What I’ll usually expect from the first week of classes is an introductory class briefing students about the type of exercises, assignments and classes students will be facing in the upcoming weeks. However, upon taking the course, i’ve realised that this course would exceed my expectations. With all honesty, I was still lost on what the concept of this class was, considering how the course guide was of no help! I was aware that we would be digging a little deeper when it comes to film, in terms of theory and practicals. Analysing and dissecting films would only be the start of it!

Starting off with our first class with a familiar face (Robin!), we were all split into groups of 4 and given a script with which we had to block and organise a scene with no pre-production planning. This was a great way of giving us all a taste of what we could expect from the course in the semester to come. With a camera, tripod and half an hour on the clock, my group and I ventured off to find a quiet but a limited space to practice our 10 to 15 second scene. This exercise sounded like a walk in the park for all of us, up until Robin mentioned the restrictions we all had. Panning and tilting the camera while being located in a fixed position with the help of a tripod ONLY was the only way we were allowed to film it. Moreover, the script that was provided to us was a description of the scene. I found that interesting because it could’ve been shot in a “million and one” ways. Where the camera is located from the subject, how far or how close the subject is, what angle; are few of many factors that could’ve determined this scene.

Our scene was directed to be a little bit humorous, yet filmed with constant motion to keep it interesting. As I was the cinematographer, I was able to plan a shot which required a little of choreography with both actors participating in the scene. What I found interesting setting up this shot was the fact that having limited space doesn’t mean a cinematographer, DOP or a director is limited with planning shots. Going home and revising what we’ve done in class, I kept thinking of the different ways to film that scene. Its not that it was a graded exercise or anything, its just that I know we could’ve planned a better set up with our actors and “props”. I guess that was the intention behind this exercise, to help us visualise a scene before we even started to plan anything.

One thing I’ve realised after having to attempt this exercise, was that I could’ve applied all my technical skills and my knowledge in cinematography, but there will always be a “better” way to film that scene. Its thoughts like this that make me appreciate films, let it be a student project to a highly budgeted film in Hollywood. Over the past year or so, I’ve taken my time to watch classical films as much as possible (The Pink Panther 1963, Taxi Driver 1976, Peter Sellers: The party 1968; to name a few…). And analysing such films brings me so much joy and makes me not regret that I’ve decided to venture into the film industry!