Camera Shots, Cinematography and Movie Storyboards

Shots and Scenes

• A shot is when the camera goes on and off, regardless of length.
• A scene involves something happening, like a discussion or an event.
• Avoid just using one wide shot; it can be boring.
• Start with a master shot, a wide shot of the entire scene from start to finish.
• Shoot the entire scene in a wide shot before moving to other shots.
• Typically, you'd shoot multiple shots of the scene.
• Five different shots might include:
  • Wide or long shot
  • Over-the-shoulder (OTS) shot
  • Point-of-view (POV) shot
  • Close-up

Setups and Slates

• The setup is typically the same for every shot within a scene, concerning lighting and camera position.
• Changing the lighting or significantly moving the camera constitutes a new setup.
• Professional film shoots prioritize shooting everything with a single setup before changing it.
• A slate is used to organize the shots.
• The slate provides visual and auditory information for syncing audio and video in post-production.
• It includes the act, scene, shot, and take number.
• The person holding the slate keeps a log of each take, noting which ones are preferred by the director.
• Daily logs and footage are sent to the editing department to assemble a rough cut.

Cinematography

• The cinematographer, also known as the DP (Director of Photography), is responsible for the look of the film.
• The DP typically doesn't operate the camera directly but oversees a team.
• The DP focuses on the big picture, such as incorporating natural elements, and communicates with the director.
• The DP answers to the director, who is the creative visionary.
• Directors often use a video assist to view footage without looking directly through the lens.
• The director provides instructions to the DP and camera operators, fine-tuning shots.
• The camera operator does the actual shooting.
• Specialized personnel handle expensive lenses and ensure they are protected.
• Film stock must be loaded in the dark to avoid exposing the light-sensitive emulsion.
• The camera gate is checked to ensure there are no hairs or debris that would appear in the footage.
• Finding hair in the gate at the end of the day may require reshooting.

Sound Recording

• Sound is typically recorded separately for better quality.
• Use separate recording devices like phones for backup audio.
• Directional microphones, often with furry covers, can be attached to clothing.
• Investing in good sound equipment is advisable.

Film vs. Digital

• Some argue that film looks better than digital.
• Film is perceived by some as looking more like how our eyes see the world.
• Our eyes see up close in more detail, with the background being less detailed and the corners possibly darker.
• The z-axis, or depth of field, can now be controlled in digital photography, but it should be used intentionally.
• Rack focusing is a technique where focus shifts between subjects to direct the viewer's attention.

Film Stock and Aspect Ratio

• Traditional film stock offers numerous options, including black and white and color variations.
• Different film stocks capture light differently, acting as filters or color grading.
• Digital footage is often shot raw and color-graded in post-production.
• Film sizes include 35mm, 65mm, 70mm, and IMAX, with larger sizes being more professional, expensive, and requiring larger lenses.
• Consumer formats include Super 8 and 8mm.
• 16mm is a semi-professional format.
• Aspect ratio is the width-to-height ratio of the film frame.
• Early video had an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
• 16:9 is a recommended aspect ratio for filming.
• 1.85:1 is a similar option.
• Avoid shooting vertically.
• Shooting vertically results in large expanses at the top and bottom of the screen when viewed horizontally.

Black and White vs. Color

• Once color film was invented, it became more popular than black and white.
• Black and white can be used to indicate flashbacks or nostalgia.
• Desaturating the color can also create a sense of the past.
• A rose-colored filter could be used to depict a character's overly positive view of the past.
• Movies are typically made to look like how we see the world, which is why film is often preferred over digital.
• Examples of when to use black and white:
  • Dead Man: Homage to old westerns.
  • The Man Who Wasn't There: Homage to film noir.
  • The Artist: About the silent movie era.
  • Wonderstruck: To contrast two stories from different time periods.

Exposure and Color

• Cinematographers must properly balance exposure.
• Aim for an even exposure with a nice range of tonality.
• Chiaro or Scuro can be used for a dramatic look, emphasizing extremes.
• Hollywood often favors film stock that pops blues and oranges.
• Some films use muted colors to mimic the style of paintings from a specific historical period.

Camera Shots

• Wide Shot/ Long Shot (LS):
  • Establishing shot to provide context.
  • Often used to open a movie, showing a skyline and gradually moving closer.
• Medium Shot: Waist up and head in.
• Close-Up: Tightly framed.
• Big Close-Up: Even tighter framing, possibly cutting off the top of the head or bottom of the chin.
• Extreme Close-Up: Shows very small details, like a twitching eye.
• Single Shot: One character or subject.
• Medium Two Shot: Two characters in the shot.
• Three Shot: Three characters, or an over-the-shoulder shot of one character with others in the background for context.
• Over the Hip: Similar to over-the-shoulder, but when one character is sitting lower.
• Point of View (POV) Shot:
  • Shows the scene from a character's perspective.
  • Needs to be set up by showing the character looking.

Composition Techniques

• Masking:
  • Using elements within the scene to frame the subject.
  • Can add metaphorical weight or tell part of the story.
• Deep Space Composition:
  • Staging elements on multiple planes in the frame.
  • Everything is in focus (deep focus or long depth of field).
• Shallow Depth of Field:
  • Only elements on one plane are in focus.
  • Wes Anderson often uses flat staging, avoiding deep space composition.
• Rule of Thirds:
  • Placing the focus of attention on the intersections of a 3x3 grid.
  • Creates better composition.
• Symmetry:
  • Creates a pleasing, sometimes quirky, look.
  • Often used in Amelie.
• Visual Hierarchy:
  • Using contrast and placement to draw the eye.
  • Balancing positive and negative space.

Camera Angles and Movement

• Neutral Angle:
  • Camera is straight out, at eye or shoulder level. Most common.
• High Angle:
  • Camera looking down at the subject. Subject is less powerful.
• Low Angle:
  • Camera looking up at the subject. Subject is more powerful.
• Canted/Dutch Angle:
  • Horizon line is not straight.
  • Used to indicate something is off or unsettling.
• Pan: Horizontal movement of the camera on a tripod.
• Tilt: Vertical movement of the camera on a tripod.
• Dolly/Tracking Shot:
  • Camera moves along a track or wheels.
  • Can be dolly in, dolly out, side to side, up, or down.
• Crane Shot: Camera is mounted on a crane.
• Steadicam: A camera stabilization system that allows for smooth movement while the operator is moving.
• Zoom:Generally avoid
  • Magnifying using the lens, not moving the camera.
• Dolly Zoom:
  • Zooming in while dollying out (or vice versa) to create a disorienting effect.

Lighting Properties

• Properties of Lighting:

  • Source of Light: Natural, fluorescent, lamp, spotlight, floodlight.
  • Quality of Light: Hard or soft.
  • Direction and Style.

• Color Temperature:

  • Warmer temperatures (leaning into daylight) create more natural looks.
  • Cooler temperatures (leaning into blue) create cold looks.

• Sculpting Natural Light:

  • Using bounce boards or reflectors to direct light.

• Hard Light:

  • Creates crisp edges and stark shadows, showing detail such as wrinkles.
  • Can be used to age someone in a film.

• Soft Light:

  • Softer edges and flattering shadows.
  • Used to soften features such as lines and wrinkles in someone's face.

• Three-Point Lighting:

  • Key Light, Fill Light, and Backlight.

• Backlighting: Creates silhouettes.

• Halloween Lighting: Lit from below.

• Lighting from Above: Creates shadows over the eyes, making characters appear mysterious or powerful.

• Racking Focus:

  • Shifting focus between subjects to direct the viewer's attention.

Storyboards

• Due in week nine, use template provided.
• Essential for pre-planning and knowing where to start.
• Five different shots from different angles adds interest.

Example Shots

• Wide shot - to know location
• Medium - shows one or two actors faces with little background.
• Over the shoulder - actor talking as another listenes with some of their back showing to help viewer

Story Board Layout and Tips

• Start with your scene in your screenplay
• Take photos and add it in (most efficient way to do) or draw it
• Fill ins all of the data, so it is known where you took what and where to add what.
• Ambiance will always be present to fill
• Add in speech and noise.