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CAMERA SHOTS/CINEMATOGRAPHY
The exact
shot framed by the cinematographer can communicate many things to the viewing
audience. (TKAM cinematographer
Russell Harlan was nominated for an Academy Award in the category "Best
Black-and-White Cinematography" for his work
on this film.) The framing of a particular shot can communicate power or weakness, for
example.
Other considerations-
Students could also notice:
- high
and low angle shots
- when the camera moves and why
- the distance between
camera and actor or action.
"Often a low angle reinforces the sense that the subject is large
or dominant or imposing or powerful, but not always."
With the camera low-shooting UP- it gives the audience the impression
that someone is larger, towering, more important or powerful
"Often a low angle reinforces the sense that the subject is large
or dominant or imposing or powerful, but not always."1
With the camera high-shooting DOWN- it gives the audience the impression that
someone is smaller, less significant, helpless, or vulnerable
"...a high angle does not always make the subject(s) seem small,
vulnerable,
or weak, though in many contexts it does." 1
Close Ups (primarily faces, signify
intimacy)2
Images above from TCM Essentials website
Medium Shots (most of body, personal relationship)2
Wide/Long/Establishing
Shots
(setting & characters; context,
scope, public distance)2
Grammar of Television (Berger) can also be applied to film
3
| Signifier (shot) |
Definition |
Signified |
| close-up |
face only |
intimacy |
| medium shot |
most of the body |
personal relationship |
| long shot |
setting & characters |
context, scope, public
distance |
| full shot |
full body of person |
social relationship |
| pan down |
camera looks down |
power, authority |
| pan up |
camera looks up |
smallness, weakness |
| zoom in |
camera moves in |
observation, focus |
| fade in |
image appears on blank screen |
beginning |
| fade out |
image screen goes blank |
ending |
| cut |
switch from one image to
another |
simultaneity, excitement |
| wipe |
image wiped off screen |
imposed |
|
Learn
more about camera shots, focus, lighting and other techniques in the text:
Reading In The Dark, Using Film As A Tool in the English Classroom, by John Golden,
published by
NCTE
|
Recommended Links
Camera
shots
Film
Language: Use of the Camera
The
Grammar of TV & Film
Making Movies Make Sense: Framing
Seeing Through the Image: Cinematography
See bibliography for all source material cited here
©
2003 Frank Baker
