Difference between revisions of "Style and the Camera (Discussion)"
From Screenpedia
Jump to navigationJump to searchLine 19: | Line 19: | ||
==DP exercise== | ==DP exercise== | ||
− | If you were a DP reshooting the '' | + | If you were a DP reshooting the ''Stranger Things'' and ''New Girl'' shots (below), how might you change these cinematographic aspects? |
#''Describe'' a cinematographic element's use in these two screenshots. I.e., start by describing the frame's depth of field ('''Group 3'''), focal length ('''Group 5'''), aspect ratio ('''Groups 6 & 1'''), and framing/height ('''Groups 2 & 4'''). | #''Describe'' a cinematographic element's use in these two screenshots. I.e., start by describing the frame's depth of field ('''Group 3'''), focal length ('''Group 5'''), aspect ratio ('''Groups 6 & 1'''), and framing/height ('''Groups 2 & 4'''). | ||
#Imagine ''changing'' that element's use in this frame. | #Imagine ''changing'' that element's use in this frame. | ||
− | #*'''Groups 6 & 1''': these screenshots use | + | #*'''Groups 6 & 1''': these screenshots use a 16x9 (1.78x1) aspect ratio. What if the DP choose 2.35x1 or 1.33x1? How would that change the impact of the shot? |
#*'''Group 5''': how might a zoom lens (a variable focal-length lens) be used in this shot? | #*'''Group 5''': how might a zoom lens (a variable focal-length lens) be used in this shot? | ||
#How would such a change affect the scene's impact or the viewer's understanding of it? | #How would such a change affect the scene's impact or the viewer's understanding of it? | ||
<gallery mode="packed" heights=200px> | <gallery mode="packed" heights=200px> | ||
− | File: | + | File:StrangerThingsS01E02qq00 00 28qq00005.png|alt=Frame capture from ''Stranger Things''.|Frame capture from ''Stranger Things''. [https://vimeo.com/347836791 View clip (starting at 14 seconds).] |
File:NewGirl20110911qq00 01 34qq.jpg|alt=Frame capture from ''The New Girl''.|Frame capture from ''The New Girl''. [http://www.tcf.ua.edu/EO/DV/NewGirl.php View clip.] | File:NewGirl20110911qq00 01 34qq.jpg|alt=Frame capture from ''The New Girl''.|Frame capture from ''The New Girl''. [http://www.tcf.ua.edu/EO/DV/NewGirl.php View clip.] | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> |
Revision as of 18:43, 23 September 2019
Depth of field
- Explain what depth of field is -- using the textbook illustrations.
- What is the difference between deep focus and deep space (as in mise-en-scene) -- using the textbook illustrations?
Focal length
- Explain what focal length is -- using the textbook illustrations.
- How does a zoom in/out look different from a track in/out?
- How does the Vertigo effect illustrate the impact of focal length on the illusion of depth in an image? View clip (starting at 35 seconds)
Aspect ratio
- Explain what aspect ratio is -- using the textbook illustrations.
- Also explain letterbox, pillarbox and pan-and-scan.
Framing, height, and movement
- Explain the significance of camera framing, height, and movement -- using the textbook illustrations.
- When might movement be used that does not follow a character?
- How is a Steadicam shot different from a handheld shot?
- See Steadicam examples from ER: behind-the-scenes and the resulting shot.
DP exercise
If you were a DP reshooting the Stranger Things and New Girl shots (below), how might you change these cinematographic aspects?
- Describe a cinematographic element's use in these two screenshots. I.e., start by describing the frame's depth of field (Group 3), focal length (Group 5), aspect ratio (Groups 6 & 1), and framing/height (Groups 2 & 4).
- Imagine changing that element's use in this frame.
- Groups 6 & 1: these screenshots use a 16x9 (1.78x1) aspect ratio. What if the DP choose 2.35x1 or 1.33x1? How would that change the impact of the shot?
- Group 5: how might a zoom lens (a variable focal-length lens) be used in this shot?
- How would such a change affect the scene's impact or the viewer's understanding of it?
Frame capture from Stranger Things. View clip (starting at 14 seconds).
Frame capture from The New Girl. View clip.
Bibliography
- Butler, Jeremy G. Television: Visual Storytelling and Screen Culture. New York: Routledge, 2018.