Cinematography in thrillers part 2 (Planning)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I’ll continue researching shot types, angles, and camera movement commonly used in thriller films. As I mentioned before, this post also contributes to planning the shot list for our film opening.  

Close-up:

A shot that tightly frames a person or object, showing detail and minimizing background.

Close-ups are powerful in thrillers because they capture subtle emotions and reactions. In our film opening, this would be especially effective when showing the second character’s shocked reaction when opening the book. 

Ranking: ⭐⭐⭐

Effective for tension. Not too complicated technically, but it requires good framing. But since we're not going to show the first character's face, it won't be as effective for the first scene.

Example of close up:

Static wide shot:

A still shot showing the full environment.

This could be used after the time jump to reintroduce the library in a calm, neutral way (equilibrium). We can also create juxtaposition because the stillness would contrast with the instability in the first scene (dramatic irony)

Ranking: ⭐⭐

It's not that complicated to do. If we do it well we can use it to create contrast. We can also apply deep focus.

Example of Static wide shot

Takeaways:

Thrillers are defined by their use of intentional rather than visually appealing techniques. What matters most is how each shot contributes to the tension, perspective, and tone and mood. By carefully categorizing these techniques, I ensure that every cinematic decision in the opening of my film has a purpose, rather than being there for the sake of it or simply for aesthetic appeal.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Cinematography in thrillers part 1 (Planning)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be researching the different types of shots, angles and camera movement that characterize thriller films. I'll also be selecting the ones I'll be using in our film opening. This post (along with its second part) serves as a plan for creating the shot list. 

First,

I want to try a different approach. I'm going to give a description of how each shot type, angle and camera movement works. Then I'll explain its purpose in short sentences. Finally, I'll rank each one, taking into account its difficulty (technique), how effective it would be for our film (purpose), and lastly, how much I want to do it.

How does this ranking work?

1-2 stars: bad ⭐

3 stars: average ⭐⭐⭐

4-5 stars: good ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🌟: Galactically stratospheric good

Let's begin,

Frame within a frame: This is a technique that involves using elements to create a second frame within the screen frame. Examples: doors, windows, photographs or paintings, people, or objects. It's virtually limitless.

I think it would be effective for our film because, as I said before, it's a thriller, and this technique works to isolate characters or draw attention to a specific object.

Ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ Because it's part of cinematography and set design, the only problem I see is that I think it would be complicated to execute and instruct the actors (and not that I'm particularly excited about doing it).

Frame within a frame example: Punch Drunk Love

Dutch angle: where the camera is deliberately tilted to one side, making the horizon line oblique or slanted.

I think it would be useful for creating anxiety and tension. Also, if used well, it can create suspense.

Ranking: 🌟 It looks cool, easy, and quick to do. It's not a very advanced technique; I just need to analyze where I'm going to use it and for what purpose.

(Honorable mention: In The Dark Knight, they used it a lot and it looked fantastic.)

Dutch angle example: The Dark Knight

Tracking shot: where the camera physically moves alongside, behind, or ahead of a subject.

Used to create immersion, follow action, or reveal information. Our film's opening will include a tracking shot.

Ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I know I'm going to have to use it a lot, so I'd better get used to it. It's also key for creating suspense, and since I plan to use some long takes, it will make the job easier.

Example of a tracking shot:

Takeaway: It doesn't matter if a genre is characterized by specific types of cinematic elements; each film and cinematographer is unique and doesn't necessarily have to follow those rules. External factors such as difficulty, time, and budget must be taken into account.

*There's a part two, go check it out*

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Lighting 'chiaroscuro' (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, we'll explore the secrets of light in cinematography, specifically chiaroscuro. Let's begin.

First,

What is chiaroscuro?

Simply put, chiaroscuro is the juxtaposition of light and darkness.

Examples of chiaroscuro:

Gerrit Dou

Christ before the High Priest, by Gerrit van Honthorst

(It doesn't necessarily have to be a lit candle in a dark room)

The Holy Family by Rafael

What is chiaroscuro in cinematography?

In cinematography, it's low- and high-contrast lighting that creates areas of light and dark in films. But what makes it special? I believe that because the contrast is so dramatic, it has a stronger visual impact on the viewer. Perhaps if you're from the Renaissance era, it will impress you more -I don't blame you. I also noticed that it can be used to draw the eye to specific areas, similar to the rule of three. 

Why do we want it in our film?

Because this type of lighting is often used to create suspense (and our film's opening is a mystery thriller). In our film opening, chiaroscuro will be used to visually reflect the psychological tension of the scene. Since the story takes place in a library (a space that is normally calm, silent and neutral) I can manipulate lighting to transform it into something unsettling and create suspense. And, when the boy appears, I plan to use strong contrasts between light and shadow. Since we don't want to show his face, I'll reinforce this with shadows and foreshadowing. Although it will be difficult, I think I can manage it.

When the second character appears, the light will become soft and normal (equilibrium). Then, when the second character interacts with the book, I will use chiaroscuro again, which indicates disequilibrium.

Takeaway: 

By using chiaroscuro, I can visually separate safety from danger (equilibrium vs dysequilibrium) without having to use dialogue. This is how we facilitate post-production.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Lighting in films (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be investigating lighting in film, specifically three-point lighting. This post will serve as a foundation for my subsequent posts on lighting research. Let's begin.

First,

What is Three-point lighting?

Three-point lighting is a foundational, standard technique in video, film, and photography that uses three distinct light sources Key Light, Fill Light, and Backlight.

What is the purpose of three-point lighting?

Three-point lighting focuses on creating a three-dimensional appearance. This makes the scene look more professional, realistic, and stylized. It also creates depth.

How does it work? 

By placing three light sources at strategic points around the subject, each one illuminates a different dimension of it and creates an image with greater representation of height, width, and depth. This refers to the relationship each light has with the others. The main light should be twice as bright as the fill light. In other words, by having the light come from three different points, a more stylized appearance is created.

Film lighting relies on the intensity and angles of the light source:

Light source: refers to the physical origin
Angle of light: refers to the path of approach
Light intensity: refers to the amount/brightness

Adjusting the intensity:

Diffusing the light will decrease the intensity.
Dimming the light will decrease the intensity.
Moving a light further away will decrease the intensity.

Examples:

How it works:

How to apply it:

Takeaway:

Three-point lighting allows me to control depth and focus at the beginning of my film. It will be particularly useful in the second scene to create a calm atmosphere (equilibrium) that contrasts with the disequilibrium of the first scene. By adjusting the intensity and angles of the light, I can direct attention to the character's reaction, which simultaneously creates a sense of tension in the audience.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Visual Foreshadowing (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be researching foreshadowing, specifically in cinematography. I'll also start planning how to use it in my film opening. Let's begin.

First,

What is Foreshadowing?

Foreshadowing is a technique in which a storyteller gestures to events that will happen later in a narrative.

Different forms of Foreshadowing:

Direct: explicitly describes future events.

Indirect: more subtle, indicates what will happen.

What is foreshadowing used for in storytelling?

Creating suspense

Dramatic build up

Developing anticipation

*We are using indirect foreshadowing. It basically prepares the audience for what's coming without telling them directly. Our goal is to create suspense, and to do that, we need to hook the audience. The audience's attention can be captured by keeping them in a state of anticipation. This tool can be used to create anticipation in a subtle way.

Example of foreshadowing:

Coraline (2009)

How can we use it in our opening? 

I think the best technique for our opening is indirect foreshadowing. In our opening, we already have symbolism. For example, the boy's erratic breathing (recorded handheld) and the shallow focus (we also won't show his face) suggest that something is wrong before we even see the book or show what it represents. This in itself creates anticipation. The audience understands that the object he's holding is important (even if they don't yet know why). I think we can apply foreshadowing with framing and lighting (cinematography foreshadowing).

Then, when the second character enters the bookstore (equilibrium) and subsequently picks up the book, before the revelation, the audience already associates the book with danger/mystery. The tension is created on its own, and the character's reaction would already create foreshadowing.

Takeaway: Indirect foreshadowing in my film's opening works because our goal is to create tension and suspense. And through the visual clues (the boy and the book) –mystery– the audience already senses that something is wrong. By withholding important information, we create anticipation, and this is reinforced by the second scene.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Pre-production: color (planning)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In the previous blog post, I researched how color psychology works in films and the meaning of each color. In this post, I will be applying what I learned about color psychology to our film opening.

Applying color to my film opening:

Color in shots is not something that should be added in post-production. Since I plan to use it in the mise-en-scène, it has to be planned from the beginning of pre-production. This is especially important in our case, as we are creating a film opening.  That is, we have to connect with the audience from the very first moment, using colors that appeal to the emotions we want to convey. Openings are the first emotional connection formed with the audience.

Color as emotional shifts:

As I mentioned before, our opening is going to be like a roller coaster of emotions that ends the ride when the audience is at the highest point of the roller coaster, about to descend. For this, I plan for the two scenes to be distinct, each having a dominant color to represent the change in emotion and time.

I will use cool colors (and purple to represent mystery) in the first scene, and in the second, I will focus on red to represent danger.

Why is this important?

When we plan color choices from the beginning, color becomes a storytelling tool and not just decoration. Objects, spaces, and characters gain meaning through their color, guiding the audience’s emotional response without the need for dialogue. This also creates a brand, a visual identity for our film.

Final thoughts:

Color psychology works on a subconscious level, which means the audience may not consciously notice every color choice, but they will feel its effects (subconsciously). By using color intentionally in my film opening, I aim to build tension and guide emotion.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this archive of thoughts.

-Dragorite

Pre-production: color (Research)

Hello, reader. Welcome to my blog. In this post, I'll be exploring the psychology of color and its use in films.

Idea

I was researching ways to make a film unique. When we talk about color in films, we almost always think about the color of the atmosphere or color grading. But what happens when you use a specific color for specific elements? In the mise-en-scène, for example, or in the characters themselves.

Color psychology: is the strategic use of colors to evoke specific emotional and psychological responses from the audience.

How can it be used?

Color psychology has diverse uses. As the name suggests, it is highly related to psychology and how the human brain reacts to each color. It's surprising how a single color carries so much meaning and can add details to the plot.

Color choices enhance storytelling, develop characters, and create immersive atmospheres. Each color carries its own associations and connotations, influencing the viewer's perception and feelings. By applying color psychology, filmmakers tap into the viewers' subconscious reactions, intensifying the impact of scenes and narratives.

Common meanings of each color:

According to editor Lilly Mtz-Seara, these emotions and adjectives are attributed to each of these colors. Of course, they can also vary and are not a rigid mold or a rule. 

RED – anger, passion, rage, desire, excitement, energy, speed, strength, power, heat, love, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence

PINK – love, innocence, healthy, happy, content, romantic, charming, playfulness, soft, delicate, feminine

YELLOW – wisdom, knowledge, relaxation, joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard

ORANGE – humor, energy, balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant

GREEN – healing, soothing, perseverance, tenacity, self-awareness, pride, unchanging nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy

BLUE – faith, spirituality, contentment, loyalty, fulfillment peace, tranquility, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, sky, water, cold, technology, depression

PURPLE/VIOLET – erotic, royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning, power, sensitive, intimacy

BROWN– materialistic, sensation, earth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, stability, simplicity

BLACK – No, power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger

WHITE – Yes, protection, love, reverence, purity, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, birth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical, sterile

SILVER – riches, glamorous, distinguished, earthy, natural, sleek, elegant, high-tech

GOLD – precious, riches, extravagance. warm, wealth, prosperity, grandeur

Examples:

The use of color in films

Takeaways:

Color is a narrative tool that is developed from pre-production, it not only provides meaning but also a unique design and a unique brand for films (if the audience can recognize the film only by color it means that its use was a success)

Using specific colors on elements like objects, settings, and characters gives them meaning. It occurs to me that in Inside Out, the emotions had specific colors that represented them, like disgust and green, sadness and blue (these are colors universally associated with those emotions).

Color psychology appeals to our subconscious, activating emotional responses.

That's all for now, reader. Thank you for reading this collection of thoughts.

-Dragorite