Cinema has been my passion ever since I was a child. I remember being captivated by the colorful images flitting across the big screen, one after the other, and remained under their spell long after they were gone. Their mannerism, their uttering and their dressing impacted my day to day life. Can I make similar images, I used to wonder. There must be a way to create them. Before I realized, my childhood fascination and urges got converted into dream of a career in filmmaking, for the fulfillment of which I am seeking admission to this course.
My knowledge about filmmaking is limited but my desire and enthusiasm to learn and assimilate, unlimited. I expect to learn a great deal about theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking from your programme with a view to master latest technology. I am willing to dedicate my time, and give my best effort to take this course to actualize my potential as a cinematographer and a filmmaker. I believe its going to be a remarkable experience which will be gained from both, professional teaching staff and diverse group of talented students.
According to survey of NTFS for finding aptitude for independent film making and technical proficiency, I am deeply interested in studying filmmaking with a special emphasis on cinematography. The survey justifies my decision to pursue this course and is an encouraging factor.
Film making is a very competitive field in which survival depends solely on performance. For good performance one requires expert training and guidance in an environment that stimulates creativity. I believe that the craft of cinematography and film making can be learnt well through your programme. I hope that this programme will equip me with technical expertise and other inputs required for success in films and keep me informed about latest developments in the film industry.
2.Describe why you feel your background experience and aptitude make you a suitable candidate for your chosen specialisation.
I feel that I am at right stage in my life for cinematography study. Coming from an art and design background, I have been involved with drawing since early age. Being creative has always been a natural self-expression for me.
My formative years saw the deepening of my artistic urges and strengthening of my resolve to carve a niche for myself in the artistic world. My love for art gradually induced in me a desire to learn photography. I take photography as a prelude to cinematography-the ultimate art of creating life on screen through images. Although it has been a short period since I am doing photography, I can see my dream taking a concrete shape. The photography allows me to explore the world from my own perspective angle and has helped to develop my aesthetic sense and visually thinking, both being must for filmmaking.
Since my coming to the UK, I have undertaken varied jobs which taught me the value of hard work in life. A memorable experience is becoming a tattooist. Two years summer time I served an apprenticeship with top-level tattoo artist Hori-Jouji and his crew to earn my title. I have been working in a tattoo studio ever since I could tattoo independently. It is a valuable experience as it involves working in a professional environment and direct interaction with the clients. It has helped me stay focussed and sharpened my skills as an artist.
Filmmaking is a challenging task. High level of energy and my capacity for intensive hard work gives me confidence and optimism. With my strong desire to learn and determination to achieve goals and the expert coaching under your programme, I am sure to emerge victorious. My passion, devotion, age and successful past experiences make me an ideal candidate for the programme.
3.Given your choice of specialisation, describe in your own words the role you would expect to take in the process of development and production of a film or television programme.
The specific area that I would very much like to concentrate to work on is the cinematography across all genres of production including TV Commercials, music video albums and Short and Feature length drama. The cinematography plays an important role in production process and has ultimate control over the visual image. The job of the cinematographer is recording images on a film translating the directors ideas and creating atmosphere and look of the film. Cinematography is not merely physical recording of a physical event, it is an interpretative process. Selection of camera with lenses to be used and film stock are essential decisions to be taken by a cameraman or director of photography. Besides he has to plan and supervise others to obtain desired camera shots, lighting and set design and a wide variety of tasks during different stages of production. Sometimes, his contribution matches that of the film director in importance. Though he has to portray directors vision, he can lend it a uniqueness through his style. He is the most competent person to advise the director while shooting. The association between the cinematographers and the processing laboratory is also of highest importance which requires the cinematographer to spend hours of time after shooting and checking the negative A good job by cameraman makes the task of editor easier.
The job of a cinematographer is multifarious and challenging and highly significant in shaping the ultimate product, which is all the more reason for me to select it of all the jobs in the production of a film or television programme. I am aware of the intense competition in the film industry and would prefer proactive approach to achieve the goal. I am fully papered to devote my energy and time for assuming my responsibilities first, as a student aspirant for cinematography by pursuing your programme and later on as a skilled cinematographer.
4. Select one item from your submission and write an evaluation of the dramatic strengths and weaknesses including that of your own creative contribution. The item must be either your adaptation or original idea.
A short film called The Tattoo was made towards end of my uni year, in which I collaborated with a young director. From start to finish, I was involved in all stages of production. As a production designer, I created two characters with different looks and completely different styles of outfits to conform to their personality as outlined in the script. The project proved to be a great learning experience.
During the shooting, I successfully performed the role of a camera man. To keep the budget low, a decision was taken to select the digital shooting equipment. It was also decided to use wide angle lens to exaggerate the virtual space to expand the apparent distance in the very small interior scenes. Holding my nerves together, I experimented with camera positioning. It was exciting to see how the placement of camera different angles altered the look and effect of shots. As we wanted the film to exude Hong-Kong filmic feeling, we emulated screen style from several Asian films to obtain the shots associated with old fashioned Hong-Kong. The result worked out as we expected. I realised the importance of harmonious team work in producing a motion picture.
On reflection, I find that story telling in short films is much tougher as their timing is less and budget small. Compromises have to be made in all departments of filmmaking which affects quality of the final product. Individually, it was a highly enriching experience and I enjoyed every moment of it. I realized that becoming a cameraman requires a high level of discipline, imagination and a knack for effective incorporation of properties or natural objects while filming a scene. The task is demanding but as a poet Rilke wrote That something is difficult must be a reason all the more for us to do it.
5. What kind of films, television programmes or media productions do you intend to concentrate on in your future career Please give examples andor influences.
I see for myself the possibility of a career in cinematography in the film industry. I visualise a start as a cameraman in music video production. It will hone my skills, sharpen my abilities in shot selection and camera movements and enhance my confidence to handle bigger projects. Working in a few serials comes next on my list. I would love to do socials, whether serious or light comedies, as well as serials based on horror and action. I would focus on creating the desired effects through varied camera angles and would like to experiment with lighting and use of different colours in set designing for intended effect. I would like to learn the practical aspects of even the smallest of jobs and actual handling of every shooting equipment be it a focus puller of clap loader. After working for music video productions and serials for four-five years and thus gaining much needed experience, I would like to devote rest of my life to film cinematography and film making. I would like to do films of all genres.
My primary influences are eminent cinematographers-- Vittorio Storaro, Nstor.Almendros, Freddie Young and Christopher Doyle. Three time Oscar winner Vittorio Storaro inspires with his superbly controlled camera movements and masterly use of nuances of colour to produce telling images as in The Conformist and Apocalyse Now. I admire Nestor Almendros for his striking originality. He discarded old fashioned beliefs in cinematography like faces should never be in a shadow. Freddie Young utilizes diverse camera angles to tell the story. His filming of desert in Lawrence of Arabia or icy Russian countryside in Dr. Zhivago is awesome and inspiring. Powerful play of image and sound lends a unique beauty to the work of Doyle. Like my ideals, I desire to produce quality work as a cinematographer.
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