Media arts - Research Paper Example

The Role of Cinematographer in Production Director of photography (DOP), also called cinematographer, helps in providing a film with a visual appearance that is unique. The DOP heads the production unit and directly reports to the film Director. Once the Director conceptualizes the story idea and flow, the cinematographer physically presents it into scripts by determining the look, tone, and mood of the various scenes through lighting, framing, and camera movement (BSC, 2011). They then discuss crucial aspects of the script like story structure, characters, general story setting and locations.

The cinematographer’s responsibilities can be categorized into pre-production, shooting, and post-production stages.In the pre-production stage, the cinematographer conducts research, selects, and approves locations, props, equipment, crew, set colours, textures and shoot tests. The DOP designates the filters and other photographic controls to be followed during filming (BSC, 2011). Since the production designer is responsible for creating the physical and visual appearance of the film, they work together to generate the set design sketches, special effects, lighting, costumes, props, make-up and hair.

The production budget, filming schedules, and key shots are also determined, with assistance from the Director.During the shooting stage, the cinematographer plans the shooting order for activities and directs the trials of scenes to be shot for the day. He designs lighting that matches the locations and actors with the story. It is in this stage that different lighting techniques are employed to set mood, direct viewer attention and provide information about the scenes by use of equipment such as table lamps, bulbs, candles, filters and stage light.

The manner in which light falls on face of the actor or lights a landscape or an interior space can create drama, mood, and excitement for the audience. Lower lighting and shadows can be used to show darker moods like horror and sadness or eerie and haunting looks while brighter lighting to show happiness. Soft lighting can depict romantic and heartwarming tone or set a nostalgic tone by use of candle light. Natural lighting can be used to replicate the actual environment of the scene. Furthermore, lighting between scenes may alter as the film progresses to communicate changes in the characters’ emotions (BSC, 2011).

The cinematographer may employ high contrast lighting techniques by combining harsh streaks of light with bold, black streaks to create a mood of tension and anxiety. The production designer has to be present to direct the placement of props and make-up for actors to depict different personalities to match the scenes being shot. In a nutshell, the cinematographer ensures the tone of light and mood help tell the story and can solicit the assistance of a stand-by painter to control the highlights, shadows, ageing and dusting-down of sets and props.

Finally, in the post-production stage, the cinematographer grades the picture and film through color correction, sound, and movement editing, and seeks the approval of the final copy from the Director before the delivery is made to the respective user.From the above points, it is evident that the director of photography or cinematographer is an important part of the production crew. The cinematographer’s role is fundamental to successful filming because through it, the attention and emotions of the audience can be captured and maintained actively.

Work CitedThe British Society of Cinematographers (2011) The Responsibilities of the Cinematographer Retrieved November 7, from www.bscine.com