Role Description: A film director handles the creative aspects of the filmmaking process. For example, they are the creative leads of the film and hold the vision throughout the project. Directors work closely with screenwriters, cinematographers, casting directors and production designers. Directors are employed by the executive producers who oversee production. They guide the actors and technical crew to help them capture their vision. Their duties consist of casting, shot composition, shot selection, editing, blocking/ guiding actors, reviewing and adjusting scripts and selecting which ones to turn into films, monitoring and approving film production budgets and ensuring that the film stays within its budget and on its timeline.
American director Ari Aster directed Midsommar (2019). Aster spent the first 4 years of his directing career making short films until 2008 when he made his feature film debut with “Hereditary”. In Midsommar (2019), Aster used blocking in an effective way. For example the use of the long table when they eat at before the beginning of the Midsummer festival. I admire the way in which Aster utilised the actors for example, in the opening scene when Dani breaks down on the phone to Christian after her parents and sister died. The scene evokes a lot of emotion and displays the actor (Florence Pugh)’s skills.
Description of Role: A cinematographer also known as “the Director of Photography” oversees the lighting and camera crew. Cinematography is a critical part of the filmmaking process as it presents to the audience the overall look and the shows the visual narrative. They are also responsible for framing and creating the way the film looks (colour and lighting). Cinematographers must consider their choices of lenses, angle width and shot types. On lower budget films the cinematographer may also act as the camera operator as well. Pre-production, the director will work closely with the cinematographer this is because the cinematographer must ensure that the director’s vision is relayed onto the film. During production they will work with the rest of the film crew (lighting department etc.) to make certain they achieve the right visual outcome. Post-production cinematographers work closely with the editors as they know the director’s vision the best. Their responsibilities and duties consist of: choosing a visual style for the film, establishing the camera setup for every shot, determining the lighting for every scene, explores the potential of every location, attending rehearsals and elevating the vision of the director.
I am inspired by Italian Cinematographer Luciano Tovoli, particularly in Suspiria (1977). Tovoli studied Cinematography at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. Luciano is quoted saying “”The edges of the frame are often more interesting than the center.” This applies to his work as a cinematographer and the detail put into every shot. I particularly like style in which the way Tovoli shot Suspiria. His uses of lighting and colour creates tension throughout the film. Tovoli also shot Suspiria in a way that could be described as “camp”. For example his use of fake blood appears unrealistic and acts more as a decoration rather than SFX makeup. The set design in Suspiria (1977) enhances the look of the film by Tovoli’s use of colour and symmetry, as it creates an intriguing composition adds to the disorienting atmosphere of the film.
Sound Editor: A sound editor is a creative professional responsible for selecting and assembling sound recordings in preparation for the final sound mixing or mastering of a television program, motion picture, video game, or any production involving recorded or synthetic sound. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_editor_(filmmaking))
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