Lab 2: IN-CLASS CAMERA EXERCISE

Find a partner. Brainstorm with your partner to find a location at Hunter with an activity going on that you can spend a while shooting OR find several locations around Hunter where you can execute the below shot list. Each shot should last between 5-10 seconds. Try and have each of your shots tell (part of) a story, even if it’s a very simple one.
 
NOTE: You may want to ask permission before beginning to film, depending on what you’re shooting.

TIP: Use a wide angle lens focal length for this exercise!
 
1. Shoot the activity from at least three very different points of view (various framings, camera angles, etc.).
2. A shot where you zoom in to emphasize an important detail, or zoom out to reveal the context of a specific object.
3. A shot with depth in the frame: foreground, middle and background.
4. A shot where the frame stays still but there is movement within the frame.
5. A camera move that has clear beginning, middle and end destinations for your camera. It is best to find out where the shot will end before you start shooting.
6. The same subject shot with a long lens and a wide lens.
7. If possible with your chosen activity, a shot where you are tracking with a moving subject, maintaining the same distance from the subject. (Be careful doing this one, please use a cooperative subject and rehearse the move). If you can’t do this shot in a way that relates to your chosen activity, just do it separately with a classmate.

Here is an example of the exercise done by a former student.

You should consider and use this exercise as a dry run for your first class project "Define a Space: Hunter College". If you feel conflicted/tortured by the idea of filming in and around Hunter, you may want to read about and watch Jorgen Leth and Lars Von Trier's The Five Obstructions for inspiration and encouragement. 

Some inspiration:

Goodfellas tracking shot 
Do The Right Thing canted angles
North by Northwest crop duster scene
Rear Window opening sequence