Month: May 2023

Cookie Jar Post-Production Project

“Film Projector Lens” by DanielSTL is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

SUMMARY

Once production finished, I had nothing to do but work on my blogs and gather evidence for blogs and the team slideshow.

Evidence of Further Contribution

I did not contribute anything further to the film due to being very limited in my ability to assist after the film was finished. The only project I could work on was the presentation and my previous blog posts for the session.

Me adding evidence to the slideshow
Me working on my Production Blog Post.

How I Could Have Improved The Film

I could have been more involved during production and should have micromanaged my role more. Additionally, I feel that I should have mentioned multiple little angle and lighting details that bothered me that could have improved the quality of the film. There were a few times where it was obvious that there were lights behind each of the actors, which I didn’t like. I wish that the lights were situated more efficiently.

What I Learned

Contributing after production is very difficult, and I also feel that I could have done a better job as cinematographer. I could have taken more control and worked on an equal ground with the director in terms of scene control. I could have made more independent decisions.

Who took the cookie from the cookie jar production project

“Simplex 35mm Film Projector” by Danbruell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

Summary

I set up lighting, moved equipment, set up cameras, adjusted shots and lighting to fit the scene, and did other things to affect visuals.

Camera Evidence

This was a picture of me setting up and adjusting the camera to fit the scene.
Proof of camera movement
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Proof of wide shot
Extreme close-up to add tension

Shot Choice Justification

Our wide shots were to set the scene and to use blocking between the actors. Our single or double shots were to emphasize the importance of the dialogue and to have the audience focus on one character specifically. Lastly, our closer shots amplified visible emotion and increased tension.

Lighting Design

The lighting created more of a mysterious mood with a tense atmosphere, and the dark lighting made more of a thriller, and fit the interrogation scene well.

Consultation with Editor

I and the editor discussed shots that would both support the scene and work well with his editing endeavor. This is the result.

Alternative Shots

This shot was challenging at first because of the space required between the “face” and hands of the actor, but once we made a few adjustments to the positioning of the actor, we were able to capture this shot.

Camera Work and Lighting Evaluation

The lighting was simple to set up. It was basic math, setting up the light so that they made the actor perfectly visible, but the light itself was not visible to the camera. I was able to make use of multiple lights provided to me. Additionally, the camera angles were complex, so I had to be sure I was precise as possible in setting it back up in between shooting dates.

Influences from Films

My wide shot was influenced by this interrogation scene in the film The Dark Knight. It is an interrogation scene that quickly led to violence, and the tension in this shot is what I wanted to replicate.

What I Learned and Problems I Solved

Being a Cinematographer is challenging, and there is little you can do after production to help your crew. The job is simple on paper: record scenes, make small adjustments, and overall listen to your director, but I had to micromanage so many things that would have seemed inconsequential to me before.