Cinematography Course

To become a skilled cinematographer, it's crucial to explore the history of motion pictures and grasp its importance. Contemporary cinematographers draw heavily from the past, shaping their style and expertise based on the contributions of predecessors. This holds true for various professionals in the film industry who are influenced by the legacies of those who paved the way before them.

The director of photography collaborates closely with the director to achieve an aesthetically pleasing visual style that captures the intended feel of the film. Lighting, camera methods, and color manipulation are the primary tools through which a cinematographer brings this vision to life.

Now that you've delved into the role of a DP, it's time to delve into the legacies of some influential figures who've shaped movies that profoundly impact our lives. While a few of these DPs have received widespread recognition for their exceptional work, there's a vast array of talented people who remain relatively unknown.

This course teaches basic framing within the lens, including how to frame your actors and settings in the most aesthetically appealing manner possible. Most cameras have a Rule of Thirds grid overlay in the viewfinder to make it easy to place the subject where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect and thus follow the Rule of Thirds.

Low angle, high angle, bird’s eye, and oblique shots are a few of the many terms used to describe angles in filmmaking. This course delves into exploring these specific angles and their intended impact on the audience. Studying the use of these angles in films will elevate your abilities and bolster your skills in visual storytelling.

The choice of shots and how you bring them to life through camera movement significantly shape the audience's shared experience and immediate connection with the story. Collaborating closely with the director, you'll play a pivotal role in setting the camera movements, capturing the desired energy and flow from scene to scene, and establishing the overall feel of the film.

An in-depth look at the standard shot sizes used relative to the human body. This course will describe each shot size and type in detail, providing both descriptive and pictorial representations of how shots should be framed relative to the subject. Wide shot, full shot, mid shot, medium close up, close up, extreme close up, Dutch angle, low angle, high angle, pan, cut in, over the head, tilt, dolly, zoom, over the shoulder, two shot, crane, aerial shots and crossing the line will be described in detail.

Depth of field refers to the range between the closest and farthest objects that appear sharply focused in an image captured by the camera. This span is also known as the focus range. Understanding your specific camera's aperture and focusing capabilities is crucial to effectively control and achieve the desired depth of field for a specific shot.

Students will explore how different frame rates affect the look of the image—did you ever notice wagon wheels that appear to be going backwards on old movies? Frame rate is to blame. Additionally, students will be given a brief history of how frame rates developed during the earlier days of motion picture film. Today, the common frame rates are 24 fps (frames per second); 30 fps and 60 fps.

Course 10 emphasizes three-point-lighting, the most common and practical way to light a scene and give a true cinematic look and feel to your shot. Along with learning about the types of lighting instruments—open face, Fresnel and practicals—and light sources—tungsten, HMI, fluorescent and LED you’ll learn how to control your lighting through barn doors, gels, scrims, flags, shiny boards and more.

This course focuses on the technical aspects of the camera and introduces the all-important ‘f’ and ‘t’ stops that are on every lens. Students will learn how ‘f’ and ‘t’ stops are different ways to measure how much light is being transmitted through a lens. ‘F’ stops are based on a mathematical formula, ‘t’ stops are the physical measurement of the actual amount of light which passes through the lens. You’ll learn why DPs prefer ‘t’ stops—especially when using multiple cameras.

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of an image. Over time, the aspect ratios have changed based on the evolution of technology. Common aspect ratios today include 16:9 HD TV; 21:9 most movies; 14:10 IMAX. This comprehensive course examines the history of aspect ratio, how it has evolved through cinematic history, and where it stands today.

During the early era, filmmakers didn't grasp the complete spectrum of emotions and messages conveyed through color choices. With advancements in color technology, filmmakers evolved, crafting powerful and evocative visuals that connected with audiences on profound emotional and intellectual levels.

When starting pre-production, creating a shot list is a critical step. The shot list becomes a joint responsibility shared between the DP and the director, and their collaboration at this point will pay dividends throughout the process. The entire crew depends on the director and DP's organization and preparedness to capture the essentials, ensuring smooth progress throughout the production.

Film, as a distinct form of visual storytelling, stands out as a unique artistic creation. It weaves narratives through sequences of moving images that connect with our emotions and perceptions. These images subtly bridge the gap in our understanding of what unfolds on screen and our insights into human nature and society.

Continuity serves as the cornerstone to conceal the filmmaker's crafted illusions within the story. Creating illusions is a classic filmmaking technique, aimed at sustaining the audience's engagement without interruption. The goal is to maintain their immersive experience from the beginning to the end, only breaking the illusion when the credits roll and the lights reveal reality once more.

The thrill, energy, and overall buzz of working on set are undeniably exhilarating, yet it's essential to recognize the demanding nature of long hours and strenuous tasks. Understanding the workings of film sets, down to certain terms used on set, is pivotal. Without knowing how a film set works, finding success as a cinematographer within the industry will be challenging.

This course will address common technical issues and effective resolutions, offering guidance on preparing for challenging scenarios. Filmmaking inherently involves compromise, adaptability, and problem-solving. Not everyone possesses innate skills for handling problems or maintaining composure under pressure–but if it was easy, everyone would do it.

In a big-budget movie, issues often find solutions through financial resources (lots of cold, hard cash). However, on an independent scale, creative solutions become imperative due to the absence of that security. But this limitation can benefit independent films. With smaller story scopes and reliance on simpler techniques, these films convey a down-to-earth feel that can resonate with audiences.

Congrats! You now understand everything there is to know about cinematography! But there’s still much to do before you become a full-fledged cinematographer. Merely understanding cinematography isn't sufficient–you need to get your hands dirty. Filmmaking isn't a path for those seeking a typical 9 to 5 job—it can initially be frustrating, demanding hard work and growth. Before that transition, there are a few final thoughts we need to discuss.