Pasa 6272 Camera 2b Course Outline

COURSE OUTLINE

BPSA THEATRE, FILM & TELEVISION 2009

PASA 6272 CAMERA 2B Level Course No. Course Name 6 PASA6272 Camera 2B Course Coordinator Dan Wagner ([email protected])

Credits 15

Teaching Staff Dan Wagner ([email protected]) Alan Locke ([email protected]) Guests Production Staff Robin Gee (Screen Production Manager) – [email protected] Nikki Baigent (Screen Production Manager) – [email protected] Gayle Jackson (Props & Costume Assistant) – [email protected] Sai Yin Leung (Maintenance Engineer) - [email protected] Theo Gibson (Screen Technician) - [email protected] Programme Co-ordinator Victor Grbic (Film & Television) – [email protected]

Course Outline GOAL The goal of this semester is to advance your crewing skills to a higher level of sophistication and to synthesise your prior learning to enable you to step into the role of DP. CONTENT Last semester, you got your feet wet as a DP on Location Exercise and Y2 Doco. You will begin this semester by stepping a little deeper into the water as you light and shoot studio sets on STUDIO TWO. After debriefing that experience, you’ll come away knowing where you need to grow stronger. You will then commence your journey toward development of a personal aesthetic as you begin learning to use the tools in more complex and subtle ways. Along the way, you’ll serve as support crew on the Y3 SHORT FILMS and also complete a small unit on compositing, called THE BLUESCREEN EXERCISE. You will then work a step-by-step plan to DP your own first SHORT FILM.

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COURSE OUTLINE

BPSA THEATRE, FILM & TELEVISION 2009

Course Aims and Learning Outcomes Every course has Aims, and every class and assessment has Learning Outcomes. They are what you will achieve by successfully completing each class and assessment. Here are the aims and learning outcomes for this course:

Course aim: To enable students to extend specific skills, knowledge and practices for camera and specialised camera technologies needed to achieve standards that enhance creative decisions. Learning Outcomes: 1. Employ specialised creative and conceptual skills in camera and lighting. - Employ skill in the handling and operation of specialist equipment and technology - Explore associated problem-solving, self-management and professional practices 2. Explore the aesthetic contribution of camera/lighting in filmmaking.

Course Assessments and Due Dates Weighting

Nature of assessment

Learning Outcomes

Due Date

30%

Assignment 1 (Studio Two)

1

7th August

30%

Assignment 2 (Written Presentation: Case Study - DoP)

2

21st September

40%

Assignment 3 (Short Film - DoP)

1, 2

16th November

Topics Covered Being a DP –

Your role on set, Working with a Director Blocking from a Camera perspective

Towards a Personal Aesthetic:

looking at how painters and photographers approach framing, composing and light; what's beautiful to you, what's not and why; Exercise: stretching your boundaries

Emotion Pictures I: Light & Lens as Emotional Tools

Exercises in the use of Framing, Composition & Exposure to communicate emotional subtext.

[Classes with the Directors] - Compression & Space - Cheating / Lens Choices - References

Essential tool for Dir-DP communication

- Not shooting the obvious.

Utilising the tools (lens choice, proxemics, depth, movement, light and shadow) purposefully to tell the visual story with clarity and originality. Making compelling choices.

Plus playtime/exercises involving Light & Shadow, Lens Use, Camera Movement and Reference Emulation. Rushes review

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COURSE OUTLINE

BPSA THEATRE, FILM & TELEVISION 2009

Required & Recommended Items REQUIRED TEXT Cinematography: Theory and Practise – Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors and Videographers, Blain Brown, Focal Press, 2002 ISBN: 978-0-240-80500-9

REQUIRED ITEMS Staedler Lumocolor Non-Permanent Universal Pens You want the Fine (316WP4) or the Superfine (311WP4). You want the pack of 4. Torch http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=57 [some sort of small torch – doesn’t have to be this brand] Space Blanket http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=31 USB flash drive at least 1GB

RECOMMENDED READING Ballinger, Alex, New Cinematographers, Collins Design, 2004 Elkins, David D., The camera assistant’s manual, 2nd Edition, Focal Press, Boston, 1996 Giannetti, Louis, Understanding Movies, 10th Edition, Prentice-Hall, 2004 Hines, William E., Operating cinematography for film and video: a professional and practical guide,

Ed Venture

Films Books, 1997

Malkiewicz, Kris, Cinematography: a guide for film makers and film teachers, 2nd Edition, Ward, Peter, Picture composition for film and television, Focal Press, Boston, 1996

Simon & Schuster, 1992

Also: see Blackboard for more RECOMMENDED READING

RECOMMENDED ITEMS [not necessary to purchase from HPS – these web pages are for reference]

Fiberglass Tape Measure http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=34 Tool Pouch http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=303 Ditty Bag http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=1011 Work Gloves http://www.hollywoodprops.co.nz/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=975

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