Style and the Camera (Discussion)

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Review topics from Television

Group 1: 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?

Group 2: Focal length

Group 3: Aspect ratio

Group 4: Framing, height, and movement

DP exercise

If you were a DP reshooting shots from Stranger Things and New Girl (see screenshots below), how might you change those shots' cinematographic aspects?

  1. Describe a cinematographic element's use in the moment shown in these two screenshots. I.e., start by describing the screenshot's depth of field (Group 1), focal length (Group 2), aspect ratio (Group 3), and framing/height (Group 4).
  2. Imagine changing that element's use in the moment captured in the screenshots.
    • Groups 3: these screenshots use different aspect ratios: 2x1 and 16x9 (1.78x1). Which is which? What if the DP choose to shoot these shows in 2.35x1 (anamorphic) or 1.33x1? How would that change the impact of the shot?
    • Group 2: how might a zoom lens (a variable focal-length lens) be used in this shot?
  3. How would such a change affect the scene's impact or the viewer's understanding of it?

Bibliography

  1. Butler, Jeremy G. Television: Visual Storytelling and Screen Culture. New York: Routledge, 2018.

External links