Filming on Location: Transforming Spaces into Stories
Blog Series Part 6 of 10
“The Crucial Role of Preparation in Cinematography”
Selecting the Perfect Location
Location scouting is essential, blending visual appeal with practicality. Tools like Artemis Pro for visualizing shots and Helios Pro for sunlight planning are incredibly helpful. A light meter measures available natural light, ensuring locations meet both aesthetic and practical requirements.
Adapting to Challenging Locations
In filmmaking, sometimes the most visually compelling locations are far from ideal for shooting. When the visual appeal outweighs the practical challenges, or when options are limited, adapting to the situation becomes key.
Case Study
For our film: “The Island Between Tides” we needed a location for a hidden passage leading to a room under a house.
The final decision for the location was a practical solution for scheduling, much less so for technical reasons as it had 6 foot ceiling and no window, yet we successfully navigated these challenges.
Faced with these constraints, particularly for camera work and lighting, we couldn't resort to studio solutions like removing walls. Meticulous planning and scouting were instrumental. Foreknowledge of these challenges allowed us to preemptively devise and test viable solutions.
For this scene, our equipment choices, such as the Camera Sony Venice in Rialto mode paired with fast Canon FD vintage lenses, were a solution to these spatial constraints. Also giving a glossy aspect to the dark brown walls reflected light and gave some depth to the darkness.
Testing Sony Venice at 8000 ISO
This test aimed at pushing its limits to discover the perfect equilibrium for low-light shooting.
Testing Sony Venice at 3200 ISO
Exploring the dual base ISO feature of the Sony Venice, I found that setting it to base 2500 ISO and pushing it to 3200 ISO allowed me to sufficiently illuminate a scene with just two candles, achieving the intended visual effect seamlessly and solving the location issue.
My confidence in making this choice stemmed from rigorous testing, underscored by meticulous pre-production planning. The outcomes are a clear testament to the transformative power of simplicity, creativity and detailed preparation, demonstrating that even the most challenging locations can be rendered into visually captivating scenes. Here’s the final result:
Crew Coordination and Location Logistics
Coordinating crew needs and managing location logistics are crucial. Planning space for camera, lighting, and grip equipment on location, as well as power source availability, directly affect the shooting schedule and efficiency. Involving key crew members in scouting, like Gaffers and Key Grips and sometime a Camera Assistant, facilitates better preparation and smoother operations.
Overcoming Budget and Time Constraints
A prime example of overcoming location challenges through meticulous preparation is illustrated during the filming of “The Island Between Tides.” We faced a complex chase sequence set within a century-old cannery in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. The location's rich aesthetic made it irresistible to capture its extensive areas. However, budget constraints limited our shoot to a single night—a task initially estimated to require two full days. The cannery's vast 20,000 square feet intensified our challenge, especially when lighting the area at night.
Century-old cannery; Prince Rupert, BC
Navigating these constraints required thorough preparation. My exceptional Gaffer, Gareth Jones, and I spent two days rigorously planning the entire lighting scheme. To accommodate the tight schedule and logistics, our art department built a doctor's office set for filming the day before the cannery night shoot. This approach allowed Gareth, along with a select team of lamp operators and grips, to pre-light the cannery, setting the stage for the overnight shoot efficiently.
This proactive approach and detailed planning were instrumental in realizing our vision within the tight constraints. The success of this shoot is a testament to the importance of thorough preparation in cinematography, showcasing our ability to adapt and excel in the face of logistical challenges.
Conclusion
Effective location shooting in cinematography hinges on a balance between creative vision and logistical planning. By embracing both innovative solutions and meticulous preparation, even the most challenging locations can be transformed into visually compelling scenes.
