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GUEST SPEAKER ROGER PEARCE
(CAMERA OPERATOR ON CASINO ROYALE!)
VISITS THE WORKSHOP - SPRING 2007
The Production Skills group recently welcomed feature film and Casino Royale camera operator Roger Pearce into workshop to give a talk on his experiences and pass on some of his expertise.
Roger began by telling how he got his break into the industry which included starting here at ITV formally HTV!
“I was fortunate to be part of a production team where we worked together moving from project to project. We’d make documentaries, dramas and news rotating around the different areas.”
Some of Roger’s early work also included shooting the “Robin of Sherwood” TV series which was produced at ITV in the 1980’s.
Rogers entertained the workshoppers with tales from the filming of his most recent works, which include such films as “The Mask of Zorro”, BBC’s “Pride and Prejudice”, “The Saint”, “Entrapment”, “Goldeneye”, and most recently the BBC’s ”Doctor Who” and most importantly - the new 007 movie “Casino Royale”. The stories ranged from working with the great Sean Connery, to filming an action sequence for the finale of the Val Kilmer film “The Saint” for 2 whole weeks, only to have the film studio change the end of the plot and throw the whole lot out!
Roger also told of the different methods and styles of some of the big film directors. How some pre plan everything and know exactly what they want from each scene to others who prefer to make things up on the day and see where that takes them. “ “Casino Royale” and “Mask of Zorro” director Martin Campbell likes to turn up on set very early and plans the whole days shots. It was hard work but very enjoyable.”
About half way through the session, things turned practical!
Roger kindly brought in some of his own filming kit - a geared headed tripod that he used some of his feature films. With a Digi Beta camera lent by Chatford films, Roger demonstrated how to use it correctly giving the operator access to a very smooth and graceful pan and tilt action on the camera.
By turning two geared wheels on the back, the operator is able to use one for tilting and the other for panning at speeds they desire. It does take a bit of getting used to though. Move the wrong one the wrong way and you could find your camera panning one way as your actors walking the other!
Roger also gave his thoughts on some composition techniques. What is considered a nice close up? What is too close? Positions of actors in the frame and why. All useful practical tips that the members of the group could take away for their own future work.
Roger has kindly offered to come back for a complete practical workshop next term, so watch this space!
Our thanks for Roger for giving his time and passing on his knowledge, which turned out to be a very entertaining and helpful session!
Summer 2007
SIMON COLE
SOUND RECORDING MASTERCLASS
The Production Workshop recently opened its doors to Bristol based freelance Sound Recordis - Simon Cole. The workshop first met Simon when he was hired to record the sound for the workshop’s second short film “Coldharbour” (2003). Simon kindly gave his time to come and talk to workshoppers about how he got into the industry and entertained us with tales of filming in far away places all around the world.
Recently returned from Borneo from filming a orangutan documentary, Simon talked of the uncomfortable and hazardous filming conditions ranging from the intense humidity to scorpions and the most dangerous snake on the planet crossing his footpath!
Simon has worked on many different types of productions, documentaries, short films and dramas and told of how you must use different types of microphones and approaches depending on the circumstances you may find yourself in. He also installed into the group the importance of having confidence in asking for another take if you feel the sound was not up to scratch for some particular reason. Which can be easier said then done for new beginners in a room of strangers! But Simon installed confidence in the group by saying that it is hard but these are your responsibilities as a professional to deliver a certain standard of work.
Simon kindly demonstrated his skills and was keen to pass what he knew on to the workshoppers as we presented varying filming scenarios to him. How and where do you place a single mic when filming a group wide shot of people at a dinner table? How do you correctly hold the boom pole to limit noise feedback? How and when do you use radio mics when a boom pole is not practical?
He also showed us the correct volume levels to be getting when recording a scene and how to set up audio “tone” in order for the editor to capture the sound levels correctly. Notebooks were full to the brim as the knowledge was passed on to the Production Skills members ready to use on the workshop’s new filming endeavour.
Our thanks to Simon for giving up his time to visit the workshop and divulge his extensive knowledge!!
Summer 2007
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