This is an in-detail analysis of two film openings, focusing on the different cinematographic techniques used and their effect on the overall aesthetic of the piece.

1. Cinematographic Research

2. Definition
Cinematography involves the use of the camera. It
focuses on the:
•Distance
•Movement
•Angle
•Shot composition
•Depth of field

3. Cinematographic Title Analysis for ‘Chasing Shakespeare’ (2013)
One of the key elements of this opening title
is the way in which it plays with the
watchers awareness for distance by using a
range of shots from different distances. This
shot is a shallow focus shot that zooms into
an extreme close up. This is already
indicating to the audience that nature is
maybe a theme within the film. I can use this
within my film, in order to put a theme
across to the watcher.
This shot is deliberately out of focus, as
this makes the watcher concentrate on
the colours within the frame instead of
the images. This means that the
watcher reflects upon their
interpretations of this colour, which
due to the previous shot, should be to
do with the theme of nature, which is a
strong theme within this sequence.
Colour representation is something
which I must consider in my film, as it
could lead to a misinterpretation of
themes.

4. This is an extreme long shot, as it
introduces a section of the setting,
and it also shows the audience an
overwhelming element of nature. This
is effective as again it links to the
theme of nature, but it also creates a
sense of space and distance. This low
angle shot, also gives the sky strength
and power. I could use this in my
sequence in order to give and object
or person a sense of awe and power,
or to introduce an impressive setting.
This shot is a complete contrast to the
previous shots, as it has changed
theme. The lighting also changes to low
key lighting. By blacking out everything
but the horse, it highlights each feature
of the horse’s structure, causing the
audience to fully concentrate on it. This
shot also uses the rule of thirds to
position the horse within the frame.
The horses legs are in the bottom third,
it’s torso and the title is in the second
and most of its head and its eyes are in
the first. This is a vital element needed
within my filming, as it creates a specific
aesthetically pleasing effect on screen.

5. This shot highlights the effect of having
extremely zoomed in shots. The fact that
the audience can clearly see every detail
of the horse’s eye, makes us think about
why the director has chosen to include
this shot. It also makes us consider how
this shot is relevant to the film, and as it
is not something which many people see
in detail on a daily basis, it intrigues and
interests the watcher. Obscure shots are
a good way of catching the audiences
attention, and by using shallow focus
you can make the shot more interesting.
Focus and zoom will be key in my
sequence as it can affect the
atmosphere of my piece.
This shot is effective in delivering a sense of
movement. The scatter of the water projects
the idea of an dramatic composition-which
could present the idea of drama within the
film. Also the horse running towards the
camera not only makes the watcher
understand how the horse is moving, but the
slow motion means that due to the shape of
the horse’s legs we know that in real time the
horse would be travelling at speed. The
director has also chosen to turn the camera
upside down, just to challenge the watcher’s
concentration and intrigue. This shot is also
very memorable which helps when promoting
the film. This is a technique that I would like
to explore when filming my sequence, as it
would be abnormal and original.

6. Cinematographic Title Analysis for ‘Lord of War’ (2005)
The most resounding feature of
this shot is the colours used. The
colours are dark and gray, which
suggests the the atmosphere is not
going to be upbeat. This is a simple
shot of the first stage of the bullets
journey. This is something I could
use in my own film, as it is is an
effective way of introducing your
piece.
This is a low angle shot, which gives
the bullet or object a sense of power. I
could use this in my sequence when
wanting to give something or
someone status within the piece. The
gold colour also contrasts to the
colour around it, making it jump out
of the frame. This indicates to the
watcher that this is the key focus
point. Contrasting colour is something
I could think about if I wanted to draw
all of my audiences attention to one
object or person.

7. This shot is from the
perspective of the bullet,
and it is the interesting
idea behind this shot that
catches the audiences
attention. Personification
through filming is an idea I
would like to explore in my
sequence as it is unusual
and eye catching.
This shot again uses a low
angle shot in order to give the
man power. This camera work
shows the transition of power
from the bullet to the man-this
could be a key theme within
the film. I could use this
technique also to deliver a
theme within my sequence.

8. This shot is an extreme length
shot that introduces a setting for
the piece. The fact that the bullet
is in mid air gives us a sense of
the fast movement. This shot is
also clearly demonstrating the
rule of thirds. The bullet in
predominately in the second
third, the car in the third, and the
sky in the first. This makes the
shot more aesthetically
understandable for the audience.
This shot has a shallow depth of
field, which shocks the audience
as this tells us that the bullet is
going to hit this child. This sets
the tone and atmosphere of the
piece, as it is clearly shocking
and violent. By extending or
shortening the DOF, this frame
tells us that this can effect the
tone of the sequence, and this is
something I should be aware of
when filming my opening titles.

9. Conclusion
Overall, these titles use a range of different camera techniques in order to both attract the
audiences attention, and to interest them. By changing the focus, DOF or angle of the
camera, different effects are created which can it turn alter the atmosphere or the idea being
put across within the piece. This research is very helpful to me, as it indicates all of the
different cinematographic elements which I need to include in my opening titles. Through
analysing the distance, movement, angle, shot composition and depth of field, I now
understand how I need to control all of these features in order to make them particularly
effective within my piece. I also understand how these features sometimes work together in
order to create an aesthetic effect, and that through utilising more than one technique at a
time it can dramatically benefit each frame. An example of this would be to create a wide
depth of field, and then have a shallow focus. This would put all of the attention onto one
object or person, but would also create a sense of distance between either the décor or
objects surrounding the central object or person, and thereby isolate it from the rest of the
frame. This could either introduce a theme of isolation, or place more audience attention on
this one object or person. This is exemplified by the first shot of the ‘Chasing Shakespeare’
sequence. By concentrating on all of these features, it will enhance my piece and have a
greater effect on the audience.

10. Conclusion
Overall, these titles use a range of different camera techniques in order to both attract the
audiences attention, and to interest them. By changing the focus, DOF or angle of the
camera, different effects are created which can it turn alter the atmosphere or the idea being
put across within the piece. This research is very helpful to me, as it indicates all of the
different cinematographic elements which I need to include in my opening titles. Through
analysing the distance, movement, angle, shot composition and depth of field, I now
understand how I need to control all of these features in order to make them particularly
effective within my piece. I also understand how these features sometimes work together in
order to create an aesthetic effect, and that through utilising more than one technique at a
time it can dramatically benefit each frame. An example of this would be to create a wide
depth of field, and then have a shallow focus. This would put all of the attention onto one
object or person, but would also create a sense of distance between either the décor or
objects surrounding the central object or person, and thereby isolate it from the rest of the
frame. This could either introduce a theme of isolation, or place more audience attention on
this one object or person. This is exemplified by the first shot of the ‘Chasing Shakespeare’
sequence. By concentrating on all of these features, it will enhance my piece and have a
greater effect on the audience.