JCM412512/Cinematography (Discussion)

Template:Gallery Provide examples from the Television textbook (online) or Out of the Past (above) for the following.

1. Groups 2 and 3: What is depth of field?
   • Define these terms:
     • Shallow focus
     • Deep focus
     • Pulling focus (What's another name for it?)
   • Identify the depth of field in each Out of the Past screen shot above.
2. Group 4: What is focal length?
   • Define these focal-length terms:
     • Wide angle
     • Telephoto
     • Variable focal length lens (what's another, more common name for it?)
   • Can you identify the focal length probably used in these Out of the Past shots (above)?
3. Group 5 and 6: Framing.
   • Explain high/low angles.
     • Identify the high/low angle in each Out of the Past screen shot above.
   • 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.
4. 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 and Ordinary People?

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.

Bibliography

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

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
6. Monster's Ball video clip