Cinematography Basics Quiz

Cinematography

• Cinematography is the process of capturing movement on film, involving the planning and control of lighting and camera during film production. It incorporates kinesis (movement), photo-light, and graphia (writing).

Key Elements of Cinematography

• Frames and their actions (camera movements, shot duration) do not universally possess meaning.
• Properties of a shot: film/digital formats, lighting sources, tonalities (contrast, exposure), and lenses.
• Framing dimensions: aspect ratios (frame width to depth), depth of field
• Camera position: angle, height, level, and distance of framing
• Camera Movement: pans, tilts, dollies, zoom, crane shots, handheld camera, Steadicam
• Framing on-screen/off-screen space, framing and point-of-view (POV)
• Speed and length of the shot
• Special effects

Elements of Cinematography

• Lighting, source, quality, direction, and colour.
• The convention of low-key lighting with sharp, dramatic contrast in horror films.

Director of Photography (DP) Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the director on narrative and mise-en-scene

• Translates the director's vision into technical cinematic techniques and usable footage. It's a technical job requiring scientific knowledge of how light acts on media.

• Works with the camera department (camera operator, 1st/2nd ACs, DIT)

• Oversees the lighting department (gaffer, best boy, assistants) and the grip department

• Quality control and color correction during the shoot are included.

Key Terms in Film Production/Cinematography

• Shot: A continuous sequence of action captured by a camera
• Take: One continuous recording of a specific shot, repeating if necessary.
• Setup: The camera position and associated equipment ready for filming. Different setups involve adjustments, often requiring camera rearrangement before each one.

Film vs. Digital Cinematography

• Cinematography has evolved with technology.
• Film and digital recording have aesthetic and subtle distinctions.
• The use of digital has become more prevalent for its economic advantages.

Film Stock

• Early film stocks were flammable nitrate-based.
• Modern film stock is composed of plastic coated with light-sensitive silver halide crystals.
• Film stocks vary in gauge or format (e.g., 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, 65mm, 70mm, IMAX).

Digital Cinematography

• Most films today utilize digital technologies. (digital data is cheap to store; settings are adjusted easily)

• Digital technologies enable post-production manipulation of color balances, bodies, and faces. Cameras are lightweight relative to film-based cameras.

• Digital sensors capture images as pixels, with resolution determined by pixel count per frame (e.g., 1080p).

Camera Lenses

• Two main types of lenses in cinematography: prime (fixed focal length) and zoom (variable focal length).

• Different lens choices (wide-angle, normal, telephoto) affect depth of field.

• Cinematographers employ lenses to control various focal lengths and depth of field (the range of distance where subjects are in sharp focus).

Camera Lenses (continued)

• The three main factors determining a shot's visual impact (composition, lighting, and camera movement) are influenced by lens choices.

Rack Focus/Pull Focus

• Cinematographers adjust the depth of field/focus to shift viewer attention from one subject to another during a shot, resulting in a sharp focus on one subject and potentially blurred/softened focus on other objects.

Black and White Cinematography

• Black and white cinematography (B&W) was common before the widespread use of color film.
• It evokes specific periods and emulates older film styles.
• B&W films often emphasize contrast and gradations of light and shadow, and convey dreams, memories, or historical events.

Color Cinematography

• Most modern films employ color in varying degrees (light/dark) that affect moods.
• Film artists manipulate colors for different moods.
• Color can be co-expressive with the other aspects of cinematography.

Composition: Aspect Ratio

• Aspect ratio is the width to height proportion of the film frame.
• The current standard aspect ratio is 16:9 (or 1.78:1). The early standard ratio was largely square (4:3, or the academy ratio).
• Cinematographers consider the aspect ratio when composing a shot, arranging the elements within the frame.

Composition: Framing/Camera Angles/Height

• Framing involves positioning elements, directing attention, and influencing feelings about the scene.
• Camera angles include eye-level, ground-level, high/low angles (relative to the subject's position), and canted angles.

Composition: Rules/Systems

• The rule of thirds, triangular composition, and quadrant system are often used in cinematography to create balance, proportion, and symmetry within the frame. These methods contribute to suspense, surprise, and visual interest for viewers. Camera movement may also create and reinforce that sense of isolation.

Duration of the Shot: Long Take

• A long take is a shot that continues for an extended period, often used to convey a sustained period of time or action.

Duration of the Shot: Speed of Motion

• Slow motion is employed to depict a dream or fantasy, or convey power and spectacle.
• Fast motion can increase the pace of a scene, and may be used to express volatility.

Duration of the Shot: Freeze Frame

• A freeze frame is a still image withstanding the usual movement during a shot.

Camera Movement (general types)

• Panning: Horizontal camera movement across the frame
• Tilting: Vertical camera movement
• Tracking/Dolly: Moving the camera along a predetermined direction (in and out, side-to-side, circular, etc)
• Crane Shots: Using a crane to move the camera
• Camera Movement: Camera movement can be simulated (CGI, animation) and mobile framings can be combined.

Camera Movement (types)

• Motivated: Camera movement has a function that is meaningful to the viewer, such as representing a character's movement or perspective.
• Unmotivated: Camera movement appears random or unrelated to the narrative.

Special Effects (SFX)

• Special effects are elements added to live-action, and are categorised as either mechanical effects (produced on-set) or visual effects (produced in post-production).
• Common mechanical effects include use of machines, costumes, prosthetics, and models.