Reframing cinematography

ABSTRACT

Current discussions around the practice of cinematography are focusing on the extension, or disruption, of the art-form as it is increasingly practiced in the realm of the virtual. The process of performing cinematography in a virtual environment is discussed initially by reflecting on the work of early cinematographers compared and contrasted with the work of modern cinematographers. Following this, comparisons are made between current leading examples of virtual cinematography in the discipline. Traditional and ‘new’ virtual practices of cinematography are unpacked through the prism of concepts proposed by theorists Jean Baudrillard (Simulacra and Simulation 1995) and Charles Pierce (Triadic Model of Indexical, Iconic and Symbolic Signs). Conceptually, this paper argues the practice of the contemporary cinematographer is, in style and substance, much the same as the very earliest cinematographic practice. In conclusion, a summation of the application of the leading methodological virtual cinematographic processes to the independent, low-budget, feature film Space/Time (Michael O'Halloran, 2017a (in-production)) is discussed by the author who is also the director of photography for this film.

KEYWORDS:

• Cinematography
• virtual cinematography
• virtual film-making
• computer-generated imagery (CGI)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Daniel Maddock is an award-winning cinematographer working in all areas (documentary, commercial, music video, corporate, television drama series and independent feature film). He is a sessional lecturer at the Griffith Film School teaching into Cinematography and is currently undertaking his doctorate in the emerging field of virtual cinematography.

Virtual cinematography is cinematography that is constructed through the use of a virtual camera and with virtual lighting to produce CGI. Daniel has explored this idea through several projects including his most recent independent feature film Space/Time (http://www.spacetimemovie.com) as well as in the multi-award winning concept trailer Break The Rock (www.breaktherock.com). Daniel is currently exploring applying a virtual cinematography methodology to a documentary concerning the life of Brisbane sculptor Daphne Mayo; this has formed part of a co-authored paper with academic and filmmaker Dr. Debra Beattie (http://aspera.org.au/research/annual-conference-refereed-proceedings-2016virtual-historical-reality-verisimilitude-and-the-history-documentary).

Daniel was most recently awarded an Australian Cinematographers Society Bronze Award for the television drama series ‘Love Patrol’ (season six) in 2015. He has published with Create World (http://www.lulu.com/shop/auc/proceedings-of-createworld-2015/ebook/product-22386900.html) and Australian Cinematographer (http://www.cinematographer.org.au/cms/page.asp?ID=20993).

ORCID

Daniel Maddock http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2746-9098