Camera and Location Workshops

Camera and Location Workshops

Camera workshop: 1 – Intro to Cameras

In our first camera workshop, we learnt how to correctly set up, stabilize and balance the Sony XDCAM on the appropriate tripod. These are important factors to ensure the safety of both the cameras and camera operators but also help to create more cinematic shots.

We were taught how to add tension to the fluid tripod head to create smoother pan shots which have less camera movement. This will keep the shots looking professional and consistent throughout.

Then we had a short briefing on how to frame subjects (ensuring not to cut them off at the joints) so that the outcome is natural and not uncomfortable to look at for the viewer. We learnt of the importance of white balance and how to create white balance presents on the cameras themselves. This helps to portray colours correctly from the set to the screen while not creating too cold or too hot tones. To do this we used a white piece of paper and held it up to the face of the subject to get a more accurate white balance.

 https://youtu.be/Yk00GUzakjc 

Camera workshop: 2 – Adobe + Editing

During this session we used provided video and sound to edit together a sequence which tells a short story. This helped us become familiar with the features of Adobe Premier Pro e.g., inputs and outputs. It was interesting to see how everyone came up with something different which was also similar due to using the same video footage. An evaluation of my sequence from this workshop would be to blend the audio more to make it feel more natural.

 https://youtu.be/_mo6j9hxhhE 

Camera workshop: 3 – Coverage

Coverage is when you take multiple shots of the same scene, starting with a wider shot then moving onto close up shots or shots from different angles. This gives the editor more choice when making the final edit but also makes the sequence more interesting to watch. It can also be used to tell more about the character e.g. how they walk from a close up of their feet.

For this workshop we got into groups of three and each took turns directing and filming a sequence of someone walking to then sitting on a chair. The aim of the task was to explore how to use coverage and make a simple task that is done day-to-day more interesting to watch.

An evaluation of this workshop would to be to be steadier when holding the camera as there is obvious camera shake.

 https://youtu.be/IUBUHV_OQH0 

Camera workshop: 4 – 180 ֯ Rule

The 180 ֯ Rule is used when filming a scene to help the audience keep track of where the characters are. The technique is when the camera does not cross a 180 ֯ line, it can travel along the line but not past it. This keeps the characters in the correct position and ensures the scene remains correct and easy to understand. The rule is rarely broken, it is normally only broken when it adds something dramatic to a text. If the rule is broken it can create confusion for the audience and throw the scene off balance making it appear like characters have moved.

For this task we were spilt into groups and used the 180֯ rule to film a conversation between two people, our challenge was to not break the rule and consider eyelines when moving the camera along the line. This keeps the interaction look natural and visually pleasing. An evaluation of my work from this workshop is to be more careful when considering subject eyelines as the eyelines do not always match in my final cut.

https://youtu.be/kX-vyLEWfek  

Camera workshop: 5 – Location Shoot 1

For our first location shoot we went to a local park/woodlands to film a short film. This was fun but also gave us an idea of what it is like to work on location, for example, how to handle the public and location etiquette. It also provided an opportunity to work in the elements and not just a studio space. We had to account for wind which was affecting our audio and had to figure out how to fix that. It also gave us the opportunity to practice the skills we had learnt on location e.g., the 180֯ rule and coverage.

https://youtu.be/48re27fwNCQ

Camera Workshop: 6 – Sound Recording

For this workshop we learnt about the importance of sound when filming both in the studio and on location. We were introduced to the boom pole and sound blimp from Rode which are industry standard pieces of equipment. The sound blimp is best used outdoors as it stops the wind from affecting the sound, it’s also a diverse product which can be attached to the boom pole or a pistol grip. Using the build in camera mic creates poor quality sound and often allows the camera operations to be heard. However, an attachable mic provides great quality sound. I also learnt about the importance of mic placement, whether to place the mic above or below the subject and how close to the subject the mic should be to capture the best sound.

An evaluation from this workshop would be to ensure the camera settings are set to external mic as we failed to do this which resulted in all audio sounding the same in the editing process. When shooting the footage there was and distinctive difference between the external and internal mic which unfortunately, we could not show in the final cut.

 https://youtu.be/hdDclY0N_8Q 

Camera Workshop: 7 – Location Shoot 2

For this location shoot we went to the Chatham Historic Dockyard to shoot a short sequence. This location task was more professional from the previous location shoot as the dockyard is frequently used for large scale productions e.g., Call the Midwife, Les Misérables, Bridgeton and many more. We had to be considerate of the space and other visitors to the site; there was a primary school trip on the same day as our location visit so we had to be careful not to capture the children in the background of our shots.

My team began the trip by doing location recces of all the different locations available, this helped us to understand the space available and if certain areas would be too tight to fit all the crew. After getting a good idea of filming locations we grabbed the kit and got filming. An evaluation of this location shoot would be to come with scrips/ideas prepared as it took a long time to generate the idea for out short sequence. After lunch we has a tour of the site and got to see the popular location used for large productions, we also got to see some behind the scenes locations. Overall, the location shoot went well, out team worked together and we got a good variety of shots to use when editing the final cut.

https://youtu.be/t-9bLQZmFmk 

Camera Workshop: 8 – Location Shoot 3/ Group Projects

For our group project and third location shoot we had to take an extract from a peer’s draft script and adapt this into a 2-minute screen play. We chose to film Lovell’s script as we liked the idea and the location. We knew we needed an American style diner, so we began by searching for suitable locations. We enquired about the diner at Maidstone TV Studios but knew this may not be available, so we also enquired about Mikey’s diner and other locations around West Kingsdown/Gravesend. We found out that the diner was available on Wednesday 24^th November so began working towards this date for pre-production sign-off. We managed to get our kit booked out and risk assessments signed off on Monday 22^nd November and later that day went to do a location recce to get an idea of the space and how our setup would look. We made some final adjustments to the schedule after receiving access times and were then set for filming on Wednesday.

When we arrived at the location, we began to set up the camera, lights, and sound while actors ran though lines and worked out how to maximise the use of the space. We used Quartz lamps and used a three-point lighting system. We were aware these lights generate a lot of heat so made sure to turn them off when not in use. The location was also prone to getting very hot so when not filming we made sure to have a fan on which kept both crew and actors cool. There were a few issues with the sound set up but once a few settings had been changed it all began working. We took a variety of shots which conform to the 180-degree rule and tried to get lots of coverage. We started behind schedule due to technical difficulties but the team worked well together to catch up and we finished the shoot an hour before scheduled. 

https://youtu.be/gTJ-d0JD6jo