ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXTips on directing a cinematographer remotely from a different country?
10 years ago - Jinan C
This is a general question I wanted to throw out there to anyone with experience or just common-sense advice:
I've had to do something like this on a small scale before, where I needed to hire someone to film some documentary material in a place I couldn't travel to due to time constraints, and the cinematographer then sent me the footage via FTP. I had to take a chance on him, though I'd seen his previous work and had a sense of his skills, and I was quite happy with the results.
I'm now in development for a new film idea (documentary) that might require me to find a good cinematographer in a part of the world that I cannot travel to at all. So I may be in a position - on a larger scale - where I would need to direct someone skilled to shoot the material I need there - and this being observational documentary material of ordinary, every day life in this particular city.
I'm just curious what top tips some of you might have (or actual experience to share, lessons learned etc) on how best to go about doing this? It all seems like such a big risk when directing from afar.
I know a big part of approaching this would be to research cinematographers thoroughly, speak to different people and find a strong candidate, and then discuss in as much detail as possible the style of the shoot, and perhaps even hire them for a test shoot - see the results - and if happy, sign them on for the project.
I'm just curious what others think to all of this and if you can feed in with experiences, tips, lessons etc.
Many thanks!
Only members can post or respond to topics. LOGIN
Not a member of SP? JOIN or FIND OUT MORE
10 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Strictly speaking, a cinematographer will be designing a mid with light, and helping frame a shot, not working as a self-shooter which is probably more what you want. A self-shooter will fulfill all roles from arranging their own transport, having a camera, being a micro production company. Indeed a local producer might be a better bet, they'll take your project as their own, deliver what you ask for, and will hire the necessary bodies, get the necessary permits, arrange transport, etc. But that's semantics :)
I'd suggest you create enough sample material that they can base their shots upon. Specify technical format, show how you need lighting, whether you need sound, etc. It'll never be ideal, but can be done. If you can possibly go out there to meet then for a few days, though, then you'll set the style and know if they're capable of finishing alone.
Response from 10 years ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
10 years ago - Marlom Tander
I agree with both Paddy and Wozy (as usual) but the only other thing I'd throw in is that if you simply need a reportage style, that's one thing, and will be done by default by any competent person. But if you have a specific vision/style/look then it's up to you to give them lots of examples and you def want to have them test shoot first.
Why can't you go there? If it's a place that carries risks for a local film maker then you should also tell them to flag anything you're asking for that seems fine to us but might get them into trouble. We've all heard about the trouble plane spotters have gotten into overseas for example.
Response from 10 years ago - Marlom Tander SHOW
10 years ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren
Short answer? Storyboard what you want, if you can. use this either as a blueprint for what you want or as a flavour of what you want.
I learnt this the hard way a few years ago when asking a cameraman in Bosnia to shoot some stuff for a video for me. I asked for a tracking shot along a road of particular beauty in the countryside, but got back a bumpy in car shot that included window, dash and radio music in BG. A write-off. Next time with SBs I got exactly what I wanted.
Good luck.
Wozy
Response from 10 years ago - Lee 'Wozy' Warren SHOW