"Shooting Video Film Style"

A Production Camera Class Designed for Video, HD and DV Professionals.
In today’s ever expanding market of film and video-making, much of what has been normal procedure with cinematography, and the film camera, seems to have been lost to the those who choose to teach and practice mediocrity and complacency within our field. Only when we are faced with an uncompromising situation during ashoot do we realize that we may lack a certain skill and knowledge that a camera operator, or DP, should have. All cameras, regardless of their format, will focus the subject the same way under the same circumstances.

While technology continues to develop video cameras that allow us to capture a cinematic look, it is important that we learn to use the camera in a cinematic style in order to achieve the outcome we, and those who depend on us, expect. Even though getting to know the electronics of a camera is vital, it is the craft of photography and the understanding of composition within the frame, the lens focal length, perspective of of motion, and the control of movement within a scene that will eventually allow us to render a finished program that we can be proud of. Our field is over saturated with lame excuses as to why a film or video program lacks the professional luster that allows a piece of work to stand out and gain visual acceptance among our piers. This camera workshop will get you caught up to where you need to be in order to understand just what cameras are capable of doing when used by an experienced operator.

“Shooting For Video Film Style” Is a weekend workshop that is committed to a professional approach when it comes to instructing the essentials of camera operation.

This course is an intense training program that will definitely raise the bar between mediocrity and professionalism.

This program is perfect for aspiring camera assistants and DP’s alike.


What We Will Cover:

  • Camera formats and aspect ratios - Lens focal lengths - Depth-of-field - Lens perspectives and how each lens reacts with the same shot.
  • Composition within the frame; what makes a great looking shot and what makes a bad one? How to place talent and objects in a scene so they look natural.
  • Camera movements and what they mean to a scene - Camera support equipment and correct usage procedures (tripods, dutch heads, dollies and jibs).
  • Coverage and continuity; setting up the scene. Whether you are shooting a feature, a TV commercial or a long format program, you need to connect the scenes. We’ll show you how!
  • We will even cover basic fundamentals of video camera electronics and what all
  • those numbers mean! - We will review how to setup camera menus so that you can interpret the settings on your camera.
  • You will have the opportunity to direct talent on a set and practice composing and shooting a scene for a feature while using a dolly.

"The Pocono Mountain Video Workshops," presented by Tom Musto Productions, have been developed as a way to give everyone attending the opportunity to get "hands on" experience so that you can begin to hone your skills under proper supervision. We have designed the weekend to give each participant as much experience with using equipment as the time frame will allow, so come
prepared to work!

Registration will take place on Saturday morning (between 8:00 AM and 9:00AM). A lecture session will be held Saturday morning with demonstrations with indoor and outdoor setups that afternoon. Saturday night is an open night to spend relaxing at dinner or a local Casino. Class participants are invited to meet up with the instructor for a casual, open forum discussion at a local eatery.

The Sunday session will be dedicated to blocking and framing actors with a script for an indoor scene that might be used in a feature, a documentary or TV commercial. The workshop will wrap Sunday afternoon. This is a great opportunity to learn how to correctly operate a camera without having to spend more time and money for a week-long workshop held elsewhere.

WORKSHOP LOCATION:
The workshops are held in the Pocono Mountain region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, just outside of Wilkes-Barre. Wilkes-Barre is conveniently located near interstates I-80 & I-81 and the PA Turnpike. We are 2 hours West of NYC, two hours North of Philadelphia and only minutes from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International airport.

ENROLLMENT:
 The cost for the weekend workshop is only $425.00 and includes a class guidebook of coverage and setup diagrams as part of the lecture session, craft services and lunch. No other lighting workshop provides this much information and opportunity in the same time period at such a low cost! A listing for local hotels and eateries will be supplied upon registration.