Research
What is needed for a production?
For a production, one of the most important processes is the pre-production stage. During this stage things such as shot lists, floor plans and meetings and any other matters depending on who the client is and what they want. For the Halle orchestra as a crew, we meet the client who was the musical director Steve Pickett. During this meeting the key points raised were: what the Halle do, the event that needed to be covered and the locations for where. The layout of the venue (Bridgewater Hall) and (City hall). Where each section of the Orchestra was on stage and the names for the different sections such as the woodwinds and brass. The placements and amount of cameras needed. As well as a visual mixer which required a total of 4 camera operators and one visual mixer / Atem operator. The camera angles and sizes of the shots such as wide, medium and close-ups. The details of the performances (guest performers etc.) and the dress Code (Dark clothing blend into the background and doesn’t attract the attention of the audience.) – After the meeting Client, decisions needed to be made such as the cameras to use. As a group, we decided to use the JVC’s I had previously used for the Graduation at Sheffield Cathedral and an on a music performance for the music department in the college. So I had both experience and knowledge of using the JVC’s. Although recently I used the Sony F700s and F100s on the drama duologues this helped me to use the JVS’s more. Effectively as they have a somewhat similar layout of manual settings on the side of the camera.
Whilst contacting the client things were discussed such as who the client was and what his role was. When the short film would need to be submitted by HorrorCon 19th May and its guidelines such as the length the short film needed to be which was – (5-10 minutes). My group’s basic story plot for a horror short story was discussed with the client and about whether the plot would work or not and after talking with him the idea was changed to be a bit more horror genre than it was. After the phone call with the client, jobs were handed out to each of the crew members. Once we had our own job roles I created an online checklist which all the crew could access, this meant that deadlines could be set and known to all of the crew which made sure that things weren’t behind schedule.
My Role Camera Operator: According to creativeskillset.org camera operators carry out the Director of Photography’s (DoP) and Director’s instructions for shot composition and development. They are usually the first people to use the camera’s eyepiece to assess how all the elements of performance, art direction, lighting, composition, and camera movement come together to create the cinematic experience.
After the Director and DoP have rehearsed and blocked the shots, the Camera Operator and DoP decide where to position the camera and what lenses and supporting equipment to use. Camera Operators liaise with the Grip and other Heads of Department and keep them informed about how the position and movement of the camera might impact on their workload.
During shooting, Operators are responsible for all aspects of camera operation, enabling the DoP to concentrate intensively on lighting and overall visual style.
Camera Operators make sure the camera and equipment are prepared for the required set-ups and ready for any last-minute changes. They must be able to multi-task and to watch, listen and think on their feet while carrying out complex technical tasks.
Skills
Whilst working with both of these clients I used skills of communication with the crew and the client upon the placements of the cameras, shots, location of the venues and travel times. I used communication techniques to make this easier such as listening, taking in the information and then adding ideas/advice for camera set up. I Also contributed ideas towards the Whitby project such as ideas for equipment to be used and some shot ideas that would require the Ronan stabiliser as well as contributing to storyboarding for the scenes. I also used skills of organisation and punctuality to make sure I was where I needed to be early to set up equipment in Whitby on shoots or to get transport in time for setting up equipment.
Production / Skills
In the production process, it is important that every member of the crew knows their role and is flexible and willing to learn. In any production, there needs to be at least a camera operator and a director. This is because there needs to be a direction and a person to follow that director otherwise different ideas may be introduced in an erratic way which could in the Whitby project made the audience confused. Or in the Halle orchestra product, it could cause the performance to not go correctly and change the overall perspective of the performance. In the production process, it is also important that all the equipment is set up ahead of time in case of any problems that may occur such as connection problems between the cameras and the atem. this did happen at one of the performances and was overcome with a new wire. However, if this had been not before the performance but when it was starting it would have negatively affected the overall performance. Another thing important in a performance is to assist other crew members in their job because even if the one role for example camera operator is correct if the atem is not correctly functioning it wouldn’t matter how could the camera operator was. the same can be applied in the Whitby project if even one role isn’t correctly performed such as the sound recordist it won’t matter to the audience how good it looks if it sounds horrible.
In my role as camera operator, I was able to use and improve my technical effectiveness, communication, problem solving and ideas contribution. Whilst working with the Halle orchestra and with the actors in the crew I needed to be professional and creative although in one situation I needed to fade into the background not to draw attention and the other in Whitby talk and contribute ideas for creative shots. Whilst working with the Halle orchestra I used my technical and communication skills by reframing and focusing shots quickly after setting up all of the equipment – checking it was all functioning correctly and doing correct framing after listening correctly to the director as to the music section and shot size I needed to get. However with the Whitby client which was more of an unassisted and controlled environment things skills such as punctuality and organisation were in some ways even more important. As well as on set ideas generation such as shots, and problem-solving such as issues with the Ronan. I solved a problem on set with the Ronan as it wasn’t fully staying stabilised this was because at some point the drop time which makes the movement fluid and smooth was incorrectly positioned I corrected this and solved the problem.
Key learning points
- Filming a live performance in a professional environment.
- Making decisions for appropriate framing of shots that could influence the overall performance.
- Learning how to effectively communicate with the client to make sure they get the best product/performance possible and the client’s needs are met.
- Working with a crew and actors
- Assisting other crew members in their roles
Critical Analysis.
Some ways in which I would improve in future work with clients would be to improve upon my communication, and ideas contribution within meetings with the client, this is because I feel it could further improve a performance or project. Another thing that I would improve upon is making sure that shoots pre-shot/ rehershed this is because it will further improve upon the overal quility and reduce the time spent ajusting to problems on set. I would also improve further by trying to pre think out possivle problmes in the pre production stage and either practise the practical eqiptment in a test shoot or come up ahead of time with mechanisms to be put into place to solve problems quickly and effecvively such as making sure to look at ones own role from a third perspective. This would make sure that I correctly fufil my role. Another thing could be improved upon next time to make sure that all of the crew help out even if they don’t have a role as it builds morale and support as well as creating a more effective and professional final product. to conclude this analysis the most prominent things that need improvement for me personally is to contribute more creative ideas in group meetings and to rehearse shoots ahead of time as well as building up my skills in problem-solving and flexibility.
Bibliography
Creativeskillset.org. (2018). Camera Operator | Creative Skillset. [online] Available at: http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/film/job_roles/3073_camera_operator [Accessed 22 April 2018].
Dale 
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