Cineamatography is both looking and changing the way of the different shots, views and angles are taken in and the many different movements of the cameras. In which all of these things give the audience both a different view and a different representation of a scene/character (depending on the situation and scene in the current movie).
One example can be using a "crane shot" within a chase scene in a movie, this provides good flexiable movement for the camera and the ability to capture major parts of the action unfolding in the scene, in which in this scene's case; the camera which is on the crane can be used to focus on both the characters in the chase and then can track the chase unfolding by tracking the two characters running.
Cinamatography can also be used effectively to get a response from the audience and can represent a certain character in a specific way, these can include using different camera shots;
- Close-up : A certain part or feature of a subject within a scene takes up the whole frame (Such as a character reacting to a certain event through facial expressions)
- Mid-Close up : The camera focuses mostly on the upper-body of a character, the legs are cut out of view while focus is mostly concentrated on the upper body. This allows the audience to show greater detail in the characters clothing and partially some details on the character's facial expressions.
- Establishing shot :
- Extreme Close-up
- Mid Shot
As well as using different camera angles, using a low angle shot on a character to make them appear more taller and give them a sense of higher authority.
In terms of a thriller however; The cinamatography used in these films are usually aimed to try to achieve a specific aim which should create a sense of awareness, suspense and paranoia by using the techniques in cinematography such as the use of camera angles (eye-level, etc), camera sizes (Close up, Long shot, etc), deciding to include iconography (props), camera movements (panning, etc), and the most important, the use of lighting (filler lights, etc)
All of the above, if used effectively that is and relating to the genre of the movie it is used in can both improve the overall quality and effect the movie has on the audience, and also the way and how effective the way the characters are represented (were the killers of the movie seen as dark and sinister?, were they converted from a good person to a very violent one?, etc)
Jonathan, a very good introduction and you clearly discuss what cinematography looks at in terms of the camera techniques. You provide a good example of a crane when discussing thrillers, perhaps you should discuss some more quick examples here to demonstrate your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThe presentation of your work needs a little work. State under different headings, shot sizes, angles and movements, and here provide the examples and definitions that we have learned in class.
To strengthen this, also provide still images and clips from thrillers that are analysed using PEER.
You should end the post with some discussion on how the analysis of cinematography has helped you develop some of your own ideas for a thriller.