Camera Movement/Equipment Workshop.
This workshop began by getting a lecture presentation about analysing
a sequence based on the number of shot types and camera placements needed within
it and then we progressed into learning about different types of camera movements
and how they can be used with video examples. The six camera movements that we
learnt about were tracking in/out, gib up/down, crab left/right, pan, tilt and a
Dutch angle. After we then moved onto trying different angles on the three
types of equipment – Fig, Dolly and Jib.
FIG RIG
I was in a group with Layla and Lewis and the first piece of
equipment we tried out was the fig rig. This is a circular piece of equipment
that attaches the camera to the centre, so you have both hands available to
hold the circle (like a steering wheel). This eliminates some shakiness from the
camera being handheld. To practice using this equipment we tried different
angles, such as a low angle which, in this case looks as though it is taking
the form of a dog. This meant I held the fig with one hand and held it to shin
height, whilst making it turn in different directions to represent the manic of
a dog. Moreover, I then filmed a short clip of a mop going back and forth, so I
held the rig with two hands about knee height and then swayed it in time that
the mop was moving. One of the other ways we tried it was using it to follow
someone. This meant holding it statically with both hands and when going round
the corners using a Dutch angle.
Using the fig rig was relatively easy as there weren’t too
many complications whilst using it and I think it is a good, simple piece of equipment
that can create some interesting shots with ease. For example, with the mopping
video, it gives a more visually interesting sequence than if it was static shot
so, therefore, can intrigue the spectators more. Moreover, it is also relatively
portable so can be used anywhere to film different angles and movements.
DOLLY
The next piece of equipment we used was the dolly. This is a
piece of equipment where the camera is on a wheeled tripod, that is attached to
a track so when moving it back and forth it can create a smooth, sleek movement
without the worry about shakiness instead of doing it by hand. To practice this
type of equipment, we had someone sit behind a desk, with a lamp next to them
and the camera was straight on. The most common way of using the dolly is for a
contra zoom, where you track backwards whilst zooming in, so it portrays quite
a manipulating effect. For example, the most famous example is in Jaws when
chief Brody identifies a shark in the sea whilst at the beach. We then tried
just some more simple techniques by just tracking forward or backwards and getting
used to that motion before then progressing into to practicing the contra-zoom,
and even a pan whilst tracking backwards.
Overall, I found this equipment quite fascinating to use,
yet I feel as though if I got the chance to use this piece in a future project,
I would need some more practice on it to achieve the best results in terms of
aesthetics and movements. However, I did find that it took awhile to get the
hang of having the subject in the same placement on the camera screen when attempting
to achieve a contra-zoom or even just tracking outwards.
JIB
The last piece of equipment to use from this workshop was
the jib, which is like a mini crane that the camera is at the top end, and you
operate it from the rear. There is also a weight near where you operate the
jib. A jib can be used to get high or low angles with ease that may be unachievable
if done by hand, also they can be used to get shots that are needed horizontally
or vertically whilst moving a short distance. To practice using the jib, I did
some low and high angle shots of the subject and tried to create a pan from a
high angle that eventually moved to eye level. I felt as though, we didn’t get a
lot of different shots as it was more about learning how to control the jib.
This piece of equipment, I felt as though it was one of the
more difficult pieces to understand as there was a lot of focus onto getting
used to the way it operates with the handles, but also making sure the camera
was still safe when doing a low, and even high, angle shot – you almost just had
to trust the process of the jib. Therefore, like stated above, this meant that I
didn’t manage to get as many different shots as hoped. This is something that
would possibly make future student films more cinematic and advance the camera
work, therefore making it more visually captivating.
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