📹Video Art Unit 3 – Composition and Cinematography for Video Art

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Composition refers to the arrangement and placement of visual elements within a frame to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing image
• Cinematography encompasses the technical and creative decisions made by the cinematographer or director of photography to convey a desired mood, emotion, or story
• Shot types include wide shots, medium shots, close-ups, and extreme close-ups, each serving a specific purpose in visual storytelling
• Camera movements such as pans, tilts, dollies, and zooms add dynamism and guide the viewer's attention within a scene
• Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the tone, atmosphere, and visual hierarchy of a scene, with key, fill, and backlight being fundamental components
• Color theory involves the strategic use of color to evoke emotions, convey symbolism, and create visual harmony or discord
• Aspect ratio refers to the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image, with common ratios being 4:3, 16:9, and 2.35:1
• Depth of field is the range of distance within a shot that appears acceptably sharp, influenced by factors such as aperture, focal length, and camera-to-subject distance

Visual Composition Basics

• The rule of thirds is a compositional guideline that divides the frame into a 3x3 grid, suggesting the placement of key elements along the lines or at their intersections to create visual balance and interest
• Leading lines are visual elements within a frame that guide the viewer's eye towards a specific point of interest, creating depth and direction
  • Examples of leading lines include roads, paths, architectural features, or natural elements like rivers or tree branches
• Symmetry and asymmetry can be used to create visual harmony, tension, or imbalance, depending on the desired effect
• Framing is the use of foreground elements to create a sense of depth, context, or visual interest around the main subject
• Negative space refers to the empty or unoccupied areas within a frame that can be used to emphasize the main subject or create a sense of minimalism
• The golden ratio ($1.618:1$) is a mathematical proportion found in nature and art that can be applied to composition for aesthetically pleasing results
• Balance in composition can be achieved through the distribution of visual weight, which is influenced by factors such as size, color, contrast, and placement of elements

Camera Techniques and Shots

• Wide shots (WS) establish the overall scene, location, or context, often used as an introductory or transitional shot
• Medium shots (MS) frame the subject from the waist up, providing a balance between the subject and their surroundings, and are commonly used for dialogue scenes
• Close-ups (CU) focus on a specific detail or facial expression, creating intimacy and emotional connection with the subject
• Extreme close-ups (ECU) magnify a specific detail or feature, often used for dramatic effect or to highlight a significant object
• Over-the-shoulder shots (OTS) are used during dialogue scenes to establish the spatial relationship between characters and create a sense of involvement for the viewer
• Dutch angles, achieved by tilting the camera, can create a sense of unease, disorientation, or tension
• Handheld camera techniques can add a sense of realism, immediacy, or chaos to a scene, often used in documentaries or action sequences
• Rack focus is a technique where the focus shifts from one subject to another within the same shot, often used to guide the viewer's attention or reveal new information

Lighting for Video Art

• Three-point lighting is a standard setup consisting of a key light (primary source), fill light (softens shadows), and backlight (separates subject from background)
  • The key light is typically placed at a 45-degree angle to the subject, while the fill light is placed opposite the key light to soften shadows
  • The backlight is positioned behind the subject to create a rim of light, separating them from the background
• High-key lighting creates a bright, evenly lit scene with minimal shadows, often used in comedies, musicals, or upbeat scenarios
• Low-key lighting emphasizes shadows and contrast, creating a moody, dramatic, or mysterious atmosphere, commonly used in film noir or thriller genres
• Practical lights are light sources that appear within the scene, such as lamps, candles, or windows, and can be used to justify the overall lighting setup
• Colored gels can be used to tint the light and create specific moods or atmospheres, such as warm tones for a cozy interior or cool tones for a sterile environment
• Lighting ratios refer to the difference in intensity between the key and fill lights, with higher ratios creating more contrast and drama
• Backlighting can also be used to create silhouettes or emphasize the outline of a subject, adding visual interest or mystery to a shot

Color Theory in Video

• Color psychology explores the emotional and symbolic associations of different colors, which can be used to influence the viewer's perception and mood
  • For example, red is often associated with passion, anger, or danger, while blue can evoke feelings of calmness, trust, or sadness
• Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue and orange) and create high contrast and visual interest when used together
• Analogous colors are adjacent to each other on the color wheel (e.g., blue, green, and teal) and create harmony and cohesion when used together
• Color grading is the process of adjusting the color, contrast, and saturation of footage in post-production to achieve a desired look or style
• Color palettes can be used to create visual consistency, evoke specific emotions, or differentiate between different characters, locations, or time periods
• Monochromatic color schemes use variations of a single color, creating a cohesive and unified look, often used in minimalist or stylized pieces
• The use of color in set design, wardrobe, and props can also contribute to the overall visual narrative and symbolism of a piece

Storytelling Through Cinematography

• Establishing shots introduce the location, time period, or overall context of a scene, often using wide shots to provide a sense of scale and orientation
• Shot sequences can be used to build tension, reveal information, or show the progression of an action or event
  • For example, a sequence might start with a wide shot, then move to a medium shot, and finally to a close-up to gradually reveal a key detail or emotion
• Camera angles can be used to convey power dynamics, with low angles making a subject appear dominant or powerful, and high angles making them appear vulnerable or inferior
• Depth of field can be used to guide the viewer's focus, with shallow depth of field (blurry background) isolating the subject and deep depth of field (everything in focus) providing context
• Motifs are recurring visual elements that can be used to reinforce themes, foreshadow events, or create a sense of continuity throughout a piece
• Juxtaposition is the placement of contrasting elements within a frame or sequence to create visual tension, irony, or symbolism
• Pacing refers to the rhythm and speed of the editing and shot durations, which can be used to create a sense of urgency, contemplation, or temporal progression

Experimental Approaches

• Non-linear narratives disrupt the chronological order of events, often using techniques such as flashbacks, flash-forwards, or parallel storylines to create a fragmented or disorienting experience
• Abstract or surreal visuals can be used to convey subjective experiences, emotions, or psychological states, often employing unconventional or symbolic imagery
• Breaking the fourth wall refers to the acknowledgment of the audience or the artificial nature of the medium, often used for comedic, self-reflexive, or meta-narrative purposes
• Montage is the juxtaposition of short shots or sequences to convey the passage of time, a series of events, or a thematic connection
• Split-screen techniques can be used to show multiple actions or perspectives simultaneously, often used to create a sense of tension, comparison, or interconnectedness
• Experimental camera techniques, such as lens distortions, extreme angles, or unconventional movements, can be used to create a sense of unease, disorientation, or surrealism
• Incorporating mixed media, such as animation, stop-motion, or found footage, can add layers of meaning, texture, or visual interest to a piece

Practical Application and Projects

• Pre-production planning involves storyboarding, shot listing, and location scouting to ensure a cohesive visual style and efficient shooting process
• Collaborating with a director, production designer, and other key crew members is essential to ensure a unified vision and effective execution of the cinematography
• Shooting tests and rehearsals can help refine the visual approach, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure the desired look is achievable within the given constraints
• Adapting to different genres, such as drama, comedy, action, or documentary, requires an understanding of the specific visual conventions and techniques associated with each style
• Experimenting with different aspect ratios, frame rates, and camera formats can help create a distinct visual style or evoke a specific time period or aesthetic
• Incorporating visual effects and post-production techniques, such as green screen, compositing, or color grading, can enhance or manipulate the final image to achieve the desired look
• Creating a cinematography reel or portfolio is essential for showcasing your work, demonstrating your skills, and attracting potential collaborators or clients