When it comes to shapes in cinematography, the shapes used can make a big difference in both scenes and characters. Shapes, just like color, can convay a certain mood or idea based on how they are used. Cinematographers use these shapes to their advantage when telling their stories to their audience.
The first commonly used shape is the circle. A circle is mostly used as a more gentle feature, sometimes convaying youthfulness or life. Many protagonist, especially children protagonists, are made primarily through circles due to their more innocent nature. For example, many Disney heros can be created with circles primarily. The circle and also convay longevity, after all the infinity sign is made with two circles, and circles are well know for representing something never ending.
The second shape is a square. Squares are most commonly used to represent a space that is cramped or uncomfortable, sometimes even cage like with the proper use of vertical or horizontal lines, and can create a feeling of discomfort or loneliness for the viewer. Squares are also used to combat the feeling of nature with something more industrial. Let's say for example that we have a moving overhead shot of a forest as we move through it, then suddenly the camera pans ahead of the forest and we see a city made up of you guessed it, squares and rectangles. The contrast of these shapes really is stark, which is why it is such a good and often used comparison.
Finally, we have the most known shape, the triangle. Triangles are commonly used for their sharp and menacing look to construct a villain design or to add menace to a scene or area. While certainly a triangle doesn't have to be menacing, like when it is used to create mountains, the sharpness of the shape has given this shape the reputation of bringing unease to a viewing audience. For example, when you see characters walking through a dark cave with tons of pointy stalagmites and stalactites, you feel as though something dangerous might be just around the corner.
Now do all instances with these shapes in use always play by the rules? Certainly not, and that is what's fascinating about these shapes. Not all main protagonists have to be made with strictly circles, and not all villains have to have the sharp look the triangle provides, after all things would get stale and boring if this were true. Like with every technique, once you have a firm grasp on the concept, you can bend the rules how you see fit. Plus, you know, plot twists are fun trick to pull using these shape element principles.
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