1. What did you do?

The first thing we did today was have a cinematography masterclass and this was done by Daren Eagles, who is the head of Kinematic Media and teaches part-time on film at Sheffield Hallam University. In this session we were taught all the different aspects of cinematography, ranging from, framing, colour or different shot sizes (wide shot, medium shot, close shot). There was a lot to take in from this session, however, it think it was really important to understand how cinematography can be used to convey a specific meaning or emotional response.

After, the session finished, and we had been shown the theoretical side of cinematography, we were then taught about the more practical side, once again with Daren Eagles, and also Rob Speranza, who is a film producer. This session involved learning how to use cameras, and equipment that goes with them, such as tripods, and sound equipment (booms, microphones). Within this session we had a task of filming a short sequence where a delivery takes place. To do this we were put into groups, and my role was to direct the sequence, giving instructions to both the cinematographer and actors.

2. What have you learnt?

I think due to the session with Daren Eagles at the start of the day, my knowledge of the theoretical side of cinematography has really improved. This is because I have learnt through using the camera in different ways to capture whats on screen a cinematographer can create different emotional responses. For example, if an ordinary object, such as a milk bottle was framed using an extreme close up, this would give importance to the object, and suggest to the viewer that this will have importance later on.

Something else I have learnt, while not the main focus of the cinematography experience, is how to direct a scene. This is because, when doing the activity with Rob Speranza where we had to film a delivery, I was giving the role of the director. However, prior to this session, I never really knew exactly what a director did, but through producing this short sequence I learnt that the director tells the cinematographer what to film, and how to film or, or tells the actor what to do within the scene and how to do it. I also learnt that it is important to say phrases such as ‘camera turn over’, ‘actor are you ready?’, ‘action’ and ‘cut’.

Also, despite my role in the session not being the cinematographer, my knowledge of how to use technical equipment improved. For example, I was taught how to record with the cameras that we will be using in our short-film, and use features such as focus. I was also taught how to use sound with the same cameras, and how a boom mic must be correctly connected to the camera, and positioned correctly to make sure it is out of frame, and that the sound levels are acceptable. And just simple tips, such as how to carry a camera, set up a tripod, or wrap a cable around a boom really helped.

3. How have you worked with others?

We did the activity of filming the delivery sequence twice; once with sound, and once without. When doing both of these I was in a group with 3 other people and we were given roles such as: cinematographer, sound, director and actor. Because we all had separate roles, this meant that we had to effectively work with each other.

For example, through being the director in the sequence, I think my communication skills improved, as I had to give clear instructions to the actors, cinematographer and sound. Also, through doing this activity we learnt to listen to each others suggestions. An example of when this was helpful was when we had just filmed a scene where we were positioned above an actor walking down a set of stairs, and we were about to film another very similar scene, however the assistant cinematographer gave the suggestion that we should film the next scene from below the actor, therefore giving much more variety to film, and making it look a bit more ominous.

4. What do you need to develop?

One thing that I need to develop is when filming a scene to look out for small details in the corner of the frame such as feet, a reflection or a boom. This is because when filming a scene you may be so concentrated by what is happening in the centre, such as the activity of an actor, that you forget to look at the corners of the frame on the monitor, for little mistakes, that could potential ruin, and take a viewer out of the film.

Another thing I need to develop is to try and be more creative/experimental with the camera. This is because when filming the sequence all the shots were on a tripod, and while this is good for giving steady shots, it doesn’t give a lot of variety to the film, and can be difficult to achieve shots, such as a tracking shot.