Watch the following video about camera movement in film.
In the video the narrator explains a range of film terms relating to the use of the camera.
Define the following terms and write a full description of how these are used in film-making;
For example;
Pan
This is short for panorama. the camera is usually on a tripod and moves from side to side to give a steady shot of the scene. It is often used to set the scene. Often at the start of a film. You can now take panorama shots on most phones. This allows you to take in more of the scene by moving the camera across the horizon.
This is an edited version of the opening of the film which claims to be the original Japanese version.
What has been changed ?
Miyazaki is the director but he had a large team of animators, sound producers and artists working for him at Studio Ghibli.
If you edit footage together in a different way then meaning can be altered.
The film version that we study has been edited with a slow pace to establish characters,
narrative and setting.
Continuity editing has been used to support the
audience’s understanding narrative and the
strange world that the spirits inhabit.
In contrast to the more familiar low-budget
anime Miyazaki kept a higher frame rate (30fps)
as opposed to the more commonly used 24 frames per second.
Each frame is hand made so the film is incredibly well crafted with teams of people working on the animation.
This clip will explain some of the methods used to make the film.
and here is part 2
One of your focus scenes is the first six minutes. We will analyse these closely in class. You will be expected to write about the opening in the exam.
The exam board have given you some pointers about areas to focus on;
Cinematography (including Lighting)
• High angle mid shot (MS) of Chihiro in
the back of the car denoting her place
within the family as a child/female.
• Camera movement changes as they enter
the forest reflecting the importance of the
setting and the change in narrative.
• Sequence One contains lots of establishing
shots of a modern, westernised and urban Japan
that contrasts with establishing shots of the
nostalgic bathhouse/spirit world later in the film.
Low angle shots from within the car looking
out, positioning the audience with Chihiro.
• Daylight signifies safety and the lowering
sun and casting shadows and signifying
danger. A traditional fantasy/horror trope.
