How lens focal length affects character's face?

S

Sepand

Member
Yesterday I was watching Amelie with jeunet commentary and he was talking about how he likes to use wide lenses on close-ups and how audrey looks good when she's being filmed and things like that...
Today I was looking at close-ups frame by frame. The faces were a bit unreal yet pleasing, and I was thinking is it necessary to consider lens focal length to create certain moods in characters' faces? can focal length affect the characteristics of a face?
I'm not talking about the distortion made by wide-angle lens, I'm asking (maybe a dumb question) that have you ever tried to re-create a face in your close-ups by choosing proper focal length? I want to know about your own experiences.
 
A long focal length makes distant things appear closer together. A short focal length makes things appear farther apart. So, it could affect how a face looks, sure.
 
Yes, I know that, but I meant it in a more subjective way!
By the way, how do you prefer your close-ups? short or long focal length?
Is there any reason except face distortions or making background closer or farther?
 
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By making facial features appear farther apart wide angle lenses have a way of distorting a person's face and making them look more distended. Check out the closeups of Orson Welles in Citizen Kane or Touch of Evil. If a person has a naturally round face I think that wide-angle lenses can make them look bad. But depending on the film you could want that. Audrey Tautou's face is pretty petite and narrow so using a wide angle give it the feeling of being a little more full in an aestheticaly pleasing way.

As for which to use for close-ups? I try to not to use either as I shy away from using close-ups except when absolutely necessary.

davide
 
Wide angle Cu's tend to evoke a feeling of weakness and paranoia. Sometimes is can be intimate. Long lens CU's (really long) make the characters feel distant, like they're being observed by a third party. In 35 mm focal lengths, people tend to favor the midrange 85mm to 105mm for close ups as it feels the most natural, and pleasingly renders peoples faces. There are always exceptions though.
 
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