Camera Class 2/C8 – with Directors – 24 September 2009

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The goal of this class is to set you [Directors and DP’s] on the path toward having a
meaningful and productive DISCUSSION. The DISCUSSION is a vital component in
bringing out your story’s truth and power on screen by using the tools of filmmaking to
maximise the story’s visual potential. To this end, we’ll: construct then conduct the
discussion, then we’ll shoot a couple of scenelets to experience bringing the ideas you’ve
discussed into fruition.

Each director chooses a scene from their film.

Pair off w/ DP (either assigned or at random).

• Dir's identify for the DP the general emotional beat of a given scene.
Alternatively, you can detail what emotional sense you’d like the visuals to
elicit in the audience.
o e.g. – Where on the equilibrium-disequilibrium continuum?
o Where on the harmony-dissonance continuum?
o Where on the in control-out of control continuum? etc.

• Dir's & DP's discuss tools to achieve:

o Spatial qualities
 compression & space
• focal length
• proximity
 camera height
 framing motifs – as a general guideline, not hard and fast rules
• head room preferences
• looking room preferences
o quality of composition
 dense/airy
 balance/imbalance
 how much space between/how much space to edge of frame
o movement
 type
• approach
• accompany
• counter
 quality
• level of casualness/urgency
• reveal?
o Light quality
 Colour
 Soft/hard
 Direction
 Contrast (key to fill) ratios
THEN discuss references as illustrative examples of the above.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL DISCUSSION DIRECTORS AND DPs MUST

HAVE – ABOUT THE WHOLE SCRIPT AND ABOUT EACH SCENE – AT THE BEGINNING OF
WORKING TOGETHER ON EACH PROJECT. THE DIRECTOR IS THE PRIMARY ARCHITECT
OF THESE COMPONENTS, AND MAKES ALL FINAL DECISIONS. THE DP OFFERS CHOICES
AND IS ENTRUSTED WITH ACTUALISING THE DIRECTOR’S VISION.

Have this discussion until no later than 2:30. Then we’ll pick the two most
different from one another and work together as crew on them. Each shoot will
last no more than 30 minutes. Then we’ll view and discuss.
Camera Class 2/C8 – with Directors – 24 September 2009
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Shoot #1: _____________________________________

1 Director
2 DP
3 Cam Op
4 Cam Asst
5 Gaffer
6 Grip/LX

7 Light/Grip Utility

8 Talent

9 Talent

10 Talent

11 Exec. Producer

12 Assoc. Producer

13 Consultant

Shoot #2: _____________________________________

1 Director
2 DP
3 Cam Op
4 Cam Asst
5 Gaffer
6 Grip/LX

7 Light/Grip Utility

8 Talent

9 Talent

10 Talent

11 Exec. Producer

12 Assoc. Producer

13 Consultant