Cinematography

Cinematography Objectives: To understand the industry standard definitions To be able to give reasons to justify shot choice

Cinematography – Shot Construction The Main Shot Types: MCU Medium Close Up MS Medium Shot ELS Extreme Long Shot ECU Extreme Close Up CU Close Up MLS Medium Long Shot LS Long Shot What purpose do Close Ups, Medium Shots and Long Shots serve?

Cinematography – Shot Construction POV Shots Point of View Shots (POV) may be used for a variety of reasons. You may be familiar with their use in Horror movies when ‘watching’ the victim. Bird’s Eye View (High Angle/Angled Down) Note: Most shots are filmed at ‘Eye Level’ Worm’s Eye View (Low Angle/Angled Up) What purpose can POV serve? What do Birds Eye View and Worms Eye View shots achieve?

Cinematography – Shot Construction Other Shots Canted Angle – the angle is askew, suggesting disorientation through illness, drugs, alcohol. Can physically show how someone is reacting through POV. Typically used in programs like ‘Skins’. Insert shot – a shot, often CU of an object that is important in the narrative. Can take 2 different forms – a Cut-In – when the insert of the object is within the action and – a Cut- Away – when the camera cuts away from the action. 2 Shot/3 Shot – frames either 2 or 3 people for the purposes of dialogue. Over the Shoulder – a shot that literally shoots one person over the shoulder of the person they are speaking too.

Cinematography – Shot Construction Techniques Typically in both film and TV there are two key techniques that ensure continuity and an aesthetically pleasing approach to understanding. Shot – Reverse – Shot The standard construction of showing a shot, followed by its exact opposite and the repeated. Often this is a series of Medium Shots, including Over the Shoulder shots. Extremely repetitive, forcing the audience to focus on the individuals in the shots and their conversations. 180 degree Rule The standard form of continuity editing that ensures characters occupy the same space on screen at all times and thus the audience do not get confused, they fully understand the ‘space’ within which the action is shown.

Cinematography – Shot Construction 180 degree rule A B C B C A Characters must occupy the same space on screen What happens if we place a camera ‘D’ opposite camera ‘A’?

Cinematography – Shot Construction