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Cinematography In Animated Films

Addison Smith

When it comes to animated feature films, cinematography is an important part of the movie. Not only does it look beautiful, but the right camera settings can help tell the story and enhance the film’s plot.

There are many different styles of filming used for animated features, such as Steadicam work, handheld shooting, and more. Different types of shots strengthen specific scenes or give insights into the characters.

This article will talk about some of the key parts of cinematography that have been used in recent years for animated movies. If you want to learn how to do professional level animation photography, these tips will be helpful. You may also notice similarities in style between certain filmmakers who use similar tools to create their images!

We will discuss what equipment needs to be present for each type of shot, as well as some examples of each.

Thorough scouting

cinematography in animated films

While not every movie has advanced camera techniques, all animated features need some sort of coverage!

That is, unless you want your viewers to be completely distracted by crazy angles and cool looking shots. Then, they will have to ask themselves why there are so many fancy tricks used.

The reason most films do not contain enough camerawork is because directors and production teams simply do not have access to one. Or, they are too busy filming other things to worry about it.

It is very expensive to hire a professional photographer or cinematographer, and even more expensive to rent their gear. So, almost everyone who wants quality footage has to create his or her own.

There are several ways to do this, but the two most common ones are with either a static camera set up in a room or a handheld camera.

In this article, we will discuss the first option- using a tripod as our main camera setting.

Visual effects

Another integral part of any animated movie is their special effect filming or visual effects. These are usually very elaborate, expensive, or all-encompassing projects. A popular example of this would be an underwater scene with marine life!

There are many different ways to add depth and texture to a shot. For instance, you could add bubbles, use glass as a mirror, or even have some creature come out of water and onto dry land.

The artists must also make sure everything looks natural and that nothing seems overly computerized. The more advanced the setting, the higher the budget needed for it!

In conclusion

Adding cinematography to your film can boost its appeal and help set it apart from other films. It does not need to be extremely long or complicated, but there are several settings where it is appropriate.

What makes a good cinematographer?

cinematography in animated films

As discussed before, what makes someone a good director is their ability to tell an engaging story with solid characters. The same goes for being a good cinematographer!

That isn’t to say that people who are not directors cannot be successful as cinematographers. Many of the greatest filmmakers never made the career shift from filming to directing, and many great cinematographers don’t direct films either.

But if you want to pursue a career in filmmaking as a cameraman or as a filmmaker, then it’s important to know the basics about how to work as a camera operator first. And one of the most fundamental things is actually something that may seem trivial at first glance - how to use your hands.