Written by Elana Cohen, Founder & CEO tree of life PR
Elana Cohen is a freelance writer based in Chicago. She covers cannabis topics from product reviews, thought leaders in the industry, brands, features on cannabis players in the market and her own experience with cannabis and mental health.
1. What is the most advanced skill you have acquired as a cinematographer? I have learned many technical skills such as lighting, camera operation, and composition. However, the most advanced skill I have acquired is the ability to collaborate effectively with my team members. In one of my first projects as a cinematographer, I worked on a tight schedule and a limited budget. To make the most of our resources, I had to rely on the expertise of my gaffer, grip, and assistant camera operator. By communicating clearly, listening actively, and respecting each other's opinions, we were able to create stunning visuals that exceeded our client's expectations. This experience taught me that no matter how talented an individual may be, filmmaking is a collaborative effort that requires mutual trust, respect, and commitment.
2. What kind of experience do you have directing studio productions? Share an experience. I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of studio productions, including music videos, commercials, and documentaries. One experience that stands out to me is when I directed a 5-chapter music video story for the social sensation Nessa Barrett, which was produced for Warner Music. She's a musician and social media personality who gained fame through her viral videos on TikTok, where she has 20 million followers. Each chapter had a different visual style and setting, ranging from a mortuary to a teenager's bedroom on fire. With only 2 days to shoot everything, we needed to find a versatile location that could accommodate all these different settings. We ultimately chose the "Honeymoon Inn" in LA, which had pre-built sets that we could repurpose for our needs. This decision allowed us to focus on the creative aspects of the shoot, such as set design, lighting, and camera work, rather than logistics. By having a clear vision and communicating effectively with my team, we were able to capture all the footage we needed to tell Nessa's story. The result was a visually stunning music video series. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and creativity when working within the constraints of studio production, as well as the value of strongcommunication and collaboration with my team.
4. How would you go about setting the scene for the opening of a love story?
To set the scene for the opening of a love story, I would choose a cozy cabin in the woods as the setting. It would be nighttime, and the interior of the cabin would be warm and inviting, with a crackling fireplace and a couple snuggled together on a couch. They would have ordered pizza for dinner, and the room would be lit by a warm, flickering light. Outside, a blue moon would cast a soft glow through the living room windows. One of the characters would receive a text message or social media notification, but instead of checking their phone, they would realize the importance of living in the present moment with the person they love. They would choose to ignore the phone and enjoy the simple pleasures of the moment, such as watching a movie and spending quality time together. This opening scene would set the tone for the love story, emphasizing the importance of cherishing the small moments and prioritizing relationships over distractions.
5. Can you describe a time when someone disagreed with your artistic vision? A few years ago, I was tasked with creating an internal video for Microsoft Italy to showcase the company's move from its historical headquarters to a new office building designed for smart working in the heart of Milan. My artistic vision for the project involved creating a documentary-style film with a series of timelapse shots capturing the construction of the new building over five months. This approach would have aligned with the company's philosophy of smart working and showcased the rapid pace of construction. However, the communication agency CEO hired by Microsoft for the job didn't agree with my creative choice and preferred a different approach. Despite this disagreement, I respected the chain of command and executed their vision, even though it wasn't my first choice. It's important to have open-minded conversations and brainstorming sessions with the team on each project to find the best solutions. While my original idea may not have been used, I learned the importance of respecting others' opinions and working collaboratively to find the right creative direction. 6. How would you adjust the positions and controls of cameras, lighting, and related equipment to change focus, exposure, and lighting? As a cinematographer, adjusting the positions and controls of cameras, lighting, and related equipment is a crucial part of my job. These adjustments allow me to change focus, exposure, and lighting, which are all essential elements for creating a visually compelling image.
To change focus, I adjust the camera's focus ring or use autofocus if available. This allows me to control which part of the scene is in sharp focus, drawing the viewer's attention to specific details or subjects within the frame. To adjust exposure, I use a combination of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings. Aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera through the lens, while shutter speed controls the amount of time that the camera's sensor is exposed to light. ISO adjusts the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. By adjusting these settings, I can create a brighter or darker image as required by the scene. To adjust lighting, I work closely with the lighting technician to adjust the placement, intensity, and color temperature of the lights. This allows me to create the desired mood and atmosphere of the scene, highlighting specific areas or subjects within the frame. In addition to these adjustments, I also use other camera controls, such as white balance, picture profiles, and color grading, to further refine the image and create the desired visual style. Overall, adjusting the positions and controls of cameras, lighting, and related equipment requires a combination of technical knowledge and creative vision. By carefully manipulating these elements, I can create a visually compelling image that effectively tells the story and captures the mood and atmosphere of the scene. 7. Explain in detail how you confer with directors, sound and lighting technicians, electricians, and other crew members to discuss assignments and determine filming sequences, desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements. I believe communication and collaboration with other members of the film crew are essential for successful filming. When working on a project, I start by meeting with the director and client to understand their vision and goals for the project. This allows me to determine the best way to capture the story visually.
Next, I collaborate with the sound and lighting technicians to determine the specific technical requirements for the project. This includes discussing the lighting requirements, such as color temperature and intensity, and the sound requirements, such as the placement of microphones and the need for additional sound equipment.
I also confer with electricians and other crew members like the gaffer and key grip to discuss the logistics of filming. This includes determining the best locations for filming, coordinating equipment needs, and planning for any necessary safety measures. Once we have a clear understanding of the technical requirements and logistics, I work with the producer to make sure everything is within the budget and the director to determine the desired effects, camera movements, and lighting requirements for each shot. This involves discussing the intended mood and atmosphere of the scene, as well as any specific visual effects that may be required. Throughout the filming process, I communicate regularly with the director, sound and lighting technicians, and other crew members to ensure that everything is running smoothly and that the final product meets everyone's expectations. Effective communication and collaboration are essential for success in this field.
8. What is the most challenging part of testing, cleaning, maintaining, and repairing broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, to ensure proper working conditions? While I don't personally engage in testing, cleaning, maintaining, and repairing broadcast equipment, including testing microphones, I understand the importance of these tasks. The most challenging part of these tasks can vary depending on the type of equipment and the specific issues that need to be addressed. However, ensuring proper working conditions is essential to ensure that the equipment performs as expected and the final product meets the desired quality standards. Having someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in this area is a valuable asset for any production, and I consider myself fortunate to have such individuals on my team to ensure that the equipment is functioning optimally. 9. Share a process you would use to assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras, film stock, audio, or lighting equipment to be used during filming. I rely on a team to assemble studio sets and select and arrange cameras or lighting equipment to be used during filming. If the project allows for it, I may use my cameras and gear, but for other projects, I may source equipment from a rental house, such as an Arri or Red camera and cinema lenses.
During the setup, I work closely with my gaffer and grip to build the lighting on set, ensuring that the mood and atmosphere of the scene are right. I also communicate with my first and second assistant cameras to ensure that the camera lenses, memory storage, battery, and other necessary components are in working order and ready to roll. The process of assembling the studio set and selecting equipment varies depending on the specific requirements of the project. However, I typically start by reviewing the script and discussing the director's vision for the scene. From there, we work together to create a plan for the lighting and camera setup that will best capture the mood and atmosphere of the scene.
Once we have a plan in place, we select and arrange the necessary equipment, taking into account factors such as the camera's dynamic range, resolution, and color profile, as well as the type and placement of the lights. We then conduct tests to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly and that the desired effect is achieved.
Throughout the filming process, I work closely with my team to make any necessary adjustments to the equipment or setup, ensuring that we capture the scene as effectively as possible. By relying on a team of skilled professionals and taking a thoughtful and collaborative approach, we can create visually compelling images that effectively tell the story. I also try not to go over time and keep my producer happy with the budget.
10. Mention a time when you set up cameras and related equipment to produce photographs and special effects.
To be honest, I have never felt the need to position the camera in a specific way since current VFX technology can handle any camera angle and create any special effects required. However, during my recent project, I worked on a greenscreen set where I made sure that the set was appropriately lit and the subject was correctly positioned, which was my top priority. I moved the camera accordingly to get the desired shot and placed markers in the frame to assist in post-production. It was a great challenge to create special effects because there were not many references onset, but it was also an opportunity to be creative and innovative in the approach.
Elana Cohen, Founder & CEO tree of life PR
Elana Cohen is a freelance writer based in Chicago. She covers cannabis topics from product reviews, thought leaders in the industry, brands, features on cannabis players in the market and her own experience with cannabis and mental health. Elana is on a mission to end the negative stigmas on cannabis, mental health & tattoos. All topics considered to be fighting the taboos and negative stigmas they have. Elana also covers entertainment, specifically electronic dance music concerts and festivals. I also cover food and the hospitality industry. Send restaurant news and upcoming launches this way!
