This week I’ve done several shooting exercises of different cinematic techniques since I was inspired after I watched a video on Youtube called Top 20 Amazing Cinematic Techniques. There are three parts of it, here are the links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3EnnBDgMww, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb5OhhfnyfQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdJhQVj_rm4&t=7s.

These shots are really awesome. I was thinking if I can make any of these beautiful shots. I found that some of those shots were difficult to make if you didn’t have some professional equipments. Then I picked up some cinematic techniques that I am interested in and can be finished by myself.

I would like to investigate some of the following cinematic techniques: tracking shot, POV, time-lapse, crane shot, frantic zoom, zoom out, long take and pan.

Since the outcome of the last experiment of tracking shot is terribly horrible, this time I used a much lighter camera to avoid the camera shake. I found that this is much better than the last time,but still got camera shake.

This tracking shot is a wide shot of someone going back home, climbing up the stairs, and opening the door. I chose a wide shot because I wanted to establish the background of this shot. I also tried a close shot of the character’s head when he was opening the door, in order to create a tense atmosphere.

I didn’t do enough tracking shots. When I looked back my shots, I pretty like the close shot. I would like to do more exercises of this. I think if I am going to make a zombie film this semester, the close shot of tracking shot can help creating a intense and horrible feeling.

In addition, I recreate a POV shot of Halloween(1978) (which can be found in the Top 20 Amazing Cinematic Techniques part 2 from 2:53). However, I found that it was hard for me to control the light. If I did not turn on the light, it was too dark to recognize the environment, but if I turned on the light, it was too bright to create a nervous feeling. I should think of a way to figure out the light problem, which can be my next experiment.

I also did some abstract shots of nature and other objects, just for inspiration. Then I was attracted by the shadow on the wall. I took some images of the shadow which I found beautiful. I think that shadow can also be a good perspective to demonstrate some special feelings in terms of my zombie film.

I haven’t done any editing of my exercise footage. I reckon I will do it next week to see what will come out or if I will get new inspiration from it, along with doing more shooting exercises related to my zombie film.

(Footage of my exercises this week has been shared with you through google drive, here is the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BwxNJFiHL-kIUG1HaHg1cHpWRTQ?usp=sharing)