Cinematography: Camerawork
Cinematographers can make us feel uncomfortable or comfortable with the use of the camera.
In Reservoir Dog (1991), Tarantino pulls the camera away the moment before the police officer has his ear sliced off.
Can you think of any film scenes where the camera doesn't pull away and you have recoiled in horror?
The camera choices are made in order to create a particular effect on the audience.
Can you think of any other camera choices which could be used when filming a scene?
Camerawork includes the following:
Activity
- Watch the following clip.
- Make a list of all the camera work you think is involved in this clip.
- Identify the key moment in this sequence?
- How does the cinematographer play with the audiences emotions in this clip?
In Reservoir Dog (1991), Tarantino pulls the camera away the moment before the police officer has his ear sliced off.
Can you think of any film scenes where the camera doesn't pull away and you have recoiled in horror?
The camera choices are made in order to create a particular effect on the audience.
Can you think of any other camera choices which could be used when filming a scene?
Camerawork includes the following:
- Positioning (Location)
- Movement (Smooth or Shaky)
- Panning (Movement left to right or vice versa)
- Tilting (vertical movement)
- Shot Types (extreme close up, close up, mid shot, wide shot, extreme wide shot)
- Depth of Field (blurring the background or foreground for effect)
Activity
- Research and define in your own words what is meant by the following elements of camerawork:
- Positioning, Movement, Panning, Tilting, Shot Types & Depth of Field.
- Give an example of why you would use each of the camera movements. Relate it to audience!