Moving Forward

Day Three

In the beginning of class we learned the simple terms for the camera. "Panning" is when you move the handle from left to right and "tilting" is when you move the handle up and down. We enabled our Terra Block Manager account and began learning about the different camera shots. 

In learning about the cameras anatomy, we learned two key terms, "cant" and "dutch," which are the different angles of camera shots. Also, we learned about the three things to take note of when framing a shot,

1. The solar plexus and shoulders divide the shot. The solar plexus view makes it a mid shot and the view ending right after the shoulders indicates a close up shot.
2. If the camera cuts off the persons chin it is an extreme close up shot
3. We learned to NEVER cut the camera shot off at the persons knees, elbows, or waist. For example, it makes the viewer wonder what the person is doing with their hands if they are not visible in the frame.

In terms of camera shot types we learned, through visuals, about what a wide shot, a mid shot, a close up shot, and an extreme close up shot looks like. I liked the way Professor Dunmore set up the camera and projected a live image of each shot on the screen at the front of the room to teach us what makes up each shot type. I am a very visual learner, so that was a very helpful teaching tactic. Moreover, we learned that a shot from head to toe is called a wide shot, or long shot and that a three-quarter shot is a shot above the knees or below the knees, showing three-quarters of the object. Head room is the amount of space between the top of the head and the top of the shot.

After the completion of learning about the anatomy of the camera we put it into action right away by getting into groups and filming a long take. My group members we Jenny, Erin, and Aaron. The four of us worked very well together. We decided to use an object, a stress ball, and toss it around, utilizing the stairwell and hallways of Dorothy Day Hall. Although our idea wasn't complex, I think it did a great job showing different camera angles and emphasizing movement, which was our intended goal. For example, the opening scene after I pick up the ball from the bin, cut to an over-the-shoulder shot. None of us have much experience behind the camera or on film, so together I think we did a great job with our first assignment and we had a lot of fun with it!