Before We Dive In…
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What does “cinematic” mean?
Does anyone actually know?
That word has been thrown around so much lately it’s beginning to lose its’ significance.
Cinematic stems from the Greek word kinēma, meaning “movement.”
This nod to motion is embedded in cinematic.
Even though today we mostly think of it as a stylistic term for film.
In its earliest usage in the 1910s, cinematic was actually a neutral, technical descriptor—simply referring to something related to cinema or film.
But enough of the history lesson.
Let’s agree that when we describe a shot as delivering a “cinematic experience” we mean it evokes a suspension of disbelief that deepens our immersion in the story.
Now let’s break it down like an acronym: C.I.N.E.M.A.T.I.C.
Composition
Intention
Narrative
Emotion
Movement
Angle
Texture
Interplay
Contrast
Composition
The easiest way to think about composition is with a combination of three basic geometry concepts:
- Shapes
- Lines
- Space
The subjects in your frame will form particular shapes like circles, triangles, and yes even squares.
The background will have lines that lead the viewer’s eye to the most important elements in the frame.
Use negative space as a storytelling tool when crafting your visuals.
Intention
Decide WHY you want each shot to look a certain way.
Every choice you make, from lighting to color to wardrobe to the placement of the camera, helps show how you want the audience to FEEL about the story.
It isn’t enough to slap a LUT on your footage after the fact and call it good.
Fix it in camera. Make intentional, strong decisions on set.
It will pay dividends later.
Narrative
In filmmaking and in life, story is king.
I remember when I was five years old, we had a family camcorder that used VHS tapes.
I always wanted to hold it…
My brother never let me use it no matter how many times I begged.
When we immigrated to the US and I began making my own money with web design and flash animation.
Eventually I saved enough to buy my own camera, a Canon point-and-shoot.
The rest is history.
Every story has three basic elements:
- Compelling Character (five-year-old George in this example);
- Strong Desire (George wanted to use the camera);
- Meaningful Conflict (George’s brother kept it from him)
Emotion
Maya Angelou said, “…people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Give your viewer something to relate to.
Whether that’s nostalgia, powerful music, or a universal concept.
If it’s something that touches the heart and mind at the same time—you are sure to make your audience FEEL.
Movement
We learned earlier that movement is embedded within the word “cinematic”.
Moving pictures, see!
Action, forward motion within the frame create a compelling visual.
Our eyes are drawn to movement. It’s instinctual.
We’re also talking about camera movement, not just movement within the frame.
How can you tell a story through a push in, zoom out, handheld, tilt, pan, track, and so on?
Angle
Have you ever put a flashlight under your chin to make spooky shadows on your face?
The angle of light is underrated. It’s one of the more intriguing aspects of lighting. (intensity, quality and color are also great)
By the same token, have you ever pretended to be a giant by standing close to the camera whilst holding your tiny friend, who stands at a much further distance?
The camera angle is a powerful filmmaking tool.
You can make a character look larger than life by doing a low angle.
Or belittling your subject by placing the camera high.
Introduce a sense of discomfort or alertness by skewing the horizon line with a dutch angle.
Texture
What makes a 2D image look 3D is all the filmmaking trickery, but nothing is as powerful as adding texture.
Texture gives the worlds you create a palpable visual appeal.
Adding fog to a scene will not only create a particular mood, but it will also give you the sense of immersion.
Atmosphere, grain, bumpy walls, gritty ground, patterned wardrobe pieces.
These are all ways to introduce texture into your shots.
That’s the power of production design.
Interplay
That brings us to how all these elements interact.
The light, the shadows, the color.
It can quickly become a jumbled mess if it’s not cohesive.
With every new element you add to the shot, make sure it plays well with all other elements already present.
Contrast
Light in film is measured in stops.
If you turn up the light by one stop, you’re doubling the light, making the scene twice as bright.
If you turn down the light by one stop, you’re cutting the light in half, making the scene half as bright.
Contrast ratios show us how much brighter one side of a subject’s face is compared to the other.
It helps with setting the mood for a scene and tell a different story depending on our choices.
To recap
That’s what makes a shot C.I.N.E.M.A.T.I.C.
Composition – Shapes, lines, space create visual aesthetic
Intention – Purpose behind your decisions
Narrative – Character, desire, and conflict
Emotion – Make the audience feel
Movement – Camera or within the frame
Angle – Of the light, of the camera, of the action
Texture – Details add depth and visual immersion
Interplay – All elements harmonizing on screen
Contrast – Brightness levels set mood and tone
STORY HARDER.
GROW STRONGER.
LIVE BETTER.
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Until next time, stay awesome and keep creating.
