Preliminary Exercise 8: Practicing Camerawork: Shot Sizes, Camera Angles, Framing, and Camera Composition Day 1

Camerawork is an important aspect of filmmaking because it shapes the visual narrative and emotional impact of a story. This exercise delves into the critical role of camerawork, breaking it down into four major categories: shot size, camera angles, framing, and composition. The topic is defined by shot sizes, such as establishing shots, while camera angles, such as eye level or low angles, provide distinct perspectives. Framing techniques, such as the three-shot, demonstrate framing by shaping spatial relationships within a scene, while deep focus defines composition by influencing how visual elements interact.  Cinematographers, such as Roger Deakins, who has worked on films such as "Blade Runner 2049" and "1917," are in charge of executing these elements and have won awards for their skill. Developing camerawork skills is critical for filmmakers and their teams because it allows them to translate creative visions into captivating plots, resulting in a cinematic experience that resonates both intellectually and emotionally with audiences. This exercise is intended to help you understand the complexity of effective camerawork in film production, emphasizing its importance in storytelling and the collaborative art of filmmaking.

Sheet #1

Shot size: Establishing shot

Camera angle: Eye level

Framing: One shot

Composition: Deep Focus

Tone: Serious, troubled.

Shot size: Full shot

Camera angle: Low level

Framing: One shot

Tone: Serious, determined.

 

Shot size: Master shot

Camera angle: Knee level

Framing: Two shot

Composition: Symmetrical

Tone: Chill.

 

Shot size: Wide shot

Camera angle: Ground level

Framing: Two shot

Composition: Shapes, squares, rectangles

Tone: Calm, social.

 

Sheet #2

Shot size: Medium shot

Camera angle: Shoulder level

Framing: Two shot

Composition: Lines/ horizontal

Tone: Serious.

 

Shot size: Full shot

Camera angle: Low level

Framing: Two shot

Composition: Balance

Tone: Calm.

 

Shot size: Master shot

Camera angle: High angle

Framing: Two shot

Composition: Deep Focus

Tone: Serious.

 

Shot size: Medium Closeup

Camera angle: Eye level

Framing: Three shot

Composition: Shallow Focus

Tone: Social. 

Reflection

Throughout the activity, I gained valuable insights into the collaborative nature of filmmaking as our team transformed into a collective of directors, set designers, actors, and camerapersons working seamlessly on a production site. The objective of the task involved applying camerawork techniques—shot sizes, camera angles, framing, and composition—to eight shots outlined in our storyboard. Filming the still shots provided a hands-on experience, emphasizing the significance of careful planning in translating creative ideas to visual narratives. Our team created a variety of settings, including our high school and homes, as well as characters such as Dakota and Kira, and used tones such as calm to enhance the storytelling atmosphere. A narrative about a teenage couple was one of the storylines we created, demonstrating our creativity and ability to weave engaging plots. Despite the difficulties of coordinating multiple perspectives, our team found the task both difficult and rewarding as we navigated decision-making processes in order to make final decisions. Jane I, Paul T, Kevin R, and I each contributed to different aspects of task execution. Planning, drawing, and acting were all collaborative efforts, with different roles played by each team member. We worked at a beginner level, using our phones and camera apps as tools. The exercise emphasized the importance of effective communication and collaboration in filmmaking by highlighting the various roles that are required for a successful production. The task highlighted the complex procedures involved in bringing a storyboard to life, from scriptwriting to directing and filming. Overall, the activity promoted not only a better understanding of camerawork techniques but also teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, all of which are necessary for successful collaborative filmmaking projects.

Work-Cited

Dictionary, C. (2023) Camera work, Cambridge Dictionary. Available at: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/camerawork (Accessed: 2023). 

Thecineletter@gmail.com (2023) Why is cinematography important?: The Art of Visual storytelling, MediaProGear. Available at: https://mediaprogear.com/blog/why-is-cinematography-important/#:~:text=Cinematography%20is%20the%20masterful%20art%20of%20visual%20storytelling.,dissonant%20rhythm%2C%20steering%20our%20journey%20through%20the%20narrative. (Accessed: 10 October 2023).