Week 7 • Generative Cinema

Generative Video Options

• Runway — Text-to-video generation, editing, and cinematic motion tools (Gen-2 / Gen-3).
• Runway YouTube Tutorials — Official training videos and creative workflows.
• Flow — Frame interpolation and slow-motion tool for maintaining smooth motion across generated clips.
• Midjourney — Image generation for concept art, look development, and style seeding.
• Sora 2 — OpenAI’s next-generation text-to-video model capable of extended cinematic sequences.
• Pika Labs — fast prompt-based video generation with editing tools
• ElevenLabs — AI voice and sound synthesis for narration, dialogue, and expressive performances.
• Udio — cinematic and ambient score creation
• Stable Audio — sound effects and loops from text prompts

In-Class Exercise: Three-Shot Mini-Narrative (with Sound)

Goal: Create a 10–20 second mini-narrative composed of three AI-generated shots with sound. The sequence should tell a simple story or convey an emotional progression (beginning / middle / end) while maintaining a consistent visual and sonic style.

1. Concept: Sketch a simple idea—a moment, dream, or encounter. Think visually and emotionally rather than plot-heavy.
2. Generate Source Images: Use Midjourney or Runway to create initial keyframes or stills. Keep track of seed numbers or reuse the same base image for consistency.
3. Generate Shots: In Runway, Flow, Sora, or Pika Labs input the same visual style (seed, camera description, color palette). Use the same character, environment, and tone keywords for each shot.
4. Edit: Combine the three clips in Adobe Premiere. Use fades or sound bridges to link shots smoothly.
5. Sound: Create or mix a brief soundtrack using ElevenLabs, Suno 2, Udio, or Stable Audio. You may include ambient sound, foley, or AI-generated voice lines.
6. Export: 16:9, 720p or 1080p, under 30 seconds. Upload to YouTube or Vimeo and post the link in Canvas.

• Use the same seed number or reference image when generating multiple shots.
• Copy-paste style parameters (color scheme, lighting, lens type, camera movement) between prompts.
• When possible, feed one frame or output back as a starting image for the next shot.
• Stick with a single aspect ratio (16:9) and lighting setup.
• Reference a specific filmmaker or film stock for coherence (e.g., “soft chiaroscuro lighting, Kodak Portra 400”).

STYLE REFERENCES

Camera & Film Types

• Camcorder: Film grain, noise, and saturation, reminiscent of VHS tape.
• DSLR: Superior resolution, sharpness, and clarity.
• GoPro / GoPro Video: Fish-eye effect, often in the form of a selfie.
• Disposable Camera: Fixed-focus 35mm lens.
• Polaroid: High black point and faded effects.
• Fujifilm Superia: High-performance, high-speed color negative film with fine-grain.
• Instax: Daylight color film with a high gloss finish.
• Kodak Ektar: Retro hues or poppy contrast.
• Kodak Gold 200: Crisp and clear results for bright, sunny days.
• Kodak Portra: Vivid colors, light, and textures in a crisp format.
• Velvia: High-saturation film.
• Lomo: Oversaturated, high-contrast look with a soft blur.
• CinemaScope: Old filming technique known for its 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
• Kodak 400TX / Tri-X 400TX: Fine-grain black and white images.
• VistaVision: High-resolution widescreen format using 35mm film.
• Technirama: Double the resolution of anamorphic 35mm film.
• Tintype: Direct positive images on thin metal coated with dark lacquer or enamel.
• Calotype / Talbotype: Paper coated with silver iodide, vintage look.
• Ambrotype: Underexposed glass negatives placed against a dark background.
• Daguerreotype: Highly detailed images on copper plated with silver, without using a negative.

Camera Angles

• Eye-level: A neutral camera angle at the subject’s eye level, providing a natural perspective.
• Low-angle: Looks up at the subject from below, emphasizing dominance or power.
• High-angle: Looks down at the subject, making it appear smaller or less significant.
• Dutch angle: (Canted or tilted) Creates disorientation or unease.
• Overhead: Looks directly down on the subject from above, offering a unique perspective.
• Bird’s-eye view: Captures scenes from a high vantage point, providing scale and context.
• Drone view: Aerial angle achieved using a drone.
• Worm’s-eye view: Looks up from ground level, creating a dramatic perspective.
• Ground-level view: Captures subjects from near the ground, often neutral in perspective.
• Side view: Captures the subject from the side for dynamic compositions.
• Off-center view: Subject is not centered, creating visual tension or energy.

Shot Types

• Close-up (CU): Focuses on a face or detail to emphasize emotion or importance.
• Extreme close-up: Tightly frames a small detail or feature, highlighting its significance.
• Wide shot: Shows the subject within its environment for context.
• Extreme wide shot: Establishes a large location or spatial relationship.
• Medium shot: Frames the subject from the waist up, common for dialogue.
• Medium-full shot (American shot): Frames the subject from knees or mid-thighs up.
• Over-the-shoulder shot: Looks over one subject’s shoulder toward another, creating spatial depth.

Lighting Styles

• Natural Light: Uses available light sources for realism and subtlety.
• Key Light: Main source defining direction and intensity of illumination.
• Fill Light: Softens shadows cast by the key light.
• Backlight: Separates subject from background, adding dimensionality.
• Rim Light: Creates a thin light outline around the subject’s edges.
• Top Light: Casts downward shadows, adding drama or mystery.
• Side Light: Adds depth and texture, often used in film noir.
• High Key Lighting: Bright and even; minimizes shadows for upbeat tones.
• Low Key Lighting: Strong contrasts and shadows for suspense or intensity.
• Rembrandt Lighting: 45° angled key light forming a small cheek highlight.
• Three-Point Lighting: Classic setup: key, fill, and backlight for full control.
• Chiaroscuro: Dramatic contrasts between light and dark for visual intensity.
• Practical Lighting: Uses in-scene sources (lamps, candles) for realism.
• Candlelight: Warm, soft illumination for intimacy or period looks.
• Silhouette: Backlighting that obscures features for bold outlines.
• Soft Lighting: Diffused light producing gentle, flattering shadows.
• Hard Lighting: Direct, sharp light creating defined shadows and intensity.
• Bounce Light: Reflected off surfaces for soft, indirect illumination.
• Practical Effects: Realistic effects like flickering flames or dappled sunlight.
• Stylized Lighting: Experimental or expressive lighting for avant-garde aesthetics.