When you’re reading this post, chin resting on your hand, there are hundreds of viewpoints to capture you from. When we watch a film or television show, we forget that there has been a lot of thought into every little snippet of every little scene. We might notice a dramatic close-up of someone crying or a master shot of a beautiful sunset. But what about the framing of a casual conversation; someone who has fallen asleep at a cafe, or the witness of a crime? There is a lot of talent needed to write these stories, but there’s just as much, perhaps more, in those who use the camera to tell them.
The Scene In Cinema wants us to pay more attention to this part of filmmaking. As such, the class believes in the benefits of theoretical and practical learning. You will learn how to use a camera and adjust the focal length to your preference. First, however, you’ll need to learn what that preference is, and what better way to know than through watching other films. The expressionist painter didn’t just find a way to channel their emotions – they saw what Rothko and Schiele were doing and it was there they found their outlet.
My favourite part of this studio was the weekly exercises, which grew in their level of effort and detail as time progressed. In each class, twice a week, we would all receive a script. It might have dialogue, or it might just be a description of a scene. We would split into groups, work together, and by the end of the class have a covered story ready to be edited and shown in the next tutorial. I use the word “inspiring” because, for anyone who shares an equal love of writing and filmmaking, the “getting there” process seems too difficult. Before this class, I had no idea how to find my own outlet. Instead, I had stories and conversations collecting dust in my mind. After this semester came to an end, I realised the process of turning word into picture wasn’t at all difficult; in fact, I had been doing it twice a week for three months! I never thought I could direct someone’s script, but I did, successfully, many times. For my final assignment, I even directed my own story. What this class has taught me – as cliché as it sounds – is that anything is possible, and you should never underestimate your abilities. You just need to find your outlet.
What you will discover about yourself and others at the end of this class is inspiring. It is one of those things that are not realised in the moment, but all at once the moment is finished. I will never forget the knowledge I’ve gained in this class, although I get the feeling that won’t be a conscious effort; what I’ve learnt will subconsciously reside and present itself in all my future prospects. Even so, there is some part of me that still wants to relive it all over again.