Use of Camera

Camera Usage in Disaster Movies

I have been given a sheet from my Media Studies teacher Mr Fisher and i feel the need to cut it down to short sentences for easy revision so here goes:


Understanding the Role of the Camera


Close Up
-Is used to direct our attention on something in particular. Often a facial expression, as close ups emphasize a characters emotions. A close up could also is a significant clue to a development in the plot or prop.(close up of a knife could mean it being used to kill someone).


Extreme Close Up
-Focuses the audiences attention on even smaller detail, these shots are used for artistic shots. Extreme close up also give a sense of discomfort so they can be used to really get the audience close to the action.


Long Shot
-Shows us the whole of a character, thus drawings our attention to a persons costume and body language. A long shot may be needed to offer perspective. For example in The Day After Tomorrow, we see a long shot to see the wave approaching the library. Long shots are also used so we see the setting as it might be important in that moment.


Mid Shot
-Allows us to see a person from the waist up, mostly used so we can see the dialogue between to characters. Mid shots also give us information about the setting, but not so much is distracts us from the conversation/action.

High/Low Angle
-A high angle shot is when the camera is placed higher than the subject and so we are looking down on them. A low angle shot is the opposite.If you are placed higher up than a character, you feel as if you have more power and the character is more vulnerable. We are placed stronger than them, if the camera is at a low angle the character looks bigger and making them look more important and powerful.

Over the Shoulder:
-This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame.This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.It's common to cut between these shots during a conversation, alternating the view between the different speakers.

Point of View:
-This shot shows a view from the subject's perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that it is obvious whose POV it is.


Camera Movement:
-Pan
-Tilt
-Tracking
-Crane
-Bird's eye view
-Zoom

Framing
-Framing refers to the edge of the picture and what has been deliberately placed inn or excluded from the frame. We often discuses tight framing of a sequence of shots of close-ups and maybe mid shots where little of the background can be seen. By not allowing us to see the background may also result in a sense of discomfort as we wont be able to see something which may be approaching.


Depth Of Field
-Technique used to distract our attention from the background detail, or to make it noticeable, is depth of field. Sometimes a director will only want us to focus on certain subjects within the shot so he will make sure other elements are out of focus and blurred. If the setting,colours or landscapes are important and the director wants them to be in detail and clear, deep focus is used to make sure everything's focused. Shallow focus is the opposite effect where only part of the image is in focus.