can be relied on and the technical aspects of focus and aperture (the amount of light getting into the camera) don’t have to be continually changed.
Camera Work
Camera work is important in helping the viewer to engage with the scene. You might see the world through the character’s eyes, or the camera might move from one face to another so you could see the reaction to what is being said or happening on- screen.
A pan shot is where the camera moves horizontally from a fixed position. It can be used to follow movement or to show a wider context in a scene. The tilt is used to follow vertical movement from a fixed position. A tracking or dolly shot is used to follow action. The camera is mounted on a little truck (dolly) usually on rails so that it can be kept steady while it moves along with the action.
A zoom lens allows the camera user to change from a wide-angle view to a close-up or vice versa, without moving the camera or changing the lens. It can be very useful for explaining context or showing a detail in a scene.
A steady-cam is a counterbalanced unit that allows smooth movement with a hand-held camera. It is a heavy piece of equipment used to follow complicated movement and camera angles.
A drone operator controls the movement of the remotely operated flying camera that is used to get overhead shots and follow cross-country action.
UNIT 13 ARTISTS: THEORY AND THINKING
Figure 37.29 A steady-cam operator in action.
The camera angle can have a dramatic effect on a scene. A low-angle shot can make the characters in a scene look dominant or threatening. A high-angle shot can put the viewer in a controlling position, where they may feel sympathy for the characters in the scene. Flat or eye-level shots are often used to record conversations or confrontations where the viewer is eye-to-eye with the actors.
A bird’s eye view is filmed from directly overhead. In an oblique angle shot, the camera is tilted so the horizon is at an angle.
Figure 37.30 A still showing a low-angle shot from a film.
Special Effects
CGI (computer-generated imagery) is now more frequently used than sets or models. 3D computer graphics can be used to create structures and environments that would be impossible in the real world. Blue or green screens can be used when human action needs to be superimposed on an imaginary background or in a physically impossible
