Starting out.

Hello!
I'm Claire Alexander and I'm the camera operator for this production! This not a role I have much (read “any”) experience in, I'm somewhat afraid of cameras –there are so many bits that can break!- I will do my best.

I am in need of a lot of practice, and practice is what we did today! The group roles were decided pretty early on and we were away. Waqar worked hard on the script and Laurence had a few ideas in mind for a shot or two so we used the practical session today to mainly focus on those. Having access to the jib and dollies makes this project a lot easier as there are so many more intriguing shots that can be done than with a standard cam on tripod arrangement so today was both interesting and fun. We mainly looked at the practicalities of a 270 degree shot that circled a tense chess scene in a crescent shape, first focusing on our protagonist, Jane, and then our antagonist, Victor. As I had no experience with this kind of shot previously it was a little difficult and a little ambitious but I feel that's really the only way to learn. Having said that, and with a little practice, it got easier to maintain the focus on the right subject at the right time. We also got in a little practice with the slider, the main challenge of which will be getting the camera to the height of the table as we intend to have a panning shot of the chess board decked with sporadically arranged chess pieces.
Though this is all very new to me it's good to get the practice in and I'm enjoying it even though I may end up being thoroughly terrible.
Let's hope not...