PowerPoint Presentation
Film 100: Introduction to FilmFilm terminology: ability to
understand and apply basic film terms Basic elements of film: the
building blocks of cinemaProduction process: basics of how films
are madeBasic critical analysis: how meaning is constructed in
film, ideology, cultural and historical influencesWriting about
film: develop thesis and support it with examples from the film in
question
Elements of FilmNarrative: How story is
constructedCinematography: Process by which moving images are
recorded on film or videoMise en scne: All that is included in the
frameEditing: How the various shots (and the sounds) in a film are
put togetherSound: AudioWriting About Film: Pulling it all
togetherAccurately describe what you see onscreen using proper
terminologyCritically analyze scenes and explain how various film
elements are used to create meaning
CHAPTER 2: CINEMATOGRAPHYWHAT IS CINEMATOGRAPHY?CINEMA =
FILMOGRAPHY = a system of rules or laws, or body of knowledge of a
particular subject. The process by which moving images are recorded
on film including:Camerawork (movement, angles, etc.)LensesFilm
StockLightingFiltersIn-Camera Special Effects (NOT CGI)
CHAPTER 2: CINEMATOGRAPHYToday were going to look at how various
areas of cinematography work together to convey visual film
narrative, both structurally and psychologically. Were going to do
this by looking at how shots and scenes are made up of specific
decisions about camera DISTANCE, ANGLES, and MOVEMENT.
THE FRAMEThe first motion pictures evolved out of the serial
photography of Eadweard Mubridge in 1872 over a bet:
THE FRAMEThis is how motion picture cameras came into being;
inventors took that concept and turned it into moviesTo record
film: the film advances through a motion picture camera housing,
pausing briefly before the aperture where that section is exposed
to light through the camera lens EACH EXPOSURE CONSTITUES A
FRAME
THE FRAMEThis is how motion picture cameras came into being;
inventors took that concept and turned into moviesTo play back
film: the process is basically reversed, with light shining out
from WITHIN the projector, creating the frame rateMost films are
recorded and projected at 24-frames per second. As a result, modern
feature films may contain over 170,000 frames. Films are moving
toward 48-frames per secondTHE HISTORY OF FRAME RATE FOR FILM
THE FRAMEThe term FRAME also refers to the rectangular boundary
of the cinematic image as it appears on screen in a particular
ASPECT RATIOA frames boundaries separate ON-SCREEN SPACE (what we
see) from OFF-SCREEN SPACE (what we dont see); deciding what is in
the frame and what isnt (often called framing) is at the heart of
filmmaking
THE FRAMEOn the Waterfront - Aspect Ratio Visual Essay
THE SHOTWhat is a a shot?A SHOT is one uninterrupted run of the
camera resulting in a continuous image; put another way, a shot
consists of the persistent image produced from the time the camera
starts filming until it stops; these shots are then EDITED together
in a film to make a sceneSEQUENCE SHOTS encompass a sequence of
events instead of editing individual shots togetherVIDEO
EXAMPLE
GRADUATE EXAMPLESSHOTS (individual in nature): SHOTS EDITED
together in a film to make a scene: THE GRADUATE: 9:38 12:49
(Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson have a drink)SEQUENCE SHOT encompasses
a sequence of events instead of editing individual shots together:
THE GRADUATE: 15:56 19:47 (Mr. Robinson comes home and talks to
Ben)BOTH ARE USED TO CREATE SCENES!
SCENEWhat is a SCENE?: A narrative unit composed of one or more
shots; confined to a single period of time and typically takes
place in one locationCROSS-CUTTING exception =Scenes that depict
two or more actions occurring at the same time but in different
places; also known as PARALLEL ACTIONSILENCE OF THE LAMBS
example
CAMERA DISTANCEWhat is a CAMERA DISTANCE?: The perceived
distance between the camera and the subject; the actual distance is
often impossible to gauge because of the LENS being used; what were
talking about is how far away things on the screen LOOK to the
audience
BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSEXTREME LONG SHOTThe camera
is perceived to be a great distance from the subjectOften also
called an establishing shot
8 BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSLONG SHOTTypically when
the camera is perceived to be far away enough so an entire human
body is visible in the frame and in which some portion of the
setting is apparent
BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSFULL SHOTTypically when the
camera is perceived to be at a distance where an entire human body
nearly fills the frame from top to bottom
BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSMEDIUM SHOTTypically when
the camera is perceived to be at a distance to show the figure from
the waist up (approximately)Medium approximates HALF
BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSMEDIUM SHOTA medium shot may
also be designated by the number of main figures in it or how
theyre seen:TWO-SHOTTHREE-SHOTOVER-THE-SHOULDER (OTS)
BASIC TYPES OF CAMERA DISTANCE SHOTSCLOSE-UP SHOTA close-up shot
is when the camera is perceived to be close enough to the subject
so it fills the frame; from shoulders up on a face but the main
subject can be anythingEXTREME CLOSE-UP is when the camera is
perceived to be so close, nothing is visible except the main
subject, whatever it might be
DEPTH OF FIELDWhat is DEPTH OF FIELD?DEPTH OF FIELD is the
portion of the frame that is IN FOCUS in the shotSHALLOW DEPTH OF
FIELD = a limited area of the image is in focusLARGE DEPTH OF
FIELD/DEEP FOCUS = a large area of the image appears to be in
focus
RACK + SOFT FOCUSWhat is RACK FOCUS?RACK FOCUS is when the depth
of field is used to direct/manipulate the viewers attentionTHE
GRADUATE: 01:06:40 01:06:57 (Elaine realizes Benjamin has slept
with her mother)SOFT FOCUS is when the image is blurred with
diffused lighting, filters, and a shallow depth of field
CAMERA ANGLESWhat is a CAMERA ANGLE?CAMERA ANGLE is how the
camera is tilted/position towards its subject; from what ANGLE is
the physical camera looking at the subject?
CAMERA ANGLESEYE-LEVEL SHOTAlso known as the straight-on shot;
level with the subjects face with NO ANGLE to the cameras position;
NEUTRAL and not adding to the dramatic intensity of the shot
CAMERA ANGLESLOW-ANGLE SHOTThe camera is shooting up from a LOW
point; increases the perceived height of the subject
CAMERA ANGLESHIGH-ANGLE SHOTThe camera is shooting down from a
HIGH point; tends to diminish the stature of the subject and create
an impression of superiority on the part of the viewer
CAMERA ANGLESUSING ANGLES TO CONVEY MEANINGIn this scene, the
director uses ANGLES to depict the relationship between Benjamin
and his fatherThe Graduate: 41:00 41:55 (Ben and his father talk
while Ben floats in the pool)
CAMERA ANGLESBIRDS EYE-ANGLE SHOTAlso known as an AERIAL shot;
the camera is positioned high overhead usually on a crane or
helicopter, or top of building and creates a sense of godlike
omniscience
CAMERA ANGLESOBLIQUE/DUTCH-ANGLE SHOTThe camera is tilted to one
side so that the horizon line is no longer horizontal but skewed;
tends to create a sense of disorientation, chaos, or confusion for
a character, shot, or scene
CAMERA MOVEMENTSMOBILE FRAMINGUnlike still photography, cinema
has the ability to employ MOBILE FRAMING and move the camera during
filming; this makes it possible to follow the action, as well as
convey emotions or induce responses in viewers
CAMERA MOVEMENTSPAN SHOT MOVEMENTWhen the camera PANS, the
camera does not actually change location, but it does pivot from
side to side horizontally as if on a tripodVIDEO EXAMPLE
CAMERA MOVEMENTSTILT SHOT MOVEMENTWhen the camera TILTS, the
camera does not actually change location, but it does pivot up or
down vertically as if on a tripodVIDEO EXAMPLE
CAMERA MOVEMENTSDOLLY/TRACKING SHOT MOVEMENTThis is when the
entire camera moves; typically mounted on a wheeled platform and
guided along rails; it may move forward or backward, from side to
side, or even in an arc as it filmsTHE GRADUATE: 58:36 59:40
(Elaine flees the club, Benjamin follows)
CAMERA MOVEMENTSDOLLY/TRACKING SHOT MOVEMENTDOLLY/TRACKING SHOT
MONTAGE
CAMERA MOVEMENTSCRANE SHOT MOVEMENTThis is when the camera is
attached to a movable arm that allows the camera to move in any
direction while floating above the groundWINGSCRANE SHOT
MONTAGE
CAMERA MOVEMENTSHANDHELD MOVEMENTThis is achieved just as it
sounds, using just your hands to hold the camera with no artificial
stabilization so often a jittery, realistic feel is conveyedTHE
GRADUATE: 21:38 23:25 (Benjamin enters the pool in scuba
gear)BIRDMAN example
CAMERA MOVEMENTSSTEADICAM MOVEMENTAllows for greater portability
and ease of camera movement than a dolly or crane shotSTEADICAM
SCIENCE AT THE MOVIES
CAMERA MOVEMENTSZOOM MOVEMENTWhile technically not a movement, a
ZOOM shot can sometimes resemble a DOLLY shot; by zooming IN, part
of the image can be enlarged; by zooming OUT, part of the image can
be made smallerZOOM SHOT MONTAGEZOOM out in The Graduate: 01:07:10
01:07:20 (Mrs. Robinson tells Benjamin Goodbye)
CAMERA MOVEMENTSDOLLY ZOOM MOVEMENTThis movement combines the
DOLLY and the ZOOM to create a singularly unique effect; you do
this by dollying/moving backwards while simultaneously zooming
inDOLLY ZOOM MONTAGE
IN-CLASS WORKSHEETWell watch the opening and ending scenes from
THE GRADUATE and discuss the various CAMERA DISTANCES, CAMERA
ANGLES, and CAMERA MOVEMENTS employed in each
IN-CLASS WORKSHEETOPENING SCENE/CREDITS:00:00:00 00:02:55
IN-CLASS WORKSHEETCLOSING SCENE/CREDITS:01:37:00 01:41:19
LOOKING AHEADREAD CHAPTER THREE: MISE EN SCNEIN-CLASS QUIZ:
CHAPTER TWO NEXT WEEKFILM SCREENING: TBD