Monitor aesthetic and technical quality of shots
Overview
This standard involves monitoring the aesthetic and technical quality of shots against production requirements. This could apply to any type of production including feature films, TV dramas, commercials, documentaries, sports coverage, outside broadcast and live or stage events. This could apply on a multi or single camera shoot.
It includes liaising with directors, directors of photography and other relevant people, suggesting camera techniques or equipment to meet or enhance visual style, taking action to achieve visual style and checking shots to ensure they meet aesthetic and technical requirements.
This standard is for camera operators on a single camera shoot or who supervise a camera team on a multi camera shoot.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- liaise with relevant people about technical and aesthetic requirements at appropriate times during shoots
- suggest camera techniques and equipment which can enhance agreed visual style and brief and meet production requirements
- discuss any extra equipment requirements with relevant people at appropriate times
- suggest equipment selection which allows for production flexibility and probable back-up requirements
- suggest camera and grip equipment whose envisaged use meets safety guidelines
- contribute to the selection of lens types and sizes to meet technical and artistic requirements
- inform relevant people or departments about grip and camera requirements as early as possible, advising them on technical matters when required
- make sure correct action is taken by self or others to achieve aesthetic and technical requirements
- monitor shots to ensure that overall results are compatible and consistent with agreed production styles
- make sure that each shot meets agreed aesthetic and technical requirements
- suggest viable alternatives to relevant people when aesthetic or technical requirements are not met
- follow health and safety legislation, risk assessments and other instructions for safe methods of working
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to determine technical and aesthetic requirements of productions and who to liaise with about them including directors and directors of photography, and when it is appropriate to do so types of camera equipment, its features, uses, benefits and limitations
- software for framerate and the impact of framerate on camera memory
- current methods of script breakdown, budget and scheduling and how to contribute to them
- current production methods and styles
- how to present assessments and recommendations clearly
- how to interpret the photographic requirements of others including Directors and Directors of Photography
- different lens types and their characteristics
- whether any special effects processes are envisaged, including laboratory effects or post production video effects
- how to identify and resource specialist skill requirements
- how to supervise, co-ordinate and manage self and others to achieve results
- any factors which may impact upon camera functions and how to meet these challenges
- key functions and job requirements of camera teams
- relevant health and safety legislation, industry guidelines and how to observe safe methods of working
- sources of information on insurance implications of shoots