Advanced Narrative Cinematography
Bringing the cinematography program together on narrative scenes: the DP's role and collaborations, script breakdown, look books and visual rules, camera and look tests, shot design and coverage, lighting plans and photometrics, planning with the gaffer, key grip and first AD, leading crews under IATSE, NABET and DGC agreements, dialogue, action, intimacy and child performers, VFX and dailies, and a capstone prep package.
CINE-401 Year 4 3 credits 12 lessons · 5 h 33 min
Offered by HSM University · Cinematography
This is the Canadian version of this course. See the American version.
What you'll learn
- Describe the DP's responsibilities and collaborations across development, prep, production and post on narrative productions of different scales
- Break down a script into beats, point of view, motifs and priorities, and use page counts in eighths to weigh scenes
- Develop a look book and specific visual rules for aspect ratio, format, lenses, movement, light, palette and texture
- Design camera, lens, makeup and wardrobe tests, build a LUT and CDL pipeline, and set consistent exposure targets for every complexion
- Design blocking and coverage with shot lists and overheads, respect screen direction, choose lenses for real spaces and group set-ups efficiently
- Plan motivated lighting for day interiors, night interiors and night exteriors and calculate exposure levels, contrast in stops and fixture output
- Plan with the gaffer and key grip through tech scouts, equipment orders, rigging, power, pre-rigs and package budgets
- Contribute realistic estimates, light windows and priorities to the schedule, budget time per set-up and plan around the sun
- Lead the camera, electric and grip departments within Canadian and US union structures, communicate clearly and manage overtime and rest
- Shoot dialogue, action, intimate and child-performer scenes with correct focus planning, multiple cameras and the required protocols
- Plan plates, screens, references and LED volume work with VFX, review dailies critically and solve problems on set systematically
- Assemble and present a complete prep package for a three-page scene with breakdown, shot list, overhead, lighting plan, schedule and budget
Course content
12 lessons · 5 h 33 min total · final exam
- 1 The cinematographer's role in narrative filmmaking 28 min · quiz
- 2 Script breakdown and visual storytelling 28 min · quiz
- 3 Developing the look: references, look books and visual grammar 27 min · quiz
- 4 Camera tests and look development 28 min · quiz
- 5 Shot design, blocking and coverage 27 min · quiz
- 6 Lighting plans for dramatic scenes 27 min · quiz
- 7 Planning with the gaffer and key grip 29 min · quiz
- 8 Scheduling and prep with the first assistant director 29 min · quiz
- 9 Leading the camera, lighting and grip departments 25 min · quiz
- 10 Shooting dramatic scenes: dialogue, action, intimacy and children 27 min · quiz
- 11 VFX, virtual production, dailies and on-set problem solving 29 min · quiz
- 12 Capstone: a prep package for a three-page scene 29 min · quiz
- E Final exam 20 questions
Requirements
Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.
Description
Bringing the cinematography program together on narrative scenes: the DP's role and collaborations, script breakdown, look books and visual rules, camera and look tests, shot design and coverage, lighting plans and photometrics, planning with the gaffer, key grip and first AD, leading crews under IATSE, NABET and DGC agreements, dialogue, action, intimacy and child performers, VFX and dailies, and a capstone prep package.
Part of the Film & Photography stream, typically taken in year 4.