A Comparative Study of Physical Cinematography that Influences Layouts in Animated Production

Author

Daniel C. HudsonFollow

Date of Award

8-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Digital Production Arts

Committee Chair/Advisor

Eric Patterson

Committee Member

Tony Penna

Committee Member

Daljit Singh Dhillon

Abstract

What makes good cinematography? There are many examples of cinematogra- phy that stand out in the minds of viewers, yet many cant exactly say with certainty why these shots are considered great. Is it because they convey the visual and emo- tional content of their stories successfully, the technical brilliance of the frame, or both? Whether realistic or exaggerated, the range of cinematography tools and tech- niques are proof that creativity and an eye for detail are the most important elements in great cinematography. Cinematography includes composition, movement, lighting, and other visual information within the frame. This is true in both live-action and animated productions. The purpose of this thesis is to study cinematography on a technical and creative level with an emphasis placed on composition and camera movement for animation-related layouts. To this end, techniques from two renowned, traditional cinematographers will be analyzed to figure out why they are effective, and then create a 3D scene within Maya with cinematography inspired by these two artists using 2-3 sets of scenes, cameras and lighting setups. This thesis will also discuss the physical aspects of these techniques, how to achieve them technically in a 3D environment, and what aesthetic purpose they fulfill.

Recommended Citation

Hudson, Daniel C., "A Comparative Study of Physical Cinematography that Influences Layouts in Animated Production" (2022). All Theses. 3891.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/3891