See How They Run Cinematography
As we already discussed, cinematographers have their own style that is unique to them. There are some general things about shooting films like how they use light or what genres appeal to them most.
But beyond those things, every DP has his or her personal touches that make each film feel authentic and true to who they are as artists.
Some of these touches include using natural lighting instead of strong studio lights, incorporating silhouettes into the frame, and experimenting with different camera angles. All of these contribute to making the movie feel honest and real.
Here at The Professional Picture Taker, we strive to learn as much as possible so that you can take your craft to the next level. So, here are seven easy ways to run a film’s visual story.
The set
A good setting typically includes at least some of the following: natural light, artificial lights, sunsets or sunrise, reflective surfaces, interesting silhouettes, and/or other decorations or props.
Natural lighting is your best friend as a cinematographer. It’s also quite expensive!
So, what you can do is find ways to use otherwise unusable parts of the picture in order to create an adequate amount of light for the rest of the pictures. For instance, if there are tall buildings next to a window, then instead of using all of that glass as part of the frame, have someone enter from the side so that only a small portion is visible.
Artificial lights are cheap, but they can be annoying to work with.
The cast
As mentioned earlier, having an engaging cast is one of the most important factors in creating great cinematography. Yours can play different roles in your film or they may even take over the storyline!
Your actors will influence each other’s performances, how they interact with each other, and what tone you set for the scene.
Since we already discussed some of the ways that the director shapes the movie, now let’s talk about what the actor does to help tell their own story.
Acting is a very personal talent. Each person has their own style that they use to convey certain emotions and messages. What works for someone else might not work for you.
You must be able to evaluate whether or not something worked for a character and if it inspired you as an artist. You should never assume anything but only feel free to challenge yourself by trying new things.
There are many ways to learn how to act, so do not fear to experiment. Many teachers offer online courses and/or books that cost nothing or little money. Try those first before investing more money.
The cinematographer
A good cinematographer is someone who cares about his or her craft, takes pride in their work, and learns new things constantly. Beyond that, they are professionals with great interpersonal skills, as well as communication skills since they spend so much time with other people while filming!
A good DP will always strive to take an honest approach to filmmaking. He/she will not pretend to like something when they do not, nor will he/ she try to put a positive spin on poor performance.
If a person does not seem committed to their job, chances are they will not be there the next shoot day. It’s a tough industry, and it can quickly burn out those that lack dedication.
Keep yourself open for changes and don’t get attached too deeply to anyone involved in production - this includes colleagues, directors, and writers. If you have to move onto another project, you will have less emotional attachment to them, which will make relocation easier.
The director
As a filmmaker, you will spend a lot of time watching other people work. Whether it is as simple as listening to someone else prepare food or watch them do their job, to studying how they use tools and materials while performing their tasks, or just observing what they are doing, there’s always something to learn.
As a cinematographer, you will be spending lots of time looking at the way directors use light, color, space, and rhythm in order to tell their story through photography.
Not only that, but they also manage their camera so that the visuals match the tone of the scene and convey an appropriate message. All of these things apply not only to first-time filmmakers, but also experienced ones who may be creating stories for the very first time.
There are many ways to become familiar with the craft of directing, and one of the most accessible modes is self-directing. This can mean either taking control over your own film or simply learning about the process of directing others’ films.
The production designer
A production designer is in charge of all visual aesthetics for your film. This includes everything from choosing how to lay out a scene, to picking solid colors and materials for use, to designing costumes and props.
Production designers are usually hired well before filming begins, at which time they will begin gathering needed resources and creating initial concepts.
During this stage, they may also meet with the director to discuss ideas and get his or her input. Once shooting starts, their main goal is to create an immersive experience for the viewer by incorporating rich textures, interesting shapes, and vibrant colors.
They also make sure everything in the movie looks authentic and natural. For example, if something needs to look like it’s floating in water, then they have to research ways that plastic can break down and go soft when immersed in liquid.
Interviews
Another important part of a PD’s job is holding interviews. Since most people in the filmmaking industry know very little about what goes into producing a feature length documentary, you should prepare some questions. Make sure to ask about their past projects, what kind of styles they prefer, and whether they feel their style was successful.
Held every year since 2000, the Visual Effects Society Awards recognize outstanding achievements in computer graphics and special effects in films and television.
The writers
As writer, you will be responsible for creating stories that people can relate to or enjoy. This includes telling engaging tales in different genres and settings!
As writer, you will also have the chance to work with other creative professionals such as graphic designers, artists, producers, and directors.
Writers are always looking for new words and phrases. You could spend your days going through the dictionary, searching for those magic pieces of vocabulary. Or you could create your own by sticking together with like-minded individuals.
The internet is packed full of blogs, sites, and social media groups where anyone can share their creativity and knowledge. If you’re ever struggling to describe something, take a break and browse through it to see what else has been done.
The actors
As dramatic artists, we as cinematographers are very involved in the casting process. We look for things like presence, intensity, mood, attitude, etc. When you have these qualities in your acting, it transfers over into other areas such as dialogue or action scenes.
Acting is about being real so when creating scenes with characters who speak, those people should feel authentic. It’s hard to be genuine when you don’t know what kind of person you’re writing for!
When preparing for a scene that features talking, think about how you would respond if someone asked you questions similar to ones used during a conversation. You would probably prepare more than just “yes” and “no.
The editing
After filming is completed, the next major part of cinematography is actually editing. This is done in either an outside company that the filmmaker hires or in-house for the film’s production team.
Editing takes place after the shooting is finished to make sure everything fits together well and the movie makes sense. It also adds up time since the editor has to take his or her time to do it properly.
Some parts may be cut out due to timing or because they are not needed until later. Sometimes shots are reworked or replaced completely which requires finding new ones.
The director usually starts by doing the initial edit before moving onto the next stage.