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	<title type="html"><![CDATA[Forums - Bricks in Motion - cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
	<link rel="self" href="http://bricksinmotion.com/forums/feed/atom/topic/17593/"/>
	<updated>2013-08-14T18:20:22Z</updated>
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	<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/topic/17593/cinematography-and-camera-angle-help/</id>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307190/#p307190"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Here's a video of mine called "How to Use the Pythagorean Theroem to Shoot Your Brickfilm at an Angle":

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfwAOb3kp-8[/url]]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[HoldingOurOwn]]></name>
				<uri>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/user/125690/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2013-08-14T18:20:22Z</updated>
			<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307190/#p307190</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307173/#p307173"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[thanks for the replies 
@pritchard well let me say its from an old animation and it was the first shot that really came to mind so the effects kinda suck and no widescreen also do you have any examples of good cinematography? 

@squid thanks for the advice also nice frame but i don't really think tilting a camera is quite my style]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[masterlego]]></name>
				<uri>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/user/131258/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2013-08-14T14:57:17Z</updated>
			<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307173/#p307173</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307171/#p307171"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Many people seem to believe that I can do cinematography relatively well.
My basic strategy is to point the camera at something and slant it.

Okay, sorry, I couldn't resist. xD

I'm not actually sure [i]how[/i] you make a nice angle, there's not really a simple code or anything for that.
I just have a feeling for how the shot should look, then I put the camera in that position, though, I usually end up adjusting it slightly again and again, and I occasionally take about ten minutes just to set up a shot.
Th most important thing is to make sure that you can see on camera whatever it is you are supposed to see.  When a minifigure is talking, you're best option is to centralize the shot on the figure, and to not angle the camera up, otherwise there will be loads of awkward empty space above their head.  You should usually not shoot a figure from behind if they are talking, that's also a little awkward sometimes, though, you may show the reaction on another figure's face as the talk.

If a figure is moving to a certain position, but is not there yet right at the start of the shot, then it's best to make sure to set the camera to be angled and focused on that empty position where the figure is about to be.  I do this very commonly in films, particularly when a figure walks to a position to stop then say something.

The camera should usually be at around eye level with the figure, however, in certain special shots, you may choose a different and more interesting angle, such as looking up at something to make it seem bigger or more threatening.

Another thing that I like to do it purposefully angle the shot so it shows a lot of depth.  I enjoy lots of depth for some reason, and it looks very good on a camera like mine.

Lastly, I'm a huge fanatic of camera slants, however, camera slants can easily be overused, nonetheless, they can add a nice effect to a film.  Some people like them, and some people don't really think that they're all that great.  Camera slants are completely unnecessary for a film to have good cinematography, but they can be fun.

[img]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8502717787_82a24e4a40_c.jpg[/img]

When to possibly use a slant:
1: When a dramatic character is present.
2: When a dramatic thing is happening.
3: When a really over-the-top character is present
4: When people are fighting.
5: When anything evil is happening.
6: when a character is going insane.
7: When something/someone is creepy.

I like to use slants to accent some sort of dramatic/crazy/over-the-top/evil thing.  I slant the camera more or less depending on how dramatic/crazy/over-the-top/evil the subject in question is.
I personally tend to fill my films with characters and stories filled with that sort of thing, so I end up using slants quite commonly.
I also change the slant from left to right every shot.

Use slants with care, though, or not at all.

But usually I just take a shot for what feels right.  It is really hard to say how, but you'll probably get a feel for how to do it.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Squid]]></name>
				<uri>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/user/3704/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2013-08-14T14:24:21Z</updated>
			<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307171/#p307171</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[Re: cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307169/#p307169"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Cinematography isn't necessarily always looking through fences or walls.
It's sorta an abstract concept that's really hard to put into words, but here's a definition that sorta works.

[quote]Art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves the composition of a scene, lighting of the set and actors, choice of cameras, camera angle, and integration of special effects to achieve the photographic images desired by the director. Cinematography focuses on relations between the individual shots and groups of shots that make up a scene to produce a film's effect.[/quote]

So yeah, there you go. 
Basically, it's very subjective based on the tone of the movie/shots, the style of movie, and the director's preference.

Now, after all of that, here are some tips on that frame.
Make it wide-screen, although I think you do that anyway.
Find a better rain overlay, because it looks like a fake rain overlay. Although it may look better in motion.
If you REALLY wanted to put the emphasis on that one car, change all the others to black/white/gray. That way the only real bit of color is the one car.

Now, depending on what's going on, that could be a really cool shot. 
#1, If the guy is stealing the car, then it could give off a 'sneaking' feel, and that would be fine.
#2, If the guy gets in the car, and the camera moves up to look from over the fence as he is driving away, that would be really cool.
#3, If it's a longer shot where the guy gets in and drives with with no cut, then it cuts to show a guy in the fence. (Making the first cut a POV shot) that would be cool.
#4, If it's just a normal shot of a normal guy getting in his car, it would still be fairly interesting.

But, how does it look after cropping? How well is the fence effect conveyed with most of it cropped out?

And at this point I'm going to be quiet and watch as somebody much more knowledgeable comes in to help.
Hope my answer isn't too confusing.]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[Pritchard Studios]]></name>
				<uri>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/user/4427/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2013-08-14T13:30:42Z</updated>
			<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307169/#p307169</id>
		</entry>
		<entry>
			<title type="html"><![CDATA[cinematography and camera angle help]]></title>
			<link rel="alternate" href="https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307157/#p307157"/>
			<content type="html"><![CDATA[Hi everyone i'm just wondering does anyone have any good tips/advice/samples for good cinematography i know it is after light flicker is solved and your animation is smooth the key to making your films some of the best the truth is every once in a while i will get a cool shot 
here is an example of one of the few times i got a good shot pulled off with cinematography 
[img]http://i.snag.gy/kJIze.jpg[/img] 
the camera is looking through a hole in the fence 

any more help doing good cinematography would be great :mrgreen:]]></content>
			<author>
				<name><![CDATA[masterlego]]></name>
				<uri>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/user/131258/</uri>
			</author>
			<updated>2013-08-14T06:21:07Z</updated>
			<id>https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/post/307157/#p307157</id>
		</entry>
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