Cinematography: An Intro to Lighting & Operating

Book here!

In this three-day course, you'll learn how the cinematographer’s choices impact every frame, as well as how lighting can be used to elevate a film's visual storytelling.

Course Info

Date:

Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December

Times:

10:00 – 18:00

Duration:

3-day course

Fee:

£725

Capacity:

10 participants

“I enjoyed the relaxed, hands-on approach and encouragement to try all the different roles, providing an understanding of the different responsibilities. We were extremely lucky to be able to work with actors and to have a great group with everyone getting stuck in and supporting each other in the learning process.”

Past Participant, Cinematography: An Intro to Lighting and Operation

“The feedback was the best part and Andrew's insight opened up my thinking. Stuff like "if you looking at a framing and it feels uncomfortable, address it" this was very useful and built a certain understanding and confidence”

Past Participant, Cinematography: An Intro to Lighting and Operation

What's included?

Cinematography is about much more than pretty pictures and nice lighting. It’s about creating a visual language that serves the needs of the story.

This 3-day workshop with Andrew Speller, ACO, gives a thorough introduction to the art of cinematography, with a particular emphasis on lighting, lenses, movement, staging and working as a unit.

See the ‘course schedule’ section for a detailed breakdown of the course.

Schedule

DAY ONE

The day will start with an introduction to the process of visualisation – script to screen.

It will cover:

Working as a unit (department roles)
Light, lenses, exposure control
Composition
Staging – choreographing action for the camera

The afternoon will consist of a practical exercise focusing on lighting strategies, lighting for movement, staging action for camera, and lens characteristics & choices.

DAY TWO

Designing a shot
Simple scenarios with 2 people
Lighting for movement
Lighting for different times of day
Lighting for different moods.

The group will be divided into two units of five: Groups A & B. Each group will be offered a choice of scene from selected films. The exercise is to choose and then replicate that scene, creating the same “look” – mood and atmosphere. Group A shoots in the morning. Group B shoots in the afternoon.

The workshop is suitable for individuals with a basic knowledge of cameras who are considering a career in a camera department, entering film school at the MA level, or industry camera technicians and trainees seeking to expand their skills. It is designed for directors who wish to enhance their understanding of the camera’s function in visual storytelling and learn more about lighting and camera operation.

Who is this for?

This course is an introduction to cinematography and so suitable for beginners, as well as those with some experience using camera equipment.

Terms and Conditions

By completing this booking, you confirm that you have read and agree to the London Film School Workshops and Short Courses Terms and Conditions (linked below). You have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase for a full refund unless the course has already begun, in which case your right to cancel may be reduced or lost. After this period, bookings are non-refundable except where the course is cancelled by London Film School. In such cases, liability is limited to a refund of the course fee only. London Film School shall not be liable for any additional costs, including travel or accommodation. All courses are subject to availability and may be amended or cancelled where necessary.

Full terms and conditions.

Tutor

Andrew Speller, GBCT. ACO

Cinematographer

Andrew Speller, GBCT. ACO

Cinematographer

Andrew Speller is an experienced Cinematographer and Camera Operator with a professional career in the Film industry of over 30 years. An early passion for drawn, painted, photographed, static or moving images, developed into filmmaking.

Documentary experience shaped an intuitive awareness of being able to read situations as they evolved, to find the shots that supported the emotion and an ability to get the camera to where it should be to tell the story, readily transferred to narrative filmmaking in TV Drama and Features.

Andrew’s experience of working with high profile Directors and DP’s in both Film and Digital formats, informs his approach to teaching Cinematography.

In 2008 Andrew joined the prestigious London Film School as a Senior Lecturer in Cinematography. Now as a visiting lecturer Andrew teaches at several other film schools in the UK and EU.

Industry Courses

| see all