Two Days Workshop — Cinematic Expression

Film Scene from previsualization

The technique enables the cinematographer to deliver directly from the mind. Schools do not offer programs dedicated to the logistics of cinematic expression. Still, every cinematographer desires to create a compelling film scene based on the imagined. They make sure the outcome truly reflects their mind image.

Technical and Creative Elements of Cinematic Expression

A cinematographer lights the scene in a logical sequence of steps. He follows a plan where the visual elements of the scene are already decided. The realization of the plan comes in a chronology of logical steps.

Workshop

Goal: Express the mental image, translating it into elements of cinematic expression.
Scene captured in a single shot. The result mirrors the mind image.

Students start with a scene idea, which gets deconstructed into elements of cinematic expression.
Lens (focal length, aperture), Light (quality, direction, intensity, style), Camera (static, dynamic), Exposure (light meter incident/reflected), Color. All these factors contribute to the creation of a memorable film scene.

Chronology of steps:

Camera f-stop
Determination of camera F-stop for the scene, which is a vital part of shaping the film scene.

Mood
The main lighting element of the scene mood is the light ambiance. We classify the mood as either high-key or low-key based on the value of the light ambiance. In a high-key scene, we set the ambiance f-stop even or higher than the scene f-stop. In a low-key scene, we set it lower than the scene f-stop.

Lighting Style
The Key Light direction determines the lighting style. The direction and intensity of the Key-Light is decided during scene deconstruction. Generally, there are two directions that keys can illuminate:
Broad and Narrow. Broad Key for high-key scenes and Narrow Key for low-key scenes.