We were so excited to be able to provide 2 groups – our Film Taster group with Cables & Cameras (our talent activity for Black and global majority creatives) talent development, and our BFI Film Academy Short Course – with cinematography workshops. These were led by amazing facilitators from Arri – shout out to Marta and Tom! We’re so grateful to MyWorld and the University of Bristol for their support to make this happen.
The day saw an introduction to industry standard Arri cameras, how lenses work, practical training in changing lenses, focus pulling and lighting. We were fortunate to have 2 incredible actors from Bristol School of Acting , Luca and Shanay, with us to provide perfect material and inspiration to focus our filming sequences on. We thought on our feet quickly and devised short scenes with the actors using one performer, one location and as little dialogue as possible to give us as much time to focus on using the camera.
I knew nothing about cameras. I got to use really expensive equipment, take out the lenses and put them back in, move the camera around and focus it. It was great.”
In no time the groups were working together in small teams to literally call the shots, taking on roles akin to those they’d find on-set, and creatively shooting and directing dramatic sequences with the actors. One big surprise for everyone was using the monitor and focus pulling handset separately from the camera – we had no idea that on a professional set many DOPs now sit at the monitor to control the shoot!
I think I’ve realised I’m more of a director than I realised. I knew I was already interested in camera, but I really enjoyed working with an actor. That process of getting us talking and working with both of the actors – they were so professional and good to work with, it really is fun to bounce back and forth and try out different things.“
We think the photos and quotes from the session say it all – what a great day, that left everyone feeling truly inspired, with a renewed confidence to consider themselves as ‘creatives’ and leave with the desire to explore more cinematographic ideas.
