Shoot Date- 10th -26th February 2020
Role- Camera Operator
Production- MFS Production
NOS-C2 Specify camera equipment required
Performance Statements-
-P8 ensure that appropriate camera testing has been carried out
Knowledge and Understanding-
-K11 how to determine the appropriate testing techniques
Little Girl Eliza is about a man who is grieving from the death of his daughter and in order to get over the realisation of this news he takes it upon himself to kidnap a young girl who he can now call Eliza. He is a man who is clearly lost and needs help, but takes to committing thing this awful offence to make himself feel better about the situation he is in.
Testing the Tracking shot
Rob the DoP, wanted to do a tracking shot where we follow the actor, Owen, through the forest as he is on his way to the cemetery. This was going to be a tricky shot, as being out in the forest attempting to follow the talent over rocks and tree branches can be very difficult and potentially dangerous.
We decided to do a full test for this shot (P8 NOS), and on the day, Rob decided that I should test the shot with the camera facing behind me as this would have allowed me to walk forwards, which he believed would have been easier than attempting to track back; not knowing where I am walking into.
We attempted to do the test both with and without an easy rig; using a handheld kit as the other option. After attempting Robs suggestion ,I wasn’t confident in getting the shot exactly how he wanted it. As the camera is facing backwards, everything was switched around, so when I panned LEFT, the image would go RIGHT. I found this confusing, and had we shot it this way, I could have potentially tripped which would have resulted in serious injuries. (Youtube, 2020)
Once we tested the first technique, we rigged the camera back to its original position facing forwards, and attempted it this way to determine which of the two was the best option for me (K11 NOS). The camera facing forwards was the best option for me, as I had full control over the shot and the whereabouts of my framing. I decided that hand held bars was also the best option, rather than the Easy Rig, as this would allow less pressure on my back which meant bending down and moving left to right was easier for me to do.
The Results
The test had worked to my advantage as on the day the conditions in the forest were exactly as I had described: rocky and full of tree branches. I was prepared for my movement, as I had practiced it over and over again during test day.
In the results, there I also another shot I have included of Owen still walking through the woods. However, this was a different type of shot. It was a side on profile shot where in this case I decided to use an Easy Rig for smoothness and speed to crab right; following him as he walked through the deserted woodland with the trees and branches showing in the foreground to create a better effect (adding more quality to the shot). (Youtube, 2020)
Hand Held Operating
Hand Held operating is one of my favourite ways of operating, as it enables you to be more creative with your shots. You are able to move the camera into many different positions when the camera is in your hands, rather than when it mounted on sticks. There have been many times throughout my time at the film school where I have been required to operate hand held, and I believe that I have improved over time. I feel like the reason Rob trusted me to go hand held on this shoot was due to his experience on set with me where I have operated this way. He has witnessed what I can do when put into a hand held situation.
Thimios Bakatakis
Thimios on the RIGHT
Greek Cinematographer, Thimios Bakatakis (IMDB, N.D) who DoP’d the film ‘The Lobster’ starring Colin Farrell and Olivia Coleman, provides a good quote linked to a hand held situation that he had worked on in a previous movie. Speaking about the film “Kinetta” in an article written to the British Cinematographer.com he says:
“In Kinetta everything was hand-held, so that the camera had a role in the film…Dogtooth was more static and formal, with the camera closer to the actor.”(BC, 2015)
This is the first time I have seen a sentence like this regarding the “role” of a camera. By this, he means that the camera is showing a purpose as it allows the operator to use it in this certain way. This statement shows that Thimios has a clear appreciation for cameras in his movies. By going hand held, you are using the camera to its full potential, as you are manoeuvring into almost any potition possible.
Litrle Girl Eliza- Camera Operator
Industry Practice- Lewis Kyneston 