cinematography

Question 1

ERNEST R DICKERSON’s interesting techniques

Answer 1

1. use of colour stresses heat
2. canted angles to reflect the fragmenting atmosphere
3. fast dollies stopping in front of the characters
4. breaking the forth wall looking into the lens

Question 2

spontaneous montage examples

Answer 2

• racial epithets scene
• sudden injection of eroticism
• dancing in the beginning

Question 3

the dutch angle

(plus example)

Answer 3

• tilt shot where camera is put at an angle
• helps create unease, disorientation, intoxication etc

EXAMPLE:
- exchange between radio raheem and the grocers
- tension and hostility stressed by dutch tilt
- we are made to believe what we see is not normal - feeling of uneasiness

Question 4

extreme camera angles (radio raheem)

Answer 4

• extremely low angle - making him seem larger and hence more overpowering and intimidating
• dutch angles - foreshadow the destabilizing role his presence will play in the film

Question 5

radio raheem’s death framing

Answer 5

• foreground, ‘love’ brass knuckle visible, eyes level with the audience
• officer looms behind, kicking him
• makes officer seem villainous, and radio raheem is a fallen hero
• death is in our forefront so we connect with it

Question 6

rapid reverse shots

Answer 6

• heightened sense of tension - edginess
• supported by quick fire dialogue and shouting
• adds to confusion and rising action

Question 7

breaking the forth wall - racism scene

Answer 7

• rapid succession
• talking to viewer
• camera moves in quickly towards each character which draws attention to the cutting