5 Points on Cinematography-Miss Miller

25-09-2013
5 Points on Cinematography
Vasil Nikolov

5 Points on Cinematography

In Film making, producers use a system, called the 5C`s in order to create a perfect movie. Below I have explained each one and why is it important.

1. Camera Angles
the placement of the camera is determined by the significance of the scene. This is very important as you are determine to show why you are looking at what you are looking at. It may be because it looks good, or because we need to see it to move the story along. It should always be to move the story along and never solely because it looks good.

2. Continuity
If the continuity is good, it would encourage the viewer to become absorbed in the story-telling, without distractions. The prime purpose of a motion picture, whether Thriller fiction or documentary fact film, its purpose is to capture and hold, the audience`s attention (from opening shot to final fade-out). This entire section breaks down the nuts and bolts of photographing action in such a way that it makes sense on the viewer`s screen.

3. Cutting
Cutting is a technique, which always moves players in and out of a close-ups to allow cutting on action. Usually producers use specific series of sights and sounds in order to horrify or show and emotion of the character. Each shot should make a point. All scenes should be linked together so that their combined effect, rather than their individual contents, produces the desired audience reactions. In a thriller movie, sounds would show up when the killer is near his victim, in order to scare the audience or create suspense.

4. Close-Ups
Close-ups should be made to count. The stronger the motive for using a close-up, the more the close-up can help make the story-telling truly effective! In thriller movies, it is normal to have a close-up on the victim to show its feelings towards the murderer or the weapon which will be used by the victim/killer. This way a relationship is formed between the audience (If the camera is closed-up on the person) or to distance the audience from the person.

5. Composition
“Good composition is arrangement of pictorial elements to form a unified harmonious whole.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, when you are telling stories for an audience you are not the beholder, they are. The most important set of eyes belong to the audience. It is an important feature for a thriller movie as if the arrangement was incorrect, then there would be almost no suspense (And suspense is an important feature for a thriller), which would cause the audience to lose interest in the movie.

Even though there are 5 C`s which are important, there is a hidden one, which is equally important as the rest.

6. The Sixth C
In closing, there is a sixth C of Cinematography. It is called Compliment. When you have just finished watching a story you think that it looked great, make sure you tell the person or group of people who created it. Oscar Wilde said it best, “Anybody can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success”.

Research into Editing styles-Miss Georgiou

20-09-13
Vasil Nikolov
Research into Editing

Film editing is part of the process of film making. The term film editing arrives from the process of working with film and involves the use of digital technology to improve the film. Film editing is often referred to as the "invisible art" because when it is well-practised, the viewer can become so engaged, that he or she is not even aware of the editor's work. 

The Film clip, which I have chosen to support my explanations towards  editing techniques is a part of "the Shining".

The first scene in the clip is called a Straight cut. A straight cut has a change of shot from one viewpoint or location to another, this may be done to change the scene. This is why the picture moves from the above To the one below:

Using a straight cut, the director is trying to involve the audience into following where the next event will happen and how it will be implemented. In this case we see how the camera moves from the walking Jack Nicholson holding an axe to a scared woman, trying to run away through the window. This type of editing scene is conventional for a thriller movie as the producer is trying to show to the audience, the next place where the event will evolve.

The next Edit technique is a Shot reverse shot. In this type of shots, the conversation is taking place and it is when one shot quickly follows another. Again for example, the conversation between the woman and her son quickly follows the ramblings of the crazy J.N. In thrillers, it is normal to have similar edit techniques in order to keep their audiences under suspense and create more unsteady images.

Another interesting technique is the Reaction shot. It is counted as a classical thriller technique in which a subject reacts to a previous shot. In the movie, the main heroine, reacts to the hits on the locked door by the hits of the axe, held by J.N. This shows to the audience that the heroine is expressing feelings of fear and that the audience would feel sorry for her as they know that she would sooner or later be killed. This is conventional to a thriller movies as the camera technique emphasises to the feeling 

The next camera editing technique is called a Jump cut. A Jump cut is when the film suddenly focuses on something (an object). In this case, the camera zooms in on the knife, which was located in the sink. The audience would be able to feel excited as they would also be able to share the fear and thinking of the heroine. This is a normal edit technique for the thriller movies as it usually shows the weapons used by the victim/killer.

One of the most important movie technique is the 180 degree rule. When a scene is being shot, the scene has to be shaped in a box. From this box one of the 4 corners is imaginary out of which camera`s one of the walls. This way the audience has the perfect view of the entire situation. 

My final point is that the film shows  the following technique, known as a Timing of shots. This particular technique is created to either slow down or speed up the shot in order to create suspense or add emotional impact. The example is when J.N. started to cut down the door. The audience would freak out as they see J.N tearing down the door at an interestingly different speed. This would be implemented in order to  This technique is usual for a Thriller movie as it would add suspense to the shot.

Research Into Camera Angles-Miss Miller

Camera Angles
19-9-13
Vasil Nikolov

In cinematography is the technique of movie photography, including both the shooting and development of the film. In movies, camera angles are very important as they display in different roles of the characters, what is happening and what their emotions are.

The film I have chosen to use as my example for the different type of angles is “Taken”. Even though there is a lot of action in it, it is counted as a thriller due to camera angles, Mise-en-scene and other factors such as music.
(link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IPt91Yf8_M):

-The first camera angle is called Establishing shot. This type of camera angle defines the location and gives the audience a perspective of what is to happen. In this case, we see two people with suitcases at the airport waiting for a taxi. The audience would not suspect that something horrible could happen as the scene shows an everyday airport situation. This is convectional for a Thriller movie as it uses this technique in order to show the audience that even something normal as catching a taxi may escalate into a trap for the primary/secondary character. The audience themselves would feel calm as the situation looks normal (Time in the clip 00.00.00). 

-The second camera angle which was seen was at point 00.00.03, is called a Two Shot. In a two shot position, the camera shows two people who are of equal importance. In the shot, the two characters (evil guy and victim) are having a normal conversation. In thriller movies a two shot usually shows how both characters are acting towards each other. The audience will feel pitiful towards the female character as they know that the male is a kidnapper. This is unconventional for a thriller as the killer or villain is usually with a hidden identity in order to create an enigma for the audience.

-The third camera position used is called a Close up. Close ups show a smaller part of the scene, in order to emphasise on an object of importance. In this case it is the face of the taxi driver (00.00.19). The audience can relate that he looks confused and scared of being hurt. This can be related to victims seeing their killer or being hurt in order to share their fright/pain with the audience. It creates a relationship between the character and the audience as they start to feel close to him and sorry for him as he might be hurt or he might lose his car. Thriller films use this angle in order to familiarise the victims or heroes with the audience.

-At 00.00.30, there is another angle involved. It is called a Canted Angle (It can be also accepted as a high angle). This type of angle suggests instability and imbalance. In the shot, the main character has been pulled out of the car and has started a fight. From the angle, the audience can realise that the result or winner of this fight is uncertain. The Audience would start to support the character as he is displayed as the week fighter from the two in this shot. They would also create a warm relationship to him as they would want him to win. In thrillers such as this one, the fights and gun points/chases use this type of camera angles in order to create suspense in the audience.

-At 00.00.41, the audience sees through Liam Neeson`s eyes that the kidnapper has ran away from the back seats of the taxi. This type of shot is called a Point of View shot. It engages the audience in what the character sees. Thrillers use this type of angle in order to put the audience in the shoes of the character and make them imagine what the character is thinking in this situation. It creates a sense of contribution in the audience as they would probably start to comment on which way he should go. They would have a positive relationship as they would want him to win and retrieve his beloved daughter.

-At 00.00.48, the audience sees the face of Liam Neeson, who is trying to start up the car and catch the kidnapper . The camera itself is handheld, in order to create unsteady images and produce a sense of urgency and chaos. This creates suspense in the audience as they start to feel confused and ask themselves, whether Mr. Neeson will catch up with the Villain or the policemen will catch him.In thriller movies, cameras are usually handheld in order to create panic in the audience so they would experience more fear and curiosity.

-At 00.00.49, there is a sequence of shots using the Panning angle. This type of angle is used when an object, in this case the taxi with which Neeson is chasing the kidnapper of her daughter, who is running, wounded towards the interchange for the motorway is moving. This way the audience picks up dynamic action from the two characters and feels involved as the camera is also at eye level. The camera itself is positioned on the pavement were people walk in order to look like the audience is an onlooker passing by and seeing how the event escalates.  They would also start to feel worried for the person who is running as in this case, he will be portrayed as the victim (even though he was the kidnapper of Neeson`s daughter). This is typical for a thriller film as they have small plot twists in order to interest their audience in watching the film to see what will happen. The fast pacing of the camera creates unsteady images, which create suspense and uncertainty in the audience, as they do not know what may happen. Thriller movies use these angles in order to show the dynamic movement of the object/character it is filming.

-00.01.29 marks the start of the Steadicam scene. In a Steadicam scene, the camera remains steady as it moves around. In this scene the kidnapper jumps from the bridge onto a trailer. Using this camera technique, the fall looks graceful and interesting for the viewer as he has enough time to see what is happening and think on what may follow. The audience would build a negative relationship with him as he looks like he is winning and Neeson will not be able to catch him. Stedicamss are not always used in Thrillers as they do not create enough suspense. However they are used more in action films in order to give enough detail to the audience with what is happening. This type of angle is used in action films a lot more. Sometimes steadycams are used in thrillers to show a scene in which the background can be seen, giving enough detail to the audience.

-00.01.41 is the next commonly used camera angles in thriller movies. It is called a High Angle. This type of angle is positioned above the object, making it smaller. In our case, not only does it make the kidnapper smaller, but it also portrays him as the victim as one second later a lorry hits him. This would create fear in the audience as the previous camera angle could make them believe that the villain has recovered from the fall and will escape. However he doesn`t, as immediately after he recovers from the fall a lorry hits and kills him.

And finally we see the last camera angle, which is a Long Shot. At 00.01.52, Liam Neeson returns to the airport following the aftermath of the encounter with the kidnapper (which is a lot of car crashes). Long Shot angles are used to show the entire object (Liam Neeson) and a large amount of the background (The aftermath from the car chase). This way the audience can see the amount of chaos created from the chase between the two characters. It is used in thriller films to show what challenges the characters have gone through, so the audience has a pity for them or feel disturbed from the character`s actions.

These are the ones which are mainly used in thriller films. There are many more angles used, however not all can create the amount of tension, chaos and at the same time show emotions from the characters.

Research into Mise-en-scene, Miss Georgiou

Mise-en-Scene

11-09-13

Mise-en-Scene arrives from the French language and means "What is put into a scene or a frame". It is the visual information that is recorded by the camera and it`s role is to show the audience what the information regarding the film is. Mise-en-Scene is split into 5 categories:

1. The first category is called Setting and Iconography.

Setting and Iconography are an important part in film-making just as "background" is. Setting is filmed on a set, that has either been built from scratch or a great deal of time has been spent in order to find it. Another feature of the setting is that it can manipulate the audience, by building certain expectations and then taking a different turn. An example from the film “Unknown” shows us a scene, were staff and patients are getting in and out. This manipulates the audience`s mind to believe that everything is normal.

However, a couple of scenes later, we see something different:

The first sequence of the film is set in a hospital, which is a realistic setting and it is a setting which the audience could recognise. The main character wakes up to find a nurse dead on the floor beside his bed. This then shocks the audience as they would not expect to see a dead nurse. The audience would experience a feeling of confusion. They would feel confused as they would not expect to see a dead nurse next to the patient. This is conventional for a thriller movie, as the audience would be high on suspense and surprised because the situation in which they are put is abnormal and terrifying to watch. They would also want to find out why the nurse has been killed. 

2. The second category is called Costumes and Makeup. In Costumes and Makeup, the Clothes are an instant indicator to us of the personality of the character.  It also shows the personality, status or job. Clothes also indicate whether the film is set in the past, present or the future. From the same film, the scene shows how Liam Neeson remembers his “wife” smiling. In the picture below, the memory of his wife portrays a woman, which is happy (it may mean that she is smiling) and also the clothes she is wearing are white (which is a connotation of peace, beauty, etc.) dress. The audience would relate to the colour and create a positive relationship to the woman as she is portrayed as innocent and beautiful. They would also start to have a positive relationship to Neeson himself as they would like to see him be with his wife again.

Compared to that in the present, the character is presented as sad, distant and mysterious regarding his thoughts. The audience would also recognise these feelings by looking at his clothes. Due to him wearing dark coloured clothing, the audience would co notate the dark colour with death or sadness. The audience would also feel pitiful for him as they are seeing him being sad about loosing his life. In our thriller clip, the clothes of the killer will be dark and his face will be hidden in order to hide his personality and status. This in turn would create an enigma and intrigue our audience to find out who he is.

3. The 3^rd category is called Facial expression and Body language. In this category the audience will experience to see a clear indicator of how someone is feeling.  For example in the picture above, the audience can see that the character feels sad and confused of what has happened previously just by looking at his face. In the picture below, the audience can once again see the feelings of the character. Judging by the body language, the character looks angry and also trying to take something from Liam Neeson. In the film, she becomes angry at him because he finds out her secret. In a thriller movie, the body language and facial expression of the person are very important as they can determine whether he/she are the victim or the villain. This means that when the thriller clip will be shot, the producer and director must make sure to display which person is the victim and who is the killer.

4.  Positioning of the character within a frame. In this section, the shot can draw the audience`s attention to an important character or objective. Positioning is effectively used when the producer wants to show a relationship between two people. In the shot below, the camera has been positioned to show a scrapbook with pictures. This way he is indicating to the audience that this object will cause a conversation or an argument between the characters.

                                     

 In the shot below, we see the camera focusing on the two main characters to indicate to the audience that the two characters are creating a friendly relationship between one-another. When creating a thriller movie, the camera would be positioned on a weapon (knife, croquet mallet, bottle of gin) or on the character`s face when seeing something gruesome. This way the audience can quickly sense the feelings of the character or the weapon used to attack.

5. The last section is called Lighting and colour. In colour, there are 3 important things to remember:

-the certain colour has a denotation which gives a first meaning (black=dark colour)
-the certain colour has a connotation which gives the implied meaning (black=danger, death, mystery)
-it can give a look, feel or mood to a certain scene. For example, here the two characters are in a disco bar so the audiences can see black and blue. Both colours have a denotation of being dark colours, which means that the identity of the two characters is hidden as we cannot see them. Secondly those colours have a connotation of mystery, fear or vigilance. When making a thriller clip, it is advisory to use low key lighting (using only the key and back lights) rather than High key lighting in order to create sharp contrast of light and dark areas.

Those are the five categories used in Mise-en-Scene. With them films can be generated into thrillers, romantic comedies or action films. The film used as an example is called Unknown. It is counted as an Action Thriller. The clip below is the trailer, which shows most of the film in a summary. 
For my own movie, I will use similar camera techniques in order to be able to surprise and create tension for my audience. I will also be using low key lighting in order to create shadows that may scare the audience and use dark colours such as black, grey or dark blue in order to implement to the audience what the killer is going to look like.