Here is a movie-related question that has been bugging me for a while:
- If everyone compliments a movie’s cinematography, is that a good thing or a bad thing? In other words, can “great cinematography” (take, for instance, weird camera angles or a miniature effect or the vertigo effect) sometimes distract from the story itself when it draws away the viewer’s attention? Or does it not really make a difference? Or does it all depend on the situation and how good the director is?
Feel free to give input!
-Jack-
I think it depends. For instance, I saw a brief part of an old Hawaii 5-O TV show over at my Granddad’s last week that had a really, really cool camera shot. It worked for that scene, but if one were to use that shot often, it would get distracting (not to mention irritating!).
I think that effects created by the camera can be distracting…particularly if over used. (Personally, I hate fast spinning shots–THAT is distracting 🙂 ) But often a shot can jolt us with a ‘Hey! Pay attention to what’s coming!’ which of course focus’ our attention on the story.
A compliment on cinematography is a good thing…if everyone agrees on what ‘great cinematography’ is. Like with a lot of things in life, people have different tastes and preferences.
If you, as the director (I assume you’re the director?), like something–that’s how it should be; unless it does distract from the story.
It really depends on the movie.
I would say yes and no simultaneously and at the same time! But that’s just me.
The movie “Patton” is a fantastic example of great cinematography.
I think that the best compliment a movie can receive is “What a great story!” The second best compliment for a movie is “great cinematography!” Good cinematography should add to the movie and help with the story, though, not just consist of weirdly angled shots. One example of a great story and great cinematography, in my opinion, is the trilogy “The Lord of the Rings.”
When I think of cinematography that encapsulates, perpetuates, and illuminates the message of a story, I think of the matrix. Bullet-time Baby. And those reflection shots! I’ve been taking pictures of reflections in windows of random cars ever since I watched it. My uncalled for and unwarranted advice to you is to satisfice. The monster can never be perfect in this life. The question is: How much energy are you willing, in relation to all of your other pursuits, to allocate to perfecting the creature ?