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. 

Cinematography video feedback and learner response

WWW:
-no dialogue - economical storytelling
-well shaped
-wide range of shots
-performances- realistic,
-editing- use of flashbacks
             -cross-cutting technique
-well paced
-sound towards end/ climax

EBI:
-include music earlier
-sound- too uneven

WWW:
-good editing x2
-nice storytelling
-the diegetic sound
-variety of shots x2

EBI:
-smoother transitions x2
-add music x3

4) Now reflect on your work and write your own comments. Add three WWWs and three EBIs underneath the rest of your feedback.

I think the audio in my video is something that is the biggest problem. I could've add some music in the background. Also the shots aren't glued together properly.

WWW:
-nice editing
-variety of shots

EBI:
-smoother transitions
-add music, even a quite one

5) Learner response: think about what you learned making the video and also watching others. What will you do differently when you start the coursework in the summer? What tips or tricks have you learned from others that you can use next time? Are there any specific aspects of camerawork that you need to revise or practice?

I will definitely organise my time more and add the music to the video. I also need to improve my editing skills and watch out for the focus in the camera. It's also hard to put the pieces together without no music in the background.

Cinematography blog tasks

1) Write an analysis of the cinematography in the opening sequence. Highlight your use of media language and try to cover camera shots, angles and movement using the terminology we have learned in lessons.

The sequence starts with a wide shot of the fountain, couch and New York city in the background. After that we have a long shot, this time focusing on the couch, where the cast is appearing one after another. Then we have all friends dancing around with a tracking shot on two of them and a medium shot on one of the actresses. Next there is an introduction to the cast of the show, mixing medium shots with medium long shots and close ups. At the end we have a long shot of the couch, now turned around, with friends sitting on it.

2) How does the camerawork give the audience clues about the setting, narrative and character?

The camera work is really energetic, there are a lot of cuts and tracking shots. That might suggests that the characters on the show are really positive, humorous and have a lot of energy. The long shots at the begging and the end gives us a theme of the series: a life of six best friends in Manhattan.

3) Find and analyse four film or TV stills. Embed the images in your blog and analyse the camera shot/angle and what they communicate to the audience.  


1. A still from horror movie 'Halloween' 


The woman and the villain are placed in symmetrical position on this camera shot. That shows us that the characters are going to face each other and they acknowledging each others presence. The camera seems to be blocking the way out so the woman in stuck in a corner with the man with the mask. That makes the illusion of almost claustrophobic feeling.

2. A still form movie 'The Lobster' 


On this movie still, the camera shot plays a big role. The long shot that feels almost like a wide shot tells us that the characters are somewhere where the aren't a lot of civilization.  All that there is are mountains and a road, which seems to be empty. Because of that the characters seems to be a little helpless. 

3. A still from a Swedish movie 'Sill life' 


This still image is a high angle shot. The angle is so sharp that from what we expect to be a medium shot, we've got a long shot. The man seems to be scared of what is in front of him. He looks a lot smaller and vulnerable. 

4. A still from a TV series 'Stranger Things'
 

This still image is a low angle shot. For a lot of times a low angle shot is used to show the dominance of the character, but here it's used to kind of make this shot a POV shot. The low angle is used to see the reactions of the characters and to make us more engaged with the scene.

Cinematography video task

In my video I used a lot of mediun shots and closeups. 

The story behind this video is that  girl has a trauma after seeing her friend in being killed. She has flashbacks and can't seem to forget about her. 

For the video I used a closeup, big closeup, medium shot, long shot, wide shot, POV, high angle shot and over-the-shoulder shot. I also used For the camera movement I used tracking shot.