Film Movement and Cutting

Film Analysis Part 2

Dolly ShotsThe camera is mounted on a device that has wheels and move on tracks.

Smooth, liquid feeling to the scene or sequence

Example: Touch of Evil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8AXd1ayxrg (1:30-2:35)

Handheld Moves

A camera operator films the scene with a lightweight camera

If the filmmaker wants smooth handheld moves, he uses a Steadicam, which involves a gyroscope

Example: Cloverfield

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkFcHUvyJ-k (0:00-1:00)

Pans and TiltsPans: Mounted on a device such as a tripod, and operator rotates the camera to the left or right

Tilts: Mounted and operator tilts the camera up or down

Example: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VbAt7yDSKs&feature=fvwrel (0:00-0:50)

Circular Choreography

When the camera circles the actors that are interacting with one another

Usually makes the viewers feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or confused

Example: The Dark Knight (1:20-2:46)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFHccsaTakg

Ways to Capture Running on Camera

In film, there are various ways to capture an actor or a group of actors running on camera

Head-in

Pan

Lateral tracking

Frontal tracking

Rearward tracking

We will use Forrest Gump as an example for these types of tracking movement

Head-InActor runs toward a stationary camera and past it

Actor’s destination is unknown, creating curiosity

In this case, Forrest runs towards the camera and away from his followers as he decides to run back home

PanCamera pans as actor runs across the screen

Pan is meant to specify where the actor is running

In this scene, the camera pans as Forrest runs across the football field to score a touchdown

Lateral TrackingActor runs along side the camera, which is attached to a truck that moves with him/her

Meant to highlight the action of the actor rather than his or her surroundings

Can’t see where the actor came from or where he/she is going, just background

In this scene, camera tracks Forrest as he brakes his leg braces and runs from bullies. Audience is not aware of his destination.

Frontal TrackingCamera is mounted on the bed of a truck and pointed at Forrest as he runs towards it; camera keeps up with the actor

Frames vary from long shots to close-ups

Meant to raise suspense

In this scene, Forrest is running away from bullies

Rearward TrackingExact same as frontal tracking, except that the camera is placed behind the actor instead of in front of him or her while running

Meant to show how fast actor is running/ what obstacles lie ahead for the actor

In this scene, Forrest is running towards the Alabama marching band after scoring a touchdown

Check Point!An opening sequence that has nearly every shot, angle and movement (nearly)!

007: Casino Royale (2006)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZxNbAwY_rk

How many can you identify?

Cuts The manner in which filmmakers join together the various shots in a movie.

It affects the rhythm of the film and can serve to guide the audience through the film, making the connections that the director wants them to make

Example of a Cut: 2001: A Space Odyssey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrdCC9ZHhwY (0:00-0:15)

Compilation CuttingShots to illustrate the story that the narrator is telling

Film tied together more by the narration than the order and rhythm of the shots

Used in movie trailers a lot!

Example: Love Actually

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoxXpqof8A

Continuity CuttingA filmmaker follows one person or a group of people continuously and details what happens to them

Example: Forrest Gump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7voy1vit6Y (1:00-1:55)

Cross-CuttingCutting back and forth between two or more actions going on at the same time

Can build excitement and suspense

Example: Inception

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmptU7vEkNU

Cut InFlashes of cuts that seem to not relate to or contrast with the current sequence

Can be used to change emotion or foreshadow

Example: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw6GwhfNl7U (0:40-1:40)

Fade-Out and Fade-InFade Out: film screen gradually becomes black, changing the film’s rhythm

Fade-in: usually follows a fade-out. Leads to a different setting or scene. Can serve as an alert that a change in time or space is occurring.

Example: Django Unchained

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUdM9vrCbow

DissolvePoetic, soft shift between two scenes

Shots “melt” into one another

Softens the cut between two sequences

Example: The English Patient

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHFQAAhv_xI (1:00-1:16!!!!)

WipeOne shot pushes the preceding shot across the screen

Can move up, down, across or diagonally

Example: Star Wars: A New Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5k-pFjm0sg

Checkpoint!

Opening sequence that has multiple changes in movement and cutting

Can you find them all?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhjDnrw34QA (0:35-4:29)