From the course: Creating a Short Film: 07 Cinematography

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Knowing the script

Knowing the script

- To be a really effective DP on a short film, you really need to understand the story you're trying to tell. The DP should read the script, be familiar with the scenes, under the purpose of why scenes are set where they are, as well as pivotal story moments, and be familiar with the characters. This is so important. I see a lot of young and very talented DP's really eager to make a film that's just oozing with visual beauty, and that's their priority. But their priority should be to catch the director's vision and tell their story the best way possible. Now I personally love gorgeous shots, shots with out of focus lights in the background, shots with stylized lighting and colorful set design, I just love it. But The Assurance wasn't like that at all. These types of visuals would have been too flashy, and would have taken away from the world in this particular story. So I had to dial down my own personal style a bit in order to tell the story in the way that was best for this…

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