A good guidebook: Using the camera for interpretation

The article illustrated the very nature about the art of video---draw attention.

What all we need to do to draw the attention from our audience is what video is about. Not limited to colors, sound, story, resolution, but from the very basic points, framing, angle, focal length, and movement are all we should care about.

Apparently, different choice would lead to different effect, and human beings are creations with tons of curiosity.

However, these principles for videos just so basic and nature that many times, we will forget or neglect them, especially when we watching a video as an audience.

A very classical illustration about this phenomenon is the psycho (1960) from Alfred Hitchcock.

In this 3:43 video, we can find a mature application of montage by Alfred. For example, almost every item in the bathroom owns more than a unique angle. We have one horizontal CU and one high angle sight. The framing are guided by the action in the whole process. The last moving shot from Janet’s hand to toe and finally to the drain of bathtub gives a great metaphoric illustration of the elapse of life. However, before I read this article, I will hardly pay any notice on the change of angles and framings. (Of course, my attention was totally drawn by the tension of the story itself.)

Other two examples that I feel obliged to mention is one with more modern technology---the opening song of Game of Thrones; and another focus more on the very nature---earth with its lodgers.

OP of Game of Thrones

Although it’s mostly created by computer techniques instead of a camera, it used plenty of moving and high angles to amaze audiences of its huge story background.

Microcosmos: Le people de l’herbe

I admire cameraperson who endeavors to capture the beauty of our nature a lot. As you might see, the whole video of microcosmos is made with small focal length with high-speed cameras. It requires more than an excellent understanding of photo techniques but considerable patience and passion as well. However, all those are meaningless without possess a firm command of the basic techniques demonstrated in using the camera for interpretation.