Cinematography for Directors, Jacqueline B. Frost (Notes and Summary)

Cinematography for Directors, Jacqueline B. Frost 

Book Notes

Cinematographer Check list:

• Send prospective cinematographer the final shooting script
• have a face to face meeting, understand his personality, will I be comfortable working with him day and day out on set?
• Talk to a director who has worked with that cinematographer before, will he work with him in the future?
• Screen his work and see his visual styles and lighting techniques (look for repetition)
• Discuss if they can use the cameras you are filming with. (it's not essential, usually an assistant will operate, the cinematographer frames)
• Talk about visual references related to the project.
• show the cinematographer the vision as much as possible, videos, photos, etc.
• meet  with production design to discuss colours
• Once you hire a cinematographer, allow him/her to do test shoots.
• visit locations together
• it is very key that he knows what the director is looking for

When talking to the cinematographer make sure you are clear, avoid making references to movies and previous work.

The worst kind of director is the one who doesn't care about the project and just wants everything to be done, cinematography and directing is a group and partner work on the visual side

What can a Director do to prepare

• Visit equipment shows
• Learn the fundamentals of cinematography.
• Use visual references from painting from the masters, period photographs
• make the cinematographer the directors partner
• Build a strong relationship with the cinematographer
• The director must know the story completely, everything must be written down, a cinematographer then will write the story visually through camera
• talk with the cinematographer about what is important with the cinematographer.
• Keep egos in check, the director should do his job, the cinematographer should do his.

What a Director should know about Camera Movement

• Knowing the motivation for the camera move, is it subjective? does it enhance an emotional state?
• Understand the basic types of movement how long it usually takes to movement, the equipment it takes to create those movements, setting up time as well.
• Understand the difference of what the zoom does versus the track, which works best for which shot.
• If you use a crane, plan it properly, last thing you want is to pay for something that expensive and not use it for the final cut
• Talk with the cinematographer on the feeling you want to convey, will it actually be effective if you move the camera.
• Invite the cinematographer to observe you blocking the actors.
• If you are using a steadicam, make sure you are using it because you need to not just for the sake of it being in the film.
• Think about the pace