Knights of Sidonia Episode 12

In the Episode 7 and Episode 8 write-ups I talked about the show's great sense of scale and speed, and usage of camera movements and slow-motion. The scene below exemplifies all of that but what stuck out to me happened around the 00:20 mark. The camera tracks Nagate as he avoids another attack, it then pans to the rest of the platoon that are about to enter the Gauna. I thought this was a good use of camera movement to transition from out pivotal moment to another.

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Izana saving Nagate was my favorite scene in this episode. The clip below begins with a close-up of Izana's Garde. The up close view of her thrusters in full blast and the camera moving to show her Garde's head directly looking at Nagate are images that show her full commitment to risking her life to save him. Afterwards, we see a beautifully done forward tracking shot of Izana chasing after Nagate. The camera then changes angles to transition to a lateral tracking shot that focuses on Izana's hand reaching out to Nagate and finally grabbing him. This emphasis on the hands was a way to extend Izana's compassion and caring through her Garde and as they hold hands it even reaches a level of intimacy.

As humans we often use our hands to express ourselves. This episode took this notion and applied them to mechas in order to express the pilots' humanity through these machines and in essence humanizing them.

 An image of trust. Nagate holding a bullet entrusted to him by Ren to avenge her sister.

 An evocative and intimate image of Izana saving Nagate.

A balled up fist expressing the urgency to help Izana. 

Knights of Sidonia Episode 10

I think an unnoticeable but very essential use of cinematography (right along with editing/storyboarding) is establishing a sense of rhythm in a scene. Different types of shots, angles, camera movement and lighting should blend together and make sense within the context of the scene. I think this is something Knights of Sidonia has done a good job with.

The scene below I think is a good example of rhythm. The scene begins as the camera pans down on Nagate. The light on Nagate in the middle of darkness puts the focus on him and builds an air of mystery. The scene reveals Yure with a deep focus shot, this exudes a feeling that something is about to be revealed that concerns Nagate. The medium shot on Yure shows bubbles in the background, further building up the mystery and tension. The scene then cuts to a long shot to show scale, more tension building. Cuts to a medium shot of Nagate, light flashes and we see his shocked reaction. A long shot to finally show the Gauna Hybrid. All of these worked in rhythm to build the tension that culminates to a dramatic reveal.

Knights of Sidonia Episode 8

Knights of Sidonia uses a variety of camera angles and movements to create intense and visceral action scenes. This was best exemplified by the Mecha battle in this episode. The scene below begins with a high angle shot of a Guana Mecha looking down at a destroyed Garde. This portrays the Gauna as an imposing figure which is further highlighted as the camera quickly moves in for a closeup.

About 17 seconds into the video is where the show truly shines as it uses dynamic camera movements to a great effect. The action starts with an extreme long shot of Tanikaze's Garde, which quickly flies into the camera (full shot). The camera switches briefly to a follow shot of Tanikaze then pulls back, pans to the Gauna and moves in for a medium shot. These constant changes create an exciting sense of speed and hectic pace.

The scene below shows a good application of slow-motion to transition from fast pace action to a more dramatic shot. Again, notice the great use of dynamic camera movements.

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These series images show the use of different framing to portray fear.

 Most of the cockpit shots have been closeups but this is a medium shot to show Kunato's manic and shaky body language. The use of shadow and lighting gives a sense of dread. Kunato's figure is mostly in the shadow with the light only on his face which accentuates his emotions.

 The medium shot establishes Kunato's physical state which sets up the closeup shot to show the fear and panic.

 POV shot from Kunato's perspective with his out of focus hand shaking. Another shot that shows his physical state. 

 The previous shot sets up a closeup showing Kunato in a trance like state, struck frozen by fear.
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 An extreme long shot of Tanikaze high up and looking away. The wide amount of space imitates the sense of detachment that a person feels when deep in thought...or something like that, I really just like this shot.

 Another shot using shadow and lighting to express emotion and tone, this time it's misery and gloom.
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Low angle shots can be used to portray a character as an authoritative and commanding figure. This type of angle is often used on the Captain.

Knights of Sidonia Episode 7

The next few images illustrate the different ways the show gives a sense of scale.

 A long shot of the Gardes formation being dwarfed by the Gauna.

 A medium closeup of Nagate with the reflection of the Guana on his helmet.

 A point of view shot from Nagate's cockpit.

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The show portrays the Gardes' movement both in large scale and up close. This gives the audience the impression of the vastness of the battle and also an engaging view of the action

    

 Extreme long shot establishes the scale.

A full shot of a Garde as it flies into the camera.

The Garde flies close enough for a close up to give an engaging view.

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This series of images is the beautifully shot Hoshijiro death scene. This scene uses a variety of shots to an effective dramatic degree.

 A long shot of  Hoshijiro saving Nagate. 

 Extreme closeup of Nagate's eye shows he's barely conscious.

  Following Nagate's eye-line is the point of view shot of the attack on Hoshijiro.

 A long shot puts into view both the damage and Hoshijiro physical state. Hoshijiro helplessly floating out of Garde makes for a tragic image. 

 A closeup shot of Hoshijiro with the reflection of the fatal attack really drives the emotional moment.

 Extreme closeup of a debris used for a slow reveal.

 A deep focus shot of Hoshijiro's death. The view of Gauna arms, debris and the vastness of space give a tragic sense of scale

Knights of Sidonia Episode 1

 Close-up

Point of view shot from the cockpit 

 Establishing shot

 High angle deep focus shot

Low angle deep focus shot

The whole sequence below. Consisted of a variety of changes in camera angles, follow shots and panning.