Studying at York
Advanced Cinematography - TFT00049H
Module summary
Cinematography has been at the forefront of technological change in the film and television industries in the last decade. This module is designed to prepare students to work flexibly and knowledgeably in an industry where that change will continue. In particular, students will have an aesthetic and technical grounding in visual storytelling, developed with the skilled use of the department’s RED and Sony cameras and lenses. The module emphasises the central importance of composition and lighting in cinematography, and students will be expected to put the cameras, lighting and grips available to them to full creative use in different settings.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
* To provide an essential grounding in the principles and practice of digital cinematography, and similarities and differences between it and conventional film-based cinematography.
* To provide a grounding in the principles and practice of lighting for film and digital cinematography
* To provide students with a framework for understanding the disciplines of photographing actors and documentary contributors.
Module learning outcomes
Students will be expected to demonstrate:
An understanding of how digital cinematography has evolved, preserving or reproducing some key aspects of celluloid origination; and how new aesthetics and techniques are emerging as digital technologies advance
An ability to apply the principles of composition, camera movement, and staging and blocking of action, actors and documentary contributors
An ability to make creative and appropriate lens choices, whether using prime, zoom or certain specialised lenses
An ability to apply camera settings and other controls (including matte boxes, filtration, non-standard shutter speeds and angles) to achieve certain 'looks' and in-camera effects
An ability to light interior dramatic scenes in different fictional genres, and to light documentary sequences in observational and more formal film- and programme-making styles
An ability to translate screenplays, storyboards and shot lists into completed sequences
An ability to interpret the instructions and 'vision' of the director, and to communicate with other members of the camera department and to lighting, grips and other crew, both verbally through common industry terms and through the development of documents such as lighting plans, look-up tables (LUTs) and other visual references.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 65 |
| Practical | 25 |
| Practical | 10 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 65 |
| Practical | 35 |
Module feedback
Students will receive verbal feedback for the formative assessment and written feedback for assessments in Wks 8 and 10.
Indicative reading
Key texts indicated in bold:
Holben, J (2015) Behind the Lens, London: Focal Press
Stump, D (2014), Digital Cinematography, Burlington: Focal Press
Elkins, D (2009), The Camera Assistant's Manual, Amsterdam and London: Focal Press
Alton, J (1995) Painting with Light, Berkeley: University of California Press
Bailey, J (2008-) John's Bailiwick [Blog] Los Angeles: ASC
Brown, B (2008) Motion Picture and Video Lighting, Oxford: Focal Press
Ettedgui, P (1998) Cinematography Screencraft, Hove: RotoVision
Fauer, J (2005) Cinematographer Style, Vols I & II, Los Angeles: ASC Press
Malkiewicz, K, (1992) Film Lighting: Talks with Hollywood's Cinematographers and Gaffers, New York: Simon & Schuster
McCarthy, T (1993) Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography [DVD] Los Angeles: ASC
Wheeler, P (2007) High Definition Cinematography, Oxford: Focal Press
The following films are indicative of those that will be screened in this module:
Fargo (Roger Deakins)
Saving Private Ryan (Janusz Kaminski)
Delicatessen (Darius Khondji)
The English Patient ( John Seale)
Taxi Driver (Michael Chapman)
Manhattan (Gordon Willis)
Paris, Texas (Robbie Muller)
Easy Rider (Laszlo Kovacs)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Haskell Wexler)
Reds (Vittorio Storaro)