Filmmaker IQ Lenses P.2

Answer the following questions in an in depth - paragraph:

1. How does the diameter of the aperture affect the focus of the image?
2.What is an F-stop? How are they calculated?
3. What is a T-stop? How is it different from an F-stop?

A smaller aperture results in a sharper image by restricting the angle of light traveling through the system. However, this can cause less light to be exposed onto the sensor, which can be problematic in a darker situation. The F-number, or the F-stop, can be calculated by dividing the focal length by the diameter of the aperture. In order to double the amount of light that hits the sensor, the diameter must be increased by dividing the Fstop by 1.4. It is important to note that the different amount of light may hit the screen even wit the the same F stop value depending on the structure of the camera. In this case, cinematographers will use a scale known as the T-stop. T-stops are numbers that are corrected according to the F-stops numbers. This way, the same T-stops will have the same exposure levels even on lenses with different focal lengths.

Lenses P.1

Answer the following questions in two in depth - paragraphs:

1. What is crop factor? How does it affect the image shot with different lenses?
2. What is a "normal" lens? What is a wide angle lens? What is a telephoto lens? How do they affect the image that is shot?

Crop factor refers to the "magnitude of the crop as compared to a 35mm still horizontal standard." Different size sensors can cause the image to capture a smaller cropped image in comparison to a full frame shot. This field of view that is available to be seen through the camera is also determined by the focal length of the lens. A "normal" lens refers to lenses with  focal length that replicates how humans normally see with their eyes. What is considered to be a "normal" lens depends on the way it is displayed and the sensor size. For example, if the footage is intended for the big screen, the diagonal line's length is twice the average camera. For full frame average cameras for normal screens, 43mm will create a "normal" view, while a smaller sensor size will require diagonals ranging from 26mm to 22.5mm if on a micro 4/3rds camera. Other lenses include telephoto lenses which zooms in as a result of a higher crop factor and wide-angle lenses which captures a larger field of view

Camera Jib Techniques

Answer the following questions in an in depth - paragraph:

1. Pick three of these techniques and summarize them. What do each technique demonstrate? What does it add to the shot?

2. Which techniques could you start using right away? Why?

1. Dynamic Point of View shot: This requires the actor to push the weight of the jib as they walk in a circular path. This can create the point of view of the opponent if they are both walking in the same circle. By having the actor push the jib, the camera can move perfectly with them, allowing a more realistic point of view shot.

2. Large movement but with a close up: This technique is exactly as the name says. In most cases, jibs are used to create large movement as an establishing shot. However, jibs can also be used to follow a subject's movement. This can help convey a certain emotion with a camera techniques that adds production value to the video.

3. Tracking/Revealing shot: This technique follows the actor in order to reveal a subject that they are walking towards. This is another type of revealing shot that can be used to as an introduction shot. 

I am most interested in using the jib technique that follows the subject as a close up. As seen in the example, this simple technique can add production value through the smooth movement.

Creative Slider Techniques

1. Pick three of these techniques and summarize them. What do each technique demonstrate? What does it add to the shot?

2. Which techniques could you start using right away? Why?

1. When pushing into the subject, set the focus to the final position. This is reveals the subject from out of focus to in focus. This technique only requires one person, so it is efficient to work with in comparison to attempting to pull the focus while changing positions.

2. Tilt the slider and level the camera. This effect can also be used as a shot to reveal a specific subject from another point of view. When this effect is performed perfectly in a smooth fashion, it can make a stable subject vastly more interesting.

3. Place the camera at the end of the tilted slider in order to create a jib effect. This effect can be combined with the first tip of setting the focus at the end of the shot. This adds depth into the shot by changing the background as the camera moves.

Technique one is the easiest effect to do because it requires simply setting the focus to the end point. This technique will not only be visually pleasing, but easy to do when shooting alone. 

Using a Slider

What types of movements are used in this video? What are 3 key tips that you learned in this video that you can put to work in your videos going forward this year? Why do you think they are useful?

Straight tracking shots: No pan or tilt is used; side-to-side motion. These are most effective for shots that reveal a certain subject into the frame. This type of movement helps add depth into the shot.

Tracking shot: The slider is moved back and forth with panning. This technique keeps the subject in the middle of the frame at all times. This is also an effective way to add depth into the picture because while the subject remains still, the back ground changes. When performing the tracking movement, it is advantageous to hold the head in order to ensure consistent, smooth motion. (tip #1)

Tip#2: Change the speed of the movement depending on the scene.

For example, when shooting an emotional scene, slower movement would be more effective compared to fast side-to-side movement.

Tip #3: Practice.

Although it is a simple tip, it is important to note that slider technique cannot be obtained right on the spot. It is a skill that requires practice in order to obtain the necessary consistency.

Kurosawa and Movement

1. What were three types of movement that Kurosawa used in his films. How did he use these techniques in his films? What did they communicate to the audience? Please explain each in detail

1. Movement of Nature

For example, weather, such as snow and rain, can be used as an element within the shot to enhance a stable shot. This type of movement allows the audience to relate to the image with a sensual connection. Such movement can be used to spice up a simple frame, or to create a smooth cut between shots. Nature can be used as a prop to display the character's emotions as well.

2. Movement of Groups

There are two types of groups: those who band together or those who split apart. Having a large crowd can emphasize the emotion of the shot, by having multiple people with the same facial expression. The coalition of the group with the camera movement ca be used as a tool to communicate a part of the story.

3. Movement of Individuals

In Kurosawa's films, the actor's blocking is exaggerated. For example, if the character is nervous, they will display those emotions visibly by covering their face. He often times assigned one specific movement for one character to help the audience recognize the character.

Camera Movement

Why does the beginning shot example look bad from a technical as well as a storytelling viewpoint? What are three differences between the static shot examples that the narrator shows and shots with a dolly or a hand held rig?

The beginning shot was extremely shaky for no enhancement in the storytelling. If the camera movement was specifically intended to fit the scene, it would have been perfect. However, in other cases, the jittering of the camera was unstable and took away from the audience's attention. In order to fix the problem, a bigger weight should have been added to the camera to create a smoother image. In comparison to the dolly or the hand held rig, the static shot displays minimum production value. With little effort, the footage could have looked more cinematic. Furthermore, the dolly shot was able to show more emotion in the scene, enhancing the actor's performance. The static shot was no more than the display of the actor's skills.