Course Reflection - Not to Be Confused with My Film Short "Reflection"

                This course has taught me more about my field than the majority of my academic career at the University of Alabama. Though some consider the name of the course to be “Advanced Cinematography”, the class taught me about the technical aspects of camera movement and camera specifics as well as the efficiency of pre-production materials and production etiquette. Prior to the class, I would never have realized the importance of shooting scripts or storyboards. I usually envision how I want shots to look in my mind and struggle through the communication process with my cinematographer. Understanding these elements helped my filmmaking process tremendously.

                The ability to use certain equipment and learn about others was probably my favorite and most influential aspect about the class. Previously, I had worked with some of the more basic equipment like the JVC HM100 cameras and the Manfrotto tripods but this was the first time I was introduced to prime lenses or the Spyder dolly. As the semester continued and I worked more with this equipment, my shots became more complex and articulate.

Unfortunately, I discovered the world of lighting a bit too late into the semester. Within the past few weeks I realized how much I loved to play with the lighting and shadows of my subjects. The lighting helps me to enhance or completely alter the mood of my subjects simply with the placement of the light and its reflection. I found the magic of gels and now have a difficult time staying away from them. I just wish I had more time to play with the lighting kits and accessories during class. My time on-set helped to raise my confidence with lighting but I feel as if other students should also get the opportunity. Maybe if the course taught students lighting earlier in the semester, it would benefit their confidence and projects as well.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the class. I learned more about the filmmaking process as a whole rather than what is in frame. The class is invaluable and would suggest for any student looking to improve their filmmaking to register for it. Though I wish we learned more about lighting earlier in the semester and had more projects to work on throughout the course, this has helped me to realize I could do more than just edit. It opened many doors that I never would have thought to look through and has been a pleasure every step of the way. Thank you.

Reel and Artist Statement

Director/Cinematographer Reel Fall 2014 from Kristina Cruz on Vimeo.

Artist Statement

            As a filmmaker, I aim to create unique images that further enhance the story. Rather than simply depicting a visual to accompany the storyline or message, I craft visualizations to reflect the emotions of the subjects. The frame becomes a window into the lives or sentiment projected upon these people and objects.

            Through my role as a director, every detail helps to comprise the larger meaning of a shot. A shot not only communicates the action or dialogue, but also builds the message of a film. Each one possesses some sort of meaning. I choose to tell stories through visualizations or lack thereof. I believe dialogue should possess just as much meaning to the story as the lighting or frame; excessive amounts of these filming elements results in what I like to call “mush” onscreen.

            Mush relates to the overabundance of a particular filming element without any sort of motive or incentive. I feel that excessive amounts of dialogue lose their meaning and just become noise in the background. Excessive amounts of characters make it difficult to form a connection or bond between the audience and the universe envisioned onscreen. Though there may be a time and place for each, I attempt to focus as much of my frame on the key elements as I can. In order to do so, my position as a cinematographer takes control.

            Cinematography allows me to paint portraits of people, places, and objects, but above all emotion. Emotion is something cannot be seen yet we all know exists. The images I create allow emotion to take a visual form through my framing and lighting. Frames allow characters to relish in their freedom through wide shots or reveal their most intimate moments through close-ups. Shadows are equally as important to a shot as the lighting is. Lights are able to reveal while the shadows allow me to obscure. I enjoy painting sets with color to emphasize the mood of a scene. Most of my sets contain at least one or two gels just to give my shots a splash of fantasy or delusion. This technique helps to draw in my audience’s attention just enough for them to focus on the story.

Reflection Scene Assignment

Working on pre-production materials will not only help keep you organized but also to help your crew run faster and more efficiently. For my pre-production materials, I used:


Script
Shot List
Storyboard
Marked Shooting Script
Floor plan
Visual References

Script

Shot List

Storyboard

Marked Shooting Script

Floor Plan

Visual References

Final result of all this planning and some hard work on set:

Reflection from Kristina Cruz on Vimeo.