Film: Making Meaning 1 MICRO ELEMENT
Cinematography
A basic introduction to shot sizes and framings & their functions and uses.
Camera (Cinematography) This is the analysis of how the camera is manipulated in order to present the filmmaker’s visions of how things should look. It can have a number of desired effects. Following are some examples:
The extreme long shot - ELS This shot shows a landscape or environment in an expansive way. As the term suggests, the frame captures a fair amount of space and is often used to establish a setting. Discuss what is prioritised in the image?
The long shot - LS This shot shows a person or group of people in their whole, i.e. feet to head inclusive. Again, a great deal of mise en scĂŠne is evident. As the term suggests, the frame captures a fair amount of space and setting can be evident. Discuss what is more evident in the image?
The medium long shot - MLS This is achieved when a figure is captured almost in full, but where the feet and ankles are cropped at the bottom of the frame. Discuss what is more or less obvious in the image?
The medium shot or mid-shot - MS This is when a figure is filmed from head to waist. This may be used when a character is to be seen doing something with their hands. For example, the infamous mirror scene in Taxi
Driver (1976) Discuss what is given more significance?
The medium close-up - MCU From the top of the head to the sternum or top The chest bone. Discuss what’s more obvious?
The close-up - CU This involves the camera focussing on an object or individual in order to draw attention to the filmed subject. When an actor is involved in a close up, an emotional impact can be heightened, simply because more emotion can be seen on the face of the character. Close ups are often used in soap operas, as they are an efficient way of conveying emotional reactions.
The big close-up - BCU This is a head shot only, drawing attention to an important emotional response.
The extreme close-up - ECU This is a close up from the eyebrow to below the mouth (or sometimes closer), which may be used to make a figure seem threatening. For example in Ang Lee’s Hulk (2003), extreme close ups are used to focus on Bruce Banner’s face just before he transforms into the creature. This has the added effect of appearing like a panel of a comic book in this case.