Cinematography final blog tasks

• Watch the following extract from Lawrence of Arabia (1962), directed by David Lean

1.Discuss how the use of long shots creates tension and suspense in the sequence.
The long shots create tension throughout the scene as we can clearly see there is a figure approaching from far away by themselves making them look menacing. Also, with the long shot we are not offered much information as to what may happen as it only shows the figure, the rest is just sand stretching far.

2.Who are the audience encouraged to identify with
The audience are encouraged to identify with Lawrence as many of the camera shots focus on him, telling the audience that he is the main character in the film. He is also fits the Hollywood character type as he is a white male who seems to be American

• Watch the following extract from Three Colours: Blue (1993), directed by Krzystof Kielowksi 

1.How does the use of close-up shots enhance our understanding of the narrative?

The use of close-up shots make the characters emotions much more clear as we see with the little girl in the car which is connected to the close ups of the car zooming through the tunnel showing us that the family are clearly going somewhere. 

2.Discuss the emotional impact of the sequence. How do the close-ups contribute to this?

The close-ups show great emotion especially when focusing on the girls facial expressions as she looks quite worried and may not understand what is going on or where they are headed to. 

• Watch the following extract from Citizen Kane (1940), directed by Orson Welles

1. Discuss the various shots and camera movements and their effects.

The various use of medium shots and close ups give little detail as to what the plot is but help establish a general understanding of the setting and a little bit of the plot. The camera movement is very slow and steady to establish a calm tone for the scene

2.How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film language you have studied to create meaning setting 

The lighting used in this creates a sense of darkness and eeriness 

• Watch the following extract from Moulin Roughe (2001), directed by Baz Luhrmann

1. Comment on how various shots and camera movements help to introduce the story.

The different camera shots and movements help introduce the characters, plot and setting for the audience. The first character we see is the man at the start who is on a typewriter and looking depressed as if he has just gone through something  really tough

2. How does the cinematography work with other aspects of film language 

There is a wide range of camera movements and the lighting varies from scene to scene which many other films use.