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