Cinematography 2: Midterm Review

What’s the model of the film camera we’ve been using during Cine2?

The Arriflex SR3

What’s the standard frame rate for motion picture film cameras?

24 fps (frames per second)

What effect occurs on screen when filming at 12 fps (frames per second)?

The effect on screen is the action is sped up (fast motion, 2x speed).

What effect occurs on screen when filming at 48fps (frames per second)?

The effect on screen is that the action is slowed down (slow motion).

What is the acronym “F.A.S.T” used for? 

It is a mental checklist to use prior to rolling the camera. 

What does the acronym “F.A.S.T” stand for?

Focus, is the shot in focus? Does the shot require a focus change (pull focus)?

Aperture or T-stop: Is the lens aperture set correctly or provide the exposure to the film, does it need to change during the shot?

Shutter Angle: Is the cameras shutter Angle set correctly? Normal is 180 degrees

Think and Tachometer (a double check)

Explain the detailed thought process behind the “F.A.S.T” acronym

Focus: is the shot in focus? Does the shot require a focus change (pull focus)?

Aperture or T-stop: Is the lens aperture set correctly or provide the exposure to the film, does it need to change during the shot?

Shutter Angle: Is the camera’s shutter Angle set correctly? Normal is 180 degrees.

Think and Tachometer (a double check)

Think: What do I need to think about or anticipate during this shot?

Tachometer or Frame Rate: Is the camera’s frame rate set correctly, and/or does it need to change during the shot (aka ramping).

What does the “F” stand for in the “F.A.S.T” acronym?

Focus, is the shot in focus? Does the shot require a focus (pull focus)?

What does the “A” stand for in the “F.A.S.T” acronym?

Aperture or T-stop: Is the lens aperture set correctly or provide the correct exposure to the film, does it need to change during the shot?

What does the “S” stand for in the “F.A.S.T"“ acronym?

Shutter Angle: Is the cameras shutter Angle set correctly? Normal is 180 degrees.

What does the “T” stand for in the “F.A.S.T” acronym?

Think and Tachometer (a double check)

Think: What do I need to think about or anticipate during this shot?

Tachometer or Frame Rate: Is the camera’s frame rate set correctly, and/or does it need to change during the shot (aka ramping).

What is the normal shutter angle for a motion picture film camera?

180 degrees, exposure of 1/48 of a second for each frame of film at 24fps

What does the phase button do on the Arriflex SR3?

1. Engages the pull-down claw and registration pin when a new magazine of film is placed on the camera. 

2. Rolls the camera at 1fps

3. Rotates the mirror shutter if it’s not in viewing position.

What are the two types of color-balanced negative film used in cinematography?

Daylight balanced (5500 Degrees Kelvin Color Temperature) and Tungsten balanced (3200 Degrees Kelvin Color Temperature)

Why does motion picture film need to be loaded in complete and absolute darkness?

Film is light sensitive and exposure to light will render it unusable. Known as “you fogged or flashed the roll of film.”

The Super 16 Arriflex SR3 camera we are using in class can only use film with how many perforations?

Single perforation 16mm film.

What does PL refer to when referencing the Arriflex SR3 camera?

Positive Lock, one of many types of lens mounts.

What is tungsten color temperature?

3200 Degrees Kelvin

What color temperature should you normally film in daylight?

5550 Degrees Kelvin

What type of exposure meter are we using in class?

A dual meter, which is a spot and incident light meter combined.

What is an incident type light meter reading?

Measures the light (exposure) falling on the subject.

What is a spot type light meter reading?

Measures the light (exposure) reflected from the subject.

What major motion picture film was shot on film and released by Warner Brothers in 2025 in a format and aspect ratio not used since the 1950s?

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another

What process and format were used in the making of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and was the director’s choice for the aspect ratio?

VistaVision. While filmed in various aspect ratios, the director’s choice was for it to be projected on film in VistaVision. 

How much battery or AC to DC voltage is required to power the Arriflex 16 SR3?

24-volt camera system.

How much DC battery voltage is needed to power the SD Trans Video on board monitor?

12 Volts DC.

True or False: The Arriflex SR3 can run in reverse mode.

False.

True or False: The Arriflex SR3 can only be used on a tripod or dolly.

False..

True or False: The Arriflex SR3 is a sound sync camera, it cannot be used for MOS.

False…

True or False: When shooting with the Arriflex SR3 what you see in the eyepiece is what the lens is seeing and the film sees that is being exposed at 24fps (frames per second).

True..

What are some reasons the Arriflex SR3 may not run?

1. The battery could be dead.

2. The power switch could be off.

3. The fuse could be blown

What does a Neutral Density Filter do?

Reduces the amount of light entering the camera, by a filter factor depending on its density.

What does an 85 (aka Straight 85) Filter do?

Corrects or changes the color temperature of the light entering the camera when shooting with tungsten-balanced (3200K) film in daylight (5500K).

What is the filter factor (adjustment in exposure) when using an 85 filter?

You must open the lens by 2/3 of a stop.

What is the diopter used for on the optical eyepiece?

Adjusts the eyepiece focus on the ground-glass so the Operator, Director, or others may look through the eyepiece without the use of glasses.

Can glasses be worn when operating the Arriflex SR3 via the optical eyepiece?

No, glasses can’t be worn.

Why is an eyepiece chamois used on the optical eyepiece of all motion picture film cameras?

To provide a tight seal on the human eye socket (preventing reverse light leaks) when operating the camera.

True or False: The optical eyepiece on the Arriflex SR3 has a built in shutter to prevent reverse light leaks when rolling.

True.

A Neutral Density 3 Filter is placed in the Matte Box. What is the filter factor or adjustment in exposure that you must now make?

Exposure adjustment of +1 stop by opening the lens aperture 1 T-stop. 

A Neutral Density 6 Filter is placed in the Matte Box. What is the filter factor or adjustment in exposure that you must now make?

Exposure adjustment of +2 stops by opening the lens 2 T-stops.

A Neutral Density 9 Filter is placed in the Matte Box. What is the filter factor or adjustment in exposure that you must now make?

Exposure adjustment of +3 stops by opening the lens 3 T-stops.

A Neutral Density 1.2 Filter is placed in the Matte Box. What is the filter factor or adjustment in exposure that you must now make?

You must make an exposure adjustment of +4 stops by opening the lens 4 T-stops.

What does the film plane indicator (a circle with a vertical line) indicate?

Indicates the exact point of focus of the light rays entering the camera.

What is the maximum rate of the Arriflex SR3?

150fps (frames per second)

When shooting with a full load of 400’ (ft) of film at 24fps, how much actual shooting time do you have on this load?

Technically you have 11minutes and 6 Seconds, but in reality, we like to

round down to 10 minutes to allow for loading / unloading, to prevent roll outs

(running out of film) and simpler math.

When shooting with a full load of 400’ of film at 150 fps, (frames per second), how much actual shooting time do you have on this load?

Technically you have 3 minutes and 33 Seconds, but in reality, we like to

round down to 3 minutes to allow for loading / unloading, to prevent roll outs

(running out of film) and simpler math.