Film & Television Course Curriculum - Lighting Skills
Overall Aim:
To prepare students for:
(a) Trainee Lighting positions in the Film, Video and Television Industry
(b) Provide lighting assistance on a production
(c) Rig Lighting for trainee short film/video productions.
To achieve this the Camera Operating skills curriculum includes:
4-01. An introduction to:
(a) the Film, Video and Television Industry and the work of Directors of Photography, Lighting/ Camera Operators and Gaffers;
(b) the production personnel or crew employed on a variety of productions, ranging from short interviews to television documentaries and feature films.
(c) the responsibilities and duties of each member of the lighting/camera department and the way they and their work inter-relates with the work of other departments and crew members.
4-02. An introduction to, and competent practical experience in, the use of essential equipment, facilities, materials & supplies used by Lighting Departments in the Film, Video & Television Industry as well as the resources used by other departments and an appreciation of how & when these inter-relate with the camera department.
4-03. An introduction to and practical experience in operating the following equipment:
(a) Tungsten Fresnel spotlights
(b) Variable beam tungsten floodlights
(c) Battery powered camera lights
(d) Basic accessories including lighting stands, clamps, grips, reflectors, power cables, connectors & distribution boards
(g) Supplies & materials including colour/intensity correction filters, diffusion/effects filters, reflective material, tapes & pegs
4-04. A basic practical working skill and knowledge in:
(a) conceiving production lighting style & requirements
(b) determining and booking equipment requirements
(c) Setting up and rigging of essential lighting equipment
(d) The operation and creative use of lighting equipment, accessories and materials etc
(e) Solving practical and creative lighting problems
(f) The de-rigging and maintenance of essential lighting equipment.
4-05. An introduction to, and basic practical experience at, creating dramatic lighting effects using Key, Back, Fill, Soft, Bounce and Special Effects lighting techniques, and an appreciation of how lighting can creatively influence the following cinematic camera skills:
(a) Camera & Lighting Angles, Compositions & Framing
(b) Lighting Continuity
(c) Depth of Field & Focusing
(g) Filter Selections & Colour Temperature/Balancing
(h) Picture control/exposure.
4-06. A practical working skill and knowledge in each of the following pre-production planning requirements:
(a) Project/script research
(b) Location reconnaissance
(c) Liaising with Producer, Director, DOP, Art Director and Heads of other Departments to plan, schedule and establish all equipment, facility, supply and material requirements.
4-07. An introduction to the lighting equipment hire companies, broadcasting and production companies as well as all the various freelance personnel/crew who make up the N.Z. Film, Video and Television industries & the projects that these companies and people, especially Lighting department personnel, are working on.
4-08. A practical work experience in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a Lighting Assistant / Gaffer, on a series of film/video productions graduated from short television news items and television commercials to 10 - 15 minute duration television documentaries & drama programmes. (For further details refer to production schedule.)
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