Extract the emotional core from any scene and create a concise definition of the subtext for the purpose of creating impactful images. Learn how to use it in the process of collaboration and when developing a visual strategy for your film. We will practice these techniques by reviewing actual scenes and back engineer them to isolate the decisions made by the director and cinematographer.

A visual strategy leads the audience to predefined moments in your story, following a path you created. It starts with identifying those moments and deciding how they should be emphasized. We will learn how to do this for written scenes and watch examples from brilliant films.

Every shot in a movie embeds a perspective. Learn how to harness this powerful tool to either place your audience in the mind of your character or let them observe it from afar. Then, learn how to handle multiple perspectives in a single scene and use the camera to shift from one to another.

What focal length is the right one for the story? It has little to do with the area covered by the lens. Learn how master cinematographers and directors decide which lens to use, and see the differences between them. Characteristics such as flare, distortion and perspective and discussed and others, such as sharpness, demystified. 

Learn how the human visual system influences our gaze and use these principles effectively in designing compositions. From use of contrast in lighting to hidden lines and shapes which guide our eyes, as well as advanced use of color in a composition, we will explore different techniques and make them accessible for you to use in any film.

How do we watch a scene when the camera is stationary vs. when it’s moving? How to control the pace information is delivered and create an experience by moving the camera? What are the different methods for camera movement and how to decide which one to use? All these questions and many more are answered.

Guide your collaborators in discovering visual choices that tell your story, regardless of your technical experience or theirs. Gain confidence in your vision and draw from your collaborator’s experience to execute it.