The Japanese Society of Cinematographers hosted a cinematography masterclass in Tokyo, Japan.
Seamus McGarvey ASC BSC and Balazs Bolygo BSC attended as guest instructors. The event was organised by JSC member Shunsuke Ito and included support from local cinematographers, including JSC President Takeshi Hamada. Â
Nearly 25 Japanese cinematographers attended the masterclass, which spanned three days. Day 1 of the class covered pre-production, pre-visualization, camera and lens testing, as well as relationships with directors and producers. On Day 2 the group moved to a location set of traditional Japanese houses outside of Tokyo. McGarvey and Bolygo each lit a separate house with support from local gaffer Kenjiro Sou. Working off a script, with the help of two actors and a director, the pair set up and shot 4 different shots: wide, medium, close up, and reverse. Day 3 brought the group to Toei Studios for color grading sessions of the footage using ACES workflow from the camera/lens tests as well as the production shoot. Â
Day 1 – Pre-production, previsualisation, camera and lens testing, how to deal with directors and producers, Â Â
Day 2 – Production. At a location set outside Tokyo. The set had been used on previous Japanese films. Traditional Japanese houses. Seamus chose one house to do a lighting demonstration. Balazs chose another house for his lighting demonstration. There was a director, script, 2 actors. 3 or 4 different shots: wide, middle, close up, reverse. Lit by gaffer Kenjiro Sou. Â
Day 3 – Colour grading. Test footage from Day 1 and actual footage from Day 2. Done at Toei Studio using ACES workflow. Â
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Key sponsors for the masterclass included Leitz Cine, Sony, Netflix and Filmlight. Â
