basic cinematography concepts
DESCRIPTION
Overview of basic cinematography concepts for introductory level film course.TRANSCRIPT
Basic Cinematography Concepts
THFM 1610: Introduction to Film
Dr. Rosalind SibielskiBowling Green State University
The ShotOne uninterrupted
take in filming Take = recording of
image from time camera is started to time that it is stopped
Shots are separated by edits
The Scene Series of shots that are unified by
action or events taking place in the same location at the same time
A change in scene is marked by a change in location and/or in time
Scenes are often recorded multiple times (multiple takes) using different camera and lighting set-ups
Scenes are composed by mixing shots from these various takes
Image Tone (Tonality)The range of color tones and
shades, as well as the gradations of light, within the image
Controlled byFilm Stock
Contrast
Exposure
Technological manipulation of coloring
ContrastComparative difference between the light and dark tones in the image
High ContrastStark contrast
between brightest and darkest shades in the color spectrum with few variations in color tone in-between
Creates rich, saturated colors when used with color film stock
Low ContrastMinimal contrast
between brightest and darkest shades in the color spectrum with a large range of tones in-between
Washes out and dulls colors when used with color film stock
ExposureRefers to how much light passes through the camera lens while images are recorded during filming
OverexposureResults in high light levels so that the image appears overly bright
UnderexposureResults in low light levels so that the image appears overly dark
Technological Manipulation of Coloring
• Hand/Digital Coloring
• Light Filter• Tinting/Toning
Speed of Motion Rate at which images are
recorded and projected
The standard frame rate for movies is 24 frames per second
Filming at a higher rate (>24 fps)results in motion appearing slowed-down when projected at 24 fps
Filming at a lower rate (<24 fps) results in motion appearing sped-up when projected at 24 fps
Fast Motion
Time LapseAn extreme form of fast-
motion cinematography.
Images are recorded over long intervals (one every minute, hour, etc.)
Most often used to condense the passage of a long period of time into a few shots
SlowMotion
Freeze Frame
Types of Lenses Short-focal-length (wide
angle) lens = wide horizontal field of vision
Results in slight distortion at edges of the image
Exaggerates depth, making images in foreground appear bigger and distance between foreground and background appear further away
Types of LensesMiddle-focal-length
(medium) lens = avoids noticeable perspective distortion
Closely mimics the filed of vision of the human eye
Long-focal-length (telephoto) lens = covers greater distance but takes in a narrower horizontal field of vision
Cues for volume and depth are reduced
Image appears squished or flattened
Types of Lenses
Depth of FieldThe range of
distance before the lens within which objects can be photographed in sharp focus
Planes of the Image• Background = part of the image that is the
furthest distance from the camera
• Middle ground = midpoint within the image
• Foreground = part of the image that is the closest to the camera
Deep FocusAll planes of the
image are clearly in focus
Selective FocusOnly one plane of
the image is in focus, while the other two planes are out of focus
Framing = using the borders of the cinematic image (the film frame) to select and compose what is visible onscreen
In filming, the frame is formed by the viewfinder on the camera
In projection, it is formed by the screen
Framing
Onscreen Space = space depicted within the frame
Offscreen Space = space in the movie world that is outside the borders of the frame
Onscreen & Offscreen Space
Relative height of the camera in relation to eye-level
Framing: Camera Height
At eye level
Below eye level
The camera’s relative horizontal position in relation to the horizon
Parallel to horizon
Canted framing
Framing: Camera Level
Vantage point imposed on image by camera’s position
Straight-On
High Angle
Low Angle
Framing: Camera Angle
Types of Shots
Content of shot appears at an extreme distance. If figures appear in the shot they are too small to clearly identify.
Extreme Long Shot
Figures can be seen in full view (body fills the frame) with some area above and below visible. Background can also be clearly seen.
Long Shot
Figures can be seen from the knees up. Background is largely visible within the frame.
Medium Long Shot
Figures are visible from the waist up. Some background is visible within the frame.
Medium Shot
Figures are visible from the middle of the chest to the top of the head. Limited back-ground is visible within the frame.
Medium Close-Up
In the case of figures, a single part of the body (most often the face) fills the frame vertically. In the case of objects, the object fills the frame vertically.
Close-Up
A single detail of an object or a figure fills the entire frame.
Extreme Close-up
Reframing of the shot by moving the position of the camera during filming rather than cutting to a new take filmed from a different camera set-up
Mobile Framing
Camera swivels from right to left or left to rightCamera is mounted on tripod and remains stationary
Pan/panning shot
lateral movement of the camera in any direction Camera is mounted on a
dolly and moves along a track
Differs from a zoom shot, where a variable focus lens is used to adjust focus while the camera remains stationary
Tracking shot
Camera moves unrestricted through space, often changing directionHandheld Camera
results in shaky image (Cloverfield example)
Steady Cam used for fluid camera movement (Magnolia example)
Travelling shot
Camera tilts up or down Camera is mounted on tripod and remains stationary
Tilt shot
Camera physically moves up or down through space
Camera is generally mounted on a crane
Crane shot
Length of time the shot is held before an edit
Long Take = shot that lasts for an extended period of time before cutting to the next shot in the scene
Sequence Shot = when an entire scene is shot in one take with no edits and no interruption in filming
Shot Duration
The following example is labeled as a long take. It is more accurately an example of a sequence shot, since the entire scene is filmed in one very long take.
A long take can occur within a scene in which it is not the only shot, but instead is combined with shorter takes of other shots.
In a sequence shot, the entire scene is filmed in one single long take.
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