The job of the Cinematographer is to bring the Director’s vision to life. As a DP, your work is silent, but can speak volumes. You are both craftsman and technician - needing to have a keen eye as well as a sharp understanding of your tools.

Few tools are more important to the Cinematographer than Pre-Production. It’s an often overlooked and underutilized process that can save your production immense amounts of heart ache, heartache, and money.

In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, LA-based Director of Photography, Jonathan Pope, will guide you through the Cinematographer’s vital role in Pre-Production. He'll discuss a variety of processes within pre-production, including compiling a lookbook, choosing your camera, location scouting, creating a shot list and overheads, and much more. You'll get a breakdown of the basics and discuss tips and tricks on how the Director of Photography can help the production avoid some common (and sometimes very costly) pitfalls from Jonathan's own experience. He will use documents and case studies from his most recent projects to give you an inside look at the preparation it takes to ensure you get that cinematic look on any budget. 

Whether you're shooting your first feature film, your passion-project short film, your tenth music video, or you're just branching into the commercial world, this webinar will benefit both indie Directors and Cinematographers. 

***All attendees will receive examples of lookbooks, shot lists and camera/lighting overheads so you will be able to create your own!

• What is Pre-Production and why is it important?
• Preface/The Name of the Game: Collaboration & Communication.
  • You are not a lone ranger (most of the time). Filmmaking is a team effort.
• The First Meeting/Interview.
  • Reading the script.
  • What to have ready.
• Establishing the visual language of your film.
  • The Basics of Creating a Look Book.
    • Lighting & Tone
    • Composition & Aspect Ratio
  • Example of Look Books:
    Last Resort - Lighting & Tone Book
    Without You - Lighting & Tone Book
  • Working with the Production Designer.
  • Examples of lookbooks used in Jonathan's own projects
• Choosing your camera. 
  • Jonathan will give you a look at the equipment he prefers to use when shooting.
  • Go over the Basics
    • Format (Film or Digital) & Resolutions
    • Single camera? Two Cameras? More?
    • Focal Length / Depth of Field
    • Choosing your lenses: Anamorphic v. Spherical
•  Location Scouting
  • What makes a good location?
  • What should you consider and look for?
  • Who from your team should go?
• Creating the Shot List
  • What information should you include? The more the better!
  • Example of Shot List:
    Hold On (Feature) - Shot List template
• Creating the Camera/Lighting Overheads.
  • Why are these important?
  • Camera/Lighting Overheads
    Without You (Short) - Overheads
    Hold On (Feature) - Overheads
• It's time to shoot!
  • How this prep translates to a smooth production?

Plus, an in-depth Q&A with Jonathan!

• Directors
• Filmmakers
• Cinematographers/DPs
• Gaffers
• Producers
• DIY & Low-budget Filmmakers 
• Any creative who wants to understand more about cinematagraphy