Operating-Part 1, introduction.

In this episode, I will briefly describe what I think it is, how I like to operate, the difference between DP’ing&Operating vs DP’ing&Letting someone operate, and all the different ways to operate that I know of and have tried.

Let’s dive into it!

Okay so, operating is the art of framing an action for a motion picture. From composition to camera movement. There are a lot of different ways to do so, both artistically and technically.

By artistically, I mean choosing whether the shot will be static or in movement, the camera height and angle, the choice of aspect ratio, the amount of headspace that you leave above a character’s face, the way you center or not the action… Although there are some common rules, I think that the artistic translation of a script into shots is very unique to each project, and to each person doing it.

And then, by technically, I mean the way you choose to translate the artistic choices into technical decisions. So that would be whether you go handheld, or on sticks, with a gear head or a fluid head. Or go on the dolly vs use a steadicam. Do you chose to use a crane or a ladderpod. If using a crane, is it with a remote head or on platform mode. For a slow and small travel in/out, will you opt for a slider ? To follow a fast paced action sequence, are you gonna use a U-crane or handheld from the back of a pickup truck. These are all choices made with creative in mind but not only. In my view, every scene, every shot could be executed a thousand different ways, but it is our job to decide how we want to convey the message with the best possible effect on the audience. But we also have to keep a lot of more technical stuff in mind. The ground of a set, the physical restrictions of a room, the budget, the size of the crew, are all things that have to be considered when deciding on what tools to use to operate a shot. And the combination of these creative ideas with technical knowledge and experience is what makes us choose the right tool for the right job.

Without further due, let’s have a look at some of the different techniques.

• Handheld

• Dolly on track

  • Sitting on the dolly

  • With a remote head

• Dolly without track

• Crane

  • Platform mode, sitting at the end of the arm

  • With a remote head

  • Telescopic

• Sticks

• Slider

• Steadicam

• Gimbal

I’ll go more in details in a second part.

Thanks for reading!