Jacqueline Donaldson

Thanks man. I've been going round & round in my head for so long...I dunno which way is up! Ahhhahahah I wish I were young again, would have done things a bit differently, but I'm where I am & trying to make the best of it.

Hey guys, I haven’t been on here for a while. I’m looking for some advice. Sorry if this is long winded…It’s been in my head for a while. I’m a Scottish DP based in Hong Kong and I’m thinking about relocating back to the UK & trying to get into production work. A bit about me : I have an undergrad in Film from 20 years ago and about 10+ years experience in the camera side of production…everything from AC to Gaffer to DP but mainly on small productions - loadsa of Short films, Indie Music Vids & tons of corporates. (I’ve shot corporates & Indie stuff in about 12 different countries.) I haven’t shot very regularly for a few years after a back injury took me out & I ended up getting a very well paid job in another field. When I recovered I didn’t want to continue shooting corporate jobs but I have been teaching Cinematography at a Film School part time and that’s fired me up again. I’ve always wanted to work in the scripted TV/Film drama genre but there just aren’t many opportunities here in Honkers for non-locals and I feel like there are no options to progress – I really should have left 10 years ago. I’m single, getting on a bit - 40+, female with no strings attached…no debts etc... So my question : How would someone with my years of filming experience but no real 'industry' experience fair in the UK film production scene? I've lived outside the UK for about 17 years so I’m considering taking an MA in Cinematography partly to acclimatize myself back into the country & partly to network for industry contacts plus I do enjoy teaching film and Masters would allow me to teach college classes if things didn’t work out.... BUT I’m not sure if I should go this route? It’s quite a lot of money to put out…OR …would I be better keeping my money to support myself while I just try to network on my own to get contacts & production jobs. In terms of work I have no delusions of turning up & getting DP work and I would have no prob starting at the bottom of a cam dept or even a rental house, I just want to work in the camera dept with good crews but is it realistic for someone in my position and age to try to re-start a career that's been on & off for 2 decades & what route do I take? Thanks for any thoughts or advice...harsh, truthful or difficult...I'd like to hear peoples honest opinions so i can make an informed decision...

Thanks guys. I'll check out the discussion thread.

Hi, I stopped shooting 4-5 years ago due to a sports injury which lead me to working in another field but now I want to start shooting again and I'm feeling a bit behind in the tech, workflow and rusty in my skills. I'm lucky enough to be visiting LA early next year & I'm looking at the ASC Masterclass. I'm concerned it's not really hands on? Is it? Isn't it? I see they're using the Alexa and going through the most current workflows etc but is it mostly learning through demonstration or are we able to get our hands on the tech, lights & set up some shots? Anyone who's done it got any reviews? What did u get out of it? Can anyone recommend an int-adv Cinematography workshop that's very hands on in or around LA? I don't often get over to the US so I'd really like to grab the opportunity. Thanks.

Thanks James, I'm checking it out now! J

Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a lighting software programme for a Mac? I always draw my plans by hand and sometimes use something like Word and make a simple plan with colours indicating differnt lights etc..... There must be a better way?! I'm also interested in software where I can place specific lights, colour temp, output etc...and see how it falls and spreads within the space for learning purposes and trying out new ideas. J

Looks somewhat greenish on the left and warm on the right. Is this the film stock colouring, or post or a hue coming of a reflector or a the temp of a fill light? I really like just a pin of light in the eyes and the molding.

Hi guy & gals, I'm gonna be using the HVX and a 35mm adaptor. I want to get the really sudued colour and really deeeeep blacks that they used in the earlier seasons of Supernatural while retaining those nice pink/dewy skin tones and I'm not sure how to do that? Menus or lighting or a mixture of both? Or should I shoot it normal and get my post guy to create the look? I've looked at the locations and they are pretty grey and dreary already which I guess helps, I'm gonna be messing with the white balance of the cam, I'm gonna try using some white balance cards I made that are varying shades of OFF ]white - see what happens and play with the menus which I've used a couple of times before using the B-press? etc...I have some time to play around, but if anyone has any suggestions I'd love to try 'em out. The lighting ratio looks quite high, I've watched others play with this before but never actually metered it or done it myself...LOL...what do you think the ratio is for shots like the attached? I haven't shot my own work for over a year and I'm feeling a bit skittish! I love the lighting on that show, I've been looking for more tech info on how the DP achieves the look, but can't really find anything online. I'd love to read anything that anyone has come across on it.

Hey everyone, I've been looking at a lot of music videos lately and found some interesting looks and techniques I'd like to try out in particular the look of stop motion, both Coldplay and Radiohead have done it recently but I really don't know how they shot it?? Or was it all done in post - and I'm guessing the play back speed has to be manipulated. DOes anyone know or want to guess?? In the Coldplay vid the texture on the vid - is that a filter on the lens or done in post?? I have a HVX200. Check them out here if you haven't seen them. Coldplay : http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE Radionhead : http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=vs1DX32t38c Thanks, jacqueline

Thanks, I thought it was prob live action, it's an interesting look, thanks for the links.. Jac

Hi, I have been given the following video clip as a reference by a director to try and emulate the look, but I'm not sure how they have shot it, I'm figuring that it's ether Stop motion or it's a clean video shoot manipulated in post. If it was done using one of these processes will both of these types of approach give the same end effect - or is one better than the other?? Any thoughts?? ANyone had experience doing something like this vid Jacqueline...

Storarro!

I'm interested in exploring female DP's work, who are your top 5? Jacqueline...

Hey Freya, Thanks, that's interesting news that Morgan is here - he gave me some solid advice for applying the first year I tried. I'll look him up and see where things go. Lv Jacqueline.

Hi guys, I think a lot of us are in the same boat. I finally decided not to apply this year - I just didn't have enough new material that I thought was top notch. I think the reality for most people at our level is most of us have regular or part-time jobs to pay the bills and shoot on the side - I work freelance in Hong Kong as a Drama teacher and also as a Filmmaking teacher and do no-budget shorts, music vids on the side and the occasional paid corporate gig when it comes around. What do you guys in London do, Hong Kong rent is expensive but everything else is pretty cheap - I don't know how I'd get by in London? At the mo I don't feel like what I'm shooting is enough to gain as much experience as I would like - too much time passes between shoots, that why I'd like to study full time again so I can concentrate soley on the craft. I'm planning to go to the states for a couple months to visit friends and hopefully shoot some shorts there and take some short camera courses at UCLA, I've also been looking in to the workshops in Maine. Regardless of what happens I hope to have a wicked hot showreel for next years applications. By then my situation may have changed anyway - but that's the plan. Does anyone know how many applications NTFS get every year? I'm interested to know what everyone who is thinking about going into full time study of Cinematography is doing for work and/or filming? Jacqueline