Workshop on Fundamentals of Digital Filmmaking and Cinematography :: Day 3

Imphal: 9th October, 2013

Day-3
9th October 2013
Bulletin

“Visual story telling by using a camera is all about manipulating the cinematic space”. This was how Prof. Nerkar began the third day of the workshop with his lecture on Manipulation of Cinematic Space by selecting Camera Placement, Camera Lens and Camera Movement. He stressed further on the following points:-

o Visual story telling - using a camera is all about manipulating the cinematic space. Changing the camera placement (View Point) physically or by its movement can change the cinematic space.

o Concept of a Shot – a shot is a basic unit of expression for the Director or cameraperson in a Cinematic presentation. A single shot is the most important tool for visual expression for the Director.

o Classification of Shots – Long Shot, Medium Shot, Close up, Extreme Close up. Two-Shot and OSS/OTS(Over the Shoulder Shot) – when two characters are composed together in a frame we call it a Two-Shot and when we shift the camera above the shoulder of one of the characters it becomes an OSS shot.

o Lens and Classification – main function of the lens is to form an optical image of the object/scene. Physical Characteristics – optical elements, focus ring, iris ring, mounting device. Optical Characteristics – Focal length/Angle of view, F-Stop, Depth of Field. Lenses used in film and television are broadly classified as Normal Lens, Wide Angle, Telephoto and Zoom.

o Focal length of a lens- defined as the distance between the optical centre of the lens to the film plane when the lens is focussed at infinity, whereas Depth of Field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects which seems to be in acceptable focus from the sharply focussed object by a camera lens.

o Camera movement - a conscious act decided by the Director / Cameraman to create rhythm, pace in the action or tension/unrest feeling or turmoil between characters or simply to reveal the large area of action and various characters in a given shot.

Basic Camera Movements –

a) Pan Movement –horizontal movement of the camera when it is mounted on a rigid support.
b) Tilt Movement – vertical movement of the camera, it can be Tilt Up or Tilt Down.
c) Tracking Movement – the camera moves physically either forward or backward on a track and trolley.
d) Handheld Camera Movement – the camera is mounted on the shoulder of the cameraman and moves forward, backwards or sideways.
e) Crane Movement – camera is mounted on an arm of a crane to move it upward, downward or sideways.

After this presentation, each group of participants shot a one minute silent film and later the final edited versions were previewed and discussed with the expert one after the other.

The expert guiding the participants

The expert guiding the participants

Participants in action

Participants in action

Post production in full swing

Post production in full swing

Preview by the expert along with the participants

Preview by the expert along with the participants

Editor: Tejkeshware
Reporters: Ravi & Sanadkumar
Camera : Ranjit Meitei
Layout & Printing: Biken, Khagemba

See a photo gallery on this event here