Outstanding Cinematography For A Single-camera Series (half-hour)
When it comes to great cinematographic styles, there are many tools in the toolbox. For example, using luscious natural light is one of the most important ways to achieve beautiful shots.
Experimenting with different shutter speeds or recording modes can also produce some stunning visuals. Adding atmospheric music, keeping the frame interesting, and incorporating repetition into your filming style are just a few more strategies that work well.
But what if we took this theory one step further? What if we said that the way you shoot totally determines how the audience perceives the character, their emotions, and even what genre the show belongs to?
In this article, we will talk about some key points related to incredible cinematic photography, and then we will apply these concepts to an episode of The Marvelous Mrs.
The Office - Take a look
A great deal of attention is paid to writing, acting, and directing in television sitcoms, but less discussed is how important their filming styles are in establishing tone and narrative momentum.
A key part of this comes down to how each individual scene is photographed. What style of photography is used, what types of shots are taken, and what messages they send influence viewer perception more than anything else.
Good cinematic visuals include using shallow depth of field to create a dreamy or romantic feel, keeping silence or music audible, and incorporating slow pans and shifts of focus to add intensity or emphasis to a moment.
These strategies can be applied to any type of setting or genre, and it is very easy to use these as examples in your own work. More advanced photographers may also notice that some of these things resemble rules for good cinematography.
The Truman Show - The art of photography
As discussed in length in our article about cinematographic voice, great camerawork can tell us a lot about what is happening in a scene. When there are too many shots that seem to have no goal or purpose, it becomes difficult to focus on anything specific.
In the case of The Truman Show, the show’s main metaphor was clearly framed by its opening shot. We see an empty beach with waves rolling onto shore, before being cut off as a boat comes into frame. A man steps out of the boat and begins walking up the beach towards the camera.
As he gets closer we realize his legs do not stop moving until he completely covers the ground between him and the water line. At this point, you could say that his feet become glued to the beach, creating a sense of inevitability to his actions. He stops directly in front of the audience, where everyone has left space for him. This creates a gap between himself and the rest of the world, making him feel even more isolated.
This effect is used heavily throughout the series, but never feels forced. It always adds to the narrative, keeping the viewer engaged. For example, when Lennox visits her father at the end of season one she ends up coming face to face with his glass window. She tries to reach through it, but it is just like the boat in the beginning of the episode: it will never break down.
Breaking Bad - The perfect lighting
When breaking down how to light an episode of TV, there is one key element that consistently shines through - good lighting. And what kind of lighting? Studio lights are always preferred over natural light because they give you more control over where shadows go and can be adjusted to look very dramatic or soft and fluid.
Another option is using large, overhead fluorescent bulbs which create bright, even light. This is typically done by having heavy curtains in front of the set so no part of the set is fully exposed to direct sunlight.
When it comes to filming scenes with lots of dialogue, professional studio lights with a lot of diffusion are needed to avoid overly dark backgrounds and silhouetted characters. A small amount of overall brightness also helps make things seem less intense.
Mad Men - Fashion and styling
As discussed in our article about fashion trends of 2017, expensive clothing is not a totally successful look unless matched with impressive cinematography. Addressing all parts of the frame, including costumes, colors, textures, shapes, and general aesthetic appeal are key components to creating an engaging watch of a show.
Mad Men has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful visuals out there. The setting and surrounding areas always look pristine and well maintained, giving us an overall feeling that this space belongs to someone special.
The show’s eye for beauty is very much present throughout all six seasons, but there are certain episodes that really stand out due to their incredible settings and decorations. This includes season five’s Valentine's Day episode where Don throws himself a small birthday party, or season three’s Thanksgiving episode where almost every shot features a lush green background.
These types of shots only enhance the already stunning vistas of California and America at large that the audience gets to see. They also give off a sense of calmness and relaxation, which is perfect for showing the emotional state of characters in the scene.
House of Cards - The perfect lighting
When creating any kind of indoor or outdoor setting, light is an integral part to successful filming. Lighting can make or break a scene; it can add intensity or tone to a shot, it can eliminate having to re-light a set, and it can create interest in an otherwise dull area.
In the case of Frank Underwood’s house, his housecoat doesn’t just help him stay warm - it provides important background information about who he is as a person.
By having different areas within each room that are well lit, the camera has something to work with when trying to find out more about this powerful individual.
Furthermore, by using heavy curtains and blankets to block off parts of the house, the director was able to use natural sunlight to illuminate certain spaces. This gave the scene more depth since we got to see some part of the house that wasn’t fully covered up by decorations.
Veep - The art of cinematography
As discussed in my article about the importance of having a rapport with your director, the person who directs a show is very important. They play an integral part in creating stories that you watch as a viewer.
A good director will draw out strong emotions and reactions from you, they will make you feel something, and they will keep you engaged throughout the entire movie.
Having great cinematic shots is one way to achieve this, but knowing what types of shots are needed and being able to use them effectively are another. It takes skill to know when it’s time to let someone else take over and do their job, and it takes even more talent to give minimal direction while still getting the same quality work.
That last bit sounds impossible, but it isn’t! There are many ways to remain involved while also letting others bring the film to life, and it can be done at any level. A producer, writer, or director may ask you to check things out for them, and if you don’t mind stepping in and helping then there is no reason you can’t.
Sex and the City
As we mentioned before, sex is a pretty integral part of this show. There are three main reasons why having good cinematographic settings can help emphasize that sex feels right.
First, there’s the setting. Having intimate scenes in familiar environments helps make it more natural. For example, if your lover has been talking about making love next to the pool for the past week, then do it! Or maybe they’ve suggested getting into bed after dinner - so do it.
Second, color scheme. Choosing colors that match or compliment each other encourages intimacy. Pink is typically considered an “intimate” color, so using lots of pink furniture or clothing can create some nice tension. Blue is also very romantic, so using blue lights or blankets or pillows could add some sexy vibes as well.
And third, overall design.
The Wire
A show that many consider to be defining television of our time is The Wire, an acclaimed series that ran from 2002 to 2008. It focused on the police work in Baltimore, Maryland, with each episode being a self-contained story.
The main characters were Detectives Jimmy McNulty and Bunch Gower, along with Officers Roland Pryme and Terrence “Terrace” Holmes. These officers worked together as members of an internal affairs unit tasked with investigating crimes within their department.
While The Wire was heavily criticized for its dramatic narrative, it also boasted some of the most beautifully framed scenes we have ever seen. Many believe this was one of the reasons why the show remained so popular even after ending its run.
Here are six examples of incredible cinematography used during The Wire’s five seasons.