Cinematography final blog tasks

Task 2

Three Colours: Blue (1993), directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski. 


1.How does the use of close-up shots enhance our understanding of the narrative?

For me the most interesting closeup was the one where we see a reflection of a doctor in characters eye. This shot shows the Point Of View shot, but actually recording an extreme closeup. 

The closeups made us feel more connected to the little girl, and when we see the boy that saw a car accident, when it actually happens, we only see the toy in his hand and hear the diegetic sound of the car crashing into the tree. It makes us feel like we are the character. 

2.Discuss the emotional impact of the sequence. How do the close-ups contribute to this? 

There were a lot of closeups that shows fear, curiosity and it makes us feel like there's an upcoming danger. 

Task 3

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip (2006), created by Aaron Sorkin.

1.How is camera movement used to communicate the excitement and drama of live television?

The camera movements on the set are very stable and smooth, although when we change the shot to the backstage and monitor room there's a handheld camera to build up the tension, and let us know what the producers think of this situation.  From time to time the camera movements goes from what we see on the small camera monitor to an actual characters on the set. That might even be the POV of other cast sitting behind the camera. 

2.How are long shots and medium shots used to give the audience clues regarding the drama’s setting, narrative and character?

 The medium closeups on the producers is like a physical representation of us waiting for their decision. The long shots  show us how the characters are introduced to this situation. There're also a lot of low angle shots on the main character to show the attention and power that he had at that moment.

Task 4

13 Reasons Why (2017) created by Brian Yorkey.

1.How are tracking or dolly shots used in the sequence?

The tracking shot at the beginning are just to let us see what the main character is showing to the external students, but then it changes and we see the POV of the students watching the boy to show the audience that everyone in the hallway is paying attention to him. Then the dolly shots in the middle of the clip are middle closeups on the character to build the tension and to show that everyone is listening to him closely. At the end there's also a dolly long shot on the character looking as the boy is waling away which shows us that they are 'frozen' in place.

2.How are camera shots and angles used in the sequence and what might they communicate to the audience? 

The shots in the clip are mostly medium long shots, closeups and medium closeups. The camera comes closer to the main character when he talks about the events that happened at the school to build tension and to let the audience know that what he says is really important. 

Task 5

Citizen Kane (1940), directed by Orson Welles.

1.Discuss the various shots and camera movements and their effects.

There were some closeups and two extreme closeups, they were used to show the the sign 'no entrance' or the lips of the mane who spoke his last words and the reflection of a woman coming into the room. There were a lot of long shots there we see the house, the window and all other places.

2.How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film language you have studied to create meaning?

The track in the background and diegetic sound mach some of the shots and the prop that he dropped on the floor was then used with the reflection shot. 

Task 6 

Moulin Rouge (2001), directed by Baz Luhrmann

1.Comment on how the various shots and camera movements help to introduce the story.

We see a closeup at the beginning  on the main character writing a story. Then there's an extreme closeup on the words that his writing. While he's writing there are a lot of medium and long shots of his memories or how how he imagined it to be. Then there's a scene where we get a wide shot.

2.How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film language?

There's a lot of diegetic sound and and music in the background. Also there's a song at the beginning that mach the words that the main character types on the typewriter.