Demo Reel

While thinking about my demo reel I decided to use some of the best shots I had from projects I have directed and been a DP for as a TCF student. It reflects my love of quirky characters and some in camera special effects. I wanted to have fun with this real and it was important to me that it have personality.

Where do I go from here?

Its the end of TCF 312 and I have gained more knowledge that will improve my skills as a film-maker that I thought I could in one semester. Before this class I had experience with only a basic camera and was used to using the natural light of my surroundings, which wasn't always the best results. One of the most valuable tools I have taken away from this class is how to use and control light. This was also the first time I had worked with a crew that were given specific jobs and were restricted to those jobs. Previously it had been a group of three or four people who did everything. Also I learned how to communicate the ideas I had in my head to the crew to create that image on screen. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with and also learn from so many talented people and am going to take this experience with me as I continue to learn and develop my skills as a film-maker and vision as an artist.

Artist Statement

For as long as I can remember there has been a camera at every family gathering, sports game, dance recital, school event, ect. I developed my interest in film-making from watching these home movies and having a desire to make them more interesting and artistic.

I take inspiration from everything from classic Hollywood films to homemade YouTube videos. Characters are a driving force in what inspires my work as well. A picture can create a mood and feel of a story, but it is the characters that truly bring the story to life.  

As a filmmaker my goal is to entertain my audience by bringing them into the world of my characters. Color, lighting, movement, and music are tools I love to use because they are elements that have always captured my interest in other films.

Scene Assignment

I chose Animal House because it is a character driven comedy that is funny because it doesn't try to be. The quirky characters make the audience want to join in the fun of the members of Delta House.  The thing I took away from this the most was not only how to use light to convey the message of the scene, but also to know your equipment. The lights I used were borrowed from another group and ended up being too strong for the confined space I was working in. A special thanks to my cast who stepped up at the last minute.

Scene Analysis, what makes a great scene

For my scene analysis I decided to use one of my all time favorite movies, Casablanca directed by Michael Curtiz and cinematography by Arthur Edeson. It is a film that has been referenced in books and documentaries on cinematography and in my mind on the the best films ever made. Lighting and composition is an essential part of creating a great scene especially in early black and white films. The limitations that technology placed on filmmakers required them to use lights to create the mood, tone, and any effects. Arthur Edeson uses light to create art on film using soft and hard shadows and the classic soft glamor focus.

The scene I chose was when Ilsa goes to Rick to get the signed letters of transit so that she and her husband Victor can leave Casablanca and make their way to Lisbon to continue his work with the Resistance.

The first shot is of Rick walking into the room and turning on a light to find Ilsa. The table lamp gives the illusion of being the only light source, but Edeson uses a fill light to balance out the shadows created by the table lamp.

The next shot is a full shot of Ilsa standing near the window. Light is used to create the illusion of moonlight coming in through the window which also gives an artistic element in the shadows given by the framing on the windows.

The bust shot of Ilsa uses soft shadow to create a sense of mystery

A shallow depth of field and the primary light coming from the window side of the shot, which maintains the illusion of moonlight, create separation between the subjects  and the background and gives more dimension to the subjects.

By shooting from the shadow side of the subjects, the lighting creates a sense of tension between Rick and Ilsa.

Portrait of a Place

I learned a lot from the portrait of a place assignment. First and foremost planning and communication with my director of photography are essential for a good project. A time conflict forced me to come up with a backup plan for this assignment and caused my work to suffer. Also trust in your cinematographer is key, but you also need to make sure they are doing what you are asking them. I had a problem with not knowing that the white balance was not set correctly until I was editing and was up against a deadline with out time to re-shoot. This experience has definitely been useful in my development as a director and has shown me I still have a lot to learn.

Sony vs. JVC

Both cameras a great for different reasons, the Sony has a simple design that is easy to use especially for someone who is still learning new filming techniques and the JVC is compact and uses newer technology such as memory cards instead of tape.
The JVC is well equiped for filmmakers on the go who need a small, light camera that has all the bells and whistles they need especially in difficult shooting environments. I found features like the zebra pattern for lighting useful and the memory card recording format allows the filmmaker to review each shot without worrying about losing material by accidentally taping over it or creating problems with the time codes. The one major feature I don't like is the single focus wheel that requires the operator to switch back and forth between zoom and focus.
I prefer the simpler design of the Sony for my filming purposes. All the controls are easy to access and the larger viewfinder makes setting up shots easier to translate how they will look on a larger screen. I also find using tape an easier medium to keep track of.