FILM IMAGE - A PRACTICAL INTRODUCTION TO CINEMATOGRAPHY
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Description
This is an intensive workshop dedicated to those who want a better understanding of how the cinematic image is constructed - from light and composition, to camera movement and communication with the director. Over the 3 days, participants move from theoretical principles to practical shooting exercises and visual analysis, using professional equipment for the film industry.
DAY 1 - WHAT THE CINEMATIC IMAGE MEANS
09:00 – 10:30 Introduction: what film language is and the role of the director of photography
10:45 – 12:30 The moving image vs. the still photograph, time, rhythm and visual continuity and other elements of language
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 15:30 The structure of a camera team: DoP, camera operator, gaffer, focus puller
15:45 – 17:30 Types of cameras and sensors, how you choose the right camera for the project.
17:45 – 19:00 Practical exercise: camera setup, exposure, white balance, ISO and dynamic range. Standards in film image.
DAY 2 - LIGHT, COMPOSITION AND COLOR
09:00 – 10:30 Lighting principles, you will find out what the different lighting schemes mean and how they are used (key, fill, back, practice)
10:45 – 12:30 The direction and the quality of light, natural vs. artificial
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 15:30 Color in film: temperature, balance, contrast, visual intention
15:45 – 17:30 Composition and framing, the rules and how you can break them for visual impact
17:45 – 19:00 Practical exercise: shooting a static shot and analyzing the frames
DAY 3 - CAMERA MOVEMENT AND BUILDING THE SCENE (mise en scène)
09:00 – 10:30 Types of camera movement: handheld, slider, gimbal, dolly, steadicam, etc
10:45 – 12:30 The DoP–Director relationship, interpreting the visual intention from the screenplay
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch break
13:30 – 16:00 Complex exercise: shooting a scene with a full crew (2–3 shots)
16:15 – 18:00 Introduction to the post-production workflow, log vs. rec709, color grading, LUTs
18:00 – 19:00 Screening of the filmed exercises + individual feedback
Equipment recommended for participants
Laptop for viewing and analyzing the filmed material
• Card reader or external hard drive
• (Optional) Your own photo/video camera, to get familiar with the settings
All the practical exercises take place with professional equipment provided by Numa Film (ARRI camera, Blackmagic, lenses, light sources, grip accessories, etc).
Throughout the workshop, participants are provided with drinks (water, coffee, tea, soft drinks), as well as lunch and snacks offered by Numa Film. We want every participant to be able to focus on the creative process and on the hands-on experience, in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Lead trainer
Horațiu Curuțiu
Horatiu Curutiu (b. 1984) is a Romanian producer and director of photography. A graduate of the Faculty of Theatre and Film at Babeș-Bolyai University, he completed both his bachelor's degree in Cinematography and a Master's in Documentary Film. He is a member of the European Film Academy (EFA) and the founder and president of the Film in Transylvania Association, an organization dedicated to promoting Transylvania as a film production hub and to developing specialized infrastructure and education.
In 2007 he founded the company Numa Film, with which he has produced over 20 films. His recent projects include Toni & Friends (2020), directed by Ion Indolean, which had its world premiere at the Warsaw International Film Festival and was later selected at TIFF, where Horatiu handled both the production and the cinematography.
He is currently developing several fiction and documentary projects, including "Ultima Linie" and the feature film "Nimic mai mult și nimic diferit", directed by Lucas Neagu, both in post-production.