I found it a really interesting when making my second short doc, that I more or less cut all the prettiest shots. I was in a beautiful location and got up early every day to shoot eye candy stuff that never got used. The stuff that got used was important moments of dialogue, a little bit of exposition and anything that enhanced the claustrophobia of the film and did not break that atmosphere.
Deakins is a legend and yet a very humble person, he gives a lot of advices and answers on his forum. Thanks for this video, i think the problem with the "cinematographic" thing is that a subjective and somehow abstract quality, more a feeling than a technical aspect. That's why it's so hard to grab, to me.
Story is King but even knowing that it’s still easy to screw up. Actors or Doc subjects hold back and sometimes don’t advance the story. So working around that to deliver the story is what separates the pros.
That's a great point. Story is the key element, but there are dozens of things that go into "story," including the people you are filming, the locations, the blocking, the editing, etc.
I've been fascinated by yours and other cinematic analysis, even though it's very far from my own photography (mostly wildlife). It's fascinating to see how the vision of the cinematographer and director can create a world that doesn't exist, and the draw us in. In my shooting I kind of have to live with whatever is there.. but to build world with camera angles, color and light... I would not know where to start. Despite similarity in tools, the cinematographer and the documentary videographer are two alternate worlds. Thanks for the insight.
Appreciate you watching and kind words - cinematography is definitely a deep world that you can really sink down into (in a good way). I shoot a lot of documentary work myself and love to try and employ fiction techniques to help create a different looking world.
Great Curren! Too few people are talking about this. Aristotle’s 2400 year old observations about “organic unity” within narrative apply the same today, if you’re jnterested in good narrative in any artform. It’s what Deakins is doing when he interrogates his craft with, “how does this serve the story?”
This is a great video with a powerful message! I found you through Mark Bone and will be trying to learn from you moving forward. I have learned a lot from him and Luc Forsyth. Proper pros, putting out proper info!
Spielberg and David Lean are good examples of using less DOF to help make thew environmant tell part of the story. The environments in No country use that.
Because people want their videos to look "cinematic," without really thinking about what that means. Story makes something cinematic, not always visuals.
😅 el guión y la actuación, la fotografía correcta no es la más espectacular, es la que sirve a la narración. Por eso no me gusta Dune😅😅😅 no veo que sea mejor que otras solo por su "bonita fotografía"...
I'm with you on this, Curren. If the image is king and audio is queen, then story is the kingdom of a film.
That's a great way of putting it. There is A TON that goes into a great story, and image is just one component.
@@CurrenSheldon Saw you on AOD today. Great insights and helpful. Thanks. Looking forward to your progress and learning from what you share.
Few videos in and I can already see this is going to be one of my favourite channels on youtube.
Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment.
I found it a really interesting when making my second short doc, that I more or less cut all the prettiest shots. I was in a beautiful location and got up early every day to shoot eye candy stuff that never got used. The stuff that got used was important moments of dialogue, a little bit of exposition and anything that enhanced the claustrophobia of the film and did not break that atmosphere.
Deakins is a legend and yet a very humble person, he gives a lot of advices and answers on his forum. Thanks for this video, i think the problem with the "cinematographic" thing is that a subjective and somehow abstract quality, more a feeling than a technical aspect. That's why it's so hard to grab, to me.
Story is king, sound design is general of the army, and visuals are soldiers who serve the interests of the king and general.
@@GoodRebelCreative well summed up!
Story is King but even knowing that it’s still easy to screw up. Actors or Doc subjects hold back and sometimes don’t advance the story. So working around that to deliver the story is what separates the pros.
That's a great point. Story is the key element, but there are dozens of things that go into "story," including the people you are filming, the locations, the blocking, the editing, etc.
I've been fascinated by yours and other cinematic analysis, even though it's very far from my own photography (mostly wildlife). It's fascinating to see how the vision of the cinematographer and director can create a world that doesn't exist, and the draw us in. In my shooting I kind of have to live with whatever is there.. but to build world with camera angles, color and light... I would not know where to start.
Despite similarity in tools, the cinematographer and the documentary videographer are two alternate worlds.
Thanks for the insight.
Appreciate you watching and kind words - cinematography is definitely a deep world that you can really sink down into (in a good way). I shoot a lot of documentary work myself and love to try and employ fiction techniques to help create a different looking world.
Great Curren! Too few people are talking about this. Aristotle’s 2400 year old observations about “organic unity” within narrative apply the same today, if you’re jnterested in good narrative in any artform. It’s what Deakins is doing when he interrogates his craft with, “how does this serve the story?”
Well said! Agree totally - it’s all about serving the story.
This is a great video with a powerful message! I found you through Mark Bone and will be trying to learn from you moving forward. I have learned a lot from him and Luc Forsyth. Proper pros, putting out proper info!
Thanks for watching and stopping by - Mark and Luc are both great, so you've got some good online mentors.
Great insight, I needed this reminder! Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Spielberg and David Lean are good examples of using less DOF to help make thew environmant tell part of the story. The environments in No country use that.
100% - shallow DoF is useful when your production design stinks - haha.
Well said!
I loved this :) nicely put
Thank you!
What a fantastic video and channel! Subscribing to you!
Thanks a lot!
It's all about the story ❤
Amen.
Top marks. You are so right on this.
Thanks for watching!
This is gold.
Thanks! I appreciate you watching.
very well said and NCFOM is just iconic (well, just about anything Deakins puts a lens to is)...
It is one of the best, for sure.
Well said. Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
it is great!
Thanks for watching!
Why the cinematic look obsession?
Because people want their videos to look "cinematic," without really thinking about what that means. Story makes something cinematic, not always visuals.
100%
Creamy bokeh 😂
😅 el guión y la actuación, la fotografía correcta no es la más espectacular, es la que sirve a la narración. Por eso no me gusta Dune😅😅😅 no veo que sea mejor que otras solo por su "bonita fotografía"...