Category: Project Details

Project 8 – Collaborate and Create

We’ll continue to work on some in-class projects over the next few weeks, but it’s time to discuss the final project for this class, Lost/Found.  This will be a collaborative project, so we’ll all be contributing to the finished piece.

There will be two main parts of the finished film: one representing the theme of “lost” and the other representing the theme of “found.”  The class will work in two groups of three, with each group tackling one half of the story.

To keep things simple, I’m assigning the groups as follows:

Group 1/Lost: Koto, James, Gray

Group 2/Found: Blake, Alex, Julie

Brian will assist both groups as much as possible during production and will work with them to create music for the finished piece.

Here are the parameters:

• Each sequence (Lost and Found) must be between 60 and 90 seconds in length.
• Each sequence must include at least three different movement techniques.  These could include tracking shots, gimbal work, handheld, crane shots, etc..
• There must be one long take (oner) that is at least 10 seconds in length.
• The Lost sequence must explore that theme and end with a character sending an unseen phone message.
• The Found sequence must explore that theme and begin with a character receiving an unseen phone message.
• The finished film should have a resolution 1920 x 1080 and a frame rate of 24.
• I would like to see a rough draft on Tuesday, November 27.
• The finished film is due Tuesday, December 4.

Project 7 – Recreating More Famous Moves

Let’s continue to recreate some famous camera moves!  We’ll start out with Michael Bay’s epic slow motion spin; then we’ll try an epic crane shot, as seen in the The Shawshank Redemption.

Project 6 – Replicating Famous Moves

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be doing some in-class exercises designed around the signature camera moves of famous directors.  We’ll start with the “Spielberg face,” as described by Kevin B. Lee’s video essay; then we’ll tackle the infamous dolly zoom, made famous by Alfred Hitchcock.

Project 5 – One Film Three Ways

To illustrate how handheld movement affects cinematography, we’re going to do a very short film as a class.  Each shot will be filmed three ways: first, locked off on a tripod; then with the camera handheld but not moving otherwise; and finally, following the action with the camera on a shoulder rig.

The film itself is only a handful of shots – one character is waiting for another.  The second character approaches through a hallway and enters the room.  That’s it.  The idea here is (obviously) not a brilliant narrative – it’s just some generic shots that should play in different ways, depending on the amount of movement.

Here are the storyboards for the sequence:

The filming for this project will be completed during class – I’ll edit the three versions and put them online for us to check out.

Project 4 – Create a Short Film Using Various Cameras and Techniques

For your next project, you’re going to be making a short film utilizing some of the different techniques we’ve discussed thus far.  Your theme for this project is Sleeping/Waking.  You can work in a small group on this or create something individually.  You will probably need to use multiple cameras and other pieces of equipment for this project, so plan ahead and request studio time and equipment in advance.

• Create a short film exploring the theme “Sleeping/Waking.”
• The finished film should be between 1 and 3 minutes.
• You may work individually or in groups of up to three.
• Your film should include at least one of each of the following shots:
  • A handheld shot
  • A tripod or monopod-mounted shot
  • A shot with motivated movement
  • A shot with unmotivated movement
  • A timelapse shot and/or slow motion shot
  • Between one and five lines of dialog.  The dialog may be synchronous (a line spoken by an actor) or asynchronous (such as a voice over or narration).
• You must create storyboards for your project before filming.  These can be very simple (stick figures or doodles are fine).
• Don’t use copyrighted music!  There are websites with royalty-free music on the Resources page.
• The storyboards are due before class on Tuesday, October 16.
• The finished film is due by midnight on Monday, October 29.

Project 3 – Filming Slow Motion and Time Lapse

For this project, you’ll be capturing slow motion and time lapse shots.  You’ll be working in three groups – two groups will capture two time lapse sequences using the GH4 and one group will capture four slow motion shots with the RX10 II.  The groups will then swap cameras, so that each group gets to create the time lapse sequences and slow motion shots using the appropriate cameras.

For the slow motion shots, you can choose the frame rates that you want to use, but they should show off the slow motion features of the cameras.  Remember that the image quality on the RX10 II starts to go down after 240; 480 is probably the highest you should go.  You may also use the 120 frame per second mode, but please send me the shot in slow motion if you do so.

For the time lapse sequences, you’ll be given the camera and a small tripod.  Please make your finished sequence no longer than ten seconds long – that’s 240 frames at 24 frames per second.  Please do not leave the camera alone while it is taking the images.

I’ll be away until next Tuesday, October 2.  Please coordinate amongst yourselves to rotate through the cameras and get me the shots before class on that date.  Once again, each group should create two time lapse sequences with the GH4 and four slow motion shots with the RX10 II.

Project 2 – Filming with Camcorders

There are at least two situations where you will still see dedicated video cameras used consistently instead of hybrid cameras: event shoots and interviews.  You’ll find camcorders used on event shoots because of their longer battery life, unlimited recording time, and better ergonomics for extended filming.  You’ll find them used for interviews because of their superior audio capabilities; recording video and audio to the same device is a huge time savings, especially in an interview situation where audio is critical.

For this project – Sit/Stand – you’ll be using dedicated video cameras to record a sit-down interview and a lecture.  The lecture will be recorded during class: using a Sony AX2000 set up on a tripod at the rear of the room, each of you will take (at least) one five minute shift recording the lesson.  You’ll need to monitor both the image and the sound, framing the action, maintaining focus, and adjusting the audio levels as necessary.

We’ll have one operator framing and maintaining focus and one operator monitoring audio and adjusting levels.  We’ll rotate through the roles, so that everyone gets to film, run sound, and answer the question.

We’ll start on the Sit/Stand project this week and finish it up either this week or next week during class.

Project 1 – Filming with Hybrid Cameras

For this project, you’ll be working in groups of two.  Using either a Panasonic GH3 or GH4, I’d like you to create a short film that is between 20 and 60 seconds long and contains between three and ten shots.  The theme of this project is “Action/Reaction.”

It should be a “silent” film – you can use ambient noise, sound effects, and music, but no lines of dialog.  You will only be using the camera for this project (no tripod or rigging equipment) and part of the project should take place in a public space.  You should only use available light sources, no light kits.

The reason I’ve given this project so many parameters is that I’d like you to focus on the unique strengths of hybrid cameras – their size, portability, and versatility.  Pay attention to the light in the environment you are filming in and be sure to set your white balance correctly.  Filming in a public space can be challenging, so be polite (and, whenever possible, discrete).  The finished video is due 11pm on Monday, September 10.  We’ll look at everyone’s work on Tuesday.

Once again, here are the parameters:

• Create a short film around the theme “Action/Reaction”
• 20 to 60 seconds in length
• 3 to 10 shots
• No dialogue, but music, ambient noise, and sound effects are permitted
• Only available light
• Part of the film must take place in a public place
• Export the film at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 24 frames per second
• Due before 11pm on Monday, September 10.