¶ … Role In the world of film, there are different techniques which are used to show emotions and help the audience to understand the broader story. The cameraman plays an important role in the process through the way various scenes are shot. This helps to make a movie more dramatic and it underscores the main ideas of the director. To fully understand the way that this occurs requires focusing on these methods and how they are utilized in experimental films. Together, these elements will illustrate their role and the way they add to quality of the production. (Hatfield 2006)

My Role: Cameraman talk about the techniques used such as: close ups, medium close ups, long shots and how they are relevant to experimental film.

The cameraman plays an important part in helping to tell the story based upon the types of shots. This allows the audience to more effectively connect with the main ideas and to follow the plot more effectively. Once this happens, is the point the quality of the movie is better from utilizing these techniques. (Hatfield 2006)

A close up is a standard shot that is used to detail the characteristics of the object or person. This occurs in number of sequences. The most notable include: as a cut away (to show the emotions of the character), to introduce the importance of the character and by providing further explanation of the larger story. However, if close ups are over utilized, this could cause viewers to become confused and have trouble following the plot. As a result, they must be placed at certain points in the film to have the greatest effect. (Hatfield 2006)

A medium close is up showing more details about the individual. This takes place with the camera focusing on their body from either the knees or the wrist moving upward.

The basic idea, is to use these areas to influence how the audience sees the character by showing them from a different perspective. (Hatfield 2006)

Long shots are designed to illustrate the individual from a larger vantage point. This is taking place with them having a full body shot in a specific setting. It is capturing the background and the activities of the various characters. The main idea is to help support the plot by using them to illustrate the atmosphere and how this is influencing the way they are reacting to different events. This helps the audience to understand the place and setting. (Hatfield 2006)

An experimental film is taking these ideas and it is using them to create shifts in how the viewer will see and understand the subject. This is taking place by utilizing them in conjunction with each other to influence the way the story is told and the message that is conveyed. During this process, the cameraman will use unorthodox techniques to shape how they see themselves and the long-term impacts it having on them. (Hatfield 2006)

For instance, the utilization of the close up, medium close up and long shots will not follow what is often utilized in traditional films. Instead, there will be an emphasis on using more of them at certain points to influence the viewer and tell a different kind of story. This could involve fewer long shots and more close ups to covey emotions. They are integrated with the medium close ups to illustrate the characters in specific activities and how this is impacting their opinions. (Hatfield 2006)

The basic idea is to have them influence the way the audience sees how these events are unfolding and their lasting effects upon them. This offers better insights about what is happening and it is telling a different kind of story. In experimental filmmaking, this is often used to shape how someone sees the world around them and to provide unique perspectives. When this happens, the audience will understand the plot and the main ideas from an alternative viewpoint. In any kind of experimental film, these techniques are utilized to catch their attention and show conflicting ideas. The cameraman plays an important role in the process, by influencing these views based upon the frequency and combination of these shots. (Hatfield 2006)

Brief: Please write a contextual study, detailing the thinking of experimental films. What opinion makes the film experimental? What experimental traditions drawn are breaking taboos or social norms? Create a journal essay of an experimental film.

An experimental film is not following the same kind of sequences, plots, characters or shots as a traditional movie. This is because the director and cameraman want to illustrate contrasting points-of-view which are outside of the mainstream. The basic idea is to use this genre as a way to tell a different kind of story and help the audience to think more critically about certain events. (Hatfield 2006)

In traditional cinema, there is often a plot that is used to underscore these points-of-view....

The cameraman will follow specific directions to illustrate key ideas in the plot and their influence on them. Using an experimental format, the direction is less rigid and the cameraman will utilize different techniques which may not be incorporated in a traditional production. (Hatfield 2006)
For instance, one way to tell a unique story is to have them using more or less shots to show the emotions and background of the characters. This tells the story from a different perspective, in order to help the audience connect with the main characters and understand the way specific ideas are impacting the plot. When this happens, they will see the subject matter from an alternative perspective. (Hatfield 2006)

An experimental film is considered to be an opinion based upon how the story is told and the techniques utilized. For instance, there could be an emphasis on a topic which may be outside of the mainstream. To illustrate these unique views, the cameraman will influence the audience by using more close ups to highlight greater emotions and fewer long shots. This connects the audience with the character and feelings associated to the plot. These insights are going against traditional techniques by using specific areas more so than other films. It is at this point, when the filmmaker can show unique perceptions about a specific problem and the lasting impacts it is having on everyone. (Hatfield 2006)

As a result, experimental traditions are breaking taboos which are often ignored by traditional filmmakers. This is occurring with them using various shots to describe the plot and the meaning of the director. These practices are tested by this group of individuals, who want to tell the story from a much different perspective. (Hatfield 2006)

For example, during an experimental film, the cameraman will use a combination of shots and there may be no clear narrative. Instead, there are more close ups and medium close ups to show the activities of the characters. This is illustrating the emotions and the limits of their activities by concentrating more on the individual vs. The larger scene itself. (Hatfield 2006)

In this case, experimental films are breaking taboos, through illustrating how the characters are interacting with each other in an illogical format. The basic idea is to shape how the person sees the storyline and the way it is impacting them. This is different from traditional films, with these genres shaping the kinds of techniques which are utilized and the lasting impacts on everyone. (Hatfield 2006)

Journal Essay

The experimental film that was created is called Paranoia. It starts out by showing the challenges a young man (i.e. John) is going through during the course of his life. This is when a series of close ups and medium close ups are used to illustrate the challenges he is facing. At the same time, long shots are utilized to set the time, place, mood and setting. In the beginning, he has series of events which distances himself from friends and family. (Hatfield 2006)

They believe that these issues are becoming so bad, that John may not understand or realize the negative impacts his mental illness is having on him. At first, those who are close to John encourage him to seek out some kind professional assistance. The problem is that he does not think there are any problems associated with his behavior. (Hatfield 2006)

However, John agrees to reluctantly visit with mental health professionals. They have diagnosed him with extreme paranoia and prescribe medication for him to take. The problem is that John refuses to accept this diagnosis and he believes that everyone is overreacting to events which are unfolding in his life. (Hatfield 2006)

As result, John forgets to take his medication and starts to think that various people and ghost are haunting him. This occurs at the end of the opening scene with him thinking that everyone (real or imaginary) are chasing him. When he is leaving the house, John intentionally refuses to take his medication. This is because believes there are no problems and he feels that he can make it on his own. (Hatfield 2006)

The next scene, begins with John returning to the house. This is achieved through showing him believing that he is control…