American Cinematographer - March 2021 - 11

AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER ASCMAG.COM

that can inform aspect ratio, overall lighting
approach, color palette, specialized lenses, or
camera support. Maybe you get a strong feeling that the second half of the movie should
be handheld to reflect the frantic emotional
breakdown that is coming for the lead character. There are no right or wrong thoughts here,
and sometimes notes can even be contradictory, but it is important to get them down
on paper. These thoughts can be refined on
third and fourth reads and can be beneficial
before or after the initial conversation with the
director.
Lookbook
A critical tool for any filmmaker is a lookbook,
and many cinematographers will make one
before meeting with a director. A lookbook
will contain a collection of images that help
convey thoughts of composition, color, light
quality, mood, and any combination thereof.
The process helps to solidify your thoughts
and communicate them visually.
Scene-by-Scene Breakdown
When it comes to how I personally approach
each scene in my work, my background as
an actor and director are major influences.
Many actors break down a scene into " beats
and measures, " like a musician. Generally,
each character in the scene has an objective,
and they have techniques they use to try to
achieve what they want. A character may
switch tactics multiple times in any given
scene, and each of these attempts is an individual beat. A cinematographer will also look
for these beats and measures because they
inform how the character is feeling and how
to possibly approach the scene. For example,
I'll make marks in the script's margin where
I feel the beat changes happen, and draw a
horizontal line across the scene. These notes
may inform a change in camera operation/
movement or lens selection, or motivate a
lighting cue, or inspire a combination of these
decisions.
The next step is to " line " the script, which
is literally drawing lines through the action
and dialogue that represent an individual

Clicking With the Script
By Polly Morgan, ASC, BSC
The first time I read a script, it's always for
story. I ask myself, " Do I connect with the
material? Does it resonate with me? How
does it make me feel? Am I interested in
dedicating months of my life to helping tell
the story? " If the answer is yes, then I read
it a few more times in preparation to meet
and talk it over with the director. At this
stage, I make notes on what visual tools
I feel would be appropriate to bring the
script to life, how I see it in visual terms,
and how I would use the tools to execute
it. I pull references to convey the tone to
the director for lighting, color and framing.
Once I get hired on a production, I
continue breaking the script down in more
detail. I usually make a master document
that breaks down each scene relating to
each department. For example, each scene
number will be broken down by color-coordinated departments, and their anticipated
impact on the visuals. I can then make
notes on the script in that color so I know
at a glance what my notes on the script
relate to. It will look like this:
1. Camera
Shot lists/design
Tools needed to create the given shots
(special lenses, filtration, heads and grip)

2. SFX
Rain, atmosphere, wind, etc.
3. VFX
Greenscreen/previs
4. Lighting
Approach
Tools needed to create lighting approach
4. Color
Light/design/costume
5. Time of day/scheduling
I will keep expanding on this document so
it becomes my bible on how the movie will
look. For some projects it will also contain
overheads, storyboards, references
and such. As the document grows, the
approach gets imprinted on my brain, so
at a certain point I don't need to look at it
anymore. However, when I'm deep in the
middle of a long shoot and my brain is
fried, it's great to be able to pull it out to
review the day's scenes and the absolute
approach from all departments. It's a helpful way to prep with the AD and plan the
execution of the movie - and a wonderful reminder of the project once you've
wrapped and moved on.

MARCH 2021 / 11

p.10-17 Shot Craft v3 DONE.indd 11

2/4/21 11:06 PM


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American Cinematographer - March 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - March 2021

Contents
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - Cover1
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - Cover2
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - 1
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - Contents
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - 3
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - 4
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - 5
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American Cinematographer - March 2021 - Cover3
American Cinematographer - March 2021 - Cover4
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