Research: Cinematography- Miss Begum

            Cinematography

What is cinematography?

Cinematography refers to the photography within the film. It looks at the way the shot is framed, the angle it is taken and the movement of the camera.



Refer to the terms we have learnt in todays lesson and provide examples from thriller films and explain its use of causing a response from the audience.

Within cinematography there is camera shots, camera angles and camera movement.

There are a variety of camera shots including:

• 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.




 

A medium shot captures the individual from head to waist. A medium shot is evident in this scene from 'I spit on your grave' displaying the characters from head to waist. The use of the iconography (baseball bat) in the antagonists hand allows the audience to understand that violence is going to occur and the female victims life is at risk. She stands opposite the antagonists against the wall with her arms on  her chest with her frightened facial expression, displaying her fear of the antagonists and hopelessness. This causes the audience to respond by sympathising with the female victim and feeling threatened by the antagonists.

A close up allows the audience to see the individuals face. A close up is perceived from 'psycho' portraying the characters facial expression clearly. The female victim is terrified and has no escape from the antagonist. The close up allows the audience to see how petrified the victim is and how hopeless she is as she is about to be murdered. The audience respond with uncertainty of the antagonists identity and fear for the victims life. Tension is created as the audience can predict what is going to happen next.

• Camera angles include high angle shots and low angle shots.

Find examples of camera angles from thrillers and explain its use of causing a response from the audience.

A high angle is when the camera is looking down on the character making them look vulnerable. The camera is placed above their head. The use of the high angle shot looking down on the individual presents him as venerable and lacking power. The use of the iconography of the gun is conventional to a thriller symbolising the weapon as protection. However the use of the high angle displays that the protagonist is in need of using the gun towards the antagonist. This causes the audience to fear for the protagonists life and creates tension for the audience who are unsure of whether the protagonist will be able to save the day.

 

 

 

The use of the low angle shot on the protagonist presents him as superior and heroic as the camera looks up at him. The protagonist stands in front of the burning building with his posture up straight and his hands in fists, this is conventional to the thriller genre as the protagonist wants to defeat the antagonist who is causing disorder in society. The low angle shot allows the audience to understand that the protagonist has confidence and is not afraid therefore will defeat the antagonist. This causes the audience to respond with confidence as they have faith in the protagonist.

Find examples of camera movements from thrillers and explain its use of causing a response from the audience.

 

camera movement includes:

• Panning shot- the camera moves across
• Tilt shot- camera moves up and down
• Crane shot- On a crane, the camera movement is flexible.
• Zoom- captures emotions or gets away from it.
• Point of view- when it looks likes its from the characters view.
• Hand held- when the camera moves with the person.
• Over the shoulder shot- when the camera is placed behind one characters shoulder and the audience can see the character opposite.
• Two shot- When the characters take equal space.



 

 

An over the shoulder shot is when the camera is placed behind one character looking over their shoulder allowing the audience to see the character standing opposite. 8 minutes and 21 seconds into the clip of the film 'I spit on your grave' an over the shoulder shot is used allowing the audience to identify the victims fear and uncertainty. Her emotions show confusion and she lacks protection which is evident when the antagonists shoulder is covering the victims body signifying the possible problems to come associated with the victims freedom. This makes the audience fear for the victim and her outcome.

A zoom shot captures emotions or gets away from it. In this clip of the film Se7en at 1.09-1.11 a zoom shot is captured. This is evident when the detective identifies the word 'sloth' on the wall above the dead body. The camera zooms close into the word allowing the audience to understand the cause of the victims death.

 

 

How has the research of cinematography helped you develop ideas of what you could use in your own thriller?

 

 After researching cinematography I now have a clear insight of what is needed in order to create a thriller that achieves realistic standards. Before deciding what camera shots to use first I must decide what I want to be captured, for example, if I want the victim to show her fear and vulnerability I know a close up must be captured in order for the audience to see their facial expressions clearly allowing the audience to feel what the victim feels and sympathise with them. In order for the surroundings to show a establishing shot should be used so the audience are able to understand where the location is and how realistic the victims escape is. Furthermore, when deciding the angle shots, if I want to make my victim look venerable and helpless I should us a high angle making them look smaller. When capturing my antagonist or protagonist I need to use a low angle making them look superior, the audience would fear the antagonist but look up to the protagonist. In order to capture the victims troubles the movement of the camera should be a zoom to allow the victims emotions to be captured. When the audience  first meet the antagonist a tilt shot should be used starting from the feet and then capturing the body then their face creating more suspense. overall, I now have a clearer understanding of cinematography and what I will need to use to represent the characters conventionally.