Hugo: Deep Staging and Keyframing comes to 3D movies
Phil Lelyveld
[by Clyde deSouza, posted to LinkedIn]
Key Framing v/s Montage Cinematography in 3D:
Hugo the movie, is a case study in how stereoscopic 3D can and should be used as a new medium of visual storytelling. I finally got a chance to see the movie, here in Dubai a few weeks later than its release date. …
What is Keyframe versus montage style Camera work?
In typical film making it is easier to establish geography of a scene, or tell a story by assembling different shots of the same scene recorded by different camera positions and from different angles. On the other hand however, it would need much planning and scene blocking to do “keyframed” style camera movement.
As a simple example, if the scene is of a person walking into a room and moving into position in-between two other people in the room, it is much easier to shoot this scene by placing the camera at different locations around the room to capture the intended effect (montage), than it is to: plan, do scene blocking, lay track and then dolly the camera along with the person, swinging the camera around at the right moment so as to frame the actor as he gets into final end position.
3D Shot Planning:
It takes planning, rehearsal and skill, and we are still talking 2D movie scene! In 3D it’s a whole different ball game of Previz, correct camera interaxial, looking out for stereo window violations, and yet keeping the camera work fluid and the scene itself interesting. But this what and why audiences are paying the extra dollar! (similar to a gourmet meal v/s fast food). ….
“In Hugo 3D even the Card Boarding was Motivated”
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A well made 3D Film:
To round of this 3D Critique of Hugo, here are a few more observations.
1) Motivated Camera Placement and Editing: …
2) Use of Depth Budget and Negative Z-space: …
3) 3D movie with meaning: …
