Post 15: Media Language: The 5 C's of Cinematography

The 5 C's of Cinematography by Joseph V. Mascelli 

I decided to read an article from the book above in order to develop my understanding of how Joseph V. Mascelli explained cinematography through the 5 C's. The article gives a short summary of the book itself and helps explain the 5 C's simply and concisely. The 5 C's standing for the following:

1. Camera Angles
"Camera placement is determined by narrative significance"
We can use the camera angles in our film to help represent the groomer as being powerful over the victim. We can do this by using a low angled shot looking up at the groomer showing authority and a high angle shot looking down on the victim showing vulnerability. 

2. Continuity
"Good continuity encourages the viewer to become absorbed in the story-telling, without bothersome distractions"
Continuity in our film could include ensuring accurate match on action as well as ensuring there is continuity with any props we use. By ensuring there are no bothersome distractions we would need to make sure that a prop doesn't suddenly moves when filming one shot to the next.

3. Cutting
"It is possible to cut away to anything happening anywhere at any time"
Putting the shots together one after the other is important as the specific series of shots will need to mean something to the audience. Therefore when we are putting together all the footage and cutting from one shot to the next we should ensure that each shot is making a point and putting two shots next to each other will have a combined effect to the audience.

4. Close-Ups
"The stronger the motive for using a close-up, the more the close-up can help make the story-telling truly effective"
Our use of close-ups when we film will be important as we will want them to show the audience specific facial expressions and points within the story that, again, help move it along.

5. Composition
"Good composition is the arrangement of pictorial elements to form a unified harmonious whole"
Good composition encourages the eye to concentrate on the important elements within the frame that help with the narrative. Not only should each frame be a composition in its own right but it should work in conjunction with the next shot so the story can be understood visually as well as through the narrative.