Session 1 - Camera
Saturday 27th February 2016 - 9:00 - 17:00
Venue: 60A Strait Street, Valletta
The first session was led by Mirco Sgarzi, a cinematographer specialized in digital technologies residing in Malta. The day evolved around the theoretical practices in relations to the use of the camera in the movie industry. The nine participants who have different artistic backgrounds ranging from illustration to architecture, showed great interest in the topic, which covered mainly the set hierarchy, the basic camera shot types, the strategies in using the camera on set and other technical skills applied to the camera equipment. The latter also learned the type of cameras used on a cinematographic set, therefore: The dolly, steadicam, the crane, the gimbal and the drone. They also had the opportunity to understand better the rule of thirds and the importance of lighting equipment and the lighting in a scene.
The tutorial was spread in two sessions, and in between the participants had a small lunch break which was organized by Simone, who is the administrator of the project. During the lunch break the nine participants had also the opportunity to meet group A, who were doing the screenplay session with another lecturer.
Session 2 - Editing
Sunday 28th February 2016 - 9:00 - 17:00
Venue: MCVS, Melita Street, Valletta
Today’s workshop was led by Daniel Lapira, a cinematographic editor. He recounted his experience in the film industry where he had the opportunity to work as an assistant editor with the film director, Stephen Spielberg and film editor Michael Kahn.
Daniel gave us a detailed information regarding the editor’s role in the movie industry, he went through the lowdown of the industry such as working closely with the director to craft the finished film, working in the edit suite for long hours and running a team of assistants and trainees on big productions. Daniel followed by informing the participants about the various skills needed, such as technical aptitude, a wide experience of the post production process, being familiar with a variety of computer editing equipment and understanding dramatic storytelling to create rhythm, pace and tension. Even though there are various ways on how can find his way to climb up the ladder in the cinema industry, Daniel believes that one of the best methods is by starting as a runner or an apprentice. This role, according to Daniel, helped him choose the department he wanted to work at.
Throughout the course, the participants were lectured about the technicalities, workflow (also known as procedures), editing and the theories behind editing. Daniel also explained the process involved into editing by explaining it through the following diagram:
The seven hour session was concluded by Daniel saying “Those who want to become editors must learn to take the place of the audience, the editor must recall the audience’s questions through the image”. This explains the important role the editor has in the movie industry, not just as an editor but as well as a visual critic.
Session 3 -Screenplay
Saturday 5th March 2016 - 9:00 - 17:00
Venue: Fortifications Musuem, St.Mark street, Valletta
The time passed quickly today, thanks to scriptwriting lecturer Cassi Camilleri who briefed the participants about the role of a scriptwriter and gave hints on how one could be a good script writer. Cassi explained the role of scriptwriters as incredibly talented people who write scripts for feature films, sitcoms, television dramas, radio plays, cartoons, TV adverts, West End musicals, and anything else you can think of where adlibbing actors just won’t suffice!
Cassi went on saying that creating characters, crafting dialogue and writing an engaging plot are all part of a scriptwriter’s job. Essentially, these creative dynamos form something which acts as the skeleton on which a director can map their creative vision.
The scriptwriting process tends to involve the following course of action: idea generation and research, planning, character development, and then writing. Scriptwriters write every aspect of a script, from the dialogue to the stage directions.
During the day the participants were invited to develop a script for a 3 minute short movie. The lecturer went on explaining the importance of the levels which lead to a good script, therefore: the principles, archetypes, methods, originality and mentality. The lecturer insisted that the audience needs to be kept on its toes and understand the scenario of the movie on the first act. According to Cassi it is important for the scriptwriter to start building from the tiniest concept and work on it step by step.
Session 4 - Audio
Sunday 6th March 2016 - 9:00 - 17:00
Venue: MCVS, Melita street Valletta
Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. The term film editing is derived from the traditional process of working with film, but increasingly involves the use of digital technology.
Andrea, a professional freelance audio editor introducted the participants to the ''behind the scenes'' of audio editing in the movie industry. He went into detail by explaining vast technicalities which involve the sound recording department. Throughout the day Andrea went on showing us practical examples of sound editing software such as cubase and Adobe audition.
The following is a diagram which shows the different roles involved in the audio section of the industry:
Photos by Margo Photography Malta
https://www.facebook.com/Margo-Photography-Malta-874912875899415/