A comprehensive introduction to the art and craft of motion picture cinematography.

Dates:
Jun 26, 2023 - Jun 30, 2023
Oct 2, 2023 - Oct 6, 2023

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate,
Workshop Fee: $1995
Workshop Duration: 1-week (Monday-Friday)
Workshop Location: On-campus
Class Size: 16

This workshop explores the camera as a tool for cinematic storytelling. The class is designed for new cinematographers, filmmakers, video professionals, and anyone else looking to gain a solid foundation in the art of shooting motion pictures.

Students are introduced to fundamental concepts through lectures and demonstrations. They explore the theory and use of exposure, lens selection, frame rate, shutter angle, depth-of-field, ISO, color temperature, contrast, and dynamic range.

Brendan Uegama teaching cinematography at Maine Media - Photo by Sebastiano Caccetta

They practice lighting portraits as well as scenes and address the many strategies pertaining to the various conditions of lighting in-studio and on location. The dynamics of working as a crew are explored, and students are introduced to the primary roles and responsibilities of each member of a camera crew, including Director of Photography, Camera Operator, and Camera Assistant, and their relationships to one another in production.

The course’s essential focus is on the fundamentals of visual storytelling. Basic set etiquette and communication are discussed and practiced throughout the week.

PLEASE NOTE: An hour-long training session on Set Etiquette and Safety will be required of anyone registered for a workshop that involves production. Students only need to participate in this session once during their time on campus.

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Brendan Kuroki Uegama, CSC

Instructor: Brendan Kuroki Uegama (Teaching Jun 26-30, 2023 - Register here)

Brendan Kuroki Uegama recently lensed Them: The Scare, the second season of Amazon Prime’s hit horror anthology. Previously, he shot features including: sci-fi / comedy hybrid Moonshot from director Christopher Winterbauer for New Line Cinema starring Zach Braff, Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor; MGM’s Child’s Play, directed by Lars Klevberg and starring Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry, and Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky; and Electra Woman & Dyna Girl for director Chris Marrs Piliero, an official selection at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.

Uegama’s television credits include Hulu mini-series Iron Mike with Director X, created by I, Tonya writer Steven Rogers; Apple’s Truth Be Told for creator/showrunner Nichelle D. Tramble and produced by Hello Sunshine & Endeavor Content; and numerous collaborations with creator/showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa including Chilling Adventures of Sabrina & Riverdale, for which Uegama earned Leo Awards for Best Cinematography in a Dramatic Series in 2018 and 2019.

Instructor: Dave Perkal, ASC (Teaching Oct 2-6 - Register here)

Dave Perkal, ASC is an accomplished, multifaceted cinematographer, known for his intelligent lensing and keen lighting on a broad array of television and film projects.

Perkal just wrapped the pilot of Ramble On, the scripted dramedy from the creator of Entourage, which brings together father and son actors Charlie and Martin Sheen for the first time since Wall Street. Playing themselves alongside Emmanuelle Chriqui and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Ramble On chronicles the strength of family and friendships that persevere through redemption and second chances.

Working in television, Perkal lensed projects such as Netflix’s Cowboy Bebop live-action adaptation, Marvel’s award-winning Runaways, CBS’s Zoo and ABC’s Primetime Emmy awarded Castle. Some of his previous television credits include: the Primetime Emmy awarded Entourage for HBO; the world-syndicated The Vampire Diaries; Franklin & Bash, Scrubs, Chuck and In Case of Emergency.

In film, Perkal is known for his work on projects such as Do You Take This Man and Preacher’s Kid, TV movies Teen Spirit, Christmas Cupid and Happy Campers, as well as shorts such as The Frank Anderson,The Key and Lucky. Beside lensing Do You Take This Man, Perkal also served as a producer. For his work on The Frank Anderson, which he directed and lensed, Perkal won awards at the Berkeley Video and Film Festival, FilmOut San Diego, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, Valley Film Festival and the Woods Hole Film Festival.

Perkal also shoots in the commercial realm, lensing spots for LG, Google, Sprint, Jolly Time Popcorn and Vidant Health.

A member of the American Society of Cinematographers since 2011, Perkal is a Los Angeles native and earned his BS in Film and TV from San Diego State University and graduate degree in Cinematography from the American Film Institute...

David Martinez

Course Manager: David Martinez

David believes in the idea of Docendo Discimus. He enjoys teaching and has taught more than 30 different workshops at Maine Media on topics ranging from camera, lighting, color grading, and cinematography theory. He has been working as the Film Program Manager at the workshops since 2018 designing curriculums and syllabi for both in-person and online workshops. His role at the school has given him an opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of industry professionals across many areas of filmmaking and film production.