Week 2 - VSP

 

    In this week's class, we learned about framing and storyboard. Personally, I find this topic very interesting because I am interested in both photography and videography, but I only have experience working with photography. This will give me a very good opportunity to learn the history of cinematography and the concepts that go into it. Cinematography is a sequence or series of scenes and shots that complete the video. This is done in a space called a set or setting. 

    During the shoot, there are many different shot sizes as shown below. 

Figure 1. List of Different Shot Sizes

1) Wide Shot - WS

A wide shot captures the entire subject and its surroundings, especially when used to set the scene at the beginning, it's known as an "establishing shot."

2) Medium shot - M.S

A medium shot emphasizes essential details like gestures and expressions by framing the person from the waist up, excluding the hands and lower body from the frame.

3) Medium close-up shot - M.C.U

A medium close-up frames the subject character from roughly the middle of the waist to above the head.

4) Over-the-shoulder shot - O.S

An over-shoulder shot captures the subject from behind the shoulder of another person.

5) Extreme wide shot - E.W.S

A wide shot reveals the character's environment, conveying scale, distance, and location within it.

6) Medium wide shot - M.W.S

A medium-wide shot captures a character, often cropping them at the legs (above or below the knees). It provides a balanced view of the character and their surroundings within the scene.

7) Close-up shot - C.U

A close-up isolates the subject's most crucial part, often the head or a small object, emphasizing facial expressions or object details.

8) Extreme close-up shot - E.C.U

An extreme close-up magnifies a facial detail or object, intensifying drama or enhancing clarity for viewers.

 

    Alongside considering all these shot sizes, there are different camera angles or compositions such as the rule of thirds. This is a very common composition rule as it is already included as a feature in our cameras and phones. The rule of thirds divides the frame into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Subjects placed at the intersections of these lines create aesthetically pleasing compositions and can guide perspective lines. Here are some examples:

Figure 2. Examples of Compositions using the Rule of Thirds

1) 45 Degrees Facial Modelling

To achieve optimal facial modeling, position the subject at a 45º angle (3/4 angle) to the camera. With appropriate lighting on both the front and side of the face, you'll create a rounded look and showcase the eyes beautifully.

2) 3 Dimensional Solidity

To enhance three-dimensional depth, photograph at least two sides of the subject. Tilting the camera for this perspective offers the most effective result.

3) Parallel Lines

Tilt the camera to make parallel lines converge, typically to the right, leading the viewer's eyes into the distance.

4) Eye-level Angle Shot

An eye-level camera angle films from the viewpoint of an average-height observer or matches the subject's eye level.

5) Low Angle Shot

A low-angle shot is achieved by tilting the camera upward to capture the subject. This technique can make a character appear larger, stronger, and more majestic while also creating a sense of height.

6) High Angle Shot

A high-angle shot is created by angling the camera downward to capture the subject, resulting in the character looking smaller, younger, weaker, confused, or more childlike.

    Let's talk about screen directions because it is important to shoot in a manner through directional panning whilst being able to convey the story without any misinformation or disruptions. 

1) Dynamic Screen Direction

Consistent screen movement depicts subject motion in one direction, like a person walking, a car driving, or a plane flying, emphasizing the sense of progression.

2) Static Screen Direction

When planning shots with two characters, it's essential to understand the 180º rule. This rule maintains a horizontal camera axis, known as the "Line of Action," to prevent viewer disorientation by not crossing sections.

Week 2 Exercise 

    We were given 30 minutes to record a few videos covering all the different framing types or sizes as listed in Figure 3 below. Then, all the different shots were compiled to make a short film in the Adobe Premiere Pro software. The short video is to visualise our first day in University. 

Figure 3. Framing Exercise

Figure 4. Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro

Figure 5. Exported Short Video

    Here is the list of different framing sizes: