Production
Having the interview look beautiful was absolutely the most important factor for this project. I wanted it to look bright, inviting, warm and caring. I wanted the teachers to literally glow on the screen as a reflection of their attitude towards the children (and the same with the parents in reference to the school). I also wanted it to look very natural and not overproduced. Again, this was intentional because that doesn’t reflect the philosophy of the school. When working with a narrated story it’s important that the Imagery is consistent with the sentiments delivered. This was a loving, positive message filled with gratitude, respect and care - having a moody lighting situation might look cool but wouldn’t do any favors with telling the story.
The Aputure LS lights with the incredible Rode NTG3 for sound.
I used three Aputure lights for the interview. A 300D MKII with a soft box, a 300D into a V Flat for a soft light from the bounce and a 120D with a China lantern for a soft glow of a rim light. I had to flag it a touch since it made the shelves a little hot but overall it worked out beautifully and was my favorite element of the interview.
Also I knew the rest of the shoot I was at the mercy of the sun for lighting situations and I couldn’t properly light the classrooms since COVID restrictions kept me from having any assistants or second shooters to help with any production/ time management. So I had to rely on the imagery of the interview to keep the video looking calculated and feel like there was a real production involved.
For sound I used the incredible Rode NTG3 shotgun microphone recorded into a Zoom F6. I’ve recently switched to these from my Sennheiser mics because I prefer the frequencies they record. Personally I feel like they give me more midranges sounds without adding them in post. I also like the way they record female voices and since the interviewees were almost entirely women it was the perfect mic for the job.
The camera setup was two BMPCC6K, Sigma Lenses and a MoviPro for the outdoor and classroom shots.
Due to the crazy world we live in right now, the massive COVID restrictions (which I support, I’d rather be safe folks) and the fact that I was working around some high risk people every precaution had to be taken. I had to be tested immediately before the job and I could be the only person on location for all of the production. So that means, no sound person, no producer, director, gaffer etc. Just me. With these parameters put on this job pre production was essential. I didn’t necessarily script the interview but I did supply a subject matter for each person that spoke. Everyone had a clear objective for speaking when they sat in front of the camera and this was the only thing that kept this job from being a four day shoot. While on the subject of pre production…
I also can’t stress the importance of documenting your project while it is happening. It doesn’t have to be pretty but some note taking for significant moments on set, in between takes or at the end of the day helps an infinite amount in the final edit.
Like I said it’s not pretty but by the end of day one I had my whole video mapped out along with a shot list based on the words spoken.
I also kept track of time so in 5 hours I was able to get every shot I needed without relying on chance and wasting hard drive space for unnecessary moments.
Finally some words of gratitude.
My daughter is my world, anyone who knows me knows nothing comes even close to mattering as much as her. I am so proud of her character, her conduct, her empathy, her manners, her discipline and while her mother and I will gladly take some credit I would be remised in saying Calvin Hill didn’t have a large part in developing who she is. They shaped so much of my favorite person in the world so I am forever grateful and incredibly honored to give something back to Calvin Hill.
Cheers - Will
Will Talamelli - Cinematographer Director DP
Founder/Owner Will Talamelli Films