For this year in order to show and develop my skills i would like to work on either:
A Short Film
Documentary
Music Video
Experimental Piece
I want to be involved in a practical piece where i get to explore the role of a DOP fully, also for my portfolio i would like to show that i can work on a range of media for a range of audiences. Within the class i already have a group which i know i am to work with, some of whom already have idea's of their own as well as my own, that we will look into to see which is most feasible to pursue.
I have decided this year that I would like to try writing a short narrative film ("EFA") as it is something i have wanted to pursue previously but not felt it was appropriate for a project until now. I plan to take the role of a cinematographer/DOP during production as this is where my main interests lie, and writer prior to this, potentially handing the first draft over to a more experienced script write for development.
I wish to gain the knowledge and experience of storytelling, being able to create a story, which an audience is able to engage with and connect with the character through the writing of the script. With cinematography I want to be able to demonstrate my ability to then tell the story visually, through framing and also through lighting, composition, angle, depth of field and movement. I plan to also be involved in another smaller short film production, which I would like to again explore the role of cinematography. This time working to someone else’s story and show my ability to adapt in different environments and people. Being involved in two short films will provide me with some consistency in showing skill for a portfolio when I finish the year. I will be trying to be involved in as many creative productions where I can expand my expertise, creativity and knowledge. However giving my main focus to these projects described above. I should end the year with a large range of technical skills at as close to a professional level as possible and show my academic skills through research, analysis and critique during all work.
Here are some of the skills/resources i aiming for:
- Become efficient and developed in: Script Writing, Screenplay and Storyboarding. I want to have the skill to tell a story with meaning and emotion.
- Cinematography. I want to demonstrate and learn my ability to frame, compose and light a shot which in itself tells a story to support the film
- Working with a professional camera - I will be finding and watching lots of nominated and awarded short films found mainly through Vimeo, which will give me a great understanding of storytelling in 10 minutes or less. I want to be able to find what are realistic goals for a short film both in story and setting.
- UCA Library books on writing a short narrative, scripts, storyboards and character development
- UCA Library books on all aspects of Cinematography
- UCA Technicians for technical help mainly with camera and lighting
- Working with a producer to create something that is practically do-able for students
- Working with a director to tell and create a fantastic story with beautiful visuals
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Aims for the year
Introduction:
For my final year of University i would like to achieve certain things and demonstrate certain skills that i can build a solid portfolio with, for showing employers when searching for a job. This is the ultimate aim for this year as well as obviously achieving my degree. I have researched around job roles and what certain roles require from a professional.
I have thought about where my interests lie in Digital Film and Screen Arts, looking at my past two years on the course. I am concerned with creating the visual identity/look of the film. I want to be involved with all areas of a crew working with the director, camera crew and lighting department to achieve something cinematically beautiful. I like to be involved in managing all aspects of filming: from story development, getting equipment, location hunting, filming, reviewing and even editing footage. Drawing from my research i know the rough area of industry i would like to aim myself towards and skills to concentrate on developing throughout this year.
I would like to demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge about camera equipment, lenses and support equipment/accessories
- Camera operation and a general working knowledge of most camera systems
- Good sense of visual composition, perspective and movement
- A grasp of lighting techniques, how to achieve them and how they aid the image
- Good all round photography, and the moving image knowledge
- My artistic vision, creativity, paying precise attention to detail
- Understanding of colour and showing this in camera and also in post
- Ability to give and accept direction
- Know about health and safety legislation and procedures
Through reviewing these aims for the year i have come to understand that i would like to specialise in the area around: Director of Photography. So this is how i will pitch myself when getting involved in group work and also if i undertake individual projects.
Creativeskillset.org's definition of a Director of Photography:
"Directors of Photography or "DoPs" are key heads of department on film productions and they have one of the major creative roles. They provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look. DoPs must discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc. They create the desired look using lighting, framing, camera movement, etc. DoPs collaborate closely with the camera crew (Camera Operator, 1st and 2nd Assistant Camera, Camera Trainee and Grips). During filming, DoPs also work closely with the Gaffer (who runs the lighting team), the Production Designer, Costume Designer, and the Hair and Make-up Department. After reading the screenplay, DoPs meet with the Director to discuss the visual style of the film. They conduct research and preparation including carrying out technical recces of locations. They prepare a list of all required camera equipment, including lights, film stock, camera, cranes and all accessories etc, for the production office to order. During preparation DoPs also test special lenses, filters or film stocks, checking that the results fit with the Director's vision for the film. On each day of principal photography, DoPs and their camera crews arrive early on set to prepare the equipment. During rehearsals, the Director and DoP block (decide the exact movements of both actors and camera) the shots as the actors walk through their actions, discussing any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the Camera Operator, Gaffer and Grip. Each shot is marked up for focus and framing by the 1st AC, and, while the actors finish make-up and costume, the DoP oversees the lighting of the set for the first take. On smaller films, DoPs often also operate the camera during the shoot. At the end of each shooting day, DoPs prepare for the following day's work and check that all special requirements (cranes, Steadicams, remote heads, long or wide lenses, etc.) have been ordered. They also usually view the rushes (raw footage) with the Director. During post production, DoPs attend the digital grading of the film, which may involve up to three weeks of intensive work. Most DoPs work on commercials and promos as well as on feature films. Although the hours are long, and some foreign travel may be required, the work is highly creative and very rewarding."
The role for me:
Pulling from this definition i can see what would be expected of me in the role of DoP. Any work i will be doing this year will be focused around short films, rather than full productions so my role will be slightly varied because of this.
"Creativity" is a huge part of why i enrolled in this course in general. I wanted something that would challenge me as an artist and make me develop in all areas of media. This is ultimately what i want to show about myself because creativity is individual and says something about who you are as a creative.
Photographic heart of a screenplay using photography, painting or other films. Whichever film i get involved with i shall engulf myself into and research how to tell the visual story. Working close with the director i will set off to build a mind map of imagery that i can use, watching films with similar films, locations, themes that ours will cover. I think it is so important in a student film to "provide the film with unique visual identity" as so much seems to be generic cliche' shots that in the end makes it look like a "student film".
Lighting/Framing/Camera movement are all areas that i need to really research, develop and practice in. Whilst my interest has never been too involved with lighting as i usually prefer to work with natural lighting i realise how important this skill is particularly as a DOP. I would like to ideally share this role if possible as i feel it is not one of my strengths. Framing is something i am very passionate about in film and get a lot of pleasure when i see creative framing, it is very aesthetically pleasing for an audience to watch a scene that has well thought out creative framing. I aim to make my work stand out in this way. Finally for camera movement i feel is difficult for the inexperienced and can easily make or break a film. It is becoming too common with students to fall into the "shaky cam" movement with a camera a lot and i don't want to be falling into this as well. With research and practice i hope to be able to produce some professional camera movement that really aid's the shot being recorded and add to not only the story but the visuals of the film.
Naturally throughout i will undertake a huge amount of research and preparation surrounding Cinematography and being a Director of Photography. This blog will show my progression as i work on this role and projects, learning about camera equipment, accessories that go with them, lighting and movement and working with the camera, practicing with lenses and filters. Eventually i should also have a huge collection of inspiration for my own work, collected from films photographs and perhaps even art.
For my final year of University i would like to achieve certain things and demonstrate certain skills that i can build a solid portfolio with, for showing employers when searching for a job. This is the ultimate aim for this year as well as obviously achieving my degree. I have researched around job roles and what certain roles require from a professional.
I have thought about where my interests lie in Digital Film and Screen Arts, looking at my past two years on the course. I am concerned with creating the visual identity/look of the film. I want to be involved with all areas of a crew working with the director, camera crew and lighting department to achieve something cinematically beautiful. I like to be involved in managing all aspects of filming: from story development, getting equipment, location hunting, filming, reviewing and even editing footage. Drawing from my research i know the rough area of industry i would like to aim myself towards and skills to concentrate on developing throughout this year.
I would like to demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge about camera equipment, lenses and support equipment/accessories
- Camera operation and a general working knowledge of most camera systems
- Good sense of visual composition, perspective and movement
- A grasp of lighting techniques, how to achieve them and how they aid the image
- Good all round photography, and the moving image knowledge
- My artistic vision, creativity, paying precise attention to detail
- Understanding of colour and showing this in camera and also in post
- Ability to give and accept direction
- Know about health and safety legislation and procedures
Through reviewing these aims for the year i have come to understand that i would like to specialise in the area around: Director of Photography. So this is how i will pitch myself when getting involved in group work and also if i undertake individual projects.
Creativeskillset.org's definition of a Director of Photography:
"Directors of Photography or "DoPs" are key heads of department on film productions and they have one of the major creative roles. They provide a film with its unique visual identity, or look. DoPs must discover the photographic heart of a screenplay, using a variety of source material including stills photography, painting, other films, etc. They create the desired look using lighting, framing, camera movement, etc. DoPs collaborate closely with the camera crew (Camera Operator, 1st and 2nd Assistant Camera, Camera Trainee and Grips). During filming, DoPs also work closely with the Gaffer (who runs the lighting team), the Production Designer, Costume Designer, and the Hair and Make-up Department. After reading the screenplay, DoPs meet with the Director to discuss the visual style of the film. They conduct research and preparation including carrying out technical recces of locations. They prepare a list of all required camera equipment, including lights, film stock, camera, cranes and all accessories etc, for the production office to order. During preparation DoPs also test special lenses, filters or film stocks, checking that the results fit with the Director's vision for the film. On each day of principal photography, DoPs and their camera crews arrive early on set to prepare the equipment. During rehearsals, the Director and DoP block (decide the exact movements of both actors and camera) the shots as the actors walk through their actions, discussing any special camera moves or lighting requirements with the Camera Operator, Gaffer and Grip. Each shot is marked up for focus and framing by the 1st AC, and, while the actors finish make-up and costume, the DoP oversees the lighting of the set for the first take. On smaller films, DoPs often also operate the camera during the shoot. At the end of each shooting day, DoPs prepare for the following day's work and check that all special requirements (cranes, Steadicams, remote heads, long or wide lenses, etc.) have been ordered. They also usually view the rushes (raw footage) with the Director. During post production, DoPs attend the digital grading of the film, which may involve up to three weeks of intensive work. Most DoPs work on commercials and promos as well as on feature films. Although the hours are long, and some foreign travel may be required, the work is highly creative and very rewarding."
The role for me:
Pulling from this definition i can see what would be expected of me in the role of DoP. Any work i will be doing this year will be focused around short films, rather than full productions so my role will be slightly varied because of this.
"Creativity" is a huge part of why i enrolled in this course in general. I wanted something that would challenge me as an artist and make me develop in all areas of media. This is ultimately what i want to show about myself because creativity is individual and says something about who you are as a creative.
Photographic heart of a screenplay using photography, painting or other films. Whichever film i get involved with i shall engulf myself into and research how to tell the visual story. Working close with the director i will set off to build a mind map of imagery that i can use, watching films with similar films, locations, themes that ours will cover. I think it is so important in a student film to "provide the film with unique visual identity" as so much seems to be generic cliche' shots that in the end makes it look like a "student film".
Lighting/Framing/Camera movement are all areas that i need to really research, develop and practice in. Whilst my interest has never been too involved with lighting as i usually prefer to work with natural lighting i realise how important this skill is particularly as a DOP. I would like to ideally share this role if possible as i feel it is not one of my strengths. Framing is something i am very passionate about in film and get a lot of pleasure when i see creative framing, it is very aesthetically pleasing for an audience to watch a scene that has well thought out creative framing. I aim to make my work stand out in this way. Finally for camera movement i feel is difficult for the inexperienced and can easily make or break a film. It is becoming too common with students to fall into the "shaky cam" movement with a camera a lot and i don't want to be falling into this as well. With research and practice i hope to be able to produce some professional camera movement that really aid's the shot being recorded and add to not only the story but the visuals of the film.
Naturally throughout i will undertake a huge amount of research and preparation surrounding Cinematography and being a Director of Photography. This blog will show my progression as i work on this role and projects, learning about camera equipment, accessories that go with them, lighting and movement and working with the camera, practicing with lenses and filters. Eventually i should also have a huge collection of inspiration for my own work, collected from films photographs and perhaps even art.
Monday, 27 October 2014
DFSA Third Year
This blog will be a continuation of my progress whilst studying Digital Film and Screen arts for my third year.
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