CLOSE UP SHOT- close up shots are used to indicate that something is important and highlight its significance-they can be props or reactions. An example of a close up is in American Psycho when we are first introduced to Patrick Bateman’s routine. This scene gave me a sense of stability and order, but also made me feel uneasy and slightly uncomfortable as it appears quite unnatural. This is because most people don’t have the “perfect routine” and this is when Patrick’s psychopathic personality starts to peek through.
MEDIUM LONG SHOT- a medium long shot shows the character from the knees or hips up. This is used to show the character and its surroundings to reveal how they relate to their surroundings. In this scene from “Jennifer’s Body”, we are able to notice her outfit which represents her bright and girly personality while also acknowledging how confident she is by her posture and walk which give her a sense of power.
EXTREME LONG SHOT- this type of shot is used to make our character/s appear small compared to their location or far away from another subject. They are used to make the character seem distant and alienated. A good example of this shot is the twins scene from “The Shining”. The effect this has on the audience is to make Danny seem isolated and vulnerable and make them fear what will happen to him next.
Cinematography in film can be described as the technology and art of motion-picture photography; it involves techniques that compose a general scene, lighting of the set/location, lenses and filters, choice of cameras but also things such as camera angles and movements or any special effects.
Cinematography is the art of visual storytelling. Cinematography consists of everything that we see on the screen. Some of these visual elements consist of lighting, framing, angles, camera motion, genre, lenses, depth of field, colour, exposure and filtration.
All of these elements used together is what creates the films and series that we see everyday. Without careful planning of what camera angles and shot types you’re going to use you won’t be able to fully convey your story.
Diegetic: This is how the audience is being asked to view content or subjects on the screen. Many times this is shown through close ups. This technique is very commonly used in films. This is because close up shots ensure that the audience can see all of the emotions that the character is feeling. By doing this it can cause the viewers to feel more connected to the characters and continue watching.
The Hunger Games – https://www.wired.com/2015/07/new-mockingjay-2-trailer/
Intra-Diegetic: This is when the audience are put into the characters place. An example shot of this would be a POV shot. This is a very effective technique used in film in order to entice the audience and make them feel as though they are in the film. They are also used to show us what the characters are witnessing and helps convey the feelings and emotional state of the characters.
Extra-Diegetic: This is when someone on screen directly addressing the audience by either talking to them or looking straight into the lens (Breaking the fourth wall). Many directors break the fourth wall because it is an effective way to create intimacy between the actors and the audience, and it helps strengthen their relationship. This can make the audience feel more attached to the characters and become more intrigued to finding out more about the story.
Cinematography is the art and craft of making motion pictures by capturing a story visually. In technical terms, cinematography is the art and the science of recording light either electronically onto an image sensor or chemically onto film.
Taken from the Greek for “writing with movement,” cinematography is the creation of images you see on screen. A series of shots that form a cohesive narrative. Cinematography composes each shot, considering, where everything in frame demands attention.
A memorable scene for me would be the final chase sequence between Deckard and Roy Batty. I believe it summarises one of the key themes of the movie, humans vs. replicants, whilst also adding to the idea of replicants being children in terms of their social consciousness. Roy almost treats the chase as a game of hide and seek, not taking Deckard’s threat seriously.
The impact this scene from the Joker has on the audience is very powerful. The close up on Arthur in the mirror roughly manipulating his smile makes the audience feel uncomfortable and tense, just as Arthur is feeling. The director emphasized this by blurring everything in the foreground and background directing us to only look at Arthurs actions.
Intra-diegetic – The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project uses “found footage” which allows the audience to feel as if they are really there with the characters behind the camera, they are part of the story. The impact this technique has on the audience can truly be terrifying especially when used in a horror film. The camera work makes the audience feel tense and engrossed in the action on screen.
Extra-diegetic – American Psycho (2000)
In this scene in American Psycho, Patrick is staring straight into the camera and into the audiences eyes while talking about what he is thinking through a voice over, this is creating a relationship between him and the audience, which is quite jarring when watching the film.
WHY: When Pris is shot (retired) she lets out these horrifying screams making the scene raw and disturbing; her convulsions also enhance this scene, reinforcing how she isn’t human and is practically malfunctioning as a doll/robot would. Making her performance haunting for the audience. Her display of acrobatics highlights how she is inexperienced and child-like despite being in an adult body.
Diegetic- Jordan Peele’s close up in Get out; his fear and emotions are being emphasized through the use of close up. This extreme close up is used to mainly focus of his eyes that pretty much indicate his feelings of fear; this causes the audience to experience a tiny bit of that fear and sort of put themselves in the characters shoes and think about what he might be thinking in that catastrophic moment.
Intra diegetic gaze- Harley Quinn going down the slide in the end fight scene of Birds of Prey. This scene makes us see things from Harleys perspective which gives us the feelings of the euphoric emotions she is feeling.
Extra diegetic gaze- perspective of another character; and example of this is in Wolf of Wall Street when Jordan Belford talks directly to the camera. The effect this has on the audience is significant as it shifts our focus directly on Jordan and what he is saying.
