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The way you work with light (both available, and otherwise) can fundamentally impact on the look, power and effect of your documentary. The tutor will familiarise you with the common problems that make lighting necessary and the lights currently deployed by industry professionals. You will learn about lighting techniques, how light works and contributors’ reactions to lighting, as well as power and safety issues.      

This course has been designed for documentary filmmakers, with particular emphasis on advanced camera techniques and lighting for interviews, however, you will find that you will be able to apply many of the skills you learn to other areas of filmmaking.

Day 1
CAMERA OPERATION
Topics covered will include:

• setting up cameras and tripods in groups with tutor guidance
• basic tripod operating and practice
• camera function and operation including:
• automatic mode versus manual control
• focus
• iris and exposure
• ND
• gain
• zebras
• shutter speed
• white balance (colour temperature of light sources)
• zoom, focal length, depth of field and image control
• chosing the right lens size
• documentary styles
• tripod versus handheld
• handheld shooting techniques
• shooting for the edit
• an introduction to observational shooting

Practice shoot
In groups you'll shoot one or more short observational documentary exercises with the editor’s needs in mind. You’ll practice covering a scene in more than one shot with an emphasis on shot length, size and angle as well as smoothness and stability while operating.

View and Review
Individual feedback from tutor as a group, reviewing each exercise in turn.

Day 2
DOCUMENTARY LIGHTING
Topics covered will include:

• understanding different sources of light including:
• tungsten
• fluorescent
• natural (daylight)
• available
• practicals
• combining light sources
• the principles of light and lighting style (quality, direction and position)
• how to work with specific light sources including:
• basic 3-point lighting for interview (key, fill and kick, direct and indirect or bounced sources)
• lighting an interview in consideration with lens size/s, background and composition

Practice Shoot
In groups you'll practice lighting several separate scenes in rotation, including one interview situation using lights, and one situation without lights.

View and Review
Feedback from tutor as a group, reviewing each exercise in turn.