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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Most Played Out Trends in Cinematography Today

Most Played Out Trends in Cinematography Today

  • The "Hey everyone, look how wide open my lens can get!" rack focus

    Votes: 48 41.4%

  • The "We rented a dolly for the day, and we know how to use it!" scene

    Votes: 19 16.4%

  • The "JJ Abrams is my hero!" lens flares

    Votes: 25 21.6%

  • Other

    Votes: 24 20.7%
  • Total voters
    116
Roberto Lequeux said:
Anything that is unmotivated feels played out
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Nailed it, Roberto.
I was re-watching Munich last night, and even though I generally don't like zooms, the use of them in that movie was so well-motivated and executed that it felt beautiful and organic. Same thing with handheld: one thing is shaky camera with no reason whatsoever, a whole different thing is a masterful and motivated use of it. Those who focus on storytelling and craft know what they're doing. The others generally don't, even though some of them can create beautiful pictures, but it's not really different from the past. After all, it's not like we used to have dozens of masterpieces coming out every week in the past.
Someone wrote that it's not what you do, but how you do it, but I think we should add "WHY you do it".
As for one of "the most played trends in cinematography today" list, I'd add: TOO MUCH TALK ABOUT CAMERAS AND TOOLS.
 
this makes me think of the first footage of the red one I saw, made at IBC I think; the maker wanted to show us the red one, but for some reason in an mtv way of moving the camera; it was terribly annoying because I wanted to see the camera but it was actually hard to see anything. But it also makes me think of Unser Taeglich Brot, a German doc about the food industry. The dolly moves were so perfect they looked executed by a machine; they were as dead as a zoom in post production; but that was exactly right for the subject: life totally controlled by industry. If there is a good reason for it, the technique is welcome; if there is no reason, don't do it. And at the same time I realize that in movies I really like there is hardly any camera movement, and yet it is hard for me to withstand the urge to move the bloody thing; insecurity is what it is
 
In art there is no such thing as a "trick". All of the methods described can be used appropriately or inappropriately.

Apart from inexperience, lack of imagination, and generally not being made of the stuff that film demands of us, perhaps most of these failures derive from inflated ego or
sense of one's own cleverness in the face of the thing being created. Many filmmakers are incapable of giving themselves over to the service of the story as completely as
Theo Angelopoulos does, for example. Like Hemingway once said about the art of writing: "Kill your darlings".
 
Shawn Nelson said:
What??? No way, side dolly is a classic element. Now I'd say way-too-quick-and-unmotivated side to side dolly shots are played out, but a nice slow dolly creep, when motivated, is gold.
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Maybe should have said "Side-to-side dolly and slider moves" are played out. Ever seen a vimeo video where the camera does nothing but side-to-side slider moves, back to back, throughout the entire video? Super played out.

I have two words for these people: Z Axis.
 
One word...timelapse. So over done, and any idiot with a Dslr thinks they are Ron Fricke.
 
Denying a method because it has been commonly abused is as misguided as employing a method because it is popular.

My friends had a running joke and took bets during funeral scenes in movies - the odds favored a crane shot being employed:
at the beginning of the film, it would bring us down to earth, nearer the end of the film, take us up to .... .
 
Hahahaha!
So many good comments on this thread. I've fallen off my chair laughing.
I agree that if a technique is used appropriately, then that's cinematographer's license. If it's just slapped on like wood paneling on a station wagon in 1972, then, well...
I think Roberto got it right. I'm also in agreement with Andrew's list of what he'd like to see more of. I would like to see more of those classic visual devices too.
And Eric gets the award for funny/true comment. Ron Fricke is a true artist (as is Tom Lowe from what I've seen) but boy, it's true. You ought to need a license to use that Canon Time Remote Controller device...
Cheers,
Harry
 
Shawn Nelson said:
What??? No way, side dolly is a classic element. Now I'd say way-too-quick-and-unmotivated side to side dolly shots are played out, but a nice slow dolly creep, when motivated, is gold.
Click to expand...

True! And to add the negative i dont like fast camera moves in most cases. Perhaps audio is bot included hear but i dont like when you try scare the audience with soundeffects 10times in a movie. Its always the same, build up the tension, oh false alarm, than bam!!!
 
Next after zooms, on of the worst for me is, when being on a dolly tracking / shooting sideways in one direction while simultaneously panning in the other direction. Basically there should be a law not allowing tracking and panning at the same time. Lock the camera head and push the dolly and things will just look so much better.
 
Tom Lowe said:
Maybe should have said "Side-to-side dolly and slider moves" are played out. Ever seen a vimeo video where the camera does nothing but side-to-side slider moves, back to back, throughout the entire video? Super played out.

I have two words for these people: Z Axis.
Click to expand...

Z axis? But then my AC starts whining - and I just can't stand it when he whines.
 
Not sure if this a cinematography gripe, but a pet peeve of mine is contemporary fight scenes... so disjointed those in the fight might as well be punching themselves in the face.
 
i cant believe some people are calling zooms played out. how is zooming a "lazy" DPs tracking shot? they both certainly have their place in cinema.

imagine this music video with tracking shots as apposed to zooms. i dont think it would have worked. https://vimeo.com/38153447
 
Right, don't be afraid to use what is appropriate for your story, regardless if it is overused and clique Just do it right, for the right reason. Most people hate zooms, but zooms are my friend when a. it is the only tool you have in the given circumstance to add some interest to the shoot, or b. giving a film the right time period feel. Also using any overused tool in a new and exciting way can yield great results. Think Martin Scorsese and "Good Fellows" and the freeze frame, loved it. Since I shoot a lot of documentaries, I shoot a lot of handheld. Simply put, there is no better tool where you can get such good coverage, and quickly than handheld. Sometimes at the cost of not being at the very best angle, and sometimes with more shake then you may want, but nothing gives you the feel of being there than this, and if the content is gripping, it is a small price to pay. I will forgive low budget features being shoot handheld as it is an economical way to tell stories as long as the story is good and the acting as well.

Tehben Dean said:
Shallow DOF tight shots at night with lights in the background.

Timelapse, slow motion and wideangle under 18mm are all being overused.

However everything (almost) does have a time and place when done well.
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Joking aside.. I think there is a difference between scripted and non scripted styles of shooting..

Non Scripted: i believe in anything that captures the shot works, for instance nature movies.

Scripted: two things that need to work together. A story that pulls you in and a style of shooting that hides itself.
 
Brian Pascale said:
I will forgive low budget features being shoot handheld as it is an economical way to tell stories as long as the story is good and the acting as well.
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I am actually a big fan of handheld when it's done artistically as apposed to 'lets just make it fast and jerky so you can't tell whats going on since what's going on is so boring to begin with and at least this way we will affect the viewers even if it's just by making them nauseated'.
 
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