Shot types and cinematography in film

During Darren's lessons I have learnt about shot types and in groups we discussed the opening sequences of various films like Batman and Mission Impossible and the use of the directors conventional or unconventional approach. We also watched the opening sequence of Blade and discussed the use of cinematography.

Cinematography

Cinematopgraphy consists of all the shot types that make a film or television show. Some of the many shot types are, long shot, medium shot, establishing shot, close-up, extreme close-up and an extreme long shot. Cinematography in film and tv is also the different camera movements. Some of which are tracking and panning. During Darren's lessons we watched different opening sequences and clips from different films while considering the cinematography.

As well as cinematograohy we also discussed the difference with what a plot is and what a story is. The story (or narrative) is the events that happen and the plot is the order in which the story happens. For example a beginning, middle or end. 

There are various shot types which are used in TV and Film and they help to aid the audiences opinions or views on particular characters or scenes. there are many different shot types and these are;

Medium Shot

The medium shot is used a lot in film and tv. The medium shot is a shot usually from the head to the waist down of a person. It is most commonly used in dialogue scenes because it can clearly show a conversation well as well as picking up a characters body language.

Close-up

Close- up shots are usually a intensified shot up close of an object or of someones face. The purpose of the close-up is usually to depict a characters emotions and feelings so that the audience can relate or develop feelings for the character. A close-up of a particular object can also symbolise its importance to the narrative.

Extreme close-up

An extreme close-up is a even more zoomed in version of the close-up shot. So for example a extreme close-up would be a shot of someones eye or a particular facial feature. Extreme close-ups are often used in thrillers and horrors because they can build suspense and drama. For instance horrors and thrillers often do extreme close-ups of sweat running down peoples faces of peoples eye movements.

Long shot

A long shot is a shot of usually someone in the foreground but very far off so that they look smaller or a long shot could be a location which is the main foreground of the shot. The purpose of a long shot is usually to set the location for the current scene or it can often just show clearly the characters surroundings and what the can be dealing with.

Establishing shot

An establishing shot is most commonly a wide shot or a long shot. The purpose of an establishing shot is to establish the setting to the audience so that they know where the film is going to take place. Conventionally most films open with an establishing shot.