{"id":163602,"date":"2022-02-07T13:53:43","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T19:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/?p=163602"},"modified":"2022-02-07T13:53:44","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T19:53:44","slug":"directors-viewfinder-filmmaking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premiumbeat.com\/blog\/directors-viewfinder-filmmaking\/","title":{"rendered":"Do You Need a Director’s Viewfinder?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let’s explore the director’s viewfinder, the various options available to you, and budget-friendly tips to apply to your next project.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gear acquisition syndrome, also known as GAS. My father had it. I have it. My sister has it. You have that power, too\u2014Return of the Jedi<\/a><\/em>, anyone? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The point is, in this digital age, we all tend to acquire a lot of filmmaking and photography equipment<\/a> that we may not need. We see online creators touting the latest Canon lens<\/a>, and we think, \u201cIf I had that, I could do the same shots, too.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, perhaps you\u2019re watching the behind-the-scenes footage to Blade Runner<\/a><\/em> and see the DOP<\/a> using a light meter and think, \u201cIf I had one of those, my cinematography could reach new levels.\u201d When, in most cases, you just need to spend more time with the gear you already own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However\u2014and I say, however\u2014what if you had a director\u2019s viewfinder. Indeed, that would up the game, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Woman's<\/a>
The Pocket Mini Director’s Viewfinder. Image via Alan Gordon<\/a>. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an indie filmmaker<\/a>, it\u2019s not uncommon to be the director<\/a>, cinematographer<\/a>, editor<\/a>, and even the writer<\/a> of your film. As you creatively grow, you’ll find that you suit one role more than the other. After weeks of thought, you decide that you want to be a director\u2014your vision will be the film’s soul. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike the short films where you controlled everything and could quickly switch to live view on your mirrorless camera to see every possible shot composition, you may now be on a more extensive set with a cinema camera<\/a>, which would take a few crew members just to change the position of the camera. Therefore, readjusting the camera for the sake of your curiosity isn\u2019t going to sit well with the crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where the director\u2019s viewfinder comes into play. The viewfinder is a small viewing glass that bears a resemblance to a telescope. The viewfinder lets you see what the framing of a shot will be like depending on the given lens and shooting format. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consistently use the viewfinder, you\u2019ll come to know the aesthetic characteristics of specific focal lengths\u2014the field of view, perspective, and how all of that can affect motion through the Z-axis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The price of the viewfinders range from $100-$10,000+. The classic saying \u201cyou get what you pay for\u201d should be considered in this instance, as a $100 viewfinder will only have basic glass functions, such as zoom and focal length changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The viewfinder below, which is $8,000, allows you to mount the glass to the viewfinder giving you the closest possible image-like match to what the camera sees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot<\/a>
The DENZ OIC 35-A. Image via Denz<\/a>.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Viewfinder Apps<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I know there\u2019s a tendency to dismiss mobile phones in replacing physical and traditional media. Everyone knows that there’s an app for everything, which goes for viewfinders. How could a $30 app mimic the functionality of a $3,000 viewfinder? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s first quote a very famous cinematographer with his use of the viewfinder apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s excellent having Artemis on my iPhone. Since I always have my phone with me, I always have a viewfinder at hand. Not only convenient but highly accurate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Any idea as to who? Yep, esteemed cinematographer Roger Deakins<\/a>. The app he’s referencing is Artemis, one of the more popular viewfinder applications available to buy and download. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Artemis<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Artemis Director\u2019s Viewfinder from Chemical Wedding is an app that allows you to replicate the viewfinder of any camera. This app is excellent for blocking, scouting, and even making storyboards<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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