Course Title: Compose camera shots and operate a camera
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2007
Course Code: VART5746C
Course ID: 035475
Course Title: Compose camera shots and operate a camera
School: 345T Creative Media
Program Code: C5134 - Diploma of Screen
Course Contact : Adam Lovell
Course Contact Phone: 9924 4976
Course Contact Email: adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 50
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
In this course, students will learn the skills and knowledge required to compose shots, position the camera, select the appropriate lens and lighting equipment and operate a camera.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
CUFCAM03A Compose camera shots and operate a camera |
Element: |
Address lighting conditions |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Assess the quality and quantity of available light and determine the amount of correction required, if necessary</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Confirm that the available light is sufficient for the production requirements by utilising appropriate meters</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Correct mixed light sources to achieve a uniform colour balance</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Ensure corrective actions are taken to address changing or inadequate lighting conditions</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Liaise closely with lighting personnel to achieve the required image and agree to the use of artificial light sources</font> |
Element: |
Compose shots |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Liaise with the relevant personnel and interpret and confirm the shot requirements so that aesthetic and technical production and script/production requirements are met </font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Generate a range of ideas for the composition of shots which provide creative solutions to the production issues</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Discuss ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to ensure contribution of ideas to the initial concept</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Reflect on and appraise ideas for implications on cost and time, technical feasibility, and suitability to meet the production requirements</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Devise shots to ensure that correct visual interpretation of the script/production requirements is met through close liaison with relevant personnel</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Ensure that composition of shots meets the aesthetic requirements and provides the correct visual interpretation of the script/production requirements</font> |
Element: |
Coordinate crew to position camera |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Communicate the start and end of the moving shot clearly to all relevant personnel, as required</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Identify and clearly communicate the route and timing of camera movements</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Identify and discuss problems with relevant personnel and modify movements accordingly</font> |
Element: |
Monitor the quality of the moving image during filming |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Employ photographic and composition techniques to achieve the aesthetic requirements and to capture well composed and focused shots</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Maintain the desired composition by ensuring that any camera movement is steady and smooth throughout the duration of the shot</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Maintain focus throughout the filming</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Execute zoom movements and focus changes to achieve the required image, and in accordance with any instructions from relevant personnel</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Maintain camera and lighting conditions throughout filming to ensure that image and light quality meet the stylistic effectrequired</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Coordinate the efforts of other personnel to achieve the desired image</font> |
Element: |
Position and operate camera to capture shots |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Liaise with relevant personnel regarding the shots required and ensure that their sequence is clear and coherent</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Position camera for shots to ensure the safety of all personnel, performers and the general public</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Select camera positions to meet aesthetic and technical requirements and in consultation with the appropriate personnel</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Consider all camera shots and angles to ensure cuts between shots produce the desired result</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Consider editing and other post production requirements whilst filming</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Adjust and move equipment, as required, during the shoot with consideration to the timelines and deadlines of the production schedule </font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Move camera to capture planned or rehearsed shots, according to direction received from relevant personnel</font> |
Element: |
Select and use corrective filters |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Make use of corrective filters to:</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">meet the creative/and or technical requirements of the production </font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">change the effects of available light to the quality required to suit film in use</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">ensure that correct colour balance and light conditions are attained</font> |
Element: |
Select and use lens |
Performance Criteria: |
<font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Determine the required focal length, depth of field and select lens according to technical and creative requirements and available light</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Select focal length according to the type and stability of the camera mounting and degree of intended camera movement during the shot</font> <font size="3" face="Symbol">· </font><font face="Times" roman="" new="">Control exposure by use of correct aperture</font> |
Learning Outcomes
Overview of Learning Activities
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will consist of
- demonstrations
- workshops
- discusions
- screenings
- group planning of camera assessments
- storyboarding
- camera exercises
- editing
Students will be responsible for their learning and will be expected to undertake an appropriate amount of independent research, reading, study, practice and screenings.
Teaching Schedule
| TAFE week |
topics & activities | Required reading |
| 01 |
|
|
| 02 | • intro • view & review previous productions • intro to professional cameras & lenses plan & storyboard camera assessment 1 quiz |
|
| 03 | • composing shots & constructing a sequence • script break down • storboard as a planning tool • eyelines & directions, reactions • staging & consistency • location dialogue • camera movement • 1800 rule & 300 rule |
Producing Videos, M. Mollison p1-73 Camera manual for JVC DV 500 Camera manual for JVC DV 5101 |
| 04 | • monitor the quality of moving images during filming • camera movements, entrances & exits • corrective filters & their uses plan & storyboard camera assessment 1 |
Producing Videos, M. Mollison p74-83 |
| 05 | • aesthetic and technical production and script requirements • develop ideas for composition of shots which provide creative solutions to production issues plan & storyboard camera assessment 1 |
www.hoyafilter.com |
| 06 | • shot composition • lighting requirements & corrective strategies actions • co-ordinate & communicate with crew in re camera movements • monitor quality of moving images shoot camera assessment 1 part 1 |
Film Directing Shot by Shot, Steven Katz, p3-120 |
| 07 | shoot camera assessment 1 part 2 | |
| 08 | • lens focal lengths, depth of field, technical and creative requirements edit camera assessment |
|
| 09 | • assessing lighting requirements view & review camera assessment 1 & production & technical issues arising compare finished production to storyboard plan & storyboard camera assessment2 camera assessment 1 due storyboard assessment 1 due |
Film Directing Shot by Shot, Steven Katz, p121-158 |
| 10 | • lighting the shot • assessing lighting requirements • co-odinating the crew, timing & communication plan & storyboard camera assessment 2 evaluation assessments 1 due |
Film Directing Shot by Shot, Steven Katz, p159-250 |
| 11 | • shot composition • lighting requirements & corrective strategies actions • co-ordinate & communicate with crew in re camera movements • monitor quality of moving images shoot camera assessment 2 part 1 |
|
| 12 | shoot camera assessment 2 part 2 | |
| 13 | • chromakey fundamentals • shot composition • lighting requirements & corrective strategies actions • focal length selection • corrective filters • monitor quality of images edit camera assessment2 plan camera assessment3 |
Producing Videos, M. Mollison p426-429 |
| 14 | view & review camera assessment 2 & production & technical issues arising camera assessment 2 due storyboard assessment 2 due |
|
| 15 | • shot composition • lighting requirements & corrective strategies actions • focal length selection • corrective filters • monitor quality of images shoot camera assessment 3 evaluation assessments 2 due |
Film Directing Shot by Shot, Steven Katz, p159-250 |
| 16 | shoot camera assessment 3 edit camera assessment 3 |
|
| 17 | view & review camera assessment 3 & production & technical issues arising camera assessment 3 due |
|
| 18 | camera reviews revision revision quiz |
Overview of Learning Resources
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Producing Videos: A Complete Guide |
9781865089164 |
Film Directing Shot By Shot – Visualising From Concept To Screen |
0941188108 |
References
Film Directing Cinematic Motion – A workshop For Staging Scenes |
0941188140 |
Single-camera Video Production |
0240807065 |
Other Resources
Camera manual for JVC DV 5101
Camera manual for JVC DV 500
www.hoyafilter.com
Overview of Assessment
Individual storyboard 20%
Camera exercises 50%
Peer & self evaluation 20%
Production Evaluation 10%
Assessment Tasks
- Individual storyboards
- Group productions
- Peer & self evaluations
- Evaluations of completed production tasks
All assessments must be submitted no later than the due date. Grades may be lost for late submissions.
Grades
High Distinction 80-100% HD
Distinction 70-79% DI
Credit 60-69% CR
Pass 50-59%% PA
Fail 00-49% NN
Other Information
- Students are required to attend all classes for lectures, demonstrations, workshops, discussions, screenings and activities.
- All activities/camera assessments will take place in class time, except for editing sessions that will take place at another scheduled time.
- Camera production assessments and related activities may vary due to facilities availability and other changed circumstances.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview