284 CHAPTER 6 CINEMATOGRAPHY
Analyzing Cinematography
This chapter has provided an overview of the major
components of cinematography——the process by
which a movie’s mise-en-scène is recorded onto film
or some other motion-picture medium. More than
just a process, however, cinematography is very
much a language through which directors and their
collaborators (most notably, directors of photogra-phy) can convey meaning, transmit narrative infor-
mation, and influence the emotional responses of
viewers. Now that you know something about the
basic cinematographic tools available to filmmakers,
you can pay greater attention to the particulars of
this language while looking at movies.✔As you evaluate crucial scenes, pay attention to
the composition of shots within the scene. Are
the compositions balanced in a way that con-
forms to the rule of thirds, or are the elements
within the frame arranged in a less “painterly”
composition? In either case, try to describe
how the composition contributes to the scene
overall.
✔Can you determine whether the colors of a shot
or scene have been artificially manipulated
through the use of color filters, different film
stocks, or chemical or digital manipulation in
order to create a mood or indicate a state of
mind?
✔Pay attention to camera movement in the film.
Sometimes camera movement is used solely to
produce visual excitement or to demonstrate
technological virtuosity on the part of the film-
maker. Other times it is playing an important
functional role in the film’s narrative. Be alert to
these differences, and take note of meaningful
uses of camera movement.
✔Note when the cinematography calls attention
to itself. Is this a mistake or misjudgment on the
filmmakers’ part, or is it intentional? If inten-
tional, what purpose is served by making the
cinematography so noticeable?✔Determine whether or not the cinematographic
aspects of the film——the qualities of the film
stock, lighting, lenses, framing, angles, camera
movement, and use of long takes——add up to an
overall look. If so, try to describe its qualities.
✔Take note of moments in the film in which the
images are conveying information that is not
reflected in characters’ action and dialogue.
These moments are often crucial to the
development of a movie’s themes, narrative,
and meaning.
✔Are special effects used in the film? To what
extent? Are they appropriate to, and effective in,
telling the story? Are they effective in making
something look real when it isn’t?
✔Keep track of instances in which the film uses
shots other than the medium shot (MS)——for
instance, extreme close-ups (ECUs) or extreme
long shots (ELSs). What role are these shots
playing in the film?
✔Also keep track of camera angles other than
eye-level shots. If there are high- or low-angle
shots, determine whether or not they are POV
shots. That is, is the high or low angle meant to
represent another character’s point of view? If
so, what does the angle convey about that char-
acter’s state of mind? If not, what does it convey
about the person or thing in the frame?