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Cited by 23Aesthetic Perception and AnalysisCinema History and CriticismDigital Media and Visual Art

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An embodiment of the cinematographer: emotional and perceptual responses to different camera movement techniques

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Yilmaz, Mehmet Burak, Lotman, Elen, Karjus, Andres, Tikka, Pia·2023·Frontiers in Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2023.1160843PMC PMC10352452
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Abstract

We investigate the relationship between camera movement techniques and cognitive responses in audiences, reporting on an experiment exploring the effects of different camera movement methods on viewers' degree of immersion and emotional response. This follows directly from preceding experimental literature and is further motivated by accounts and experiences of practicing cinematographers (authors included), which indicates a correspondence between the two. We designed three different cinematic scenes with indifferent moods, and shot each one time with Steadicam, dolly, handheld, and static camera, resulting in 12 different clips. A total of 44 non-professional participants watched the clips and rated their reactions in terms of arousal and degree of involvement. Experimental results are mixed: movement affects the sense of involvement but not necessarily emotional response. We present and discuss some further explorative results and possible future directions to improve the design. We argue in this contribution that there is value in experimental approaches to cinematography, enabling the systematic study of creative intuitions and audience responses in controlled settings.

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References 55 · Cited by 23

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Metadata

Authors
Yilmaz, M. B., Lotman, E., Karjus, A., & Tikka, P.
Affiliations
Tallinn University (EE)
Corresponding author
Yilmaz, Mehmet Burak
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2023-07-03
Volume
17
Pages
1160843-1160843
ISSN
1662-453X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnins.2023.1160843
PMC
PMC10352452
OpenAlex
W4382940668
Cited by
23
References
55
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2
FWCI
3.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • European Commission (810961, HORIZON2020, 101035820, MOBTT90)
  • Eesti Teadusagentuur (MOBTT90)
  • Universiteit Antwerpen
  • Tartu Ülikool
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Aesthetic Perception and Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Visual Arts and Performing Arts › Cinema History and Criticism
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Graphics and Computer-Aided Design › Digital Media and Visual Art
Keywords
camera movement, cinematography, Steadicam, Dolly, handheld camera, static camera, viewer immersion, emotional responses, arousal, audience involvement, embodied cognition

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