Chapter 5 Assignments

Now that you’ve learned the language of cinema, it’s time to put the knowledge into action. You’ll quickly discover that taking the time to actually think about composition (as well as study it) will dramatically improve the quality of your shooting and editing.

Shoot Each Shot Type

Evaluate a location and attempt to shoot each shot type listed in the chapter. Try moving the camera between each shot, but follow the 180 degree rule discussed in this chapter as well.

Change Your Angle

Try shooting the same shot from different angles. Start at eye level, and then move your camera higher and then lower in the frame. Analyze how the shooting angle changes the feeling of the scene.

Make a Shot List

Watch an episode of your favorite TV show. Create a shot list for a few scenes. Look for patterns within the show and analyze how the cinematography affects your enjoyment of the story being told.