JCM412512/Cinematography (Discussion)

If possible, provide examples from Out of the Past for the following.

1. Group 2: What is focal length?
   • Define these focal-length terms:
     • Wide angle
     • Telephoto
     • Variable focal length lens (what's another, more common name for it?)
2. Group 3: What is depth of field?
   • Define these terms:
     • Shallow focus
     • Deep focus
     • Pulling focus (What's another name for it?)
3. Group 2: Framing.
4. Explain high/low angles.
   • Explain the differences among these types of camera movement:
     • Pan
     • Tilt
     • Handheld
     • Tracking or dolly shot
   • Explain the difference between a tracking/dolly shot and a zoom.
5. Group 1: What is aspect ratio?
   • Define/explain these terms/numbers:
     • Standard Ratio: 4 : 3 or 1.33 : 1
     • Widescreen
       • Anamorphic 2.35 or 2.4 : 1
       • Masked 1.85 : 1
       • TV widescreen: 16 : 9 or 1.78 : 1
   • What are the aspect ratios of Out of the Past, Ordinary People and Shakespeare in Love?

Cinematography and narrative

All groups:

In the Monster's Ball scene we viewed, what narrative functions does the cinematography serve? List three of them. Be sure to consider deep/shallow focus, focus shifts and framing in the third shot.

Shot three from the Monster's Ball scene begins.

Shot three from the Monster's Ball scene continues.

Bibliography

1. Jeremy G. Butler, Television: Critical Methods and Applications
2. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction (McGraw-Hill).

External links

1. Cinematography illustrations
2. Out of the Past frame captures
3. Out of the Past video clip
4. Shakespeare in Love video clip
5. Monster's Ball frame grabs