This document provides inspiration and guidance for creating a Western-style film. It discusses using long establishing shots and sweeping camera movements to establish isolation and the vast terrain. Low-key lighting is recommended to amplify contrasts between good and bad elements. Both long shots and close-ups are discussed to set the scene and show character emotions. Inspiration is drawn from classic Westerns like The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in terms of landscapes, character designs, and lighting techniques. Rigging characters and practicing camera focal lengths using reference material is also suggested.
4. Important Elements...
Long establishing shots- highlights isolation and harsh environments
sweeping camera movements- emphasises sheer expanse of terrain
Low key lighting- noir lighting- amplifies the contrast of the good and the
bad elements within the story and plot.
5. Camera Shots...
Long Shot- Usually applied to an opening scene. Placed in such a way so as to
capture a large area in view.
Purpose- To set in motion a perception of time, place and pre-empted actions
of what is about to take place.
IMAGE: Rosana Silva http://cghub.com
6. Close up: A cut away from a more distant shot and shows detail in an intricate
activity or character emotions.
Lack of close up shots may cause an emotional distance between the characters
and the audience.
Timing is key- close ups applied too late can cause difficulty in identifying
which character is talking, too soon and an audience may miss some valuable
subtle details in body language and gestures.
12. Graphic poster of Clint Eastwood
Rigging...
Learning from the
beginning...
Practising rigs in such a
way that will allow movement
for an iconic stance such
along with practise of focal
length.
18. Landscape inspiration...
desert reality artwork drawings surftin.com open west / Ed Mell
Left: Cliffs of
del Muerto by
Maynard Dixon
Right: Reader’s
Digest, April
1956 - cactus,
desert
illustration
Simplistic
styles and
shapes, using
polygons to
texture rather
than adding
one.
Tall
structures
Play with
light and to
cast shadows
to give
various senses
of times of
day.
Physical sun
and sky.
28. Bibliography
https://uk.pinterest.com/dottydoodle11/
Home on the Range, Disney, 2004
Django Unchained, Tarantino, 2012
Fist Full of Dollars, Sergio Leone, 1964
For a Few Dollars More, Sergio Leone, 1965
Hiroshima Nuclear (atomic) Bomb - USA attack on Japan (1945)
WJEC Guide to Film Studies AS Level
