Evening star., 1948-12-26

GSuI ulOt4S p1IOtOS16P14C4 40 A14osS4S
to obtain proper coverage Of an
event because of distance, COM
plexity of subject matter, and lin
itations Of equipment. This usually
happens when the cameraman at
tempts to film activities which are
beyond his personal control. To
overcome these difficulties he must
team up with another photographer
or In some cases several other
photographers and cover the events
in much the same manner as do
the professional newsreel men.
Teamwork Of this kind calls for
much cooperation and advance
study Of the situation by all par
ties concerned.
The first requirement is that all
cameramen participating in the
coverage use the same size film. 1t
Is obvious that 8-mm. and 16-mm.
cameras cannot be used to cover
the same assignment II all the ex-
posed fllm Is to be sphced together
as part Of one story. However,
where q situation merits very full
coverage, as in the case Of the COM
ing Inauguration, 1t might be worth
while for q camera club to cover
the event with teams from both
classes-offering a prize to the
group producing the best film.
It Is also very important that
each member Of the team has a
full understanding of his own as
signment as well as general knowl-
edge of the entire scenario" To
achieve this aim all must sit down
at the conference table and discuss
the problem well in advance of the
day of the shooting. A final dis
cussion of the problems involved
should be called just prior to the
filming.
Make List Of Assignments.
At the outset 1t must be deter
mined just what the film should
tell in the way of a documentary
story. Then q decision should be
arrived at as to the method Of OBJ
tanning the desired coverage. After
this, specific assignments should be
made to each member Of the team.
Finally, each cameraman should
prepare q list Of the essential shots
he is to make. Thist list Is essential
to prevent any one Of the team
members from forgetting to record
some scene essential to the success
of the film.
Let's examine the possibilities Of
team coverage Of the inauguration
It would be an excellent subject
for any group Of movie fans or cam
era club to record. On the other
hand, such a project is much too
ambitious for one or two photog-
raphers to attempt. It will take
the combined efforts of a large
number OF cameramen. The entire
membership Of o camera club, act
ing In unison, could probably pro-
duce documentary film OF the
event that would rival those of
newsreel companies.
AS q start, an estimate Of the
situation should be made. The
Program Committee Of the inaugu-
raj will have all of the information
available for those who desire it.
After d program Of the event has
been obtained it should be deter
mined exactly what should and can
be covered. This should be COM
pared with the number OF cameras
and photographers available and a
shooting schedule prepared accord
ingly. This shooting schedule should
then be broken down into indi-
vidual assignments.
Choosing the Best Spots.
The individual assignments should
center around critical points of an
event. For instance, If a group of
cameramen are assigned to cover
the parade, the operators should be
stationed at strategic points along
the route. The initial point or place
where the parade begins would be
an obvious spot for a cameraman.
Other likely spots such as places
where the parade turns a corner, a
position where a long shot straight
down the Avenue Is possible, the
reviewing stands, areas where diff
ferent units are brought into forma-
ton, etc., should be thoroughly COW
cred.
After it has been established where
each team member is to be sta
toned, reservations should be OBJ
tanned so that the camefaman will
not discover at the last moment that
he can't get within blocks Of his as
signment area. If credentials are
required, these should be picked up
and presented to the participating
photographers.
A preshooting conference by the
team will iron out last-minute diff
ficulties and help establish a basis
for co-ordinated exposure. AL
though lighting condition may vary
from hour to hour or minute to
minute, it will be helpful to those
who edit the film at later time If
all of the cameramen are in agree
ment from the start as to some basic
exposure pattern. If possible, the
same type film should be used by all.
Exposure meters should be consulted
frequently-particularly after each
noticeable change in lighting con-
ditions. Tripods should be used for
all long shots and for as many
medium shots as possible. The more
experienced oameramen should be
assigned to points where hand-held
shots are necessary.
Double Insurance on Film.
Perhaps the greatest difficulty the
amateur movie fan will encounter in
a situation of this kind is that of
having his camera run down or
come to the end of a roll of film at
a critical point Of his filming. This
can be overcome to some degree II
two photographers operate as a
team within the team" AS an ex-
ample, one photographer can op-
crate his camera until it runs out
of film while second cameraman
stands by with another loaded
properly set and wound machine.
AS soon as the last foot of film in
the first camera Is used, cameraman
No. 2 passes the second camera to
the operating member of the team.
Then, while the second camera is
being used, the assistant is busy re-
loading and rewinding camera No. /.
In this way no time is lost as would
be the case II one man had to stop
L.