Tools of Cinematography Intro to Film Essay Example

The director of cinematography's job is to take the director's view of how the movie should look and help the director to get the shots that he wants with ideas on camera angles, types of cameras, and lighting suggestions that will best serve the director in getting the type of feel he wants out of each scene in the movie. (Goodykoontz, & Jacobs 2011). The cinematographer is specifically responsible for its look, in very specific, shot-by-shot terms. He or she is responsible for the images that the camera sees, and by extension the images that the audience will see in the finished film. . Cinematography means “writing with movement.” (Goodykoontz, & Jacobs 2011). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM5fqZr7jdA&list=FL3gNmTGu-TTbFPpfSs5kNkg&index=2 I chose a scene from The Godfather. In this scene, Alfredo is in a boat with a member of his mob family; he is about to be assassinated, by his brother’s order (one of many taking place simultaneously). The cinematography helped to create a somber mood. The choice of the Golden Hour to shoot the boat scene provided a few natural props like the thick, dark-grey-almost-black clouds that gave the water the same color. The light of the setting sun barely peeping through the clouds helped to de-emphasize the characters in the forefront. It also created a contrast to the overall darkness of the frame. This is nature’s way of creating a low-key natural light to a dramatically intense scene. The cinematographer used a telephoto lens to get a deep focus shot. Nature did the rest. The end of day, overarching, saturated dark clouds and the setting sun are all symbolic of death.
Reference
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From Watching to Seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.