Three hour lesson - camera shots, movements and angles

For this task, you will exploring how shot types, camera movements and camera angles can be used to create meaning for the audience. All of these elements come under the umbrella of cinematography

Key term: cinematography - everything to do with the camera

1 - Researching cinematography

Use this link to help you understand the different shot types. Make notes in your own words under each heading: please do Not copy and paste. Your notes can be very brief, 

• bullet
• point
• style
• notes

2 - Creating a cinematographic resource

1. You will create a Google Slide/ Doc handout that identifies the following shot types. 
2. You will be taking the photos in small groups. If everyone turns up, that means groups of four!
3. Every shot you take must be clean, in focus, and accurate. Please only submit your best work.
4. Other students are taking exams. You must NOT annoy anyone. Do NOT talk in the corridors (even quietly). Do NOT shoot anywhere near buildings. Go to the woods!
5. Do not leave site, even to take a single shot

You must include the following:

• Establishing Shot
• Extreme Long Shot (XLS)
• Long Shot (LS)
• Medium Shot (MS/2S)
• Medium close up (MCU)
• Close up (CU)
• Extreme close up (ECU)
• High Angle (HA)
• Low Angle (LA)
• Over the Shoulder (O/S)

Extension - more work!

If this sounds too easy, then shoot examples of the following shots

• Bird's eye shot
• Worm's eye view
• Canted angle/Dutch tilt
• Shallow depth of field
• Any other crazy shots you somehow know about...

Here's a good example of what you can achieve. Note how every shot is clean, clear and in sharp focus? Do that?

3 - The connotative features of cinematography...

...is a slightly more sophisticated way of saying "the meanings of cinematographic choices". Producers don't just mash stuff together and hope for the best! Believe it or not, they think carefully about how to best affect (and manipulate...) the audience...

EITHER

Complete the chart on different types of camera movement.  

OR

Create a new document, using your images from task 2, labelling them with the connotations of each shot

             

4 - Textual analysis

Pick a scene from any film you want on YouTube, and write a brief analysis on how the cinematography creates meaning for the audience. Have fun!