The Indian film industry is multi-crore, with forecasts as high as INR 259.5 billion by 2024. It is based out of Mumbai, India’s financial capital. Most films produced in Bollywood are in Hindi and feature a variety of genres. Most movies are sequenced with a song and dance routine, and the music makes or breaks a Bollywood film.
While the cast and crew’s most prominent roles are those of the actors, directors, and producers, cinematographers play a vital role. Their part behind the camera defines what the movie will look like on screen. For those looking at a career in Bollywood, here is a low-down on cinematographers. If it appeals to you, you can sign up for India’s cinematography courses to make a “film” career for yourself.
Deciphering the Jargon
Let’s understand what a cinematographer is. They are Directors of Photography (DoP). Now, it makes sense. They are in charge of the cameras, lights, editing, color, aspect size, focus, etc. Their role begins from pre-production setup to shooting scenes and goes on to post-production editing. Well, they are essential to the film production process. Here is a list of responsibilities (not exhaustive) that they handle.
Pick a Visual Approach
Films revolve around a theme- how it is visualized results in how impactful it is. A DoP will determine the visual style of the film. It is based on the article, storyline, location, and scene-specific. In Life Is Beautiful, the rainy scene before the family is sent to a concentration camp contrasts with the after. This is because the second scene is darker and monochromatic to match a concentration camp’s somber mood.
Camera SetupSetup
Scenes are shot from different angles. Some scenes are upfront, while others are at an angle or aerial. These decisions will be your responsibility if you are the cinematographer for the film. You are responsible for how the camera is set up for each scene and how it pans to capture the entire shot. The camera placement and movement are both your responsibility. The angle at which the actors are filmed can make a big difference in how impactful the scene is.
Control Lighting
Anyone who has done elementary photography knows how vital light can be. For movies, lighting is a large-scale event. The DoP directs the lighting for each scene. The lighting sets the mood of the scene with its depth, contrast, and contour.
Most cinematography courses in India cover the subject. It helps you decide whether the colors should be black or white, whether they will be vivid or dull, and whether the tone will be realistic or expressionistic.
Explore Every Location
While location choice is up to the director, the cinematographer will explore the location to extract the most out of it. For example, when filming in a forest, an aerial shot can highlight the trees’ denseness. Indian audiences love it when certain locations are shown in vivid detail. It allows them to imagine being at the site.
Shot Size
Wide or up close are decisions that need to be made in every shot. Since movies are not static, the shot size may change every second. Your audience’s focus depends on your shot size. If it is their expression alone, then a close-up is best. If you want to show the subject in a vulnerable position, then going wide to cover the surrounding hostility is better.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is all about the height-to-width ratio. Wide frames are good for landscape, and tall structures work when you want to highlight the actors’ performance. Because visuals are the language of cinematographers, aspect ratio plays a vital role.
Choice of Lens
The lens you use can have a dramatic effect on the shot. Lenses can be either Zoom or Prime. For example, they can be classified by focal length, iris, and focus. They can have a psychological effect on the audience. Choosing the incorrect lens can make the scene less impactful.
Shot List and Storyboards
Cinematography is all about planning. Storyboards are used to present ideas, plan production, and visualize the project’s pre-production. It allows different department heads to collaborate and share ideas. The shot list is the numbering of each shot. It will enable you to refer to individual images that you like or want to be removed. You can also make a short description to give a gist of what the image is about.
DoP is an essential part of the filmmaking process. Their pre-, during, and post-production contributions determine if the film will hit. India is home to a few epic movies that have taken cinematography to the next level. Taking cinematography courses in India will teach you all these and much more. So, let your movie career begin today.
