Elements of Cinematography

by Brian Turner

Examples shot with same camera

This clip is shot without much previous planning or editing. http://youtu.be/d4IiRKv8Las (0:57-1:12)

This film was shot with the same Canon 550D camera http://youtu.be/jBSXpbvjgVo (6:17-6:34)

My goal today

After listening to me speak today you should know a few more things about the equipment, strategies, and editing needed to create a video production.

Qualifications

I am a film producer and have worked on various projects from music videos to funeral/memorial videos.

• In the last year I have made over $5,000 from the films I have produced.

• I have over 1.5 million views and over 25k subscribers

• I plan to pursue filmmaking as a career path

I want to show you the three components of video production

Produced video

Editing

Strategies

Equipment

Video Camera Equipment

“Point-and-Shoot” Cameras• Are any device that can shoot a video (iPhone, webcam, etc.)• Cheap• Almost never used in production

DSLR 35mm Video Camera• Often used in music videos & short films• Uses a 35mm image sensor, which is the same size as theatrical film• ~$5.5-6.5k+ (Sony Electronics Inc., 2012)• Shoots in 1920x1080 definition

Theatrical Camera• Also shoots with a 35mm image sensor• Shoots in 4k or 4096x2048• Not available for purchase by public (Sony Electronics Inc., 2012)• Sony F23 is estimated at ~$200k+

http://soldiersforthecause.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-cam.jpg

http://philipbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4Sony-NEX-FS100-670x525.jpg

http://jonfordham.com/news/wp-content/uploads/aaron_bacon_acv_thanks.jpg

Microphone

Lapel Microphone• Used when the microphone does not need to be hidden (talk shows,

infomercials, etc.)• Clip to subjects collar• ~$20-$400+ (Performance Audio, 2012)

Shotgun Microphones• Attach to top of camera• Picks up audio in the direction it is pointing• ~$100-$1000+ (Buy.com Inc., 2012).

Handheld Microphone• Many different types but the most common is a boom microphone• Allows closer proximity to the subject• Most common in theatrical productions• ~$150-$10,000+ (Buy.com Inc., 2012).

http://soldiersforthecause.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-cam.jpg

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/vmic_cmyk13cm-9fd67e697cb8cd95dcf8f1be4edab485.jpg

http://no-kancho.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Boom-mic.jpg

Lighting

Umbrella Reflectors• Used to reflect light onto the subject or background• Eliminates shadows from the backdrop

Soft Boxes• Large & rectangular• Reflects soft light onto a subject to create a soft edge around them• Commonly used in interviews

Pointed Barndoor Lights• Have metal flaps the close or open to direct light• Brightest option available• Offers a spotlight effect

http://www.shortcourses.com/images/b5ch2/umbrella.jpg

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Product_Comparisons/SilverDome_vs._Westcott__Silver_Soft_Box/1116881708_350x350_header.jpg

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/222753133.jpg

Strategies: Close-Up

• Used to amplify the emotion of the subject

• The closer the camera is to the subject the more pronounced the emotion becomes

http://i43.tinypic.com/123a5ch.jpg

Strategies: Slow-Motion

• Used to display extreme clarity in a scene

• Shot at 60 fps or higher

• 1-2 seconds of regular time footage is usually slowed to 5-15 seconds of slow motion

• Example: knock out blow in boxing scene

Strategies: Focus

• Used to direct viewers attention to a focal point

• The lense on the front of the camera is turned to adjust the focus manually

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1DS_9336-600x429.jpg

Editing: Narration

• Narration is recorded with a microphone after the video is shot

• The narration track is then laid over the video and it’s audio.

• Allows pertinent information to be relayed to the viewer

Video Track

Audio from Video

Narration Audio

Photo taken myself

Editing: Filters

• Color filters change the color of the raw footage to whatever you desire

• Common filters are black & white, sepia, red, and blue

• The film “Sin City” used color filters often throughout

http://www.usatoday.com/life/gallery/2005/%5Csincity/yellow-bastard.jpg

Editing: Cutting & Splicing

• Cutting & splicing different camera angles of the same scene keeps the audience from growing tired of the same shot

• Most often used in conversation scenes

• Angles usually switch every ~.5-6 seconds

• Example: (1:10-1:20) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSR4S2oJ2hk

Conclusion

First I covered the equipment used in filming

Next, I discussed the techniques

& strategies used when

filming

Finally, I went over some of

the edits made after filming

Remember the two videos I showed you?

They were both recorded with a Canon 550D yet

looked so different

Now you know why!

ReferencesBUY.COM INC. "Rode VideoMic Pro Compact Shotgun Microphone, 200 Ohms - VIDEOMICPRO" Buy.com. 2012

<http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=222437265&sellerid=10001650>

BUY.COM INC. "AtlasSound SB-11WE Studio Boom Mic Stand with Air Suspension System - Steel - Ebony" Buy.com. 2012

<http://www.buy.com/pr/product.aspx?sku=226098421&sellerid=22583914>

Performance Audio LLC. "Samson SWA3CS " Performance Audio. 2012

<http://www.performanceaudio.com/buy/Samson/SWA3CS/26147>

Sony Electronics Inc. "NEXFS100UK " Sony. 2012 < http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-broadcastcameras/cat-nxcam/product-

NEXFS100UK/ >

Sony Electronics Inc. "F23" Sony. 2012 < http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-F23/ >

Photographic Referenceshttp://soldiersforthecause.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-cam.jpg

http://philipbloom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/4Sony-NEX-FS100-670x525.jpg

http://jonfordham.com/news/wp-content/uploads/aaron_bacon_acv_thanks.jpg

http://soldiersforthecause.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/iphone-cam.jpg

http://cachepe.zzounds.com/media/quality,85/vmic_cmyk13cm-

9fd67e697cb8cd95dcf8f1be4edab485.jpg

http://no-kancho.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Boom-mic.jpg

http://www.shortcourses.com/images/b5ch2/umbrella.jpg

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Product_Comparisons/

SilverDome_vs._Westcott__Silver_Soft_Box/1116881708_350x350_header.jpg

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/222753133.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/123a5ch.jpg

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1DS_9336-600x429.jpg

http://www.usatoday.com/life/gallery/2005/%5Csincity/yellow-bastard.jpg