Character & Narrative- Storytelling Through Cinematography

Storytelling Through Cinematography

A Cinematographer calls the shots on how the film is going to look. This would be how the camera shots are placed, like rule of thirds. This helps sow the narrative and aids in telling the story.

Staging

Stage the scene in geometric shapes, you don't need to make cuts to create a scene, try to create squares and triangles for the characters together. Tony Zou does many of these videos so i will have to research further with them as i had never considered this in animation to create interest from the character placement.

Camera angles (High/Low)

Incredibles- scene with boss in insurance office and how he is in power even though he is much smaller, the way the camera shots are done it makes you think its looking down on Mr Incredible.

Camera angles

The overall angle of the shot can create a jarring effect for the audience. Past about 30 degrees it tends to be showing intoxication and violence.

Lighting and Colour

Think about colour scripts and how you pour the light upon the scene, Isolation shots to show specific character or focal point. It can show personality of character or how mysterious the scene could be.

Memories tend to be awash with colour and lighting, shows the important things.

Make important decisions on the look and feel of the film: Shot framing, colour, lighting, shot angle

Learn from old world cinematography

Break rules (vertigo shot)

Its about teasing the audience and savouring what is to come, not just about the fight scenes. 

"Theres beauty in darkness"- Insight-Brad Bird

LEARN CINEMATOGRAPHY- read book and pay attention in movies