Video Production-Cinematography

Cinematography is an art form unique to motion pictures. The key factor of good cinematography is the ability to move the camera and vary the audience’s viewpoint during the scene. The movement of the camera plays a considerable role in the emotional language of the film and the audience’s reaction to the subject.

The most basic movements are called “panning” and “tilting”. Panning is a horizontal shift from a fixed position, just like turning your head from side to side. Tilting is a vertical shift from a fixed position similar to tipping your head up to look at the sky or downward to look at the ground. These movements are made with the basic tripod.

Other camera movements, which make a video more professional, and are considered more cinema-style are “dollying” and “craning”. Dollying is accomplished by placing the camera on a moving platform called a dolly, to move it closer or farther or passing vertically by the subject. Camera cranes or jib arms are used to move the camera vertically from the ground to high in the air as well as swinging from side to side and a combination of all of those moves. Some videographers use cameras in a handheld position which can be exactly what it means, but a more stable way to film is by using a Steadicam, which is a body harness and stabilization arm connecting the camera to the operator, allowing it to move naturally.

Camera Frame Rates

Video images can often give very different looks depending on the frame rate (FPS) that the video was shot. Typically major motion pictures are shot at a constant rate of 24 FPS, whereas television is shot at 30 FPS. Videos for the web can be viewed at much lower frame rates (10-30 FPS) and still give a quality image. It is important to discuss the various uses for your video project, so that the video is shot at the correct frame rate. Video, like digital pictures, is resolution dependent. A decrease in frame rate is possible, but an increase is not.

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