Cinematography Blog Task
Find the opening sequence to a film or TV drama of your choice on YouTube and embed the video in a blogpost called 'Cinematography blog tasks'.
(First one minute)
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.
(First one minute)
We expect a film to begin with a typical establishing shot so we are able to get some kind of information on what to expect through the film. The establishing shot shows the audience the setting so we can get some kind of feel for the film. The beginning of this film however subverts what we typically expect as it starts with a long shot in quite a confined space. This generates enigma codes as we begin questioning where we are and what's happening. The camera starts of still and then changes to a backwards tracking shot so we are able to follow the characters movement. A whip pan is then used so we are now behind the character. The use of a whip pan increases the realism of the scene. An over the shoulder shot is then used which allows us to see what the character is seeing at this point. It also increases tension as we are able to experience the same thing as the actor. When following the character, handheld camera movement is used. This makes the audience feel like they are actually in the scene, which builds up fear and mystery. A handheld pan is used when the door has been open which makes us feel like we are physically in the scene seeing the bodies on the ground. This brings the whole scene to life. A tilt is used to bring our attention and focus from the bodies on the ground to the main characters face. A medium close up is used where we are able to see the characters facial expressions and his reaction to what he's just seen. A pan is used to follow the action from room to room. A close up is used to draw attention to the electronic device on the table. This brings attention to the prop showing it has some kind of importance. A tracking/dolly shot is used to slowly move closer to the characters so we can gain some kind of idea of what's happening.
2) How does the camerawork give the audience clues about the setting, narrative and character?
The use of lots of handheld camera movement suggests we are in some kind of unsafe area as it increases tension and generates suspicion. Handheld camera work helps put us as an audience into the scene. It generates a sense of realism. The use of alot of panning to help us establish where we are also increases realism as we feel like we are looking around for ourselves. The close ups and the focuses on Bond show he is the main character and he is leading the film. The use of blurred shots when we first see new characters reinforce that they are superior to Bond and draws our focus away from them. The extreme close ups of blood and the electrical device on the table suggests the film will consist of violence. The electrical device has potential of being a bomb which reinforces the idea of violence.
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.
An extreme long shot has been used where we are able to see the characters as well as part of the scene. This generates enigma codes as we begin questioning where exactly we are because it isn't totally clear. The fact that the shot is from behind the characters and not in front generates more enigma codes as we are unable to get any emotion from the characters which makes it hard to establish what's going on. The extreme long shot does show us part of a car suggesting they've travelled to this location for a specific reason. We are able to see part of the surrounding location
which looks like they are in some kind of valley as we can see parts of mountains in the distance and little rivers flowing through the scene. This and the foggy setting all brings a cold kind of feel to the audience suggesting something negative is happening.
A close up has been used. This is to emphasise the emotion on his face. The main focus is his eyes as they are at the centre of the shot and they are showing us most emotion. This scrunched eyebrows show us that he is almost frowning giving off a negative feel. Enigma codes are generated as we are asking why and what he's frowning at, not only that but we generate Enigma codes because of the blood on his head. We want to know what events have led to this incident and what situation the character is currently in. We can partially see a helmet. We cannot see the whole thing but it appears to be some kind of protection as well as acting as a mask/ costume. This give the impression that the film is an action movie given away some clues as to what is currently happening.
A medium shot has been used. This shot only shows half of the actors body so we are still able to see the characters facial expressions in some detail. This is important so we can understand whats going on and we can begin to feel part of the film if we are able to connect with the actors emotions. The medium shot shows us some of the background so we are able to establish where the scene is set in this case we are able to see that we are in some kind of a forest. The setting links closely to the prop (bow and arrow) as hunting typically takes place in woodland areas. The medium shot also allows us to see the characters costume which also closely links with the idea of hunting. This gives away hints as to what the film is about and how the narrative may unfold.
An extreme close up has been used. These are used to draw attention to important things in a scene. In this case the money is clearly important as a shot that is only including the cash is added. This suggests the money has great power in this film and will play a massive role in the story line. Money has connotations to wealth, business and status. This suggests that the people involved with this cash are of a high social class and have great control. money rolled up like that can connote drug dealing suggesting the money could have been made through illegal deals.
(First one minute)
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.
(First one minute)
We expect a film to begin with a typical establishing shot so we are able to get some kind of information on what to expect through the film. The establishing shot shows the audience the setting so we can get some kind of feel for the film. The beginning of this film however subverts what we typically expect as it starts with a long shot in quite a confined space. This generates enigma codes as we begin questioning where we are and what's happening. The camera starts of still and then changes to a backwards tracking shot so we are able to follow the characters movement. A whip pan is then used so we are now behind the character. The use of a whip pan increases the realism of the scene. An over the shoulder shot is then used which allows us to see what the character is seeing at this point. It also increases tension as we are able to experience the same thing as the actor. When following the character, handheld camera movement is used. This makes the audience feel like they are actually in the scene, which builds up fear and mystery. A handheld pan is used when the door has been open which makes us feel like we are physically in the scene seeing the bodies on the ground. This brings the whole scene to life. A tilt is used to bring our attention and focus from the bodies on the ground to the main characters face. A medium close up is used where we are able to see the characters facial expressions and his reaction to what he's just seen. A pan is used to follow the action from room to room. A close up is used to draw attention to the electronic device on the table. This brings attention to the prop showing it has some kind of importance. A tracking/dolly shot is used to slowly move closer to the characters so we can gain some kind of idea of what's happening.
2) How does the camerawork give the audience clues about the setting, narrative and character?
The use of lots of handheld camera movement suggests we are in some kind of unsafe area as it increases tension and generates suspicion. Handheld camera work helps put us as an audience into the scene. It generates a sense of realism. The use of alot of panning to help us establish where we are also increases realism as we feel like we are looking around for ourselves. The close ups and the focuses on Bond show he is the main character and he is leading the film. The use of blurred shots when we first see new characters reinforce that they are superior to Bond and draws our focus away from them. The extreme close ups of blood and the electrical device on the table suggests the film will consist of violence. The electrical device has potential of being a bomb which reinforces the idea of violence.
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.
An extreme long shot has been used where we are able to see the characters as well as part of the scene. This generates enigma codes as we begin questioning where exactly we are because it isn't totally clear. The fact that the shot is from behind the characters and not in front generates more enigma codes as we are unable to get any emotion from the characters which makes it hard to establish what's going on. The extreme long shot does show us part of a car suggesting they've travelled to this location for a specific reason. We are able to see part of the surrounding location
which looks like they are in some kind of valley as we can see parts of mountains in the distance and little rivers flowing through the scene. This and the foggy setting all brings a cold kind of feel to the audience suggesting something negative is happening.
A close up has been used. This is to emphasise the emotion on his face. The main focus is his eyes as they are at the centre of the shot and they are showing us most emotion. This scrunched eyebrows show us that he is almost frowning giving off a negative feel. Enigma codes are generated as we are asking why and what he's frowning at, not only that but we generate Enigma codes because of the blood on his head. We want to know what events have led to this incident and what situation the character is currently in. We can partially see a helmet. We cannot see the whole thing but it appears to be some kind of protection as well as acting as a mask/ costume. This give the impression that the film is an action movie given away some clues as to what is currently happening.
A medium shot has been used. This shot only shows half of the actors body so we are still able to see the characters facial expressions in some detail. This is important so we can understand whats going on and we can begin to feel part of the film if we are able to connect with the actors emotions. The medium shot shows us some of the background so we are able to establish where the scene is set in this case we are able to see that we are in some kind of a forest. The setting links closely to the prop (bow and arrow) as hunting typically takes place in woodland areas. The medium shot also allows us to see the characters costume which also closely links with the idea of hunting. This gives away hints as to what the film is about and how the narrative may unfold.
An extreme close up has been used. These are used to draw attention to important things in a scene. In this case the money is clearly important as a shot that is only including the cash is added. This suggests the money has great power in this film and will play a massive role in the story line. Money has connotations to wealth, business and status. This suggests that the people involved with this cash are of a high social class and have great control. money rolled up like that can connote drug dealing suggesting the money could have been made through illegal deals.
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