ON THE SET

Brief account of learning to use cameras and tripods, what filming terminology to use on set and useful editing practice

This account is about what I learnt and what equipment we were shown when we were presented how to use the Canon cameras and Manfrotto tripods. 

Cameras and Tripods

We passed the camera around and each person in my group practised how to handle the camera, insert the battery and SD card. When you pass the cameras around we were told that you should say 'yours' and 'mine' to avoid the risk of dropping it.  We also learnt how to set up a tripod and to 'bubble' it using the spirit level to help make the camera balanced and in focus. We explored the camera such as how to focus a scene, select the correct settings for light levels and frame correctly. The exposure on the camera is adjusted by moving the dial up and down. 

White Balance (WB)

The process of removing unrealistic colour casts, so that objects which appear white in person are rendered white in the photo. Proper camera white balance has to take into account the "colour temperature" of a light source, which refers to the relative warmth or coolness of white light. You adjust it by selecting the ‘WB’ on the camera, it will then come up with pictures representing different colour tones that are used in different light situations which can give a more realistic effect.

180-Degree Rule

We also learned about the 180 degree rule. The 180-degree rule is a cinematography guideline that states that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another. When the camera passes over the invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line and the shot becomes what is called a reverse angle.

On Set

We then learnt the terminology used in the film industry on set. The director shouts 'Standby' before filming to ensure that everyone is ready and when they are, they reply 'Standing by.'

When the director shouts ‘rolling’, everyone on set must be quiet, then he /she shouts ‘action’ which tell the actors to start. After the shoot, the director has said the last ‘cut’, he / she will say ‘strike the kit’ which is the film crew's cue to pack away, put the batteries on charge and ensure that the footage is uploaded. 

Editing Practice

We are using Final Cut Pro and on the iMacs in the media studio. When uploading our footage, we should create a folder to keep the shots safe and secure. These folders are called bins and the unedited footage from cameras are called rushes.