PRINT

went back and added some nat. sound too! I've learned so much when it comes to using the sony hdv. For this assignment Luke and I played around with Polorizer Filters. It was fun to take the camera apart, place a new filter on the camera and see the difference/enhancement in our colors. Also, I learned I really like work-shopping our work. Having people critic you is a great opportunity to get feed back. As far as the project, I learned it's hard not to touch the camera. It's my vision, but I can't physically help make that vision happen. That's hard. Not being able to touch the camera forced me to vocalize what I wanted. It helped me remember terms like high angle, crush the depth of field, open your iris, lower your shutter ect...Overall it was a really fun experience. The book arts program is absolutely fantastic.

Reflections

Its an interesting question, What have I leaned so far? I have learned a lot! I have learned the importance of color temperatures when lighting a scene. Also, the crucial importance of white balancing your camera. Also, organization is crucial when planning to go on a shoot, even if you think it's going to be a simple point and shoot and wrap set. I've learned about filters and their importance, I have learned the basics of shutter speed, aperture, color temps, depth of fields, and about the aptitude of several different cameras like the HDV and JVC. I've also learned cinematography is an important concept for ever gorilla documentarians to understand, because style, tone, and look are all important when you are telling a story visually.

The most challenging thing i have had to learn is lighting and trying to break away from the writer side of myself.  I come from a writers background. I love non fiction writing and that is part of the reason I decided I wanted to be a documentary film maker. However, translating non fiction writing into a visual piece of art work has been difficult and frustrating. For instance in a  documentary you can't just show talking heads you have to have visual variety to tell your story because that's what makes the story more appealing and ultimately that's what you're audience expects. Now, lighting is something I have never done before except for that one time in Schwartz's class :). So This is definitely foreign territory. However, I accept the challenge. Trying to articulate a vision visually is one of the most interesting skills I have ever had to try and accomplish.

The Rewarding thing about videography  is succeeding once I have failed. I have learned that I WILL FAIL! but that's okay. I think the most rewarding thing for me is learning patience and that I won't be the best at everything right out of the gate.Film-making takes time, preparation, and knowledge. But the most gratifying thing is knowing that I am learning and that if I fail, I learn from the mistakes I make. Lessons leaned: always white balance, Always check the equipment to see if it works, and always stay organized. I am happy to have the time to fail in a comfortable place where we are all learning and we will all take our learned experiences of this class and turn them into something great.

Ligthing Styles

Natural Light Manipulation

As a documentarian, I would imagine myself in situations where I really wouldn't have time to take hours upon hours to set up lights. Unless it's a talking head interview. So how do I get visually interesting shots without any c stands, nets flags or lighting equipment? Hopefully I will be observant enough, much like the photographer who took the picture above, to manipulate natural light in order to compliment the beauty of the story.

When viewing the manipulation of natural light and shadows, it interest me because of how simple and complex light can be. I can appreciate the manipulation of natural light because it seems that you are working with the elements that surround you. Observing natural light is amazing to me as well because it's everywhere! Light exist in neat shapes; surrounding objects and creating soft and hard lines or shadows.

Hard Light

Hard Lighting is also a favorite of mine. I think Xavier said that shadows give character and I completely agree.Also, the depth and texture that shadows give create some of the most beautiful images that I have seen. Adding texture to a photo like the one above allows the viewer/observer to relate in an more intimate way.

My Goal As A Filmmaker

I don't think I have ever stopped to sit down and write out my goal as a filmmaker. However, I guess my goal would have to be directly correlated with my purpose as a filmmaker. My purpose is to create unity and understanding amongst the people within my stories as well as those who view them. Film is an intriguing medium that allows the viewer (observer) an access to the subject (observed) in one of the most intimate ways I have known. My purpose in film making, particularly with documentary form, is to analyze this intimate dynamic of the observer and the observed  and effectively manipulate it in a way that will lead the observer to connect emotionally with the observed. Emotions are powerful tools that shape political motivations, thus if you can connect intimately with a person and their experience, then you will ultimately find motivations to treat them as equal (human). In essence, I want to expose our depth (motivation/desire) as human beings, hopefully my films will allow people to realize no one is completely perfect or completely flawed.

I intend for this class to help me visually illustrate my motivations for documentary film. I come from a writing background, so the content seems to be less of a problem for me than form. This class has shown me that it is necessary to explore form to accent the content of film. I hope this class expands my understanding of how to convey the tone and mood of particular situations I am filming. It may be the small detail of light that provides more depth to a story and allows the viewer (observer) to connect even more deeply with the subject (observed). I look forward to learning how to manipulate a message visually in conjunction to the content.

Inspiration

Gordon Parks was one of the first photographers I discovered. After reading his book, Choice of Weapons, I knew that documentary form was what I wanted to peruse as my career.  Despite the lack of lighting equipment or a studio, the framing, composition and color of the shots speak volumes. I enjoy shots of real people in real time, it allows the photographer to subtly explain a political choice without an overt agenda. People and situations are intrinsically political.  Authenticity inspires me.

 

Mad Men

Also, something that I thought I would never like, a show about advertising executives, inspires me. The attention to detail is what is amazing about the show Mad Men. This shot of the three completely different women occupying one space is striking. They don't have to speak. The details say it all. Their clothing, their facial expressions and posture and last the framing. All of the details paint a picture about three completely different women in one elevator ( meaning they are going somewhere-up or down). In my opinion, it's one of the most powerful shots of the season. Proving that careful manipulation of light and set design can  implore powerful messages and meanings.