Cinematography

Introduction to rolls & responsibilities:

The main roles and responsibilities of a cinematographer are to be an Artist which involves creative collaboration of what the world will look like. A Technician - knowing how to create your artistic intent effieciently. And finally, being a good Manager with great communication with your team.

For a visual landscape to be skillfully created, you must have carefully considered choices, which will have been informed by the narrative vision of your script as well as the meetings/ discussions you have had with your other HoDs. Additionally, you are tasked with creating and sustaining the storyworld, along with everything that is visually seen on screen - it is essential that you make the accurate and pleasing to the audience, as this is what the audience will see.

Common cinematography tools:

• Aspect Ratio - the frame you are putting your image in, for example, are you making a video specifically for smartphones? If so, you are likely to use a 9:16 ratio, which would make the video vertical

• Composition - every frame is the opportunity to reveal or conceal information
• Camera Placement - 
  
  
  

Lens and Perspective:

You can change the lens and perspective of a scene/ subject simply by changing the lens on you camera. For example, we used 2 different lenses and took photos to show the difference in perspective, without moving the subject or the camera - one using 55mm and another using 85mm. 

55mm:

85mm:

Although we haven't changed the camera or subject position, we can see a clear difference in background space. The 55mm lens allows us to be more intimate with the subject, getting a clearer shot of their expression - this allows us to convey tension if needed, as well as making the audience feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic.

    Similarly, the 85mm lens also allows us to convey emotions - however, it is more efficient at building the story and understanding of the subjects' surroundings. It also allows us to bring the rule of thirds into consideration more, as well as background blurring (which is still possible with the 55mm lens, but it is expected that a 55mm lens will make a foreground subject more in-focus anyway). On the other hand, this 85mm lens allows us to NOT blur the background, if there was important information that we want our audience members to pick up on - however this is less common.