2. Cinematography
Cinematography is various types of camerawork
techniques such as different types of camera shots and
angles.
Using the correct techniques can help portray clues to
characters and scenes or to draw focus. For example:
high angled shots can present a character to be
vulnerable or less dominant. Whereas, low angle shots
make the character feel tall, very dominant and
powerful.
3. Cinematography diagnosis
We have used various cinematography techniques within our final
opening sequence to present characters or give clues to the
audience using symbolic codes. An example of this we have used
in our opening is close up shots, at the very beginning when the
detective (Desmond) receives a phone call from an ‘Unknown’
number/person this technique I used to show the importance of his
job but also how important he is as a character. This creates
suspicion and mystery to the audience and relates to the
conventions of our film.
Cinematography is very important as it can link towards the
narrative of the film this means how the story is told and meaning is
constructed to achieve the understanding of the audience.
The use of shots in our opening sequence is most appropriate to
‘Barthes theory’ because mystery is set at the beginning of the film
creating the ‘Enigma code’.
4. Characters in the same scene should always have the left/right
relationship to each other if the camera passes over the imagery
axis connecting the 2 subjects, its called crossing the line. The
new shot from the other side is known as the ‘Reverse angle’
Picture 1 shows the movement of the camera and how it gets
from one side to the other. If the camera crosses the line it can
cause confusion for the audience as it looks like they have
swapped places
180 Degree Rule
5. 180 Degree Rule – preliminary task
Our first attempt using the 180 degree rule was not very
fluent and professional as it was the first time we had
experimented the strategy. This is mainly because we were in
a small room which made it hard to get the full effect
This lead in our camera shot being less steady and a little
shaky, making our video look less professional and unfocused
6. in our final film we did not use the 180 degree rule because
it was difficult to fit within our opening sequence. Also our
film was a gangster thriller meaning there was quick and
snappy shots.. Incorporating the 180 degree rule strategy is
a long winded shot this would be time consuming.
However, if we were to improve out opening sequence
adding this rule would create more tension between
character relations.
180 Degree Rule Diagnosis
7. Match on action
Where the prospective of the camera changes during a scene
and the scene continues to flow
Cut from one shot to another view that maintains the action
and pace of the first shot. If a character begins a action In the
first shot and completes it in the next shot a visual ‘bridge’ is
created which distracts the viewer from noticing the cut or
noticing any any slight continuity error between the shots
8. Match on action – Diagnosis
In our final opening sequence we managed to incorporate the
match on action strategy at the very start of the film, this is when
the Detective (Desmond) leaves the house going through the door
this created a smooth continuing transition without any obvious or
noticeable cuts. We were able to successfully present this strategy
professionally.
Using final cut helped us edit and put the two shots together
creating a smooth transition of the detective going through the
door.
9. Shot reverse shot
this is when one character shown looking at another character
(often off screen, and the other character shown looking back
at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing
opposite directions. The viewer assumes that they are looking at
each other.
A simple and very effective illusion and also mean that only one
actor/actress is used at a time.
10. in our opening sequence we were able to present the shot reverse
shot technique.
This worked very well for our interrogation scene as we had the two
members in the gang interrogating the product grower, using the
shot reverse shot technique improved and enhanced this scene.
Using the final cut program helped us put the shots all together
without any jumps between the transition and flow of the film.
Shot Reverse Shot – Diagnosis
11. Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual,
audible and film media used to convey information. He editing
process can involve correction, condensation, organization and
other modifications performed an intention of producing a
consistent, correct, accurate complete work.
We have managed to improve our editing excessively, we have
done this through testing and experimenting different editing
features and filters using programs like ‘final cut’ so they we are
able to add them to our final opening sequence to improve as a
whole.
An example of these features could be the following titles and the
effects of titles, fading effects, filters (Black and white) and other
transitional effects. This features hugely improve the final product
giving the ability to enhance focused areas.
12. Editing - Diagnosis
For our opening sequence we have manage to used editing
features to enhance our final product. Editing features used within
our opening are the use of filters for example we have incorporated
the ‘black and white’ filter at the beginning of he film and as we get
through it changes back to normal. Also we have managed to use
titles as the film is running, the effect we used for titles is almost like it
is being typed up which matches the genre. Another feature we
were able to use was the use of sound effects this is able to create
the ‘Enigma code’ to the audience.
All of the obvious effects we have used makes it more interesting to
watch as it creates a certain mood and atmosphere which sets the
rest of the movie
13. Mise-En- Scene
Mise-en-scene encompasses recognizable attributes of a film
such as setting and actors, it includes costumes, make-up, props
and all the natural and artificial details that characterize the area
filmed.
In other words mise-en-scene describes the stuff shown in the
frame and the way it is shown and arranged for example,
positioning, lighting, acting, costume, expression, settings and
props.
As an experienced film audience we are able to read these
hidden signals and add these to our understanding of what will
happen in the film
14. Mise-En- Scene
In our opening sequence we were able to use mise-en-scene to improve
certain scenes an example of this could be for our interrogation scene this
was set in a cellar to create the rundown atmosphere this also matched
our genre.
Costume – dressing each character with the correct attire to match there
role played an important significance to our final product. For example,
the detective wore a suit this was to show the relation with is type of job
however we were able to portray status and power of the character. On
the other hand our two Asian gang members wore casual dark clothing
to emphasise that they are part of a gang. Social status and ethnicity
were portrayed through this.
Lighting and colour – high and low lighting as well as single and source
lighting helped created mood, emotion and power within our opening
sequence. We were mostly able to use this element in our interrogation
scene for example, the use of the single light torch created suspense
relating back to our genre.
15. Titles
Titles are important because they give the audience
the main idea of the topic written.
Titles are also a quick way of drawing attention to the
audience without reading or knowing to much
information about the film.
Also the way titles are presented can give the
audience an idea of what type of genre it fits in. For
example the picture below shows the film matches a
thriller or horror genre.
17. Titles
Analysis of various types of titles and opening
sequences of different types of movies has given me
a better understanding of titles as a whole. Such as
effects within titles this means the colour, font and
illusions. These effects give ideas to the audience of
what type of film it could be or hidden signals to
what could happen.
In our opening sequence we included titles. The
effects we used match our chosen genre. Giving the
audience a slight clue of what could happen. Titles
also create a mood and atmosphere to the
audience.
18. Overall as a whole, from the beginning of our filming I have learnt a
huge amount of techniques, features and ideas to create emphasis
on the film and audience. I have learnt techniques such as shot
reverse shot, match on action and 180 degree rule and why they are
important to use if able to. I have also learnt information on genre an
example of this is symbolic codes which show props, make-up and
emotions and technical codes which show sound, editing and
camera angles, as well as conventions showing the overall themes.
Using the camera and filming has helped me gain knowledge and
understanding on types of camera shots and angles this is important
to the audience because it is a way we react to what is shown on
screen. For example,
- Close up shot – puts us very close to someone or something and is
often used to show expression on someone’s face and what they
are thinking also the importance of certain props.
- Mid-shot - this is used to shows us the top half of someone's body,
whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were
looking at the whole subject. This is most appropriate when the
subject is speaking without much emotion or intense concentration.
Conclusion
19. Long shot – this type of shot is often used to show us where the action
is action is taking place. It can be called an establishing shot, this is
usually the first of first few shots in a sequence, it must be very efficient
in portraying the context.
High and low angle shots are when the camera is placed above or
below the character – a low angle shot taken almost underneath a
person makes them seem large and powerful and we, the audience
can feel threatened by this appearance.
A high angle shot is when the camera looks down on someone
making them look very small, less important and vulnerable.
I have also learnt camera movement this adds to our involvement in
the action for example, a tracking shot is where the camera follows
the action, moving along tracks laid for that purpose, a crane shot is
where the camera mounted on a crane moves around above
ground level.
20. Being able to understand the following shots and
angles has helped me and the team to incorporate
them into our final opening sequence, this also has
effect on the conventions of our film.
