Celebrating the Art of Cinematography
Movement
Not all movies can be told in stillness. Some scream for the camera to not only move, but follow the characters closely. The invention of Steadicam in the late ’70s helped put the audience smack dab in the middle of conflict. When done correctly, a Steadicam sequence can leave the audience breathless. Such is the case in Alfonso Cuaron’s dystopic nightmare Children of Men. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki guides us through the war ravaged streets of a city in ruin by pinning a camera to the hip of his protagonist, played by Clive Owen. Finding this intense footage online wasn’t easy. There’s no natural sound, but the “uprising” scenes are money. Beware: lots of spoilers dead ahead.
Intimacy
Not all stories can be told on a grand scale with lots of locations and special effects. Some are quiet, more personal tales set in constricted venues that call for closeness between characters. Shooting within the confines of narrow halls and cramped apartments takes a special skill-set not easily perfected. Throughout his stellar career, cinematographer Christopher Doyle has employed a rich spectrum of colors and inventive angles to reinforce images. His collaborations with director Wong Kar-wai have given birth to some of the most beautiful films of the last twenty years. In the Mood for Love is all about intimacy: intimacy between men and women, intimacy between camera and subject, intimacy between characters and audience. Doyle and Kar-wai insert us into scenes, allowing us to eavesdrop on their principals as they fall deeply in love.
Metaphor
Hidden meanings, or subtext, exist in most films of merit. If you know what to look for, they are easily spotted. A recurring object or person may be introduced to advance a specific emotion or motif inherent in the plot. In cinematography, it could be the angle at which a character is filmed, or a purposeful coloration that emphasizes a significant trait or message not otherwise obvious. Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski chose colors as metaphors in his epic Trois Couleurs trilogy. The first in the series, Blue, is about the coldness and isolationism of Julie, a circumspect woman mourning the death of her husband and daughter. Slawomir Idziak coats the frame in a bluish hue throughout the film. It is meant to signify liberty, but for Julie, it represents loneliness and loss.
Perspective
All filmmakers possess their own thoughts and ideas on different subjects. Hand the same exact screenplay to two directors and you will likely end up with two separate visions. Perspective is what makes film such an enjoyable and thought-provoking form of entertainment. Not all interpretations are the same. Francis Ford Coppola’s depiction of the chaos of war in Apocalypse Now was wholly his own, and that of cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. The pair combined to illustrate a descent into madness rarely seen in any war flick before or since. It’s impossible to accurately portray the feeling of being on the front lines in a work of fiction, but the level of horror reached in Apocalypse Now is probably as close as it gets. Welcome to the “asshole of the world.”
Pages: 1 2
Wow, this is truly amazing.
Jess
http://www.online-anonymity.cz.tc
Great compilation. While we all appreciate cinematography, having them isolated in this way makes us fully appreciate its importance within a film. This list has ensured I rewatch these films.
For some truly marvelous shots that would work as art, have you tried Tarsem Singh’s The Fall? Spectacular, beautiful, incredible, and all those other methods of describing something that makes you question what you’re seeing.
[...] Read more at http://flicksided.com/2010/02/celebrating-the-art-of-cinematography/ [...]
Great collection, always good to get someones take on a subject and for that take to really resonate. thanks.
[...] Celebrating the Art of Cinematography | FlickSided "Painters use a palette and canvas. Composers rely on notes and instruments. Authors prefer words and a laptop. In the art of cinematography, shadow and light are the tools of the trade. (…) Crafting the perfect film image takes patience, care and a keen eye. (…) The following films and concepts are worthy of study and admiration because they represent the greatness that can be achieved in the hands of a skilled technician who understands the art of cinematography." (tags: Cinematography cinema kino filmkunst video photography movies film filmmaking kameraführung kameramann) Über dieses TV Blog Willkommen auf tvundso.com: Das private, unkommerzielle und unabhängige Fernsehblog. Hier finden Sie Rezensionen, Artikelsammlungen und TV Kritiken zu US-Serien, Filmen, X Factor, Dschungelcamp, The Apprentice, American Idol, DSDS, Supertalent, Reality TV, Sitcoms, Big Brother, Britain's Got Talent und allem was sonst noch so passiert in der TV Welt. Rivva Social TVundso bei Rivva Social Rivva wertet die Links der Twitters aus, denen ich folge und filtert – wenn alles klappt – die besten heraus. Alpha Test. Google Buzz TVundso bei Google Buzz Friendfeed TVundso abonnieren Kommentare RSS Info: Was ist ein RSS-Abo? Per E-Mail abonnieren [...]
Although it is unfortunate that the article didn’t mention Hitchcock, I thought the films it did analyze were well done. When I took my film class we looked at Blade Runner, Lawrence of Arabia, and American Beauty. The class really gave me a new appreciation for film.
I’m surprised there are no John Alton highlights! He was a tree master of cinematography, specializing in film noir early in his career.
uhm.. a *true* master
Nice to see more info on the art of cinematography. But don’t forget that cinematography encompasses more than just lighting. There is camera work (covered), lens choices, blocking, filtration, film/DI processes, etc.
beeing an ermergent filmmaker in the just growing industry of Zimbabwe filmmaking, tips and ideas are vital to us in a sence that we don’t have much knolledge to make movies but to rely on these kind of information. keep it up!!
Great collection
Hi. I merely seen that your internet site may seem like it possesses a number of code mistakes within the very bottom of your site’s page. I am not certain if many people are getting this very same bugginess when browsing your website? We are making use of a different browser than the majority of people, known as Opera, so that is exactly what might be causing it? I recently wanted to make sure you realize. Thanks for posting some excellent postings and I’ll aim to go back again that has a completely different browser to check indicates! Also, I set a web link to your blog at my website,we imagine you dont mind?
[...] s1);})(); I’m a huge fan of quality cinematography. At one point in my life, I would see a movie based solely on who shot it. Even if it sucked, the [...]
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I to find It really helpful & it helped me out much. I hope to present one thing again and help others like you aided me.