Research into Cinematography - Miss Miller

Cinematography

Within this essay, I will be discussing the different cinematography techniques used within the thriller genre. Cinematography is the art of capturing moving images in film using a combination of elements. There are 3 main camerawork elements in cinematography which are; Angles, movements and positions. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and theme. As a result, camera shots are significant in shaping meaning within a film. The different shots include; Extreme Long Shot which shows a large amount of landscape used to establish a location also known as an Establishing Shot, a Long Shot which still offers the audience some landscape but focuses more on the specific idea of setting, an Aerial Shot which looks directly down upon a scene. This angle is often used as an establishing angle, along with an Extreme Long Shot to determine location within a film, a Full Shot which contains a complete view of the characters. From this point, the audience can pick up on their costume, hair and makeup as well as creating an idea of relationships between particular characters. Furthermore, a Mid Shot is where the shot contains a character from the waist upwards. From this shot, the viewer can see the character's faces more clearly as well as their interaction with other characters. A Close Up contains just one character's face. This enables the audience to understand the character's emotions and also allows them to feel specific emotions towards them such as empathy. An Extreme Close Up contains one part of a character's face or other object and is used to create specific tones or moods for scenes. This also provides interaction between the characters and audience. Camera angles are used to position the audience so that they are given an understanding of relationships between characters. These include; a High Angle is a camera angle in which the camera looks down upon a particular object or character. A character shot at this angle will be portrayed as inferior and weak. These angles are commonly used to demonstrate to the audience the perspective of a character. An Eye-Level Angle puts the audience on an equal footing with the character(s) involved within a particular scene. This is the most commonly used angle as it allows the audience to feel comfortable with the characters. A Low Angle is an angle which looks up at a character or object. This is the opposite of  High Angle and is used to portray characters as being powerful. This can make the audience feel small and vulnerable by looking up at the character. This can help to evoke a sense of empathy if they are viewing the frame from another point of view. Film makers also use camera movement to shape meaning. A Crane Shot is often used to signify the end of a scene.  The effect is achieved by mounting the camera onto a crane to move around above the level of the ground, it can also move up or down. Panning is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a setting which can also be used to establish a scene. It is the technique of the camera moving sideways to follow a moving object. This is usually featured within action films during a chase scene to capture the chase taking place and enable the audience to feel involved. The specific clip I will be analysing is from the thriller film House At The End of the Street. 

I decided to use this particular clip as I identified many different cinematography techniques that came from a range of different elements. 

To begin with, the first technique identified within the clip analysed was a canted angle which was shown when Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence) is walking down the hallway towards the door. This specific angle suggests an idea of instability which also acts as an example of foreshadowing showing what to expect from the remainder of the film. It creates suspense as the female character is unaware of what lies ahead of her which demonstrates a feeling of vulnerability. This also builds up the tension as the audience are unsure of what lies behind the door and what may happen to her if she discovers what's beyond the door. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the victim is always the last to know that they are in danger and something bad is going to happen. This particular angle could also connote a sense of danger or disorder due to the relationship between the character and the camera.

Another cinematography technique used within this particular clip is a close-up when Elissa is standing at the door checking it out. The look of curiousness on her face is highlighted by this technique and also how scared she is as she has a feeling that something isn't right about this door. This creates mystery and suspense as the audience are left wondering what could happen to her if she was to go in. This is also a good way in which to present Elissa to the audience as, just by looking in her eyes, we are able to see the fear she is feeling which makes us feel in the same way. This helps to create a relationship between the audience and the character as whatever she is feeling, we are incline to feel as well due to the nature of the scene. This is conventional to the thriller genre as the audience are thrown into the scene along with the characters and through this they are able to experience the suspense and tension associated with this sequence.

Another technique evident within the clip analysed was the use of a Point of View (POV) shot which is shown when Elissa is looking around the room. The camera is placed where the audience expect the character's gaze to be focused upon. This is a technique of continuity editing as it allows us to see what the character sees without being obtrusive. This puts the audience in the character's shoes and are able to see exactly what she sees which also suggests a sense of vulnerability as we are now in a position where we are unable to know what lies ahead. Whatever she experiences, we experience which intensifies the tension if something was to jump out unexpectedly which is conventional to the thriller genre. This cinematography technique also helps to present feelings of

Handheld is also used within the clip which is shown when the camera is unsteady and shaky at the beginning when Elissa is standing at the end of the corridor. This, ultimately, signifies an element of disorientation and confusion which leaves the audience wondering what will happen next. This is conventional as it creates suspense due to the fear of the unknown and causes the audience, as well as the character, to be left guessing.

To conclude, the research into different cinematography techniques has helped me to understand what is used, how they are used to create the suspense needed by films in the thriller genre and why they are conventional. This will aid me in creating my thriller sequence as I will know to use techniques that are not widely used in thrillers such as canted angle or point of view in order to create the maximum amount of tension for my audience as they are not able to see who the antagonist is and makes them want to watch further to find out. For example, a canted angle suggests an idea of instability and confusion making the audience assume that the character's state of mentality may not necessarily be in the most stable of positions, this would create tension as the character's fragile state would make them more vulnerable and more likely to be attacked or even murdered therefore causing the viewer to see what happens next.