PRODUCTION: Research/The skills of a documentary cinematographer

During researching my role, I found this article from Red Gecko Productions to be of much use. It clearly distinguishes the difference between narrative film cinematography and documentary photography. It also discusses the important relationship between cinematographer (myself) and the director (Hannah), and my specific responsibilities which come with my role. 

Jan Keck 

July 2010

The skills of a documentary cinematographer

http://red-gecko-productions.com/redgecko/2010/07/29/the-skills-of-a-documentary-cinematographer/ 

Two Important points; 

Relationship between cinematographer and director- 

• One of the most important relationships in production of any film 
• Very important that the director is as clear as possible about his/her vision and that the cinematographer understands and can help to realise this 
• All shots should be planned out with the director prior to filming on location
• Director has to trust and rely on the cinematographer more than anyone else

Role and responsibilities-

• Scouting locations to assess lighting
• Setting up camera instruments 
• Deciding camera positioning in collaboration with director
• Making all camera movements. 

Difference between narrative and documentary film making

Unlike narrative film where the cinematographer’s job is to create images, with documentaries his job is finding images. The cinematographer needs a sensitivity to what is going on in front of him/her to be able to pick up on small cues, fleeting facial expressions, telling hand gestures – the little things that reveal characters and moments. He/she needs to perfect the skill of finding these images and image sequences that director’s mean when talking about the “emotion of the moment”, “documentary moment” or “documentary butterfly”. Most of  those moments happen only once in a lifetime, so when the cinematographer needs to observe and listen and always be ready to shot it, or it’s gone.- Jan Keck (2010)