Technical and Artistic Aspects of Cinematic Expression |
| Cinematography Workshop - Ideology and Practice |
Combined together, elements constitute overall, cohesive entity. Not only playing "in tune" is important, but also instrumental arrangement and tempo. Musical arrangement determines about the closeness of interpretation to the Theme. It seems, similarities between Creative Processes in Film and Music are obvious. In creative cinematography, instruments at our disposal are the Elements of Cinematic Expression. Design of Cinematic Sequence needs to be Organic if it is to relate to the emotion and/or intellectual content of the scene. This can only be achieved when elements chosen for visual interpretation are psychologically motivated and of homogeneous nature... One wrong element causes effect similar to false tune in music. To play in tune means Director's and Cinematographer's choices serve common purpose in how they relate to Quality being described. Program aspires to make contribution to student's sense of eloquence in Cinematic Expression by seeking relationship between Ideas and artistic/technical Choices for their expression. It emphasizes relevance of the Choice paying attention to balance between Aesthetics and Meaning in that classy interpretation characterizes Choice as being subservient to the Idea. Program draws on History of Art for exploration of elements of expression such as Symbolism, Composition, Mood, Meaning of Color. It puts great deal of emphasize on aspect of "psychological attributes" of tools of cinematography: Lens, Camera Movement, Quality of Light, Lighting Style. In its practical application program deals with Logistics of Creative Process where it explores its Organic Nature - an imperative element in understanding of method of approach regardless of the encountered situation. At the core of exercised approach is Dancing with Light Technique that enables Cinematographer to materialize on film or video any concept related to Emotion and Mood. One purpose of the workshop is to enable student to light from previsualization without help of video monitor. Special emphasis is put on the logistic of execution. Inadequacy in addressing the issue of logistics by cinematography instructors in Film Schools causes great number of students experiencing mind block once on the film set. This is the result of not treating Lighting as Organic Process which always consists of the same building blocks. If understood as such, lighting becomes straightforward, logical and simple. Michelangelo described the nature of Creative Process in most eloquent way: "It's in this stone, I just need to bring it out". In addition, students are given demonstrations of number of specialized Lighting Techniques including: Dramatic Chiaroscuro, Commercial Product Lighting (Glass, Metal, White on White, Black on Black), Special Effects Lighting (Candle and Table Light), Interview and Exterior / Natural Light Control. Three areas of Concentration are: Dancing with Light Cinematic Expression Film Look Workshops are for Film and Video Cinematographers aspiring to cross over the mundane and into the Realm of Artistic and Eloquent Visual Interpretation. |