Cinematographer Film Style Analysis

For the final paper you will need to choose a cinematographer and select several (a minimum of 3) movies from their body of work, preferably representing a time span covering a large portion of their career. I’d also recommend that not all of the films chosen be directed by the same individual.

Write about these films and the way they are visually similar or different stylistically, and the way a visual style has been selected to tell each story. Look for visually thematic elements running through each film. Is a specific kind of lighting, shot design or camera movement used to enhance the storytelling? Use specific examples to show how each film stands out in its own way. If the films were shot in collaboration with different directors, you may also reference other films from these directors, to show how your selected cinematographer has exercised their singular visual style. If possible, show how their visual style develops and changes over time. Remember, films are not created in a vacuum — they are often representative of aspects of popular culture prevalent while they were being produced. Make sure that the films stay referenced within their production time frames, particularly as relates to the technological capabilities of film production during the period when they were shot.

Make sure that you use the technical language and terminology we have been learning in the course when describing the films! Yes, lest we forget what we are studying here, this is a course about cinematography. A paper that spends five pages talking about a movie and its plot without talking about how specific shots, lighting techniques and visual styles make an impact on the viewing experience and the way the story is visually told will probably not get a very good grade. I need to be reminded that you understand what you are studying. General phrases like ‘the cinematography was amazing’ or ‘the awesome camerawork’ don’t help your cause unless they are backed up with clear, concise descriptions of how the visuals were achieved!

Your paper must include:
– Technical Elements — Specific shot / camera movement / lighting / visual style descriptions. These descriptions should be made using the cinematographic language and terminology we’ve learned in this course.
– How technical elements are used in the creation of visual elements — again, be specific!
– How choices made by the cinematographer connect to the viewer’s experience
– A sense of history — How the films and the choices in storytelling connect to the time period and evolution of cinematography.