STORYTELLING WITH CINEMATOGRAPHY
I feel that for this unit the way I use the camera to tell a story is very important. This unit it all about adapting a poem and turning it into a visual piece, so the way we use the camera to do this is an essential thing to keep in mind.
To develop my knowledge on this element, I watched a few videos by a YouTube channel called DLSRguide. I have been watching this channel for a few years, but I hadn't seen these videos before.
Camera Movement
This video explores motivated camera movement, and why you might choose to move the camera for certain shots. This is what I learnt from the video:
- Camera movement can be motivated by an emotion.
- A track towards an actor (or push in) can be used to highlight emotion/reaction.
- Camera movement can be motivated by something else moving on screen. This can help a camera move look natural. Without movement on screen, it can draw a lot of unwanted attention to the camera movement.
- The camera often follows something else on screen. It's movement has some sort of motivation.
- Camera movement can also be used to hide or reveal something on screen. For example, and jib up to reveal something in the distance. This allows the audience to discover something at the same time the actor on screen does.
"On it's own camera movement is worthless. But, when you combine it with the performance of the actors and all the information you've already given the audience, it can be very powerful"
Composition & Framing
This next video is about different camera techniques that can have different effects on an audience. It also looks at how filmmakers can use composition and framing to get across complex emotions and ideas.
This is what I learnt from this video:
- It is important to consider the depth of a frame. This is the difference between the foreground, midground, and background elements.
- This can be achieved by using a natural frame in the foreground, like a doorway. This can help add depth, and makes it richer and more pleasing to the eye.
- You can choose to avoid depth and have flat images, which can help convey loneliness or detachment, or for a character who has a boring lifestyle.
- Audiences have an expectation to see depth in a film, because it's a cinematic convention.
- The size of something in the frame is directly reflecting how important it is to the film.
- This idea can also be used to show the relationship between characters.
- Think about contrast. This can help you show the audience where to look, or focus when watching a film.
- This can help you decide if you want your character to stand out, or blend in.
- Shot type is also important. You'd usually open with an establishing shot, but you can be unconventional and jump straight in with a close up to disorientate the audience.
- Wide shots can also be used to show body language, or props, or costume. If you had a close up, you might not be able to see all these things.
- Close ups allow the audience to personal and intimate with the audience.
- Frame balance, like using the rule of thirds, is important to consider.
- Try to keep the camera on a level horizon, unless you're using it as a storytelling device.
- Give your characters a reasonable amount of looking room, and head room.
- The position of characters on screen can say a lot about relationships.
- The height of the camera can also be important. Looking down on an actor can make them seem vulnerable, whereas looking up to a character can make them seem heroic and important.
This is what I learnt from this video:
- It is important to consider the depth of a frame. This is the difference between the foreground, midground, and background elements.
- This can be achieved by using a natural frame in the foreground, like a doorway. This can help add depth, and makes it richer and more pleasing to the eye.
- You can choose to avoid depth and have flat images, which can help convey loneliness or detachment, or for a character who has a boring lifestyle.
- Audiences have an expectation to see depth in a film, because it's a cinematic convention.
- The size of something in the frame is directly reflecting how important it is to the film.
- This idea can also be used to show the relationship between characters.
- Think about contrast. This can help you show the audience where to look, or focus when watching a film.
- This can help you decide if you want your character to stand out, or blend in.
- Shot type is also important. You'd usually open with an establishing shot, but you can be unconventional and jump straight in with a close up to disorientate the audience.
- Wide shots can also be used to show body language, or props, or costume. If you had a close up, you might not be able to see all these things.
- Close ups allow the audience to personal and intimate with the audience.
- Frame balance, like using the rule of thirds, is important to consider.
- Try to keep the camera on a level horizon, unless you're using it as a storytelling device.
- Give your characters a reasonable amount of looking room, and head room.
- The position of characters on screen can say a lot about relationships.
- The height of the camera can also be important. Looking down on an actor can make them seem vulnerable, whereas looking up to a character can make them seem heroic and important.
"Be really intentional with your cinematography choices"
Storytelling with Cinematography
The final video is about the core of visual filmmaking, and it explores the quote:
"Cinema is a matter of what's in the frame and what's out" - Martin Scorsese
This is what I learnt from this video:
- The writing and visuals help aid good storytelling.
- Everything within the frame is important: dialogue, characters, location, angles, etc...
- It doesn't matter how well you film something, if there is no story, no conflict, it's not interesting.
- A good frame will tell you everything you need to know, without having seen anything else.
- Good cinematography can allow you to use good visual perspective tricks, to misdirect an audience.
"Make the most of what the audience can see, and what the characters can't see"
All three of these videos have inspired me to think differently about how I am going to film this project. I will think carefully about every shot, and ensure each frame has meaning. I will look at how I can use the camera to reveal details about the story, and how I can show the audience something the character can't see. I will also think about motivated camera movement and how I can incorporate it into my story. I hope that all of the ideas featured in these videos, come across in my final project.
Videos:
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