2/9 02. Cinematography and Mise-en-Scène Free Online FlashCards

What does cinematography organize?

Cinematography organizes the photographic image through camera placement, framing, lenses, focus, lighting, color, exposure, and movement.

What is mise-en-scène?

Mise-en-scène is the arrangement of elements in front of the camera, including setting, props, costumes, makeup, lighting, actors, and their movements.

What is a key light?

The key light is the principal source illuminating the subject.

How do high-key and low-key lighting differ?

High-key lighting uses relatively even, low-contrast illumination with limited shadows; low-key lighting uses stronger contrasts and deeper shadows.

How should film color symbolism be interpreted?

Color meaning depends on context and repeated patterns; a single color does not have one universal symbolic meaning.

What does a wide-angle lens do?

A wide-angle lens includes a broad field of view and can exaggerate the apparent distance between foreground and background.

What does a telephoto lens do?

A telephoto lens narrows the field of view and compresses apparent space, making distant objects seem closer together.

What is depth of field?

Depth of field is the range of distance in front of the camera that appears acceptably sharp.

What is a rack focus?

A rack focus shifts sharpness from one subject to another within a single shot, redirecting the viewer’s attention without a cut.

How do a pan and a tilt differ?

A pan turns the camera horizontally from a fixed position, whereas a tilt turns it vertically from a fixed position.

What is blocking?

Blocking is the planned positioning and movement of actors in relation to one another, the set, and the camera.

How do open and closed compositions differ?

An open composition makes the world seem to extend beyond the frame, while a closed composition appears bounded and self-contained.