Cinematography Reflective Essay

I've noted a few things already on my blog regarding directing, working with actors and the collaborative process of filmmaking so with this essay I don't want to repeat myself even though directing is my number one preferred specialism. With this essay I want to discuss the slight differences I noticed in myself while shooting our final film Menlimontant.


I directed during the first filming week. It was tough because nobody knew anyone and the various job roles were only lightly explained. I felt it was a real battle on set, a battle that was a lot harder than it ever should have been. Four weeks later I was the DOP on the final shoot, I had the experience of directing under my belt along with production management and art direction and felt really excited about being able to have a say on how the film will be shot. 

The most noticeable difference I saw in myself was that I’d managed to pick up a relatively strong understanding of the camera’s functions. I understood how the camera worked much more than I did when I directed so I was able to discuss in detail with my directors how we could shoot the film. I commented on the different effects the lens has on the look of the film and how it could change or shape the story we wanted to say. It’s all basic stuff but I felt in control and comfortable, I felt like I could trust my decision making again. The shoot I directed taught me that every shot counts, composition matters and this made me lose a little faith in myself because beforehand I just shot things without ever really thinking about the true meaning behind every shot.

When storyboarding Menlimontant I felt my filming vocabulary was stronger and even though I didn't always know what to do I had a pretty good understanding of what ‘not’ to do which is just as important in my opinion.  

When it came to the shoot day itself we had some initial problems with my storyboard even though much of it told the story in a way we all thought was right a few shots didn't work. We had a good hour or so discussing what we could do. In a way I felt like a tool my directors could use to help them get the shoot back on track, they asked for my advice, they asked me show them various shots, different lenses and such, I really enjoyed the experience because I knew that I was communicating in a helpful and knowledgeable way. In the end we did get one or two shots that didn't have purpose or meaning but we always looked for different angles, shots that did tell the story. I hope that the strongest shots we did get come out strong in the final film, I understand it’s not perfect, far from it, but when I look back at the film I directed and then I see this one I do see a vast improvement and that’s really encouraging me to keep going.