Film craft · Nº 01
Why Does a Ceiling Feel Low? From Rooms to Citizen Kane
Separate measured ceiling height, perceived space and mood. Research and Citizen Kane reveal how rooms and pictures give different evidence.
Journal topic
Cinematography
Essays connecting cinematography with cinema and the act of looking.
See Films Differently · Nº 02
What Is Chiaroscuro in Film? Light, Shadow and the Shape of a Scene
Chiaroscuro uses strong contrasts between light and dark. See how it shapes faces and spaces in The Third Man, and why it is not confined to black-and-white film.
See Films Differently · Nº 03
What Is Deep Focus? Meaning and Film Examples
What is deep focus in film? Learn how it differs from shallow focus, deep-space staging and rack focus, with clear examples from Citizen Kane.
See Films Differently · Nº 04
Why Were Silent Films Tinted? Blue Scenes, Amber Light and Restored Colour
Blue night scenes and amber interiors often belong to a silent film’s original presentation. Compare tinting with toning and learn why restorations differ.
See Films Differently · Nº 05
What Is an Intertitle? See Examples and Make Your Own
An intertitle is a text card between shots. See how Hitchcock, Manhatta and The Gold Rush use them—and how they differ from subtitles.
See Films Differently · Nº 06
Was Birdman Filmed in One Shot? Long Takes and Hidden Cuts
Birdman joins separate takes to look continuous. Compare its hidden cuts with Rope and Touch of Evil, and see what long takes do with space, time and suspense.
See Films Differently · Nº 07
What Is a Dutch Angle? Definition and Film Examples
A Dutch angle rolls the camera sideways. See how it differs from a pan or tilt, and how The Third Man and Batman use canted framing for different effects.
See Films Differently · Nº 08
Why Does The Third Man Look Crooked?
The Third Man uses Dutch angles — a deliberately tilted camera — to make postwar Vienna feel unstable. See how crooked shots alter space, trust and moral balance.