Cinematography: Gravity

This is the opening scene to Gravity directed by Alfonso Cuarón. The first shot of the film is an establishing shot, introducing to us the setting which is in space. The next shot is a medium and long shot of both protagonists Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalski, so we as the audience, get the idea of their situation. The camera seems to be revolving around them. At this point there is a wide shot of the bottom half of the earth, giving the audience the impression that something is going to happen. There are also several close up shots in this scene that only briefly concentrate on the protagonists individually to signify how they have no time and gives the atmosphere a sense of danger. From the crane and tilt shot makes this scene more extreme when things start to go wrong and they have lost control building suspense. By the camera following the characters every movement, the audience feel a part of the action and desperation. There is another intense long shot when Matt is trying to help Ryan escape which is then followed by the close up of when Ryan is spinning alone making it clear to the audience her state being panicked and terrified. This scene is one continuous shot and ends with how it started through an establishing shot and also an extreme long shot where we can see the protagonist drifting off in space alone leaving a sense of mystery and uncertainty of what may happen to her next.