.

• LS (Long Shot) 

A long shot is where the whole subject is relitivley small enough to fit the hieght of the frame. Allows the audience to see a full length of a character and its body movement.

• MS (Mid Shot)

A mid shot is a shot that shows a character from the waist and up. The audience can see the character in abit more detail than a long shot and can start to focus on the facial expression more aswell as the body angle. In this shot the characters angry facial expression and tensed body allows me to identify the feeling of hatred towards who ever he is pointing the gun at; indecating the end of a fight scene and themes of revenge or good vs evil.

• MCU (Medium Close Up)

A medium close up is when the camera starts to focus on the facial expression of the character more. A MCU shot is useful when creating a build up of tension in a thriller. In this shot the expression of fear, worry and confusion is clear on the characters face.A MCU shot is likely to be used as a build up to a zoom into a close up or extreme close up.

• CU (Close Up)

A close up is when the subject is seen as large and the background is barely vision. It focuses on the characters face from the kneck to the top of the head or on an object in detail. This allows the audience to focuses solely on the characters facial expression; in this image the audience can clearly see the character is sufforing extreme pain, torture and agony.

• XCU (Extreme Close Up)

An extreme close up shows more detail than an average close up showing parts of a face or greater detail of an object. This is used in thrillers during a build up of tension.

Camera Angles:

In film there are different types of angles the camera can shoot from; here are some examples:

• High Angle Shot

A high angle shot is shot from above making the character or object appear small. This can be used to make the victim/protagonist look small and vrunerable or to make the villan/antagonist look evil; in this image of the joker (The dark Knight) he is looking up at the camera making his eyes look dark and evil along with his make-up. 

• Low Angle Shot 

A low angle shot is used to make the character or object appear large.This is often used to make characters look heroic as seen in this image of batman in 'The Dark Knight' 

Camera Movements:

There are a range of camera movements used in film, some examples are:

• Panning Shot

This is when the camera moves horizontally to the left or right; used to track objects or follow movement. Helps the audience to follow the movements of characters or objects. Often used in action thrillers.

• Tilt Shot

When the camera moves up and down often used to film a signiture landmark or building. Used to create a more dramatic energy amongst the audience.

• Cran Shot

This is when the camera is placed on a crane to film; allows more flexible camera movement and allows the auidence to see the scene from different areas and angles smoother and in a shorter amount of time.

• Zoom

This is when the camera moves between/from a larger shot to a smaller shot. Often used in thrillers during a build up of tension as it creates fearful excitment and makes the audience anxious.

• Point Of View

When the camera is filmed from an angle that looks like its from a characters point of view. For example; a conversation between 2 people being filmed from an angle inwhich the camera is facing one person and we can only see that person as the other person is situated behind or next to the camera. This makes it seem like we as an audience are looking from the characters own eyes giving off a more realistic feel.

• Hand Held

When the camera is moves with the character. For example is a character is walking the camera is moving along with the person.

Conclusion:

I have now widened my knownledge of Cinematorgraphy and have a clearer plan of which techniques i would like to involve in my own thriller. I am considering using close ups, mid shots and low angle shots to help create tension within my thriller; along with point of view and panning shots.