Cinematography Theory and Practice UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Cinematographer Refers to someone who shoots film or video
Director of photography Refers to a cinematographer on any project
Cinematic Technique the range of methods used to add layer of meaning and subtext to the content of
film - dialog and action.
Conceptual tools of visual storytelling • The frame
• Light and color
• The lens
• Movement
• Texture
• Establishing
• POV
The Lens the ability of optics to alter
our perception of the physical world
Focal Length differences short FL equals wide field of view
long FL equals narrow field of view
Most influential aspect of Lens Focal Length
How lens effect space More importantly, a long lens compresses space and a wide lens expands and
distorts space.
Light and Color Most powerful tools in cinematography
Devices Used to achieve texture Changing color and contrast of picture, desaturating the color, filters, fog and
smoke effects, rain, using unusual film stocks, various film techniques
Movement employ motion and time;
Establishing is the ability of the camera to reveal or conceal information
Exposition Comprehensive description and explanation of an Idea
Point of View (POV) most often used meaning is to have the camera see something in much the same
way
as one of the characters would see it
Static Frame Each scene is played out completely within this fixed frame: without movement,
cuts, or changes in perspective.
, The Shots Wide shot (or long shot)
• Establishing shots
• Full shot
• Cowboy
• Two shot
• Medium
• Close-ups
• Clean single
• Dirty single
• ECU
• Over-the-shoulder
• Cutaway
• Insert
• Connecting Shot
• Transitional Shot
Wide Shot is any frame that encompasses the entire scene.
Establishing Shot The establishing shot is usually a wide shot. It is the opening shot of a scene that
tells us where we are.
Establishing the Geography we have to give the audience some idea of
where they are, what kind of place it is.
Character Shots There are a number of terms for different shots of a single character.
Full Shot indicates that we see the character from head to toe.
Two Shot any frame that includes two characters
Three shot Shot of three characters
Medium shot The medium shot, like the wide shot, is relative to the subject. Obviously, it is
closer than a full shot
Close-ups would generally be from the top of the head to
somewhere just below the shirt pockets
Medium Close-up would generally be considered as something like from top of head to waist or
something
in that area.
Head and shoulder shot If the shot cut just above the shirt pocket area
Choker shot from the top of the head down to just below the chin
Tight close-up losing some of the forehead and perhaps some of the chin,
Extreme close-up (ECU) or sergio leone Varies, but usually just mouth and eyes. Just as often, an ECU is an object: perhaps
just a ring lying on a desktop, a watch, and so on.
CORRECT Answers
Cinematographer Refers to someone who shoots film or video
Director of photography Refers to a cinematographer on any project
Cinematic Technique the range of methods used to add layer of meaning and subtext to the content of
film - dialog and action.
Conceptual tools of visual storytelling • The frame
• Light and color
• The lens
• Movement
• Texture
• Establishing
• POV
The Lens the ability of optics to alter
our perception of the physical world
Focal Length differences short FL equals wide field of view
long FL equals narrow field of view
Most influential aspect of Lens Focal Length
How lens effect space More importantly, a long lens compresses space and a wide lens expands and
distorts space.
Light and Color Most powerful tools in cinematography
Devices Used to achieve texture Changing color and contrast of picture, desaturating the color, filters, fog and
smoke effects, rain, using unusual film stocks, various film techniques
Movement employ motion and time;
Establishing is the ability of the camera to reveal or conceal information
Exposition Comprehensive description and explanation of an Idea
Point of View (POV) most often used meaning is to have the camera see something in much the same
way
as one of the characters would see it
Static Frame Each scene is played out completely within this fixed frame: without movement,
cuts, or changes in perspective.
, The Shots Wide shot (or long shot)
• Establishing shots
• Full shot
• Cowboy
• Two shot
• Medium
• Close-ups
• Clean single
• Dirty single
• ECU
• Over-the-shoulder
• Cutaway
• Insert
• Connecting Shot
• Transitional Shot
Wide Shot is any frame that encompasses the entire scene.
Establishing Shot The establishing shot is usually a wide shot. It is the opening shot of a scene that
tells us where we are.
Establishing the Geography we have to give the audience some idea of
where they are, what kind of place it is.
Character Shots There are a number of terms for different shots of a single character.
Full Shot indicates that we see the character from head to toe.
Two Shot any frame that includes two characters
Three shot Shot of three characters
Medium shot The medium shot, like the wide shot, is relative to the subject. Obviously, it is
closer than a full shot
Close-ups would generally be from the top of the head to
somewhere just below the shirt pockets
Medium Close-up would generally be considered as something like from top of head to waist or
something
in that area.
Head and shoulder shot If the shot cut just above the shirt pocket area
Choker shot from the top of the head down to just below the chin
Tight close-up losing some of the forehead and perhaps some of the chin,
Extreme close-up (ECU) or sergio leone Varies, but usually just mouth and eyes. Just as often, an ECU is an object: perhaps
just a ring lying on a desktop, a watch, and so on.
