T436 - Fall 2007 - Week 1

Welcome to T436 Digital Video Cinematography!

We're going to reach several goals this semester:

• Produce high quality short stories
• Learn digital video cinematography
• Produce 1 or 2 programs for WTIU

I’m going to teach you digital cinema production skills using the T436 class structure. While T436 is a class, and we’ll have lectures, demonstrations, exercises, quizzes, etc., we’re going to be a production team. Our goal is to create a couple more episodes of a half-hour program called “Small Screen Cinema” which features original shorts. I’m going to function as executive producer for the project and oversee the entire process. You will function as producer/directors, directors of photography (DP), camera operators, assistant camera operators (focus pullers), audio engineers, gaffers, and production assistants. If all goes well, you will all get a chance to direct and function in each of these roles.

Review class goals & syllabus

Pretest/Class expected outcome (My chance to see what you know as we begin and your chance to mold the class.)

Class Outline/Timetable

The first 4-5 weeks will be spent covering techniques, looking at examples, and finding and selecting stories to shoot. In addition we'll also need to hold an actor's callout session sometime early in the semester (Maybe the wknd of Sept 15 & 16, or 22 & 23).

The next 6 weeks will be spent producing short stories

During Weeks 11 and 12 we’ll pick the best stories and write the introduction and segues.

During Week 13, we’ll shoot the introduction, segues, and wrap-up.

Week 14 will be the final program assembly

During Week 15 we’ll showcase the finished program(s)

During Week 16, we’ll make whatever changes might be necessary

Immediate need is to get at least a dozen high quality stories to produce in the next few weeks.

Skill Sets

You will be taught and evaluated on the following:

• Understanding of video technology & cinematography techniques
• Rating ASA/ISO of Video Cameras
• Proper use of a cine light meter
• Lighting skills and technology
• Key production team personnel- roles, duties & procedures

Tools

You need to know the use of and identify:

Director’s finder
Spot light meter
18% gray card
ASC Handbook
Grayscale chart
Blackwrap
Gaff tape

Class content----------------------------------------------------

Readings:

B Brown Introduction and Chapters 1 & 2
Next week: Chapters 3 & 4

In T351 and T356 if you were successful (or lucky) you shot some well-composed pictures that were decently lit.

We’re going to go a step beyond that and learn and apply cinematography techniques.

What is cinematography? The term cinematography has Greek roots (kinema meaning movement or motion and grapho meaning writing). You can think of it as writing with motion. According to John Hora, of the ASC (American Association of Cinematographers) “Cinematography is a creative and interpretive process that culminates in the authorship of an original work of art rather than the simple recording of a physical event.”

So as cinematographers, we’re not satisfied with simply capturing images that are framed well and in focus. The art is crafting and manipulating all of the elements that contribute to a scene and shaping the viewer’s experience.

Cinematography encompasses and builds upon all of the skills required by photography. You need to master lighting, exposure, depth of field, filters, image control and much more.

You will need to learn to critically assess aspects of a production related to cinematography and build a vocabulary of understanding. Reading and understanding the text is a great way to get started. In addition, it’s important to view examples and engage in discussion and critical analysis.

We’ll look at a number of examples in class, but you will need to go further and pursue your interest with passion outside of the classroom. (Fortunately, since you are enrolled in the class, you are probably already engaged in such activities.)

Review terms:

• Cinematography
• filmspace (separating 3D reality into pieces and showing them 1 at a time.)
• Building expectation (this is what storytelling hinges on)
• Proscenium shooting (appears flat)
• Subjective vs Objective POV (1st person or “I”= subjective. 3rd person=objective. 2nd in the middle somewhere.) POV shots are almost always handheld.
• Building blocks (shots)
• Master Scene (and related elements)
• Coverage
• Plan scene (intentionally using a single shot as in A Touch of Evil or the Player)
• Hitchcock’s Rule (the size of the object in the frame should equal its importance)
• Composition (from chapter 2 “lens language” It has many great examples): Must be able to identify/discuss techniques or elements of visual design (other than the rule of thirds)
• Unity, balance, visual tension, rhythm, proportion, contrast, texture, etc.

 

Lab Outline:

• Review agenda
• Introductions (what are people interested in learning & producing?)
• Review pretest
• Finish content from lecture
• Studio tour (cameras, waveform monitor, switcher, etc.)
• Talk about overall class, its structure, and show timeline
• Discuss call out for story submissions & level of interest in writing (review/selection process)
• Will need to have a call-out and a way to screen headshots and/or hold auditions for talent. (How successful were those in SCAP?) I think we’ll need to determine stories first.
• Discuss process for pairing directors and ideas.
• Class production crew role visioning session. (Assemble possible production team)
• Carry out rotation exercise
• Draw straws for report schedule (4 10-minute reports every week)
• Review homework assignment and readings

Homework

Write a 3-4 page paper on a specific scene that you think demonstrates strong cinematography. Describe why you think it’s strong, citing specific elements to make your point. What do you like about it? Bring in the DVD so you can show a clip. Brownie points are added if you can tie it into the readings from Blain Brown’s book.

 

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