Research: Cinematography- MS B

Research: Cinematography- Miss B

What is cinematography?

Cinematography is looking at the way the shot is framed, the angle it is taken in and the movement of the camera within a scene. There are 8 different shot angles in which directors tend to use which gives the audience a different representation of the character and allows the audience to respond in many ways, e.g. creating tension. Within cinematography there are various shot angles:

• Long shot- This captures the individual from head to toe.
• Close up- This allows the characters face to be seen clearly.
• Extreme long shot- The camera captures the individual, but also the surroundings.
• Extreme close up-This captures the individuals emotions on their face.
• Establishing shot- Shows a lot in the scene of the film.
• Medium shot- This captures the individual from head to toe.
• Medium close up- This this captures the individual from head to chest. 

Examples of Camera Angles:

  This is a Medium close up shot from the antagonists head to chest. This presents the antagonist as a brave and heroic character as he is looking directly at the camera, his enables the audience to feel engaged and the character makes eye contact with his audience. The use of the iconography the (Motor bike) allows the audience to feel the power of the antagonists and that he is a brave super natural hero. 

This scene is a Extreme Close Up scene and it shows the characters fear as the camera is well focused into the actors face. This close up also allows the audience to see the characters feelings by the emotion on their face. This shot is also very effective as in Thrillers it may give the audience some kind of connection of how the character may be feeling during the scene. 

Low/ High angles: 

Low Angle -

This is a low angle shot this indicates that the camera is placed below the hips, to make them look big and strong. As the character will be looking down at the audience. This may make the audience feel unsafe as they will need to look up to this characters.

This scene is taken from a high angle which creates suspense as the audience is looking down to the scene. This almost creates a fear of something or someone preparing towards the audience. 

camera movements from thrillers 

Camera shots include: 

• Planning shot - Camera moving across 
• Tilt shot - Camera moves up and down 
• Crane shot - On a crane, camera movement is flexible 
• Zoom - captures emotion and gets away with it 
• Point of view - when it looks like it is from a persons view 
• Hand held - when the camera moves with the person 
• Establishing shot - A whole shot of everything e.g. The background view 
• Two shot - when two characters take up a equal amount of space when filming
• Over the shoulder shot - This is when the camera is placed behind a characters shoulder facing towards an character

This is an over the shoulder shot as this camera movement helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view. This is used to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers.

Although this film is not a Thriller, the director of 'Paranormal Activity' has used an hand held shot to create tension like the way a Thriller may give. Using an hand held shot throughout this scene which makes the audience feel engaged to this scene as the character does not cut out as moments (Editing,) such as an Jump cut used in editing which a drastic camera movement that is noticeable to the eye. This hand held movement scene is also very effective as it makes the audience feel as if any kind of drama may be caused. 

Conclusion

This research has helped be aware of the camera movements/ angles and shots that I should use in order to make my Thriller look effective and professional. I need to use close ups of the victim to show their emotions so my audince knows what the victim may be going through as a close up shot explores onto a victims face by presenting their emotions. I need to use low angle to make people look powerful, as I will act evil and I need to use a crane shot to show the characters and the surrounding, Overall I now know what shots I need to use in order to engage my audience. I could use an establishing shot to encourage my audience to feel as if their with me in my film as they will see my background and feel the connection with the location. I will use a Point of view shot as to make the audience know how it is to be in my place and how the character I act see the environment around me in her own eyes.