Learning objective
To be able to showing understanding to cinematography and how it is used within thriller films.
Lesson outcomes
All: describe at least one camera element. E
Most: describe at least 3 or more camera elements .C
Some: uses media language correctly to analyze the camera shots with example. A
The three elements that make up cinematography are:
Camera movement
Camera angles
Camera shots
Camera shots
A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film.
Extreme long shot (ELS)
Contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location. The way I would use this in my own production is to show my setting and everything around it so the audience can be used to the location and relate to the characters more. For example if the house is by its self in the middle of nowhere and I don’t show this we as the audience would think we don’t they just go next door for help or call someone to help, but by showing the house is in the middle of nowhere we know that the chanters are going to have a hard time to find help.
Establishing shot (ES)
Defines the location and gives the audience a perspective on the action that is to follow. Also they are often essential to defining a genre. The way I would use this shot in my own production is to make the shot look spooky so I could tell the audience with the first shot that this is a thriller movie and to prepare them for the film. For example a lone house on a mountain with thunder and lightning this is a common scary house and once you see this you know that the film will be scary to fit it.
Master shot (MS)
Are similar to establishing shots and are used at the beginning of sequences, as a reference point for the rest of the sequence to follow. i would use this for my own production to show the audience many locations. For example if i was using two location and was jumping between them I would show both one after the other with a master shot so the audience know both location and don’t get lost.
Long shot (LS)
Contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters. You would mainly see this shot when a new character is introduced or a new relationship. I would use this in my production because i will need to show my characters relationships and costumes so the audience can relate with them more and know how they will act. For example a long shot of a teenager with ripped clothes show that he’s dirty and don’t really care what he looks like he also can be poor which we all got from just seeing his costume.
Medium long shot (MLS)
When the shot focus on the subject from the knees upwards. It also permits a balance between the subject and surrounding. You will mostly see this shot when the director wants you to focus on the character and the background at the same time. I would use this for my own production to show scary scene when someone is following the character as the example below shows.
Medium shot (MIDS)
Contains the characters or a character from the waist up. From this shot, viewers can see the characters' faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. This is also known as a social shot. you would mostly see this shot to get a good look of the character and they face expressions. I would use this in my own production to show the character clearly without being to close as seen in the examples below.
Close up (CU)
Contains just one character's face. This enables viewers to understand the actor's emotions and also allows them to feel empathy for the character. This is also known as a personal shot. You would mostly see this when the character is showing a lot of facial expression so the audience can clearly see and focus on this one character. I would use this for my own production to show my character reaction to something that is scary or upsetting them. The image below is a good example to show fear and the other image below that to show happiness.
Point of view (POV)
A shot used, to imply that the camera is looking from the eyes of the subject. You would most see this when the director want you as the audience to relate and fell like you’re the character. I would use this in my own production to show life though the eyes of the killer to look at the Victim as this make you feel for the more for the Victim. for example the image below when the killer is killing the victim this make us feel like we are killing her which make us feel sorry for the Victim.
Extreme close up (ECU)
Contains one part of a character's face or other object. This technique is quite common in horror films. This type of shot creates an intense mood and provides interaction between the audience and the viewer. I would use this in my own production to show key objects or to use along the kulcov effect to show someone is dead. For example the if I showed a man with a knife going to stab someone then went to the image below you as the audience would think that he has killed her.
Two shot (TS)
Is where two people are featured in the frame. This is mostly used to show conversation between two people. I would use this is my own production because its very easy to do and takes less effort than keep changing to person to person when talking. For example the images below show two people having a conversation in a mid shot view.
Over the shoulder shot
Is where the camera is placed at the shoulder level and is shot this way. Mostly used to show a person POV but with use also seeing the person. I would use this is my own production to show that the killer is watching the victim. For example the image below shows the victim from the killers POV but also show the killer.
Over head shots
Show the subject and surrounding to get more of an impact on what is happening. This is mostly used when we walk to see the character facial expression and the backgrounds alone side it. I would use this is my own production to show a climax to a scene. For example staring from a mid shot then to an over head shot to show the background then to fade out to black to end.
Camera angles
Camera angles are used to position the viewer so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are very important for shaping meaning in film as well as in other visual texts.
Straight on angle
Puts the audience on an equal footing with the character/s. This is the most commonly used angle in most films as it allows the viewers to feel comfortable with the characters. i would use this in my own production to make the audience relate a feel closer to my character. for example if my character was looking at you at eye level you will feel that the character is looking straight at you.
High angle shot
Is a camera angle that looks down upon a subject. A character shot with a high angle will look vulnerable or small. These angles are often used to demonstrate to the audience a perspective of a particular character. i would use this in my own production to show how powerful some one feels looking down on another character. For example a vampire looking down on it prey.
Low angle shot
Is a camera angle that looks up at a character. This is the opposite of a high angle and makes a character look more powerful. This can make the audience feel vulnerable and small by looking up at the character. This can help the responder feel empathy if they are viewing the frame from another character's point of view. i would use this in my own production to show that the character/killer has more power over us and the victim . For example a man with a knife standing with a low angle looking up to him.
Camera movement
Zoom
When zooming the camera does not move and the lens is focused down from a long shot to a close up, whilst recording. This is mostly used to emphasis key images that are too far. I would use this in my own production to zoom in from a long shot to a close up of the killers face to make it more intense.
Tracking( Dolling)
When tracking, the camera itself is moved smoothly towards or away from the subject while the focus remains constant. Tracking in (like zooming ) draws the audience into a closer relationship with the subject , moving away tends to create emotional distance. This is mostly used to follow the action in the film. I would use this in my own production to follow my victim running away from something or to something.
Tracking back
Tends to divert attention to the edges of the screen and the speed of tracking may affect the viewer’s mood.
Pan
The camera moves from left to right or right to left to follow a moving subject. This is mostly used to show the surrounding of the character to get a good sense of what’s going to happen. i would use this in my own production to emphasise how spooky my location is. For example a pan for a house on the mountain to show the house, mountain, the fog and that nothing is around it.
Whip pan
Is when a very fast pan causes the subject to blur. This is mostly use to quickly spin around to focus on something else. I would use this is my production to show the victim then to whip pan around to show the killer attacking.
Hand-held
Is used to produce a jerky, bouncy, unsteady image , which can create a sense of immediacy or chaos. This is mostly used to make used feel like we are watching armature footage. I would use this is my own production by used it like some it film the last day of their life with a mobile phone camera. For example the video footage will be jerky and have bad quality.
Tilt shot
Is where the camera moves up and down or down and up from a fixed axis. This is mostly use to create a atmosphere of the person it is used on from going just from feet to the head like the example below. i would use this for my own production to create a scary mood towards my killer from use the same type of tilt from the example below.
Rolling shot
A camera moves diagonally, which makes the image askew (often used to show that a character is drugged/drunk). I would use this in my own production to emphasis the victim pain of being stabbed and to have the rolling shot to do that.
