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= Cinematography =
== Overview ==
== Overview ==
'''Cinematography''' in [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]] lets creators control the visual language of their projects—covering camera choice, lens settings, movement, and lighting. 
In [[ACT3AI|ACT 3 AI]], '''Cinematography''' refers to the creative and technical control over how your project is visually captured. 
It combines AI-driven scene composition with director-level customization, giving you full control over the look, feel, and atmosphere of your [[Scenes|scenes]] and [[Shots|shots]].
From camera angles and movement to lighting, lenses, and framing, ACT 3 AI provides tools to help you achieve professional cinematic language directly within the [[Editor|Editor workspace]].


The system works in harmony with [[AI_Directing|AI Directing]], [[Camera_Angles|Camera Angles]], and Lighting to ensure every shot delivers maximum cinematic impact.
Cinematography works hand-in-hand with [[Script_Editor|scriptwriting]], [[Scenes|scenes]], [[Shots|shots]], and AI rendering engines such as [[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3]], [[Runway|Runway Integration]], and [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]].


== What You Can Do ==
== Key Capabilities ==
* '''Virtual Camera Setup:''' Select camera type (cinema, DSLR, virtual) and lens specs.   
* '''Camera Angles''' – high angle, low angle, over-the-shoulder, POV, Dutch tilt.   
* '''Lens Control:''' Adjust focal length, aperture (f-stop), ISO, and depth of field.   
* '''Camera Movement''' – dolly, pan, tilt, tracking, crane, handheld, Steadicam, drone. 
* '''Camera Movement:''' Program pans, dollies, cranes, and handheld motions.   
* '''Framing & Composition''' – close-ups, wides, rule of thirds, depth of field.   
* '''Lighting Control:''' Use built-in presets or customize key, fill, and backlight for mood.   
* '''Lenses & Focus''' – wide-angle, telephoto, shallow focus, rack focus.   
* '''Look & Feel Presets:''' Apply LUTs, color grading profiles, and genre-based visual styles.   
* '''Lighting & Mood''' – daylight, noir, dramatic shadows, LUTs, color grading presets.   
* '''Style Presets''' – cinematic, documentary, surreal, stylized animation.   


== Key Features ==
== How Cinematography Works in ACT 3 AI ==
* '''Dynamic Composition:''' AI suggests optimal framing for characters and key action moments.   
# Select a [[Scenes|scene]] or [[Shots|shot]] in the [[Editor|Editor workspace]].   
* '''Time-of-Day Simulation:''' Instantly switch between dawn, golden hour, night, or artificial lighting.   
# Add [[Camera_Instructions|camera instructions]] as part of your [[Shot_Prompting|shot prompt]]. 
* '''Multi-Camera Scenes:''' Place and sync multiple cameras for coverage options. 
# Choose cinematic style or presets (lighting, LUTs, composition).   
* '''Continuity Tracking:''' Maintains visual consistency across [[Scenes|scenes]] and [[Acts|acts]].   
# Preview movement and framing in [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboards & Panels]] or [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]].   
* '''Integration with Storyboard & Top-Down View:''' See planned camera setups before rendering.
# Generate AI renders with your preferred engine ([[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3]], [[Runway|Runway]], [[Wan|WAN AI]]).


== How to Use ==
== Example Cinematic Prompts ==
# Open the [[Editor|Editor workspace]] and select a [[Scenes|scenes]] or [[Shots|shots]].   
* “Slow dolly in on protagonist, low angle, noir lighting.”  
# Click **AI → Cinematography** to open the Cinematography panel. 
* “Wide establishing aerial shot of futuristic city, drone movement, golden hour.”  
# Choose camera type, lens, lighting, and movement.   
* “Handheld close-up of astronaut breathing heavily inside helmet, shallow depth of field.”  
# Preview the framing in [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard Panels]] or [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]].   
* “Tracking shot down a neon alley, Steadicam smoothness, cinematic LUT applied.” 
# Save your settings and send them to [[Build_Video|Build Video]] or the [[Render_Queue|Render Queue]].


== Example Settings ==
== Integration with Workflow ==
{| class="wikitable"
* [[AI_Wizard|AI Wizard]] – Generates initial story beats and camera suggestions. 
! Setting !! Options !! Example
* [[Script_Editor|Script Editor]] – Add parenthetical camera notes for directors. 
|-
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboards & Panels]] – Visualize framing before render.
| Camera Type || Cinema, DSLR, Virtual, Drone || "Cinema Camera"
* [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]] – Position cameras and define movement paths. 
|-
* [[Build_Video|Build Video]] – Ensure cinematography choices carry through final rendering. 
| Lens Focal Length || 14mm – 200mm || "35mm for medium shot"
|-
| Aperture (f-stop) || f/1.4 – f/16 || "f/2.8 for shallow depth of field"
|-
| Movement || Static, Pan, Tilt, Dolly, Crane, Handheld || "Dolly-in towards actor"
|-
| Lighting Preset || Daylight, Golden Hour, Night, Studio, Custom || "Golden Hour warm tones"
|-
| LUT || Noir, Cinematic, Sci-Fi, Natural, Custom || "Sci-Fi teal and orange"
|}


== Tips ==
== Best Practices ==
* Use [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]] for precise camera placement before committing to renders.   
* Use simple, industry-standard film terms for best AI interpretation.   
* Match LUTs and lighting to the tone set in [[AI_Directing|AI Directing]].   
* Match camera choices to story tone (e.g., handheld for chaos, crane for epic reveals).   
* Experiment with focal length changes between [[Shots|shots]] to add visual variety.   
* Break complex shots into multiple [[Shots|shots]] for clarity.   
* Save custom presets for repeated use across [[Scenes|scenes]].
* Preview at lower resolution first to conserve [[Credit_System|credits]].


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
* '''Overexposed or underexposed shots?''' Adjust aperture or ISO, or change lighting presets.   
* '''Camera moves ignored''' → Use precise terms (dolly, pan, tilt) instead of vague phrases.   
* '''Flat visuals?''' Apply LUTs or tweak color grading for more contrast.   
* '''Flat lighting''' → Add mood descriptors or apply LUTs.   
* '''Disjointed tone?''' Use Continuity Lock to match settings across related shots.
* '''Unnatural angles''' → Switch to standard angles (high/low/over-the-shoulder).   
 
== Credits & Billing ==
* Cinematography adjustments themselves are free; generating rendered previews will consume [[Credit_System|credits]].   
* See [[Billing_Model|Billing Model]] for credit usage rates.


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[AI_Directing|AI Directing]]   
* [[Cameras]]   
* [[Camera_Angles|Camera Angles]]   
* [[Camera_Angles|Camera Angles]]   
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboard Panels]] / [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]]   
* [[Camera_Movement|Camera Movement]] 
* [[Scenes|Scenes]] / [[Shots|Shots]]   
* [[Camera_Instructions|Camera Instructions]] 
* [[Build_Video|Build Video]] / [[Render_Queue|Render Queue]]
* [[Shots]] · [[Scenes]] · [[Story_Beats|Story Beats]] 
* [[Storyboard_Panels|Storyboards & Panels]]
* [[Top_Down_View|Top-Down View]]   
* [[Lighting|Lighting & Mood]]
* [[Google_Veo_3|Google Veo 3 Integration]]   
* [[Runway|Runway Integration]]
* [[Wan|WAN AI Integration]]


[[Category:ACT 3 AI Features]]


[https://act3ai.com/contact Contact Us] if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.
[https://act3ai.com/contact Contact Us] if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.

Latest revision as of 16:34, 27 August 2025

Overview

In ACT 3 AI, Cinematography refers to the creative and technical control over how your project is visually captured. From camera angles and movement to lighting, lenses, and framing, ACT 3 AI provides tools to help you achieve professional cinematic language directly within the Editor workspace.

Cinematography works hand-in-hand with scriptwriting, scenes, shots, and AI rendering engines such as Google Veo 3, Runway Integration, and WAN AI Integration.

Key Capabilities

  • Camera Angles – high angle, low angle, over-the-shoulder, POV, Dutch tilt.
  • Camera Movement – dolly, pan, tilt, tracking, crane, handheld, Steadicam, drone.
  • Framing & Composition – close-ups, wides, rule of thirds, depth of field.
  • Lenses & Focus – wide-angle, telephoto, shallow focus, rack focus.
  • Lighting & Mood – daylight, noir, dramatic shadows, LUTs, color grading presets.
  • Style Presets – cinematic, documentary, surreal, stylized animation.

How Cinematography Works in ACT 3 AI

  1. Select a scene or shot in the Editor workspace.
  2. Add camera instructions as part of your shot prompt.
  3. Choose cinematic style or presets (lighting, LUTs, composition).
  4. Preview movement and framing in Storyboards & Panels or Top-Down View.
  5. Generate AI renders with your preferred engine (Google Veo 3, Runway, WAN AI).

Example Cinematic Prompts

  • “Slow dolly in on protagonist, low angle, noir lighting.”
  • “Wide establishing aerial shot of futuristic city, drone movement, golden hour.”
  • “Handheld close-up of astronaut breathing heavily inside helmet, shallow depth of field.”
  • “Tracking shot down a neon alley, Steadicam smoothness, cinematic LUT applied.”

Integration with Workflow

Best Practices

  • Use simple, industry-standard film terms for best AI interpretation.
  • Match camera choices to story tone (e.g., handheld for chaos, crane for epic reveals).
  • Break complex shots into multiple shots for clarity.
  • Preview at lower resolution first to conserve credits.

Troubleshooting

  • Camera moves ignored → Use precise terms (dolly, pan, tilt) instead of vague phrases.
  • Flat lighting → Add mood descriptors or apply LUTs.
  • Unnatural angles → Switch to standard angles (high/low/over-the-shoulder).

See Also


Contact Us if you have any problems using our product, or if you have questions.

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