Final Course Reflection

I can honestly say that I learned a lot in the class. I learned what a DSLR camera is and what the difference is between single lens recorders and other camcorders.  I learned how and when to use nets, flags, and screens. I learned how to adjust lighting in order to show or eliminate shadows in the background. I learned how to create warm lighting, cool lighting, and even how to light dark scenes. I learned that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong and you have to be able to adapt quickly.

I learned that two heads are better than one, and that you have to be able to trust your production crew. I learned a great deal about the different cameras we have in the department, and which one will work best for specific environments. I was able to acquire more tech knowledge than I thought I would. I don’t think I am very tech savvy as far as cameras and equipment go, but I learned a lot about them. I was able to work with and develop a fond love for the Cannon T2i. I worked with the 5D before enrolling in the class and I liked it, but I think I like the T2i more. I used the T2i with the Zeiss primes when I was the director of photography for a scene assignment, and I adored the image quality.  I learned that prime lenses are a gift from God, and after working with them, you never want to be without them. They are like Visa, don’t leave the equipment room without one. J

Taking this class confirmed my interest in documentaries. Narrative films aren’t my thing. I enjoy watching them, and even shooting them, but it’s certainly not my area of interest right now. One day I would love to be the producer of a situation comedy, or even a drama, but my first love is documentary. I learned that you can never have enough pre-production. Develop a plan A,B,C, and D if need be. You can never be too prepared in this field. I learned that not-knowing is alright sometimes, and that sometimes you have to learn by trial and error. I learned that it takes practice. Working with a camera a couple of times will not make you a master of it. You have to keep practicing and messing around with different equipment in order to ‘get it’. I also learned that no one is good at everything, and that’s okay. Finding your niche- your piece to this production puzzle is what it’s all about. I understand that I am not where I could be, but I am certainly far from where I came. I have to keep working at it. Progress is key.

Reel Me In...

My DP Reel

The Artist In Me

I am passionate about documentaries because I enjoy the unveiling of real life situations that screen writers and script editors have no control over. Life is the best story ever told, and that’s what I want to give to audiences, real life situations that educate, entertain, and inspire. I hope to share the lived experiences of everyday people with the masses by captivating their attention with the beauty of simplicity and rawness. When I say simplicity I don’t mean boring, unelaborate and plain, but rather, clear, understandable and smooth. I want raw, unadulterated emotion to be conveyed through my work. I would love for every viewing to be a pleasant and meaningful experience for audiences.

“To thine own self be true” is my motto in life. I hope to maintain authenticity in my work by letting the story unveil itself without compromising its truth with my own perceptions of what a ‘’good story’’ is. Authenticity does not come natural. It is easier to fit in and conform to what is acceptable, popular and commonplace. But, I hope to burn all bridges to commonplace. I have no desire to be like anyone else. I have no desire to be like any other producer, director, cinematographer, etc… I am happy being me. I want to produce work that hasn't compromised who I am or what I stand for. Apart of me wishes I had more to say about what I am, or who I aspire to be, but I don’t. I’m just me. An aspiring legendary producer with plans of letting  my work speak for itself.

What makes it good?

Showing what you do best as an artist makes a good reel. Forget about the big time money shots that you think will awe an audience. Put the shots you love and those that represent you the best in your reel. Do not get me wrong, money shots are great, but a reel full of money shots could be a bit too much, or maybe even a bit boring. I want to see the artist represented in their reel. I think the reel below is fantastic because its shows the cinematographers wide range of skills. He has documentary, commercial, and narrative shots in it, and it is edited together well so that we understand each genre and don't feel overwhelmed. I would hire this guy because his work looks great, and because I see simplicity and consistency in his work.

    

Cinematography Reel from Travis Wears on Vimeo.

Here is another reel that I like. I would probably hire this guy for action shots. I enjoyed the fast-paceness of his reel.

Cinematography Reel - 2010 from Garrett O'Brien on Vimeo.

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As I Reflect...

I must say that I enjoyed shooting these scene assignments. I think the best way to learn is through hands on experience, and that has been the biggest lesson. You can read all of the books and blogs, watch all the movies in the world, and still not ‘get it’ until you actually have to do it yourself.  I think hands-on learning has been the biggest teacher because I was able to see what worked and what didn’t work in different environments. We pretty much used all of the equipment in class, but knowing what works and doesn’t work as far as lighting and shot composition is more trial and error. For example, figuring out the best way to cut out light for the same project, but different scenes- should we use nets, if so, how many, and what kind? Or, should we just use a screen? What gels will help give us the look we want? Should we mix gels?  All of those questions had to be answered, and although it got annoying, after a while we all seemed to know what worked. Figuring out what worked best in the moment, being flexible, and being patient were the biggest and most appreciated virtues held throughout the completion of the projects.

If I had to go back and do it all over again I would have my shot list in sequential order so that I could just go down the line and check shots off as I go. I would have used a different camera, or possibly prime lenses with the camera we used, I would have given my actor a couple of shots to take the edge/ shake the nerves off, and I would have chosen a quieter location because that was my biggest problem when editing. Another thing I would have down differently is pay closer attention to the small things in the shot. For instance, in one of the shots there was an exit sign in the background. I didn’t see it when I looked at the viewfinder, but it irritated me while editing so I had to zoom in and crop it out the shot. I was pleased with the cinematographer/ director relationship we had. Of course, in any relationship things could have been better, but for the most part I think it was darn good. Communication is a big deal on a set, and I think we all did that pretty well. All of us had a good working relationship. We were all under similar stress levels so no one got too fussy when people were annoyed, stressed, tired, ready to go, anxious, or whatever, because we knew the feeling. I don’t have a desire to be a cinematographer, or a director, but I see how time consuming those positions can be, and you definitely need to dedicate all of your time to a project for it to be flawless, because juggling three other classes,  a job and five other shoots was wearing me out!

The most enjoyable part is seeing the final project complete. I always have a smile on my face when it’s done. I like for everyone else that has helped out see that their work and time was not for naught. Another enjoyable aspect of the project was the jokes we cracked and laughs we shared on set. We were able to sit down (be it only a couple of minutes) and actually talk and get to know one another beyond the classroom walls. I’m always up for learning about people. Oh, and I can’t forget that I learned a new dance while on one of the sets! You can’t be that with a stick! I had my own personal choreographer and everything. J

My strengths were that I knew what I wanted and wasn’t indecisive or unclear about my expectations. I have said this before and I’m going say it again, one of my biggest strengths as a person, not just a director/ dp, is that I adapt well to change, and I usually can remain level headed when unforeseen incidents occur. Whether actors failed to come, we had to reshoot, lights blew, actors screwed up, equipment was missing, or things just didn’t work according to plan, I was able to adapt. So, if I had to do it all over again, the sleepless nights, 10 hour shoots, growling stomach, annoyed temperaments, terrible sound, and long hours editing, I would. I kind of enjoy this type of stuff. I know, weird huh? J

DSLR Advantages and Disadvantages

I have enjoyed using DSLRs for both photography and videography. I just used the T2i for a past project and was really satisfied with how those shots looked, but of course, it doesn't hurt that we  used prime lenses. Although the imagery of the camera was good, the small body of the camera was a problem because everything was so close together that it became hard to glide on the Glidetrack, fix the focus, and pan at the same time. Although size, and weight are some of the biggest advantages, it was hard to work with in our case.

Advantages

• Size and weight 
• Better image quality
• Less image noise at high sensitivities
• Interchangeable lenses
• Flexibility
• Speed: fast focus time, fast shot-to-shot time, and faster speed of operation
• Some love the design: Thumb and forefinger access
• Depth of field: DSLRs generally work well with crushing the depth of field without the use of lenses

Disadvantages

• Live-view option: usually cant see what you are capturing on the screen
• Shutter sound
• Depth of field sensitivity- the depth of field can be crushed too much when unintended by operator
• Increased complexity of lens selection
• Audio- voice recording and audio tend to be sub par on DSLRs
• Senor dust- happens when the lens is being changed
• Price- more expensive than fixed lens digital cameras
• Recording limit

Here is a video that was shot using a DSLR that looks great:

I don't have much of an opinion on the EX3 with the 35mm DOF adapter because I haven't seen what it really looks like due to all of the technical difficulties we had in the studio. However, I do think the two could make a dynamic duo because separately they produce great work, both the EX3, and the Redrock adapter. 

I'm A Sucker For Love- Scene Assignment

I have a confession to make... Im a sucker for sappy love stories, and romantic endings. With that being said, I decided to remake a scene from He's Just Not That Into You. My favorite line out of the whole entire movie is, "You are MY exception." Awwwwwwwww. It's just so beautiful. Its no Notebook or anything, but for what its worth, I love the movie. I have changed the dynamics of the predominately white cast to black, and have tweaked the dialogue just a tad, but nonetheless, I think it's still great. Let me know what you think viewers!