Online Masterclass

Camera Op and Journalism in Conflict Zones

  • Jun 2023
  • Documentary · Filmmaking · Travel
  • 2.5 hours

What you will learn in this course.

Join internationally renowned, award-winning cinematographer and journalist Elisa Iannacone for a four-part deep-dive into camera operation in a conflict zone, in Lviv, Ukraine. This course is supported by Canon B2B. Elisa has worked as cinematographer, camera op and photojournalist for leading newspapers. She will be walking through how to plan, prepare and shoot for reporting purposes. You do not need prior video knowledge to participate in this online course. We'll be using the Canon R5C to talk through settings and options.

1st June 2023 - 4pm - 4.30pm

Week one - introduction, planning and prep:

  • Introduction to Elisa Ianncone and the type of work she creates.
  • Planning locations, trips and travel in a safe manner - insurance, exit strategy, etc.
  • Understanding your brief - what is the goal?
  • Training for working in a conflict zone - journalism training.
  • Understanding your environment - are you best suited to go into conflict zones? Is this the right job for you?

8th June 2023 - 4pm - 4.30pm

Week two - deep dive into gear:

  • Camera selection - what camera to choose and why; what settings Elisa goes for when working in unpredictable environments; how to set up your camera up. We will be using the Canon R5 C to run through the best shooting options.
  • Lens selection - what you need to get the best shots on the move, keeping weight and speed in mind; think about your environment.
  • Audio - what you need and how to set up your audio correctly, in a discrete manner.
  • Accessories and extras - we'll talk through the bear minimum of kit you need, with some options to enhance your footage - think about your safety and brief.

15th June 2023 - 4pm - 4.30pm

Week three - shooting for news and broadcast - fulfilling a brief:

  • Planning and preparation; what do you need to shoot? How can you do that more efficiently and effectively? Talk to safety, exit strategy and understanding your environment.
  • Camera set up and setting choices to work quickly and efficiently in less than ideal settings.
  • Lens choices to talk to weight and discretion.
  • Composition and angles - what do you need to capture to best tell the story in an accurate manner.
  • Audio walkthrough on location; how to check your audio and give yourself the best chance to succeed on fulfilling your brief for a news outlet.
  • Questions/ storytelling - what types of content do you need to contextualise the situation? How do you work sensitively when working to convey conflict and human rights violations for broadcast and news.
  • Practical shooting tutorial in Lviv, Ukraine.

22nd June 2023 - 4pm - 4.30pm

Week four - shooting individual stories - think documentary-style journalism:

  • Planning and preparation; talk to storyboards - find a subject or individual to hone in on. What do you need to shoot? How can you do that more efficiently and effectively? Talk to safety, exit strategy and understanding your environment.
  • Camera set up and setting choices to work quickly and efficiently in less than ideal settings.
  • Lens choices to talk to weight and discretion - add in flexibility.
  • Composition and angles - what do you need to capture to best tell the story in an accurate manner.
  • Audio walkthrough on location; how to check your audio and give yourself the best chance to succeed on fulfilling your brief for a news outlet.
  • Questions/ storytelling - what types of content do you need to contextualise the situation? How do you work sensitively when working to convey conflict and human rights violations for documentary-style delivery.
  • Practical shooting tutorial in Lviv, Ukraine.
  • Scene selection for optimal results to enhance the full travel story - what are you looking for contextualise the interview piece.

#WexHowTo #WexMasterclass #OnlinePhotoCourses #OnlineVideoCourses

Meet the speaker

Elisa Iannacone

Follow us

Subscribe to our channels for advice, inspiration, tips & tricks and community feedback.