Film & Television Course Curriculum - Film & Video Camera Operating Skills
Overall Aim:
To prepare students for:
(a) Trainee EFP and/or film camera assistant positions in the Film and Television Industry
(b) Camera Assisting on trainee drama or documentary productions.
To achieve this the Camera Operating skills curriculum includes:
3-01. An introduction to:
(a) the Film, Video and Television Industry and the work of Directors of Photography and Lighting/Camera Operators;
(b) the production personnel or crew employed on a variety of productions ranging from short items or interviews, to full length television documentaries and feature films;
(c) the responsibilities and duties of each of the crew members and the way they and their work inter-relates with the work of the camera department.
3-02. An introduction to, and practical experience in, the use of the equipment, facilities, materials & supplies utilised by Camera Departments in the Film & Television Industry, as well as the essential equipment and facilities, utilised by other departments and an appreciation of how and when these inter-relate with the camera department.
Note: Students must build up their own basic tool kits for maintaining and operating equipment.
3-03. A practical working skill and knowledge in the following basic Camera Operating skill requirements:-
(a) Equipment Set-up
(b) Camera/Video Cassette Recorder control and switch settings
(c) Video, Audio and Power connections
(d) Hand Held and Tripod mounted Camera movements
(e) Zoom and Focus control operations
(f) VCR Operations and Pre-roll procedures
(g) Equipment Bookings and Maintenance.
3-04. An introduction to, and competent practical working skill / knowledge in, the following essential Cinematic Techniques:
(a) Camera Angles
(b) Shot selection and definitions
(c) Compositions and Framing
(d) Shooting Sequences
(e) Montage
(f) Continuity
(h) Eyelines
(i) Cutting Lines
(j) Coverage
(k) Depth of Field Focusing selections based on theoretical knowledge of the optical properties of lenses
(l) Filter Selections and Colour Balancing based on theoretical and practical knowledge of the colour temperatures of Light
(m) Creative Dramatic Lighting using Key, Back, Fill, Soft and Special Effects Lighting Techniques.
3-05. An introduction to, and practical working skill and knowledge in, each of the following essential pre-production planning requirements:
(a) Project Research
(b) Script Breakdowns
(c) Location Recce’s
(d) Preparation of Shooting Scripts, Shot Lists and Story Boards
(e) Liaising with Producer, Director, Art Director and Heads of other Departments to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply and material requirements.
3-06. An introduction to the camera equipment hire, broadcasting and production companies as well as all the various freelance personnel/crew who make up the NZ Film and TV industries & the projects that these companies and people, especially Camera Operators, are working on.
3-07. A practical work experience in carrying out all the duties and responsibilities of a Camera Operator, on an extensive series of film/video productions, graduated from short television news items and commercials, to 10 - 15 minute duration documentaries and drama programmes. (For details refer to exercise schedule).
3-08. A practical experience at communicating clearly with camera department & other production crew in order to creatively and dynamically co-ordinate their work and your own into a finished programme.
3-09. A practical experience at working with Directors & Producers to conceive and develop programme or film ideas to suit intended target audiences, as well as taking on the responsibility for realising and completing the camera or visual aspects of a project to a professionally recognised standard within the allocated budgets and time/schedules.
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Registered as a private training establishment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and its subsequent amendments.
