In these weeks, I have been finishing working on the features of the project. I took each features outline in my project plan, then expanded on it by outlining:
- what aspects of the feature im including
- what it’s about and information on it
- ideas for designing and creating animations
Here is an example of one of the features ‘camera angles and shots’:
8: Camera Angles & Shots
Angle and shot types:
- high-angle shot – is usually when the camera is located above the eye line.
With this type of angle, the camera looks down on the subject and the point of focus often get “swallowed up” by the setting. High angle shots also make the figure or object seem vulnerable or powerless. Usually used in film to make the moment more dramatic or if there is someone at a high level that the character below is talking to.
- low-angle shot – is a shot from a camera positioned low on the vertical axis, anywhere below the eye line, looking up.
- birds eye view – is an elevated view of an object from above, with a perspective as though the observer were a bird.
The term “bird’s eye” was used to distinguish views drawn from direct observation at high locations (for example a mountain or tower), from those constructed from an imagined (bird’s) perspectives.
- neutral shot / eye level (EL) shot – has little to no psychological effect on the viewer. This shot is when the camera is level or looking straight on with the subject.
- point of view shot – shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera).
It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character looking at something, and a shot showing the character’s reaction.
- eye level shot – a type of POV shot that shows the audience the image as if through the subject’s eye.
This type is used to create an illusion that the audience is seeing exactly what and how the subject is seeing.
- dutch angle or canted/tilted angle – are angles used for one of many cinematic techniques often used to portray the psychological uneasiness or tension in the subject being filmed.
A Dutch angle is achieved by tilting the camera off to the side so that the shot is composed with vertical lines at an angle to the side of the frame. Many Dutch angles are static shots, but in a moving Dutch angle shot the camera can pivot, pan or track along the cinematographers established diagonal axis for the shot.
Props and equipment:
- dollying (used for ‘tracking shots’) – is a segment in which the camera is mounted on a camera dolly, a wheeled platform that is pushed on rails while the picture is being taken. One may dolly in on a stationary subject for emphasis, or dolly out, or dolly beside a moving subject (an action known as “dolly with”).
- A camera dolly is a specialized piece of filmmaking and television production equipment designed to create smooth camera movements. The camera is mounted to the dolly and the camera operator and focus puller or camera assistant, usually ride on the dolly to operate the camera. The dolly grip is the dedicated technician trained to operate the dolly.
- craning (used for ‘craning shots’) – crane shot is a shot taken by a camera on a crane.
The most obvious uses are to view the actors from above or to move up and away from them, a common way of ending a movie. Most cranes accommodate both the camera and an operator, but some can be operated by remote control.
Ideas:
Represent each angle and shot type in a single animation(possibly multiple animations). For each shot:
- show what the shot looks like
- show where it is used
- show why it is used and the effect it has
- explain using a voiceover
- include examples from real films
Design:
Using Blender, set up a scene containing characters and props. Create an animation where there is movement and things happening in the scene. Position several cameras around the scene, each representing and showing a different type of camera angle or shot. Record animation several times through each of the cameras. Then import all animations into Final Cut Pro.
In Final Cut Pro, create a short video of each of the animations combined together. Include a voiceover explaining the animations and possibly some background music or atmosphere for effect. Export video for use on the website.
