Cinema is a synthesis of fine arts like painting, music, literature, dance, sculpture, theater and architecture. Its innovative technology capturing the moment as images make it stand apart. That technology being, “Cinematography”.
“Best Cinematography” is perceived differently by different people such as filmmakers, film critics, award judging panel members, and most importantly by audiences.
Today it is difficult to win this title.
According to the audience “Best Cinematography” may be: colorful and bright visuals, good looking faces, beautiful set, and locations. Its hard to decipher.
Where as filmmakers say if the cinematography is assisting the script, then it is “BestCinematography”. Filmmakers also may emphasize that visuals should be part and parcel of a story line and the visual should not distract the script or the flow of a story.
So what is “Best Cinematography”? And how it can be achieved?
– This can be achieved only when all crafts of filmmaking comes together perfectly with the Cinematographer. It’s an emotional thing.
– If a Cinematographer is able to produce a different visual other than what is normally seen.
Will it be possible to do a film like” Gandhi”? The visual has to look real and natural. A greater detailing is required in lighting, lensing and composition to make it look real and attractive.
In the film “Oomaivizhigal” the shot which is appreciated even today doesn’t have actors, colors, location and music. It is just head lights of cars on aconvoy. The concept behind that particular shot is what made that visual stand out. It is a real situation but presented differently, the shot attracted the audience. So the concept of a shot is very important.
In a film if something’s are not convincing to a Cinematographer what to do? Don’t accept the assignment.
Try to have a parallel story to the actual story with Cinematography Elements by which the look and feel could be understood consciously or unconsciously by which the actual story should come alive in the mind of the audience.
The cinematography should help with the mood and feeling of the film, that’s why it is important to have a Visual Style for a film.
How to cultivate the knowledge to design a Visual Style ?
Creativity is a permutation and combination of different ideas which has gone into our mind.
To search for ideas, visual taste is important. Tune the eye to look at the world around, which inspires and elevate the visual taste.
Cinematographer’s visual taste will give the audience a Visual Treat.