Using the Camera
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Transcript of Using the Camera
Using the Camera
The camera features dictate how it is used Different cameras have different
features▪ Exposure▪ White balancing▪ Focus
Composition
Terminology and Effects Shots Focus Angles Movement
Long Shot
Shot showing the entire body.Establishes the scene (like skyline)Show separation or distance
between characters
Close-up or Close Shot
The object or subject takes up 80% of the screen space.
Appears very large.
Also, “what is not in the picture” is important too.
Medium Shot
Between a long and close-up. Lacks much cinematic effect. Most TV shows are filmed at this
distance. Can show more context and setting.
Focus
Different types of focus Auto Focus Manual Focus Rack Focus
Soft Focus
Creates a soft texture. Slightly out of focus Romantic movies or close-ups.
Rack Focus
Certain objects in the shot are in focus.
Uses focus to draw viewer’s attention to particular details in your film.
Deep Focus
Both objects in the foreground and the background are in focus.
Creates greater sense of reality. Provides a lot of information in the
scene.
Angles
Where the camera will be placed in relation to the subject.
Low, high, eye-level, and Dutch angle.
Low Angle
Creates the effect of making the subject more significant, dominating, powerful, and in control.
Important for creating stronger characters in your movies.
High Angle
Opposite effect of low angle Camera is above the subject of the
shot. Subjects appear much weaker,
smaller, and powerless.
Eye Level Angle
The usual approach in filmmaking. The camera is at the same level as
the subject of the shot. “Neutral shot”
Dutch Angle
“All is Not Well” angle. Camera is tilted slightly; image
appears sideways within the frame. Creates tension, evil or a dangerous
situation.
Camera Movement
Pan Tilt Zoom Tracking or Dolly Shots
Pan
The camera moves across the horizontal axis.
Usually used to introduce setting. Used from the point of view of
characters as they take in their surroundings.
Sample Panning
Tilting
Communicates distance, strength and size.
Camera is tilted along the vertical axis.
Looking up a mountain.Sample Tilting
Zooming
The camera moves in closer on a detail in a scene.
Directs the audience’s attention to a detail that is extremely important to the story
Sample Zoom-In
Tracking or Dolly shots
Whenever the camera actually moves, it is called a tracking or dolly shot.
Most cinematic effect because we follow the action instead of watch what passes by us.
“Use a chair with wheels.”Sample Tracking Shot