CREATIVE ARTS | CINEMATOGRAPHY

THE BIG PICTURE

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 1 Creative Arts | Cinematography

Whether a high-flying fantasy with dragons, an action-packed adventure stuffed with superheroes, or a silly comedy about a wacky anchorman, movies all have some key components in common: they are made up of many, many moving parts. One of the most important is cinematography. You simply can’t make a movie without it!

Cinematography is a fancy term for shooting a movie with a camera. Where photography speaks to the art of still images, cinematography refers to capturing a series of still images in sequence to create a motion picture (kind of like a flipbook). When you capture any bit of video on any camera, that could count as cinematography, or “writing with the camera.” How you move the camera, what you choose to show or exclude, and how long you choose to shoot, all shape the cinematography.

On film sets, the person in charge of cinematography is known as the cinematographer, or the director of photography. This means he or she will most often run the camera, and leads the camera and lighting departments to create the director’s vision for a film.

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The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 2 Creative Arts | Cinematography

ZOOMING INLike many fields, filmmaking has its own language that allows people who are making a movie (a team called the crew) to talk specifically about what needs to be done. Below are some crucial terms for cinematography.

SHOT Shots are the building blocks of film. From the moment you press record to the moment you press stop, whatever is filmed in between is the shot. There are various kinds of shots that describe how close the camera is to the subject. Close-up is when the camera is very close on an actor’s face. A medium shot generally shows the actor from the waist up. A long shot shows the full performer. An establishing shot shows the actor(s) as well as the location of a scene; it establishes where a scene is taking place. A two-shot is when two people are both shown in a shot together. Shots will later be cut together by an editor to build the scenes as you see them in movies.

SCENE & SEQUENCE A scene is a collection of shots that happen in the same time and place. For example, if there’s a story where a knight tells a king he will slay a viscous dragon, one scene would be the knight in the throne room talking to the king. But when he leaves that room, a new scene begins. His trip out of the castle’s fortifications might be another scene. His journey into the towering dark forest another. Every time the movie cuts to a new location, it’s a new scene. A sequence is related scenes strung together. So the knight’s leaving the castle would be a sequence. His encounter with the dragon could be another.

FRAMING When someone on a set asks, “What’s the framing?”, they’re really asking, “What can the camera see?” Imagine you’re holding up an empty picture frame. When you position it, whatever can be seen inside the frame will comprise the picture. A camera’s frame works the same way. Whatever is important to be seen in the shot, must be included inside the frame.

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The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 3 Creative Arts | Cinematography

CAMERA MOVEMENT Camera movements are described most often with these words.

Pan means the camera swivels from left to right, or right to left, like if you were turning your head to talk to a friend seated next to you on the school bus.

Tilt is when the camera swivels up or down, like if you look up at the sky or down to your toes by tilting your head.

Dolly is motion described by the camera itself moving from its spot. It’s like if you walked to get a better view of something, or squatted down or climbed on a ladder to get a better vantage point.

Zoom is if you stayed right where you were, but used a pair of binoculars to see something in more detail.

TAKE Rather than filming the full scene all at once, directors of photography often break shooting into pieces, called takes. A take is used to describe just the action or dialogue that will be filmed for a given shot. For example, if a character says something silly, then tumbles comically down a flight of stairs, one shot might be him or her saying the silly thing in close-up. Shooting this talking section would be its own set of takes. The director might choose to do it three, four, or a dozen times. A second set of takes would capture the character’s fall down the stairs, from a different shot.

Often on film sets, takes are short—several seconds to a few minutes long, depending on the shot. These takes will be filmed over and over, until everything in them is just right, according to the director. Sometimes, directors will try a long take, which could go on for many minutes, weaving around characters, through locations, and around stunts like explosions or fist fights, all to wow the audience with a combination of choreographed action and masterfully moving cinematography.

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The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 4 Creative Arts | Cinematography

LIGHTING With all the advances in camera phones and apps with fun filters, it’s easy to overlook one of the most crucial parts of cinematography—lighting! The cinematographer is in charge of making sure everything on a film is lit just right. Sometimes this means being sure that every character can be viewed in a big battle scene. Sometimes this means creating dark shadows so a haunted house looks extra creepy. The lighting works with the camera to create mood and draw focus to whatever the director feels is most important in a scene.

There are a lot of elements involved in getting the lighting just right, because different cameras capture light differently. Digital cameras, like the ones on cell phones, require less light, while analog cameras, the kind that use film stock that’ll later be developed with chemicals, require more.

Lighting is often something we take for granted when watching movies with friends. But just imagine if the cinematographer didn’t put such care into every light and shadow. You might not be able to see the hero’s big moment, or the scare of a creeping monster might be ruined by lack of shadow.

#ONE MORE THING

Exposure

Also important is how much light is being let into the camera’s lens; that’s called exposure. Think about how your eyes work. When you walk into a dark room, your eyes open wider, letting in whatever light is available to let you see your surroundings better. But when you walk outside on a bright day, you squint, shutting your eyes a bit to limit the amount of light, so you can see better. On cameras, the various stages of opening and closing the iris are called f-stops, which change the image recorded by allowing varying degrees of light in. Lighting also impacts how color is captured, which is why cine-matographers depend on a white balance test. Basically, they shoot a whiteboard for reference, so that later color corrects know what “true white” looked like.

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 5 Creative Arts | Cinematography

ACTIVITY | CINEMATOGRAPHY

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To achieve your Cinematography emblem, complete all five tasks. Tasks one through four will help you with five, so you might want to do that one last.

TASK 1 Find an example of a long take in a movie recommended by your guide. It should be a complicated scene where the camera move changes location without cutting to a new shot. Imagine how difficult it must be to shoot something so involved without anybody making a mistake! People had to be in just the right place at the right time so the camera could capture it.

What does this cinematographic tool accomplish in this scene?

What are all the details that the cinematographer had to keep in mind for this scene to be successful?

NOTES

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 6 Creative Arts | Cinematography

ACTIVITY | CINEMATOGRAPHY

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TASK 2 Analyze the cinematography of a movie scene recommended by your guide. Make a shot list, which is a numbered list of every shot in the scene, noting what kind of shot it is (close-up? establishing? two-shot?), if it moves (Does it tilt? pan? dolly?), and what is seen in the shot. Be sure to also mention which characters are shown in a shot, and if any key props are included. Then, present the scene to your group, pausing to point out what you’ve spotted, and sharing how all of these elements help to create the scene.

TASK 3 Create a unique storyboard. A storyboard is sort of a comic book that filmmakers create to communicate what they want a scene’s shots to be. Think of a simple story, like a boy going to the grocery store, or a dog chasing a cat. Imagine you need to tell this story without words, only pictures. Use a variety of shots (close-up, medium, establishing) to create a storyboard, as if you were going to make this story a real movie. You can use stick figures rather than detailed drawings. Use arrows to show movement of the camera or characters. The key thing is to see if you can step someone through what’s happening with images alone!

TASK 4 Play with framing. Go online and find some images from movies; it doesn’t matter if you’ve seen the film or not. Print the image out. Then glue it to the center of a large piece of white paper or poster board, creating a large white border around it. Consider this white border the new frame. Consider how the story might change if something were added to the frame. If a movie image you printed shows Batman frowning, draw in the white space what he might be frowning about. Is it the Joker come to reign chaos on Gotham? Or is his favorite pizza place closed for a private party? Create three of these, and share them with your group, telling the stories they create.

NOTES

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 7 Creative Arts | Cinematography

ACTIVITY | CINEMATOGRAPHY

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TASK 5 Become a cinematographer! Shoot your own scene, being sure to employ a variety of shots and motion to tell your story. You can use your unique storyboard, or the lessons learned from your shot list, or the framing assignment. You can use toys to stand-in as actors, or invite some friends to be your stars. The key thing is you let the camera tell the story.

NOTES

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK! Film is often viewed as a director’s medium, but cinematographers have a huge influence on a film’s final result. Pick a cinematographer who’s done more than five films (imdb.com is a good resource). See if you can find similarities in subject, style, and genre they choose to work in. You don’t have to watch all of his or her movies; in many cases, that would be a huge undertaking! Look up scenes or trailers on line to get a feel for their cinematography. What do you think this cinematographer’s style is? Does he or she prefer to shoot action movies, fantasy/sci-fi, or kids movies? Does he or she favor vibrant colors or muted ones? What are his/her strengths? Do some research to see if this cinematographer has won awards. You may wish to deliver a presentation to your class evaluating your chosen cinematographer’s work.

CREATIVE ARTS | CINEMATOGRAPHY

GUIDE’S RESOURCES

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 1 Creative Arts | Cinematography

This topic aims to introduce the boys to cinematography and its history, developing their appreciation for it as an art form in the process! The emblem aims to help the boys understand that the ways in which a camera is used helps construct how an audience experiences a film. Cinematography is a particularly inclusive activity; it is appropriate for all ages and any setting, and can be completed at any time of year.

Before embarking on the emblem, be sure to talk to your group about film safety and laws surrounding filming. While it is legal to shoot in public places, you may not do so in private places without permission. Also, you should never film someone without their knowledge and consent. Remind students to stay safe and aware of their surroundings when filming for the individual tasks.

As visual arts play an ever-increasing role in communication, particularly on social media, learning to properly take and analyze films and/or clips has become an important skill. It is also an appropriate time to discuss and/or review issues of surrounding posting content for public view. Remind the boys that they represent the Corps, which requires them to be respectful of themselves and others, and that a responsible cinematographer seeks to produce an honorable, quality film!

X Differentiation point: Consider your (and the boys’) resources as they complete this emblem. Perhaps they have equipment, either on mobile devices or otherwise. Perhaps you have access to equipment or devices that can be shared. Sometimes, local libraries have cameras for loan.

X Differentiation point: There is specialized vocabulary associated with cinematography, and technical concepts to grasp. Be sure to provide further explanations as needed. The manual provides definitions of certain terms, but the following sites may also be helpful:

+ www.springhurst.org/cinemagic/glossary_terms.htm#shot

+ www.elementsofcinema.com/cinematography/ cinematography-basics

X Differentiation point: Depending on the ages of a group, it might be helpful to restrict movies eligible for tasks to PG or PG-13 ratings.

X Differentiation point: It might be helpful to bring in a few entertainment magazines (e.g. Entertainment Weekly, Moviemaker Magazine) to provide image sources to discuss shots and framing. Perhaps a local business or person that subscribes to magazines could donate old issues for perusal.

The group task will delve into the many terms and concepts introduced in Zooming In, in preparation for the hands-on individual tasks. The closing task will consider, and possibly view, popular faith-based films.

RESOURCES

CINEMATOGRAPHY » www.springhurst.org/cinemagic/glossary_terms. htm#shot » www.elementsofcinema.com/cinematography/ cinematogra-phy-basics » vimeo.com/90948747 » screencrush.com/ history-of-long-takes/ » www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGyq7d62oPQ » www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXIpgg58xDg » www.youtube.com/ watch?v=x-9RjZSX7irk » www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg-8MqjoFvy4 » www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx44xVgOK_Q » www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAFXoK9iqj4 » www.youtube.com/watch?v=omsNimOVH-o » www.youtube.com/watch?v=17UQz7ANv-o » accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource » www.bhphotovideo.com/explo-ra/photography/ tips-and-solu-tions/what-are-fstops-and-how-do-you-define-fast-lens%3F » photography.tutsplus.com/arti-cles/how-to-get-white-balance-correct-in-camera-every-time--photo-1093

CREATIVE ARTS | CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 2 Creative Arts | Cinematography

GUIDE’S RESOURCES

MATERIALS

¨ Manual

MATERIALS

¨ Device for viewing

¨ Movie (DVD, videocassette, or streamed)

¨ Writing tools & paper

TOPIC GUIDE: INTRODUCTION 1. Welcome students and have them sit down. For this lesson, the boys can sit in

any configuration.

2. Distribute manual and read The Big Picture together. You or a few students can read it aloud, or you can give them a moment to read to themselves.

GROUP TASK: ACTIVATING SCHEMA & ZOOMING IN 1. Ask boys about their previous experiences with cinematography. You may

consider asking the following:

+ Which kinds of films do they like to watch? Why?

+ What makes a particular movie enjoyable?

+ What do the boys know about making movies, or cinematography? What do they think goes into making a movie? What kinds of decisions would someone filming a movie need to make?

2. Read Zooming In together. Be sure to repeat and illustrate terms and concepts, as necessary.

INDIVIDUAL TASKSTASK 1This task engages the boys in analyzing a clip involving a long shot, which will help deepen their understanding of a long shot as well as provide them with an opportunity to sharpen their analytical skills.

X Differentiation point: This task involves watching a movie scene (or multiple scenes, if you and the boys prefer). You will need viewing equipment, if viewing as a group. Alternatively, the boys may watch scenes outside of meeting time. If they do not have access to a television or other device for viewing, they could view a scene at a local library.

1. Find one or more examples of a long take to view. Here are some suggestions of films that use long takes:

+ Pride and Prejudice (2005, drama, PG, directed by Joe Wright) + Tomorrowland* (the jetpack scene) (2015, science-fiction, PG, directed by

Brad Bird) + Contact* (1997, science-fiction, PG, directed by Robert Zemeckis) + Hanna (2011, action, PG-13, directed by Joe Wright) + Paths of Glory (1957 war movie, unrated, directed by Stanley Kubrick) + Touch of Evil (1958, crime-drama, PG-13, directed by Orson Welles) + Gravity* (2013, science-fiction, PG-13, directed by Alfonso Cuaron) + Rope (1948, murder-mystery, unrated, directed by Alfred Hitchcock; famous

for being entirely made of long takes) + Russian Ark (2002, historical drama, not rated, directed by Aleksandr Sukurov,

famous for being entirely made of one long take)

MATERIALS

¨ Copies of manual

CREATIVE ARTS | CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 3 Creative Arts | Cinematography

GUIDE’S RESOURCES + Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2. (opening sequence) (2017, superhero, PG-13,

directed by James Gunn) + Avengers* (2012, superhero, PG-13, directed by Joss Whedon) + Spectre (2016, action, PG-13, directed by Sam Mendes)

* These employ a lot of computer-generated imagery. But for the purposes of the exercise, allow the boys to treat the scenes as if it’s one take.

2. Watch together, or have the boys watch a scene of their choice individually. The boys should be given time to take notes during and after the viewing as directed in the manual.

3. Have the boys share their responses with you and/or the group.

Further resource:This video of Top 10 Continuous Shots in Movies also offers a compilation breaking down the specific details of some of the most famous long takes.

TASK 2 This task continues analysis of scenes, by having the boys explore a scene in-depth.

X Differentiation point: This task involves watching a movie scene (or mutiple scenes, if you and the boys prefer). You will need viewing equipment, if viewing as a group. Alternatively, the boys may watch scenes outside of meeting time. If they do not have access to a television or other device for viewing, they could view a scene at a local library.

1. Find a scene to break down as directed in the manual. This may require playing the scene several times. Some movie suggestions:

+ Life of Pi (2012)

+ Field of Dreams (1990)

+ Apollo 13 (1996)

+ Goodnight and Good Luck (2006)

+ Out of Africa (1985)

+ Babe (1996)

+ Sense and Sensibility (1996)

+ A Little Princess (1995)

+ Hugo (2010)

+ Hidden Figures (2016)

All of the above are rated G or PG, and nominated for a Best Cinematography and/or Best Picture Oscar.

2. Watch together, or have the boys watch a scene of their choice individually. The boys should be given time to take notes during and after the viewing as directed in the manual.

3. Have the boys share their responses with you and/or the group.

MATERIALS

¨ Device for viewing

¨ Movie (DVD, videocassette, or streamed)

¨ Writing tools & paper

CREATIVE ARTS | CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 4 Creative Arts | Cinematography

GUIDE’S RESOURCES

TASK 3This task asks boys to create their own storyboard, which is a building block of cinematography.

1. Help the boys choose a story to tell that would make an interesting movie.

2. Monitor to make sure stories are appropriate and in line with Corps values.

3. Circulate and help as the boys bring their stories to life on the storyboard.

X Differentiation point: As pointed out in the manual, boys who are not artistically inclined with illustrating may choose simple shapes and stick figures.

This should take about 20–30 minutes. Help them keep track of time by reminding them when there are 10, 5, and 2 minutes left to work.

4. Have the boys display their storyboards for others to view. See if the group can recount the story from the storyboard, with guidance from its creator!

For tips on storyboarding: https://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource

TASK 4This task allows the boys to understand framing in cinematography by having them extend an existing frame.

X Differentiation point: This task requires access to the Internet and printer.

However, if Internet access is not available to the boys, you could bring in a few printed images from movies for boys to choose from.

1. Help the boys access a frame from a movie, if needed.

2. As they physically create an extended frame, circulate and help as needed. This should take about 10-20 minutes. They may add dialog bubbles and/or illustrations around the frame to extend it, as directed in the manual.

3. Have them repeat this for two other frames.

4. Ask the boys to pick one extended frame to share with the group. You may wish to have the boys display all of their work around the meeting space for all to admire.

TASK 5This culminating task requires boys to shoot a short scene. This could be done individually or in small groups.

X Differentiation point: As directed in the manual, the boys should use one or more of the previous tasks to help them create a scene to shoot. Alternatively, they may come up with new ideas.

X Differentiation point: Encourage boys to be creative and consider their resources for shooting their scene. Toys can stand in as actors, for example, or a bathtub filled with water can become a stormy sea. The possibilities are endless!

MATERIALS

¨ Storyboard

¨ Drawing materials (pencils, colored pencils, and/or thin markers)

MATERIALS

¨ Equipment for filming

¨ Materials for shooting scenes (will vary)

MATERIALS

¨ Internet access/printer

¨ Printed images

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The Salvation Army Adventure Corps: Rangers 5 Creative Arts | Cinematography

GUIDE’S RESOURCES X Differentiation poin:. Most likely, the boys will be creating and shooting

their scenes outside of meeting time. However, this can be completed during meeting time, if desired. It would be possible to have the boys travel to spots to film, as long as there is appropriate supervision.

1. Help the boys create a scene to shoot, using their storyboard or extended frames for inspiration, if desired.

2. Have the boys shoot the scene. If completed during meeting time, this could take an entire session, and possibly more, depending on detail of setting and storyline.

3. Once the task is complete, hold a “movie night” in which the boys show their scenes. If you wish, serve popcorn and drinks!

CLOSING TASK: FAITH-BASED FILMS Faith-based Judeo-Christian films have always been quite popular, no doubt due to the magnificent stories in the Old and New Testament. We recommend you close this task through viewing a film of your choice (or the boys’ choice, if they can agree). We recommend you preview the film and make sure all guardians have consented to the viewing. During the film, pause periodically to have the boys comment on different kinds of shots they see and how the framing affects the film.

If viewing a film is not possible, a discussion on the merits of faith-based films could be held. You could ask the boys which biblical story they would like to shoot and why. Also, you could ask them how and where they would shoot it.

Some possibilities for viewing include:

+ The Nativity Story (2006)

+ The Ten Commandments (1956)

+ Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

+ The Greatest Story Every Told (1965)

+ Samson and Delilah (1949)

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