Basic Cinematography Concepts

THFM 1610: Introduction to Film

Dr. Rosalind SibielskiBowling Green State University

The ShotOne uninterrupted

take in filming Take = recording of

image from time camera is started to time that it is stopped

Shots are separated by edits

The Scene Series of shots that are unified by

action or events taking place in the same location at the same time

A change in scene is marked by a change in location and/or in time

Scenes are often recorded multiple times (multiple takes) using different camera and lighting set-ups

Scenes are composed by mixing shots from these various takes

Image Tone (Tonality)The range of color tones and

shades, as well as the gradations of light, within the image

Controlled byFilm Stock

Contrast

Exposure

Technological manipulation of coloring

ContrastComparative difference between the light and dark tones in the image

High ContrastStark contrast

between brightest and darkest shades in the color spectrum with few variations in color tone in-between

Creates rich, saturated colors when used with color film stock

Low ContrastMinimal contrast

between brightest and darkest shades in the color spectrum with a large range of tones in-between

Washes out and dulls colors when used with color film stock

ExposureRefers to how much light passes through the camera lens while images are recorded during filming

OverexposureResults in high light levels so that the image appears overly bright

UnderexposureResults in low light levels so that the image appears overly dark

Technological Manipulation of Coloring

• Hand/Digital Coloring

• Light Filter• Tinting/Toning

Speed of Motion Rate at which images are

recorded and projected

The standard frame rate for movies is 24 frames per second

Filming at a higher rate (>24 fps)results in motion appearing slowed-down when projected at 24 fps

Filming at a lower rate (<24 fps) results in motion appearing sped-up when projected at 24 fps

Fast Motion

Time LapseAn extreme form of fast-

motion cinematography.

Images are recorded over long intervals (one every minute, hour, etc.)

Most often used to condense the passage of a long period of time into a few shots

SlowMotion

Freeze Frame

Types of Lenses Short-focal-length (wide

angle) lens = wide horizontal field of vision

Results in slight distortion at edges of the image

Exaggerates depth, making images in foreground appear bigger and distance between foreground and background appear further away

Types of LensesMiddle-focal-length

(medium) lens = avoids noticeable perspective distortion

Closely mimics the filed of vision of the human eye

Long-focal-length (telephoto) lens = covers greater distance but takes in a narrower horizontal field of vision

Cues for volume and depth are reduced

Image appears squished or flattened

Types of Lenses

Depth of FieldThe range of

distance before the lens within which objects can be photographed in sharp focus

Planes of the Image• Background = part of the image that is the

furthest distance from the camera

• Middle ground = midpoint within the image

• Foreground = part of the image that is the closest to the camera

Deep FocusAll planes of the

image are clearly in focus

Selective FocusOnly one plane of

the image is in focus, while the other two planes are out of focus

Framing = using the borders of the cinematic image (the film frame) to select and compose what is visible onscreen

In filming, the frame is formed by the viewfinder on the camera

In projection, it is formed by the screen

Framing

Onscreen Space = space depicted within the frame

Offscreen Space = space in the movie world that is outside the borders of the frame

Onscreen & Offscreen Space

Relative height of the camera in relation to eye-level

Framing: Camera Height

At eye level

Below eye level

The camera’s relative horizontal position in relation to the horizon

Parallel to horizon

Canted framing

Framing: Camera Level

Vantage point imposed on image by camera’s position

Straight-On

High Angle

Low Angle

Framing: Camera Angle

Types of Shots

Content of shot appears at an extreme distance. If figures appear in the shot they are too small to clearly identify.

Extreme Long Shot

Figures can be seen in full view (body fills the frame) with some area above and below visible. Background can also be clearly seen.

Long Shot

Figures can be seen from the knees up. Background is largely visible within the frame.

Medium Long Shot

Figures are visible from the waist up. Some background is visible within the frame.

Medium Shot

Figures are visible from the middle of the chest to the top of the head. Limited back-ground is visible within the frame.

Medium Close-Up

In the case of figures, a single part of the body (most often the face) fills the frame vertically. In the case of objects, the object fills the frame vertically.

Close-Up

A single detail of an object or a figure fills the entire frame.

Extreme Close-up

Reframing of the shot by moving the position of the camera during filming rather than cutting to a new take filmed from a different camera set-up

Mobile Framing

Camera swivels from right to left or left to rightCamera is mounted on tripod and remains stationary

Pan/panning shot

lateral movement of the camera in any direction Camera is mounted on a

dolly and moves along a track

Differs from a zoom shot, where a variable focus lens is used to adjust focus while the camera remains stationary

Tracking shot

Camera moves unrestricted through space, often changing directionHandheld Camera

results in shaky image (Cloverfield example)

Steady Cam used for fluid camera movement (Magnolia example)

Travelling shot

Camera tilts up or down Camera is mounted on tripod and remains stationary

Tilt shot

Camera physically moves up or down through space

Camera is generally mounted on a crane

Crane shot

Length of time the shot is held before an edit

Long Take = shot that lasts for an extended period of time before cutting to the next shot in the scene

Sequence Shot = when an entire scene is shot in one take with no edits and no interruption in filming

Shot Duration

The following example is labeled as a long take. It is more accurately an example of a sequence shot, since the entire scene is filmed in one very long take.

A long take can occur within a scene in which it is not the only shot, but instead is combined with shorter takes of other shots.

In a sequence shot, the entire scene is filmed in one single long take.

End