UFMMTBP010 Introduction to Camera 1

Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Summer 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Anton Szomolányi, ArtD. (lecturer)
Ing. Petr Jančárek (lecturer)
MgA. Ondřej Smékal (seminar tutor)
doc. Mgr. Anton Szomolányi, ArtD. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Petr Jančárek
Centrum interdisciplinárních studií – Faculty of Philosophy and Science in Opava
Timetable
each even Wednesday 11:25–13:00 ATEL
  • Timetable of Seminar Groups:
UFMMTBP010/01: Wed 9:45–11:20 ATEL, O. Smékal, A. Szomolányi
Prerequisites
Prerequisite of the subject is mastering the basics of working with a camera as a tool for cinematographic production. The student will understand the principles of image composition in static principles and in dynamic contexts. The course is a combination of theoretical lectures and practical performance of the student in the exercises, which he presents in a study group. Exercises are carried out continuously during the semester.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the first semester is to acquaint students especially with the basics of cameraman's work, ie. with the basics of acquiring the visual component of an audiovisual work and its effect on the result of the work of the whole team. It will give students the opportunity to practically try shooting with the basic types of video cameras and at the same time acquaint them with the principles of simple cinematographic communication, with an emphasis on the composition of shots and their editing. An integral part of the course is the connection of practical skills with the physical and technical nature of recording equipment and technologies. The course contains a set of practical exercises that students implement themselves or in teams. The minimum number of exercises in one semester is four.
Learning outcomes
Exercise 1: Title: Living together ... Living together The student will shoot a short documentary, which will take place entirely indoors. Captures coexistence of at least two people. At the same time, it is necessary to integrate them into the environment in which they live. To the maximum extent, the student is inspired by natural daylight. This is mainly an artistic and emotional composition. The student will come up with a simple story for himself. In the sound part, the emphasis is on capturing the real noises of the environment, which the student can supplement with composed music. In no case, however, is music the dominant element so that the exercise does not become a clip. Work with noises. Duration: maximum 4 minutes Exercise 2: Title: Spring day Film length: max. three minutes Genre: feature film with at least one character / reportage shots and photos can also be used / No shot will be longer than 5 seconds Sound: authentic noises, no dialogue. The student will shoot a short film that will contain at least 40 shots. The film will be shot with a mobile phone in 16: 9 format in HD landscape. Images will be static with minimal movement. If possible, the student turns on the image stabilizer. The film will alternate all image sizes such as large unit, hemisphere, American plan, semi-detail, detail and large detail. Watch out for cuts of the same image size! / cut shots should be as different as possible / The film will apply basic compositional principles such as composing in the thirds of the image, placing the horizon line in the golden section, composition of detail with eyes in the upper third, the chin will have enough space in detail from below, the character will not walk on the bottom "Growing" trees or objects from the figure's head. Pay attention to the verticality of the images - alignment. The film will not be shot in the evening light. It will be edited in the editing software. The noise of the environment in which the film takes place will be used. Be careful when editing, do not forget to make a backup of the material to a separate data storage. Story: A beautiful spring day, the subject decides to go on a trip. He comes out of the house into the park. He suddenly feels that the character is being watched and is getting scared. He tries to hide, or to get to safety by escaping. People who pose a danger can create reportage footage Exercise 3: Semester exercise self-portrait Title: Self-portrait. Final film tied to the evaluation of the subject. Film premiere - the last week of June. The exercise emphasizes imagination, imagination and creativity. The student makes a short film about himself. The film will be based on his own statement in which he can talk about his relationship to the film and the school he is studying, etc. The student can speak only minimally, but his word is welcome as a monologue in a commentary or a pre-camera statement. The listener arranges himself in a characteristic environment. He makes maximum use of all available means of expression for his own film portrait. The condition for success is not a true statement about oneself, but persuasiveness and credibility in the film. When filming, he can also use a cooperating cameraman, or an actor ... Images and photographs from family archives can also be used in the film. The creation of the exercise begins on a paper, where the student writes a list of shots, describes the sound part and the recording system. Length: at least 2 min.
Syllabus
  • The course is also associated with practical work on the lecture in the form of photography and filming directly in the lecture, where students practically verify the lectured topic. The outputs are evaluated on a large screen. In the lecture, they get acquainted with technical means such as a camera, lighting systems and lamps and means for creating a work of art. The course also includes practical exercises, which the student records on set dates during the semester. Exercises are carried out either individually or in small groups List of topics, lectures and topics covered: 1. Who is actually a cameraman. 2. What is an image and its size. 3. Composition of a single, static, film shot. 4. Composition of a moving image. 5. How to get started with the camera or what to do before turning on the camera. 6. Interview or pre-camera statement in a documentary film. 7. Fixing and moving the camera and handheld camera, or filming by hand 8. Use of reflectors in low-budget films. 9. What is the difference between light in photography, video and film? 10. How to shoot a movie on a "small video" or on a "small camera". 11. Light as a basic tool for creating a cinematic image 12. Functions of light and basic laws of light List and description of practical exercises Some assigned exercises are performed by students individually and some in teams by a cameraman, sound engineer and editor. The exercises take into account the personal needs of the student's practical education, so that the topics of the assigned works may differ according to the individual needs of the student. The subject is used to gain experience from practical filming.
Literature
Teaching methods
Theoretical lecture. Practical teaching in the school studio, verification of knowledge by test and oral continuous examination. In practical classes, the student performs simple assigned tasks under the pedagogical guidance of the teacher. The condition is to use the camera device by the student himself. Lighting and light are used only passively in the first semester. Theoretical lectures are also conducted online classes, as well as presentations of film exercises.
Assessment methods
Student evaluation is an oral examination, written tests and subjective evaluation of practical work by the teacher. The final grade is determined by the teacher only after the presentation of the final year film, which is presented to the public in public. The condition for successful completion of the semester is full-time presence at theoretical lectures and practical seminars.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Teacher's information
http://www.kameraman.sk
Contact and consultations with the teacher are also on an individual basis with respect to the talent of the student and his individual needs. The student can present any of his school and extracurricular works and the teacher will try to provide him with his attitude and opinion in the discussion. The subject is also conditioned by the personal opinion of the student in the individualistic creative attitude to creativity in the field of cinematographic image.
The course is also listed under the following terms Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023, Summer 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.slu.cz/course/fpf/summer2024/UFMMTBP010