104223 - CAMERA TECHNIQUES

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Maddalena Fedele

Trimester: Second term

Credits: 4

The subject belongs to the field of image, technique and content creation. The various topics covered in the course are designed to train students for learning and using various cameras and main accessories, and understanding their technology. It enables them to develop the audiovisual gaze, work in groups, solve problems with initiative, create content based on an audiovisual narrative and know how to work with a professional video camera.

At the end of the course the student must be able to:

LO1: Understand the technology of the video camera and the digital environment.

LO2: Develop an audiovisual look and a critical sense of the image.

LO3: Work on video techniques in a professional way based on the recording characteristics.

LO4: Acquire theoretical-practical knowledge of the different technological and narrative tools when recording an audiovisual product.

LO5: Reflect on the camera as a discursive tool. 

LO6: Make a small digital video production according to a pre-established script.

LO7: Know how to work in a team and fulfill a specific role within the group that allows them to manage with maximum efficiency.

Theoretical concepts will be presented in class by the teachers. The presentations in the theory sessions will be accompanied by screenings of films that illustrate the concepts worked on. Likewise, texts and / or articles will be used to work on these concepts. 

The theoretical sessions will be 3 hours / week

In the practical activities the manipulation of the audiovisual material will be carried out. Practices are a fundamental part of the classes, as they serve to show in a tangible and direct way the theoretical concepts taught in class. The internships will increase their level of complexity and consequently, the requirement in their quality and in their delivery time will be affected. Therefore, the commitment on the part of the students when delivering the audiovisual materials on time is basic.

The practical sessions will be 2 hours every two weeks.

Contents theoretical sessions

T1. Technology and digital parameters

1.1. Digital technology

- From analog to digital

- Scanned

- Video signal 

- CCD and CMOS sensors: the creation of the digital signal

1.2. Digital parameters

- Spatial resolution

- Color depth

- Temporary resolution

- Color undersampling

- Transfer flow

- Compression

- Container formats and classification of codecs

T2. Morphology of the camera and digital cameras

2.1. Camera morphology

- Optics

- Focus ring and diaphragm

- Shutter

- Black and white balance

- Filters and patterns

- I win

- Viewers

- Audio

- Time code

2.2. Camera and monitoring accessories

T3. The digital image

3.1 Stages of digital image formation: Sensor capture, Signal processing (RAW and conventional), A / D converter, DSP, Compression, Debayering or demosaic.

3.2. Gamma curves and LUT's

T4. Digital cameras

4.1. Typology of current cameras: domestic

4.2. Typology of current cameras: smartphone

4.3. Typology of current cameras: prosumer

4.4. Types of current cameras: professionals

4.5. Typology of current cameras: cinematography

T5. The camera in motion
5.1. Manual fixing of the camera
5.2. Basic rules of camera movements
5.3. Type of panorama
5.4 The plane according to its angle
5.5 Traveling
5.6 The crane plan
5.7 The sequence plan

T6. Currents and thought, looks behind the camera.

6.1. The Avant-Gardes: Surrealists, Impressionists, Expressionists, Soviet Cinema.

6.2. Classic cinema: Hollywood

6.3. Neorealism

6.4. New Wave

6.5. Free Cinema

6.6. New Hollywood

6.7. New German cinema

6.8. Dogma '95

Contents practical sessions

P1. Operation and organization for the assembly of camera equipment

Definition of the elements that make up the camera equipment and their correct use

P2. Basic camera settings I

Manually using the camera settings of a camcorder model.

P3. Basic camera settings II

Manually use the camera settings of an advanced camcorder model with external recording.

P4. Dialectic of the plane-counterplane 

Implementation of staging, depth of field and planning a dialogue sequence

P5. Stabilization and operation of moving camera

Use of camera stabilization systems

The learning activities are:

Expository classes

Presentation of the theoretical contents in the theory sessions, accompanied by viewings and / or readings.

These activities are related to G2 competences and learning outcomes RA1, RA2, RA4, and RA5.

Oral presentations / Group work

Presentation by students (in groups) of a topic related to T4. 

These activities are related to G2 competences and RA1 and RA4 learning outcomes.

Theoretical exam

Individual test related to the contents covered throughout the course.

These activities are related to G2 competences and learning outcomes RA1, RA2, RA4, and RA5.

Internships

Practical sessions are mandatory. They will take place on set and, occasionally, outdoors.
The rules to be followed and the deadlines for carrying them out will be reported.
It is necessary to be punctual during internships. 

These activities are related to competences E5, E6, T2 and G2 and learning outcomes RA1, RA3, RA4, RA5, RA6 and RA7.

Audiovisual projects (Group work)

Audiovisual projects (a total of 2) are related to internships. They will be delivered via e-mail with a link on Youtube or Vimeo on the day of delivery marked by the teacher. The emails will always have the title of the internship in addition to the components that make up the working group sorted alphabetically by their last name and the project report. Any Activity that does not comply with these rules or that is delivered out of date will not be qualified.

These activities are related to competences E5, E6, T2 and G2 and learning outcomes RA1, RA3, RA4, RA5, RA6 and RA7.

All written activities will take spelling into account. A serious misconduct or several minor ones will mean not being able to obtain more than 5 of maximum mark in the exercise or to suspend it.

The evaluation of the subject is separated between theoretical content, taught in class, and practices.

The theoretical content will be evaluated in two tests. A final written test and a written work accompanied by an oral presentation. 

An activity not carried out will be equivalent to a 0 of numerical mark. To be able to average, the mark of the theoretical exam will be at least a 5.
In case of failing the subject, the recovery will consist of a theoretical examination of all the content of the subject that will average with the average note of the practices. The minimum grade to average with practice must be a 5. 

Only those students who have taken the final exam can qualify for recovery. In case of going to recovery, the minimum mark of the exam to average with the practices will have to be of a 5, otherwise the subject will be suspended. The internship grade will not be saved from one course to another.

In case of not obtaining more than 4 in the total of the practices, the asignatura will remain suspended without possibility of recovery.

Weighting

Delivery Audiovisual project 1: 20% of the final grade.

Delivery Audiovisual project 2: 20% of the final grade.

Oral presentation: 10% of the grade.

Final Theoretical Exam: 50% of the mark.

Bordwell, David; Thompson, Kritin. The art of cinema. Barcelona: Paidos, 1995.

Carrasco, Jorge. Digital cinema and television: Technical manual. Barcelona: University of Barcelona, ​​2010. 

Ascher, S. & Pincus, E. The filmmaker's handbook. A comprehensive guide to the digital age. New York: Plume, 2012.

Stump, David. Digital Cinematography: Fundamentals, Tools, Techniques, and Workflows. Burlington: Focal Press, 2014.

Burum, Stephen. American Cinematographer manual. Volume I. California: ASC Press, 2007.

Aumont, Jaques. The theories of filmmakers. The conception of the cinema of the great directors. Barcelona: Paidós, 2012.

Burum, Stephen. American Cinematographer Manual. Volume II. California: ASC Press, 2007.

Romaguera I Ramió, Joaquim; Alsina Thevenet, Homer. Cinema texts and manifestos. Aesthetics. Schools. Movements. Disciplines. Innovations. Madrid: Cátedra, 2010.

Carlson, Sylvia; Carlson, Verne. Professional camera manual. Madrid: IORTV, 2000.

Bazin, André. What is cinema? Madrid: Rialp, 2012