Camera Workshop

Objectives: Learn shot types and angles

Learn how to use the Fuji camera

Create a how to guide

Practice shooting camera angles

Mise-en-Scene

Mise-en-scene is a French term that literally means 'placing on stage'. This term was originally applied in theatre, hence the use of stage but is also applied to film and television and is used widely in the film industry.

Elements of Mise-en-Scene

Settings and locations - Locations play a valuable role in world building and creating a sense of atmosphere. Locations are not picked for the sake of it. They are carefully selected because they compliment and work well with the characters and action. It is also important to note that time settings and the detailed re-enactment of eras plays a key role in building authentic mise-en-scene in period pieces.

Props - Props can become synonymous with a character and become a key component in a film's narrative. Dressing a set is also part of the façade in making a set feel authentic.

Costumes, hair and makeup - Just like props and settings, costumes contribute to the authenticity of a film. Costumes become synonymous with characters, eras, etc.

Facial expressions and body language - Actor performances are of the utmost important. The way in which an actor holds themselves can help construct a characters quirks and the ways in which they deliver lines/react through facial expressions can help elevate the atmosphere and tone of a scene.

Lighting - This aids the delivery of a genre to the execution of suspense. The connotations of colours are incredibly in contributing to the psychology of any scene.

Positioning of characters in frame - This considers composition and framing whilst also emphasising the need to block out scenes and rehearse key sequences prior to shooting. The angles in which a character is shot, to the way in which a character moves around in frame can emphasise mood, character motivations and much more.

Camera Types, Angles and Shots

Create a poster of the camera angles, types and shots using your own photos- go out and take some photos of them then input them into a poster format.

Establishing shot
Long shot
Medium shot
Medium- close up
Close up
Extreme close up
Wide shot
Two shot
Three shot
Point of view
Over the shoulder
Insert shot

Camera Terminology

Research and find out what the terms below mean, in the context of film making and try to put in your own words with supporting images- upload onto your portfolio

White Balance

Aspect Ratio

Frame rate

Aperture (F-stop)

Video Resolution

Exposure (ISO)

Shutter Speed

DSLR

SLR

Mirrorless

How to?

Create a how to guide on using the Fuji camera which will be useful to you. This can be in video format- you can record on your phone or on another camera OR photo format with text. You all need to create a how to guide individually.

Things you can show:

Ensuring the battery and memory card is inserted
Turning on and off
Setting the camera to 4k, 24/25 FPS
Discussing the switches on top of the camera
How to focus the camera
How to record video
How to view the video

Basic operation and settings for video recording on Fuji XT30

Organisation

Individually, in pairs or small groups plan a short sequence that you will shoot 'in camera' (i.e. no editing so everything needs to be shot in order with correct timings) in the vicinity of the classrooms available.

Produce either a storyboard or a shot list that contains at least 10 shots to tell a story. Consider using:

An establishing shot to convey where the action is taking place.
Wide shots, medium shots, close ups.
A variety of angles (high, low, dutch tilt etc)

Shot List v2.xlsx

Rolling

Then in your pairs or small groups or individually, shoot the sequence you have planned in your pairs, ensuring that you behave professionally and do not obstruct other students or staff.

Tips: Make sure you play back your shots to see if they have recorded correctly. Delete any shots that you don't want to use.

Upload all videos to your portfolio and write a paragraph to reflect on this process, what went well, what didn't go well, any problems you faced, how you overcome the problems and what you could do differently.