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Cinematography lesson 1
Cinematography is a micro-element that filmmakers can manipulate to influence audience responses. Different shot types like close-ups, low angles, and high angles can be used to make audiences feel closer to characters or make them appear threatening. For example, in Lord of the Rings, close-ups build tension and low angles used on the Nazgul make them appear dangerous. Understanding how to analyze cinematography techniques is essential for success in the film studies course.
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Cinematography lesson 1
- 2. Starter Task Think of one film that has either: Made you cry Or Provoked a strong emotional response from you Then note down a few of the reason why that film had such a strong emotional impact for you Consider • Themes (issues raised / portrayed by the film) • Technical aspects (Music / Sound / Effects / Setting)
- 3. Learning Objectives Introduce the WJEC 1 specification and evaluate what we are going to be learning 2 Introduce ‘The Micro Elements’ that we will be studying 3 Analyse the use of Cinematography in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings
- 4. Aims of FM1 TheWJEC specification says the following:
- 5. Aims of FM1 Throughoutthis module we will be looking at how filmmakers can manipulate camera angles, sound effects, performances and lighting to make us feel, or react in a certain way They can do this by appealing to our sense of humour, or drawing on our worst experiences and forcing us to re-live them
- 6. Sensory Impact One ofthe most basic ways to increase or alter the sensory impact of a film is to add, or in some cases remove, music and sound Watch the following extract without sound and note down how an audience might respond
- 7. Sensory Impact Nowwatch the scene again and note down how an audiences response to the scene has changed with the addition of music The music gives the scene a sense of grandeur and resolution. The emotional impact is heightened because the music swells and indicates the significance of the event
- 8. Absence of sound Alternativelythe absence of sound can be very effective in creating a response from the audience Watch the following scene and note down how the unusual use of sound influences how we respond to the scene Consider Use of Music Voices fading out Lack of sound effects
- 9. Sensory Impact Adding orremoving certain pieces of music, sound effect, visual effects and even the choice of performer can have a dramatic effect on how we respond to a film
- 10. Micro-Elements The Micro-Elements thatwe will study are tools that filmmakers can use create a film and manipulate our emotional response They include: • Cinematography • Editing • Sound • Mise-En-Scene • Performance
- 11. Micro-Elements The first Micro-Elementwe will study is Cinematography In your note pads write down a definition for the term Cinematography Film authors Bordwell & Thompson define Cinematogprahy as “Deciding where to place the camera and what to include/exclude in the shot produces what Bordwell and Thompson call ‘a certain vantage point’ “(Bordwell & Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction)
- 12. Micro-Elements Cinematography is primarilyconcerned with the following: • Shot Types • Camera Angles • Camera Movement • Framing • Lighting Heroes are primarily seen through ‘close- Through your entire Coursework project up’s’ – it is important you must demonstrate how micro to see what they are elements, such as cinematography are feeling – it also places used to create meaning and generate the audience closer to responses from the audience that character
- 13. Hot Shots? Using yourcinematography booklets complete the Cinematography quiz in pairs You must use shot guide on pages 3 – 5 and identify the different shot types Be sure to label each shot type – bonus points if you can name the films!
- 14. Extreme Close Up (ECU)– Blade Runner
- 15. Wide Shot /Long Shot – Once Upon a Time in the West
- 16. Medium Close Up (MCU) Fight Club
- 17.
- 18. Extreme Wide Shot /Establishing Shot Harry Potter
- 19. Point of View(POV) – We see Morpheus in a close up through the eyes of Neo, who is reflected in the glasses The Matrix
- 20. Close Up (CU)– The Godfather Part II
- 21. Balance of Power? Watchthe following sequence and complete the following tasks: On your handout tick off the shot types as they appear in the film Consider the use of camera shots – How does the use of close up’s add LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring tension to the scene? Dir: Peter Jackson What effect did filming the Nazghu’l from below have on the audience? Budget: $109,000,000 Box Office: $869,390,266
- 22. Balance of Power? This is called a LOW ANGLE shot and it is used to make characters look dominant, strong, over bearing, threatening and dangerous Any guess what this shot is called? This is called a HIGH ANGLE shots look down on characters and give the impression they are weak, vulnerable and afraid
- 23. Film Review Watch thescene again and this time make notes on how the different shot types create meaning – Use the handout as a guide How do the Close up shots make us feel closer to the characters? How do the Low / High angle shots create a sense of threat /dread within the scene?
- 24. Film Review Using your notes you have 5 minutes to write a short paragraph analysing the use of cinematography in the Lord of the Rings extract we have studied Swap your paragraph with a partner and compare each others work. Write down 2 positive points Write down 1 area for improvement – this could include more use of proper terminology, accurate analysis etc
- 25. Summary In order tobe successful in your FM1 coursework you must be aware of the micro elements Micro elements such as cinematography and sound can be manipulated to direct an audience members response to a film, and even induce an emotional response Shot types are important in establishing character relationships and indicating aspects of their personailities