Okay, so lets start with a little backstory first. Coming onto my university course, I wanted to be an editor - it seemed to be the only thing I was good at whilst making films on a tiny flipcam in Sixth Form. However, on arrival, I learnt that my 5 GCSE's and 2 A-Levels in Art and Design have helped me to develop a visual style and how to make a shot look pretty with content and meaning - thanks art teachers!
My ideal role is to be a Director of Photography. I love the idea of being in control of what the shot looks like, and developing a close relationship with the Director. It's great for me, because I like to tell people what to do, but I want an input in the creativity of a production, so this role is the best of both worlds.
But I'm not going to lie, these past few weeks I've felt like I've been tested as a DOP. I feel like my extremely naive knowledge into lenses and cameras has stopped me from being crewed for my year group (my lens knowledge = the 18-55mm lens does an okay job of things).
So, what am I going to do about it?
Well, I'm so glad you asked! Firstly, I took the role as Camera Assist on Jamie Sergeants production, Tent. Initially I was shitting myself. I was scared to even touch a lens - what sort of DOP would I have been? Anyway, I plucked up the courage and just simply got on with it. I asked questions, learnt things about lenses and what they do, if I didn't know what something was I just simply asked (who'd a thunk it, eh?) and I even did some filming on a shoulder mount for the first time! You could tell I was nervous - the first take I did was so shaky, I'm pretty sure it looked like there was an earthquake. But the 2nd take I did, I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. And - hopefully - it looks great!
Okay so that's the first thing I've done. The second is to finally learn about lenses, what they do, purchase some and test them out for myself.
I spent a whole day with George reading up on what lenses mean, the difference between macro tubes and lenses, what ISO, aperture and Shutter Speed means (yes, I knew THAT little!) and how to get rid of grain. I also learnt about lighting; how to set up standard lighting, what lights you would use in specific locations, what coloured gels do, electricity usage in locations, what all the lingo means and more. I wrote everything down and got tested on it (I remember almost all of it!). I found that watching videos online really helped, it was pretty much like getting a lesson on camera/lighting, except I could pause them to write stuff down.
Now, I feel like I know loads! Obviously not as much as a professional DOP, but I think I know enough to get me onto crews, get me noticed and to start me off on my career.
The next step: I've booked out the shoot studio at my university to practice how to do standard lighting, mood lighting, change things on my camera (canon 650D) and actually use it. I've booked a dolly and a lowboy too, so it will be good to try those out!
Oh yes, and here's the reason why I started this post in the first place: I bought stuff! Yes, you heard correctly, stuff! I bought camera batteries (exciting), a big camera bag, macro extension tubes and a 50mm lens. I nearly bought a shoulder mount too, but the one I want costs over £100 so I'm going to wait until I learn more about cinematography to buy one.
Once my purchases arrive, I'm going to test them out and learn how to use them. I'm so excited to get started, I feel like it's the push I should've given myself a long time ago.
So, here's my plan for the next few months:
- Test out my camerawork/lighting this friday (3rd May).
- Make a little short out of the footage and make it public for the world to see
- Develop my photography skills - go take some photos to look at my style of cinematography.
- Practice, practice, practice!
- Rent out a wide lens and test out some filming with it.
- Make a short film during summer to show everyone what I've learnt.
