Lesson 6.2 - Cinematography for Video and Film
Specific Expectations:
Understanding Media Forms, Conventions, and Techniques - 2.1; 2.2
Creating Media Texts - 3.3
Learning Goals:
In this lesson you will shift your critical analysis skills from still photography by considering all the possibilities for interpretation that can be communicated in multiple imagery known as video production. You will acquire some technical knowledge as well as think about the aesthetics of cinematography.
Open the YouTube link and check out some simple production techniques. This 3 minute video shows simple video techniques using the iPhone.
Open any movie or TV show that you wish on the Internet in any language. Practice how to make a “screen grab” so that you can capture a still image.
To capture a MacBook screen grab press the following three keys together: shift / command / #4, and a target icon will open that you can expand around the image you want to capture. When you release the key. The image will appear on your computer screen as a “screen grab”.
Follow the instructions below and complete this activity:
1. As you watch the film or TV show you select, pause it when you identify examples of the following kinds of shots:
- an extreme close up
- an over-the-shoulder shot
- a dolly or any kind of travel shot (Indicate the Internet link and the time in the film or TV show where it occurs)
- a crane shot going up or down (Indicate the Internet link and the time in the film or TV show where it occurs)
- a wide or long shot
- a medium shot
- a close-up
- a reaction shot
- a steadicam shot (Indicate the Internet link and the time in the film or TV show where it occurs)
- a low angle shot
- a high angle shot
(Hint: If you can’t find these examples in one source then search a second source to complete the assignment.)
2. Post your “screen grabs” and the links and Time Code for shots with camera movement in the same order as the above list #1-11.
Submission: PDF format. (file size can't be more than 20 MB)On the Internet, locate an action scene from any movie of your choice.
Create a story board of five (5) consecutive shots that the director and cameraperson might have used to set up that sequence.
Don’t worry about artistic quality in your drawings – a stick figure will be acceptable, but try to add more detail than stick figures alone can suggest.
Submission: PDF format. (file size can't be more than 20 MB)AGE IS NO BARRIER: Sample documentary https://www.nfb.ca/film/age_is_no_barrier/
Read the following instructions carefully and complete this activity:
Select one of the following:
- any documentary from the NFB catalogue (Link: https://www.nfb.ca/explore-all-films/)
- any other documentary that you can find online that is 30 minutes or less in length.
Write a brief “appreciation” of the documentary indicating why you selected the topic and what you learned about the techniques the filmmaker used to communicate the topic or theme. A 50-100 words description will be enough.
Post your work here, along with the link and the title of the documentary.
Submission: PDF format. (file size can't be more than 20 MB)NORA is a short film/video set in London, England about a young mother whose life is filled with stress from raising two children, looking after a house, facing the disrespect from her male co-workers, and a husband who is never home. She feels that she has lost control of her life and must get away. But how?
Replay the short film ‘NORA” from the previous lecture and on one sheet either draw a story board frame or use the Screen Grab to illustrate the following shots:
- (1) a wide shot
- (2) a low angle shot
- (3) an extreme closeup
- (4) a shot that illustrates the Rule of Thirds.
Photograph the storyboard you create or paste your screen grabs (indicate the type of shot #1, # 2, #3 or #4) and submit your work here.
(Hint: there are several examples of Story board art in the Unit 6 - Resource Folder)
Submission: PDF format. (file size can't be more than 20 MB)The National Film Board of Canada (NFB ) is world famous for its animated film productions.
Go to the NFB (https://www.nfb.ca/animation/) and sample some of their work in the field of animation.
There is no assignment with this activity – just enjoy watching the Best-of-the-Best!
What did you find useful or insightful in our brief study of photography and film techniques and cinematography.
Write a reflection in your Journal (Journalling 100) about some things you may want to try out in either photography or in video production in the future. Any technical tips you learned should also be recorded for future reference. (150 + words please)
Students to complete this after you've finished all activities/tasks in today's lesson.