Cinematography: final blog tasks

1) Using your printed booklet (an electronic copy is available in the folder above) watch any of the clips you haven't seen in class for Cinematography. Complete the tasks in the booklet in full paragraphs for each clip.



Lawrence of Arabia: 

Discuss how the long shots create tension and suspense.

There is a man who is riding the horse from a far distance. He is coming at a extremely high speed. Because of the use of the long shot its hard for the audience to distinguish whether he is a protagonist or antagonist. The use of props allow us to identify that the person on the horse is a antagonist. As the antagonist arrives, he shoots the person that ran to pick up the gun when he saw the antagonist on the horse coming. This reinforces that he is the antagonist. The use of the long shot creates suspense and tension because the audience has no idea why the person is coming, what is he going to do etc.

Who are the audience encouraged to identify with?

The audience are encouraged to identify with Lawrence when the beginning is a medium close-up which is focused on Lawrence.

Watch the following extract from Citizen Kane (1940), directed by Orson Welles.

1.Discuss the various shots and camera movements and their effects.

Throughout the extract a range of various shots from medium shots to extreme close ups. The use of extreme close ups allow the audience to build a connection with the characters.

2. How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film langauge>

The use of lighting illustrates how horrific and dangerous the settings within the extract are and furthermore the use of low-key lighting connoted danger and violence.

Watch the following extract from Three Colours: Blue(1993), directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski

How does the use of close-up shots enhance our understanding of the narrative?

The use of close up shots allow the audience to build an emotional connection with the characters in the extract, more because the audience can clearly view the characters facial expressions as well as they can make clear eye contact with the character, making them understand the narrative much better.

Watch the following extract from Moulin Roughe (2001), directed by Baz Luhrmann

1. Comment on how various shots and camera movements help to introduce the story.

The range of camera shots enable the characters to be introduced to the audience  so the audience can establish who are the protagonists and who are the antagonists and also introducing the narrative and where it is taking place (setting).

2. How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film language

There is a wide range of camera movements from close-ups to long-shots and the use of lighting is very effective so the audience can establish which location they are at and the audience might be familiar with the location.