archive of completed projectsIntroduction
Story telling and Film-making go hand in hand, entertaining and at the same time inspiring us through the many visual tools employed. Elaborate sets, cohesive styling, casting and evocative lighting designs all work to build our emotional responses to the narrative.
Working in small groups students are tasked with analysing and deconstructing a film scene of their team's choice. They must choose a film "still" and then design, prop, cast, and build to create a still photographic interpretation of this scene.
The teams have a ten week pre-production period from initial project briefing until the shoot begins in the studio. The production time is very tight; only 5 days to build, light, dress the set, shoot the scene, then break the set and clean up. This year's studio productions take place in the Summer Term, beginning May 3rd. Up to four teams will be in the studios each week.
The creation of a studio set taxes the photographer's ability to plan every detail. Starting from the 'blank canvas' of the studio space every element of the scene must be considered and created. The aim is to achieve maximum illusion. Decoding the original scene, deciphering its illusion, then attempting to recapture this essence in a single photographic frame. The teams must be resourceful at every stage, in obtaining materials, planning ahead, and organising.
The Setbuild project has close support from the industry, with Jono Moles and Henry James of DRS Construction contributing to the workshop and tutorial program.
Students will be working with the Hasselblad H-series medium format digital camera, equipment which is at the cutting edge of digital photographic capture. These cameras produce images of unparalleled definition and technical quality.
Whilst the cameras are important, the control of lighting is the defining element of this project; building atmosphere, creating the narrative of the space and giving authenticity to the scene. This requires a very special resource; Arri Lighting, the leading continuous lighting manufacturer for film and still photography. Arri UK generously support the project, loaning industry standard lighting equipment. We also have support from CirroLite who provide a range of luminaries.
The project is being coordinated by Alex Kent, with support from the UCA Rochester Photography Technical Team. The Setbuild project was instigated in 2002 and has been developed by Jonathan Simms.
For more information about this project or the course please contact Photography Year 1 Leader Alex Kent. Further Information can also be found online at the UCA website and the BA(hons) Contemporary Photographic Practice course pages.
This year's final images!
Behind The Scenes
Live Studio Cameras
