Course Reflection

    This course has been a real eye opener for me, both looking outward and inward. I've learned a great deal about cameras and also the which ones to use for different situations. I've also learned how much I need to know about the camera before taking it into the field for shooting. I've also learned the difficulty involved in lighting shots. I have a much greater deal of respect for cinematography and using lights myself definitely humbled me when using them. Video production is a big thing for me. I learned how important it is to plan every little detail before you shoot: location, script, shooting list, story board, coverage, actors, floor plans, equipment list etc etc. Very Very IMPORTANT!! The book the filmmaker's eye should be required. I ordered it at the beginning of class and I believe it helped me a great deal with composition and the different ways to experiment with it. I thought that was an extremely cool book and it definitely helped me.

    I learned a great deal about equipment and theory etc but I really learned a lot about myself. I learned to be creative and go out and try something different. I found out what I liked, as far as films and how to look at cinema in a completely new way. It finally hit me that we are artists and we have the ability to create beautiful images that can change the world with our cameras and mind. I learned I need to be passionate about this art in order to really be good at it. I've come to appreciate other people in the craft as well. I just really enjoy it a lot more after taking this class. I love film and movies and I know that's what I want to do, but this class really solidified it for me. I'm definitely glad I took this class and I'm always going to look for more inspiration in my everyday life.

Reel/Artist Statement

      What is art? Can it truly be defined? Things like The Grammy Awards or the Oscars try to reward art. I think that's bullshit...to get a trophy for artwork. I consider myself an artist, not a very good one at this point, but I believe in myself and in the beauty this world has to offer. I'm extremely passionate about, in general, the Earth. Earth's natural landscape and the people on it, good or bad. I'm inspired by everything I see, whether it's a reed blowing in the breeze, the sun or moon casting shadows, children playing together, or the mom making the daily commute to work with an aged face. There's a story to be told in each of those and that's what I aim to tell. Incredible stories don't have to be written in some Hollywood studio's writing room with six chairs and an espresso machine. They're all around us, naturally occurring day by day and I want to tell these stories, mainly through the avenue of documentary film making.

    My style is yet to be established. I'd be lying to you if I told you I had a definitive style. I enjoy shooting little things around us, things we normally wouldn't notice, trying to give them their moment in the spot light. So if that's my style then I guess I do have one. When I'm more certain of it I guess it'll show up in my work. There are a million stories to be told, and my goal through documentary film making is not to tell all of them, but if I can tell a few and those few can impact a viewer's life, then I will have succeeded in my goal as a filmmaker. To impact people's lives through this beautiful style of art we've chosen to participate in.


http://vimeo.com/33322644

What I've Learned

     I feel like I've learned a great deal in taking this course. I've learned how important lighting is and how to compose and capture really beautiful shots. I've come to appreciate films more, because of the beautiful cinematography. I've also learned more about the cameras available to use as well as the type of equipment I need on set of productions. I find myself observing light much more, in film and my natural world. I'll walk into a room now and look for the light source and how it lights the room, where the shadows fall etc.

    I think my strengths at this point in my learning career would definitely be framing and composition. I really look for that in shots and I think that is very important. When I rush my stuff I believe sometimes I overlook the framing but I really want to work to create these beautiful shots I see others do all the time. I've also been able to  narrowly define what I like, what I would like my style to be. I love documentaries but I really love film noir and I really want to make a short noir film. I've also learned to look to paintings for lighting and tonal inspirations. You've definitely given me the tools and areas of the craft to study to become better. I'm not sure what I want to do in the field. At this point really anything, but I want to experiment with abunch of things to find something I like and am good at. I also have a great deal of respect for my classmates. I appreciate everyone's point of view and helpful comments. I think we are such a diverse class and seeing that come to life in our work is really cool to me.

Best Camera

As far as cameras go and the technology I still have much to learn. I believe I know the basics on how they work and the basic advantage/disadvantages of most of the cameras in the TCF department. I understand how the chip type and size effects the camera, what too look for when selecting a camera such as film modes, HD capability, versatility, how it performs in certain light conditions, and how easy they are too function. I personally like the easier more user friendly cameras but that's just because I'm a novice. I'm sure once I learn more about them, I'll use the better cameras.

I prefer the DSLR T2i. I think it performs well and for the price produces very good images. I like the functionality as well as the portability. I'm also really into messing with the depth of field in images and I like the way the T2i captures those shots. I also am more into the run and gun style as far as shooting and I enjoy the lightweight DSLR. I am also intrigued by the new Sony FS-100. I like the feel and look of it, and I think it produces very good images. I like how you can deconstruct the whole camera into different pieces. I look forward to using it in the future.