Cinematography

In this task learnt a little bit more about cinematography and how it works. To do his we studied each shot type and why different shots are used for different situations. Also, we had a go at re making each shot ourselves and explained each of them. 

Very Long Shot (VLS)

Long Shot (LS)

Mid Shot (MS) - These are the most common shot seen in most films. It is a shot framed to see most the subjects body. They are in between close ups and long shots. This shot gives us a good view of who the subject is and captures dialogue well. In this particular type of shot we are showing from the characters knees up to the head where as medium close ups are from waist up. 

Medium Close Up (MCU) - This is the shot from waste up, also used a lot in most films to show character and dialogue. Also used as a two shot with two characters facing the same way and over the shoulder shot to show a clear conversation between two people. 

Close Up (CU) - In these shots the person in it is the main subject as we cant see much of the surroundings. This gives us a real focus of person and their action of face expression. They are much more dramatic than mid or long shots. It is mostly used to show the characters emotion.  

Extreme Close Up (ECU) - Sometimes known to be the detailed shot. That is what they do, this shot type of to pay attention to one precise detail such as the lips or eyes of a character that would not be seen or noticed in a longer shot. It really gives emphasis on the detail of the subject and completely takes over the frame.

Cutaway (CA) - This shot type is used when so us as the audience can get a better idea as of what the subject is focusing on or talking about, for example we see a two-shot of a conversation about a man that we cannot see, the camera would then cutaway from the conversation to the man maybe in a different location.

Cut-in - Similar to a cutaway but this is giving cuts in to something that the subject is looking at. This would give us as the audience a better insight of what is being shown or focused of. For example we see a midshot of a man choosing a golf club, it would then cut in to a close up of all the golf clubs so we can see his options.

Two-shot - This is a very self explanatory shot type. In the frame we see two characters in the frame in maybe a mid shot or a medium close up. This gives us a better idea of the two characters and how they interact with each over. Also building up a character relationship.

Over The Shoulder Shot (OSS) - This shot is used a lot of the time in films to show a conversation between two characters. The shot in positioned behind a shoulder of one character and other character is opposite them. This makes us feel involved and part of the conversation. Often this shot will switch in between the two characters to show the dialogue of each individual. Also the rule of 180 degrees is used, this is where when switching in between characters the camera movement is kept around of side of the shoulder. This is so it looks realistic and we see continuos shots.

Pan - This shot is a horizontal rotation of a still camera to capture the movement of the subject. Best done on a tripod to get a steady and even movement. This gives us as the audience a clear view of the movement of a subject. For example a woman walking towards her car, we could use a panning shot to follow her from her front door to the car from the camera being fixed in one position.

Eye Level - This shot in directly on eye level with a character. Often used as a mid shot to show us a conversation. It puts in prospective of the person we are seeing as it brings us to the level as them.

Steady Cam - A steady cam is a special tripod used that gives us a smooth movement of sometimes fast action. It is a tripod that is strapped on to you, it is also a POV as we see what the character is seeing.

Point of View (POV) - This shot seems like it is positioned in front tof the characters face. This is because we literally see what the character is seeing. This makes us feel like we are in that persons shoes. This is sometime shown to makes us feel uncomfortable if they are in a difficult position. Also used in the action to make us feel part of it.

All of these shots are used in the same way in stop motion animation as it is not a limiting factor. A mixture of these depending on the genre makes good cinematography. Essential shots like medium close up need to be used and is featured in 99% of all films. Also varied shots like pans and POV is needed to show us prospective of characters.