| CODE | ATS5026 | ||||||||
| TITLE | An Introduction to Cinematography: Theory and Practice | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Faculty of Arts | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | ‘Cinematography’ is a compound word, originating from the fusion of two Greek terms respectively meaning ‘motion’ and ‘recording’. Such a word expresses the hybrid nature of the task of making movies, both technically and artistically. The study-unit will examine in detail the role of the cinematographer (also known as director of photography), which entails extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of truly specific physical, chemical, and optical processes and phenomena. Such a role also requires artistic expertise, which is related primarily to staging and set design. The first part of this study-unit will be dedicated to the discussion of a number of theoretical aspects of cinematography, which may include the following: technologies and parameters; general principles of lighting; general principles of optics; optical filters; stage lighting techniques; the visual structure of film; and digital signals. Practical workshop sessions on such aspects as camera set-ups, stage lighting, and colour grading will complement the theoretical component of the unit on cinematography. Study-Unit Aims: - To impart to students the basic techniques required in the handling of a camera while shooting moving images; - To introduce students to the essential techniques in stage lighting; - To teach students the general principles of colour technology, visual style, space and composition. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Deploy the general principles of light and optics when shooting a film; - Create the visual structure of a film with an effective handling of framing, space and composition. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply the basic elements of cinematography in the shooting of a short film; - Apply the essential techniques in stage lighting; - Apply the fundamental principles of digital colour grading and correction. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Johannes Itten, The Elements of Color, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1983. - Blain Brown, Motion Picture and Video Lighting, second edition, Focal Press, 2008. - Steve Hullfish, The Art and Technique of Digital Color Correction, second edition, Focal Press, 2012. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Seminar and Workshop | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Rodney Gauci |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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