As part of Future producers we are lucky enough to be given a small amount of budget each to take research trips for our projects. Here is a quick look at some of the workshops I’ve attended in preparation for the Watershed’s sci-fi Fun Palace: The Mothershed!
The BFI – Future Film presents…Raw Shorts: Painting with Light – Texture, Colour and Tone.
‘Directors of photography and lighting experts will be joining us this month as Raw Shorts examines principals of digital cinematography that you can apply to your short filmmaking.’
Quite a few of the Mothershed team invaded the Southbank on the 6th September to attend this workshop which is part of the BFI’s fantastic Raw Shorts programme. It was really fun to spend the day together not discussing budgets and schedules – for once!
The event started with a general overview of cinematography and the effects it can have on film. The panel was made up of a director, a DOP and another writer/director.
I found the talk really interesting. As a short film-maker the look of film is something I’m interested in. I think this permeates into the scripts I write but the workshop made me address how I’m going to take a more active role in establishing this in future. The clips played in the session showed how effective use of colour, tone and grading can establish or enhance the mood of a film. It was good to think about for the Mothershed. We want the Watershed to feel different from how it normally does so colouring will be a good element to think about.
We then divided into two groups. The second half of the event which was all about lighting. One group (which included Ewa, Hayley, Jas and Rosanna) watched a director demonstrate how to use lighting to make a recycled structure appear like a space ship – how fortuitous! Lolo and I joined a group in another room and listened to a DOP explain how lighting is used to achieve different effects.
We then got to try our hand at lighting other members of the group to look like old oil paintings – ours didn’t look nearly as good as the originals.
This focus on lighting was really interesting. Both Rosanna and I had attended the FindingFela Opening Afrobeat party the night before. While the event had had a great buzz and the music was swinging, we both commented on how the bright lighting in the box office became a mood-killer when you entered the building and risked spoiling the exciting vibe of the evening.
We’re really going to have to think about this for The Mothershed. We want people to feel as though they are entering a space-ship from the moment they walk through the Watershed’s doors. Hannah Higginson had also recently voiced her own opinions to us about how lighting can make a huge difference to the feel of an event… So now we know a few tricks, we’re definitely going to take these and infuse them into the event.
After the talks we had a much deserved beer together. It was a great trip!
