ALOHOMORA PICTURES participated in a M/V shoot for Comingsoon Productions as a DP team, our director Felix Khu was the cinematographer for the whole M/V, and was responsible for shooting all the scenes requested by the film director Eng Soon.
- Felix (left) and Eng Soon (right) discussing about the M/V shoot.
Sheng, was also partnered with us as our gaffer. In film and television crews, the gaffer or chief lighting technician is the head electrician, responsible for the execution of the lighting plan for a production.
- Sheng (most right) setting up the lighting for the next shot.
What camera and lighting equipment to use for particular scenes during the shoot?
According to our DP Felix, when it comes to the choice of camera for the music video, we are first informed that the footage itself has to be vibrant, have strong characteristics, and filmic.
" I questioned myself, do I have plenty of time to do all the set-up or do I have the leisure time to do so. Because it’s either BlackMagic Pocket 6K or Sony A7SII at that budget price point. Well, the answer is Yes. “I have 1 hour and half to film a single scene, HAHA” So I don’t need a run & gun set up, or I need to take care of the shot despite the heavy set-up we have to do with the camera. "
Felix Khu - Cinematographer
It is said that sometimes a well-crafted shot requires a longer time to create. Like the background light, environment light and the basic portrait light to light the character.
Process for collaborating with the director on set.
Felix commented that working with Eng soon has been such a creative journey. While reading the script and storyboard, it felt pretty easy to dwell in his world. He thinks that’s the magical part of this collaboration.
" However this time round, he wants to go a little further with color. He wants to create that unnatural look which you don’t normally see in your daily life. I read it and I thought “We really need a lot of RGB Tube”. "
Felix Khu - Cinematographer
Adapting to last-minute change.
We asked our DP if there is a time when he had to adapt to a last-minute change on set, and the reason for it. He said that the team really wanted to make things right, the scene at the exterior, which was the Utility Pole Area, had 4 challenges.
" The lighting, the cast, the box frame set up and also the weather. Who else knows, just an half an hour shooting at the place, a heavy downpour of rain started to blow us all off. In this awful piece of time, we definitely need to think of plan B. "
Felix Khu - Cinematographer
Getting lots of takes or just a few?
According to Felix, sometimes the first take has to be the purest performance ever. But with a few amendments, the act could get better.
" Well, sometimes it doesn’t look good in the first take, things could go differently when it comes to post production. We shall see the decision the Director would make for his final piece. "
Felix Khu - Cinematographer
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