Cinematography: Angle, Level, Height, Distance

 Cinematography

1. Stills From Existing Media:

1a. Still showing how angle conveys conflict, character, or development from Scream. The low angle shot is used to show that are main characters have finally triumphed over the main antagonist.

1b. Still showing how level conveys conflict, character, or development from 12 Monkeys. The Dutch shot is used to show confusion and disarray as the character is located in an asylum where one is not usually with the best mental state. 

1c. Still showing how height conveys conflict, character, or development from The Shining. The low level shot is used to show that we are now seeing things form a child's perspective and that things may be different from how others may see things. 

1d. Still showing how distance conveys conflict, character, or development from The Nightmare Before Christmas. The long distance shot shows how Sally and Jack are together with no one else nearby  so they are there specifically for each other. It also shows this moment is supposed to be intimate and just between them as we are spectating from far away.

2. Stills I Created:

2a. Still showing how angle conveys conflict, character, or development. The high angle shot exaggerates and emphasizes how small the character of Rocket. It shows why he puts his hand up as he does not want an altercation where he is at a clear disadvantage. 

2b. Still showing how level conveys conflict, character, or development. The Dutch shot is used in this still to distort the background and character in  way that amplifies the condition he is in with his senses going off very harshly. The character is overwhelmed so just like the character, things aren't seen straight.

2c. Still showing how height conveys conflict, character, or development. The low angle shot is used to emphasize the fact that both characters have some sort of way to hurt each other out without showing their facial features. It builds the tension of what the next steps of their conflict could possibly be. 

2d. Still showing how distance conveys conflict, character, or development. There is a close up on Drax and his blade shows that he is in an attacking position and ready to fight. The close up of the strike signifies the impact of the upcoming attack is going to be big or devastating as it is being built up and focused on.

3. Reflection:

During the the experiment I struggled with 3 shots. The first shot I struggled with was the angle shot as I wanted to have a high angle shot with the tip of Groot's head and the focus put on rocket. This didn't work as the camera wouldn't stay in focus so I had to have a shot were it was coming from Groot's perspective to see Rocket's reaction. I wanted the focus to show how powerless rocket felt by using the low angle but ended up having a another character added to further build that feeling. I believed it still showed how Rocket was small in comparison however and why he did what he did. The next shot was the level shot as at times I felt the effect I was trying to get was not coming out how I wanted to I had to play with other camera effects to exaggerate the background shift while having the focus still be Spider-Man and how he's feeling. Finally the last challenge was determining what distance I should be away from the subject and what that distance could possibly mean. I realized close up shots aren't as soothing and felt more dramatic which I what I decided to go for. For each of the shots I had to look back at them and really think what the character was feeling and if that matched my intention when taking the shot. I no longer was just focusing on where the viewer's eyes were going and instead on how the viewer was feeling and how it contributed to a greater narrative. I didn't necessarily enjoy nor dislike the experience but it made me for aware of how the type of shooting techniques you use affect your movie's story and audience and is something to be very aware of.