Art and Technology of Motion-picture Photography Part 1

Cinematography: the art and technology of motion-picture photography. Film Making or Video Making 1. Camera Framing Size (Person) - Extreme Close-up, Close-up, Medium Close-up, Medium Shot, Cowboy Shot, Medium Full Shot, Full Shot 2. Camera Framing Figures (Two or more people) – Single, 2-Shot Two Shots can be(Two different shot combined in 1 frame) , 3-Shot, 4-Shot, 5-Shot and Crowd Shot 3. Camera Shots (Background to Person, vice versa) – Extreme Long/Wide Shot, Long/Wide Shot, Medium Shot, Full Body Shot, and Close-Up Shot 4. Camera Angles –Over the Shoulder Shot, Over the Hip Shot, Knee Level Shot, Ground Level Shot, High Angle Shot, Low-Angle Shot, Overhead Shot, Dutch-Tilt Shot, Point of View Shot, & Insert Shot (Looking at Cellphone, Reading a book or a letter) 5. Camera Movement – Zoom (in and out), Dolly (in and out),Tilt (from Up to Down or Down to Up), Crane (Zipline type, higher to lower), Pan (Cameraman stays in place- moving camera from left to right, vice versa)Track (Cameraman following the movement/steps of the subject) 6. Camera Lighting – Dim/Bright and Color Theme ` Camera Framing is the placement and position of the subjects in your shots. Considerations when camera framing a shot: 1. Size — the size of your subject has a direct relationship to the importance of that subject 2. Relationships — when we see more than one character in a shot, we are meant to acknowledge their relationship (romantic, contentious, etc.) 3. Balance — a "balanced" frame includes elements on the left and right side of the frame Camera Framing Size 1. Extreme Close-up (ECU) An extreme close-up shot frames a subject very closely, often so much so that the outer portions of the subject are cut off by the edges of the frame. On an actor, this is commonly used to show specific portions of the body, like the face or hip, but it can go closer to show only an actor’s mouth, or even a single eye. Why do directors use extreme close-up shots? To focus in on a specific portion of the subject. To signal an important sensory moment in a scene. To communicate tiny details too small to notice. Camera Framing Size 2. Close-up (CU) A close-up shot is a photograph or movie shot taken of a subject or object at close range intended to show greater detail to the viewer. If the subject is a person, the close-up starts at the neck above shoulders and ends at the top of the head. Why do directors use close-up shots? Generate strong emotions Signal something important Show an actors facial expressions Camera Framing Size 3. Medium Close-up (MCU) A medium close-up shot (or MCU) is a shot that frames the subject from just above their head down to about midway of upper torso. The idea of a medium close-up shot is that you can still easily register the actor's emotions and facial expressions while also retaining some of the background. Why do directors use medium close-up shots? To capture the actor's performance So the background around the subject is included For a "neutral" shot option within standard coverage Camera Framing Size 4. Medium Shot (MS) A medium shot (also referred to as MS), or waist shot is captured at a medium distance from the subject. It is used for dialogue scenes, but also depict body language and more of the setting. Oftentimes it will frame multiple subjects as well as a portion of the background and space in general. Why do directors use medium shots? Show important movement or action, including their costumes and comedic performances where we need to see the body language of a character. Allows to focus on the whole instead of the individual. Frame groups of people, as well as background imagery and sets that are relevant to the scene. Camera Framing Size 5. Cowboy Shot (CS) the cowboy shot is a shot framed from the face of an actor down to just above the knee, which makes it so you can see both the holstered gun of the cowboy as well a his face. The shot was commonly used in westerns for this reason. Why do directors use cowboy shot? For signaling heroism and confidence While remaining close enough to register emotion And to show critical action that takes place near the hip Camera Framing Size 6. Medium Full Shot (MFS) is a shot that frames a character around the knees and up. This shot size falls between a normal medium shot and a full shot. The medium full shot is also referred to as a ¾ shot or a cowboy shot due to how often it is used to include their guns in the frame. Why do directors use medium full shot? Capturing emotion and body language Framing multiple subjects and characters Show character and setting Camera Framing Size 7. Full Shot (FS) A full shot is a type of camera shot in which a character’s entire body reaches from the top of the frame to the bottom of the frame. In a full shot, a character is framed from head to toe. These shots allow the audience to see the emotions on a character's face while simultaneously seeing their physicality, body language, and actions. A full shot can also capture the setting and context of a character and can be used with one or more characters. Why do directors use full shot? Show a character’s actions Establish setting and context Display a character’s wardrobe Show body language between characters