Cinematography

Cinematography is made up of four different elements: Compostion/Framing, Angle, Focus and Movement.

Within Composition/Framing there are variouis shot types, all of which have a specific purpose.

Extreme Long Shot
The purpose of which would commonly be used to establish location and setting within a scene.
Long Shot
Long shots are used to introduce a full subject and to place them within a scene.
Medium Long ShotThese are similar to long shots, however rather than full body the shot is framed to feature the subject's knees and above.
Mid Shot
Commonly used when a subject is exchanging dialogue, framed from torso and above, the shot is able to capture a subjects body language as well as their facial expressions, all of which critical to how we communicate.
Medium Close Up
Framed half way between a mid shot and a close up. The shot captures a subjects face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.
Close Up
Framed from the shoulders and above, a close up highlights the facial expressions of a character in more depth. Often used to capture emotion response, of which may be critical to a story.
Extreme Close Up
Extreme close ups are used to highlight powerful, yet subtle, emotion. The frame of which positioned to only capture a subjects faced; between their eyes and mouth.

As well as framing, angles also serve a specific purpose.

High Angle
This is where a camera is positioned above a subject, of which from the viewers perspective seems as if we are looking down on them; this gives us the impression that they are inferior and retain a low status.
Low Angle
A camera is position bellow a subject, giving the viewer the impression we are looking up at them; of which implies that they are powerful and hold a high status.
Dutch Tilt
This is where a camera is intentionally tilted sideways. One of the many purposes of which is to convey a sense of confusion to the viewer.

Movement is another important aspect of Cinematography.

Pan & Tilt
Panning is where a camera is fixed to a spot and rotates around, while still remaining flat or at it's previous angle. Tilting however is where a camera remains fixed to a spot, but instead of rotating around, the angle of which it is facing up or down my increase or decrease.
Tracking
This is where a camera physically moves to track/follow a subject. In professional environment cameras are rigged and placed upon a track of which allows the cameras to move while still capturing smooth footage. Alternatively a camera could be physically moved by hand, of which grants more freedom, however to ensure smooth footage aid of a steady-cam rig would be required.
Crane
In most cases, unfortunately due to expense, they are only present in big budget productions. Cranes provide a unique effect as they are able to move a camera upon every axis, of which as a result they are able to capture elaborate epic shots.

Key Media Concepts

Target Audience
A target audience is the specific group of people that a media product is aimed towards. Target audiences can vary and be based upon multiple criteria. The purpose of assigning a target audience is for media production companies to specify a relevant group of people who may be interested in their particular product. Target audiences may be based upon age, gender, or other factors specific to a person's interests. An example of a relevant target audience would be that horror films, such as 'Saw', would generally be targeted towards individuals within the age range of 15-28+ (regardless of the BBFC rating), whom also enjoy the horror film genre.

Genre
Genre is the category in which a media products fits into. Every media product is assigned a genre, in some instances products can also be situated within multiple categories. There are many genres within film alone, just some of which are: Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Comedy, Crime, Documentary, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, War and Western.

Conventions
Conventions are the key features of which collectively define a given genre. For example within an action film, the viewer would expect the film to typically feature car chases, gun fights and explosions, etc. This is as we associate these specific features with the specific genre. Similarly within a horror film the viewer would expect the film to feature, a murder, a sense of isolation and vulnerability, death and gore.

Codes (Symbolic & Technical)
Codes are essentially a way of conveying meaning to an audience, without the need to describe or explain to the audience what is happening with the use of words. There are two types of codes, symbolic and technical. One example of a symbolic code, in this instance for a horror film, would be a knife visible somewhere in shot, as this would suggest to the audience a sense of danger, as we associate knifes with danger and violence. An example of a technical code, likewise for a horror film,  would be the use of gloomy colour grading and dark lighting.

Why I chose media studies...

I have always been extrememely interested in the media industry, particulary film and television production. At GCSE level I achieved the grade Distiction*. I have always excelled within media and I hope to one day have a successful career within the industry.

In my free my time I often create short online videos, as well as other forms of media content.

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