
BASIC CINEMATOGRAPHY WEBQUEST
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE
INTRODUCTION
PART ONE

Motion picture history dates back to the 1800's when images were captured with multiple cameras in a very quick sequence and replayed on a loop which his made it seem like the subject was moving. They quick clips were played in spinning wheels (Zoetropes or Praxinoscopes) and watched over and over again.
Early motion picture pioneers like Thomas Edison and the Lumiere Brothers, worked tirelessly to create machines the that would illuminate, capture (like the kinetograph), develop, and project (like the kinetoscope) the modern medium of film.
Early motion picture pioneers like Thomas Edison and the Lumiere Brothers, worked tirelessly to create machines the that would illuminate, capture (like the kinetograph), develop, and project (like the kinetoscope) the modern medium of film.

Cinematographic motion pictures of the late 1800's and early 1900's were primarily short films that showcased basic life - working at a factory, dancing, sneezing (Fred Ott's Sneeze, right), and even kissing (ew!)

Within 11 years, innovative filmmakers started to emerge, primarily from the theater industry. Their groundbreaking ideas brought these early films to life and led to the development of cutting two different films mid scene and pasting them together, now known as editing. George Méliès introduced magic to motion pictures by painting, adding smoke, and modifying images on a film reel, which was the birth of special effects (like Le Voyage dans la lune, or A Trip to the Moon, pictured left).
Throughout history, filmmaking evolved into its own art form. Sound, color, scriptwriting, science, and technology, added to films transforming into the major motion picture industry that it is today.
Throughout history, filmmaking evolved into its own art form. Sound, color, scriptwriting, science, and technology, added to films transforming into the major motion picture industry that it is today.
The art of making motion pictures. " Oxford Dictionary |
Although, when you strip back the special effects, surround sound audio, costumes, makeup, lighting, set designs, big stars, and bigger budgets, the heart and soul of all filmmaking is cinematography.
Oxford Dictionary defines cinematography as "The art of making motion pictures, especially the photography and camerawork." |
The director's intention is always to create a certain emotion in the audience. Understanding different camera shots, angles, movements, and techniques is the first step in determining how shots can create emotion - or which shot will create a specific emotion. When you put together different shots, they form a sequence that can manipulate an audiences' emotions and create a pivotal moment in your story.
In this webquest, your task is to learn more about the different types of shots that are used in filmmaking, determine when they are used, why they are used, and what kind of emotion they can create in your audience. You will use the resources in this webquest to help you. You will do this through defining the terminology listed. Then you will apply what you learned to create a video that showcases your cinematography skills. You will set up a variety of shots, film, capture, edit, label, and share the final video project.
PROCEED TO PART TWO
TASK |