WHAT IS A DIRECTOR’S VIEWFINDER? (In the Entertainment industry.)

MarkVb Directors Viewfinder / Photo Credit: Alan Gordon Enterprises

WHAT IS A DIRECTOR’S VIEWFINDER? (In the Entertainment industry.)

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

WHAT IS A DIRECTOR’S VIEWFINDER?

A director's viewfinder or director's finder is a viewfinder used by film directors and cinematographers to set the framing of a motion picture or movie camera. Essentially they are small, lightweight optics that allows the director to frame a shot using the correct focal length, film size, and aspect ratio -- without having to maneuver the whole (heavy, expensive) camera rig into place. Most kinds of VFs won't give you an accurate simulation of the depth-of-field of the image, but you can walk around and find the framing of the shot-to-be. There are three types of director's viewfinder.

The most traditional director's viewfinder looks like a short telescope, can be held easily in one hand and is often seen hanging from a lanyard on the director's neck. Sometimes called a "Tewe" in Europe (after a German company that manufactured them). The functionality of these devices is limited in that they only assist in observing the field of view of the lenses that will be used on the motion picture camera but not the characteristics of that lens. This type of viewfinder allows the user to select multiple camera formats, aspect ratios and focal lengths within a specific range. Devices of this kind vary in price from $300US-$700US, depending on size and features.

Early blimped motion picture film cameras like the Mitchell Camera BNCR were not reflex finder cameras. Instead a viewfinder similar in concept to the Alan Gordon Mark Vb bolted to the side of the camera was employed by the camera operator to frame a shot when filming. In between takes, the camera could be "racked over" to allow viewing of the actual taking lens.

Lens Finder

The second type, also called a director's viewfinder but sometimes referred to as a lens finder, is a larger device than the traditional viewfinder and employs the lenses that are intended to be used on the motion picture camera. These allow both the director and cinematographer to not only observe the field of view but also the character of the lens in terms of depth of field, optical aberration and general subjective "feel". These devices are still very common on film sets, allowing shots to be framed without having to use the motion picture camera as a viewing device. Lens finders are camera format specific and require the lenses that will be used in production. These devices are considerably more expensive than the traditional viewfinder, selling for between $2,000US -$6,000US.

Variations exist for different lens mounting systems, most typically Arri PL, Panavision PV mount and Mitchell BNCR mounts. Other additions such as the addition of video assist have been made available on models such as the Kish Optics Ultimate Director's Viewfinder.

Smart phone application

In recent years a third type of viewfinder has become popular in the motion picture industry: software-based viewfinders that use either iPhone, iPad, Android or BlackBerry devices to replicate the functions of the traditional viewfinder. These software solutions enable an array of additional functionality such as the ability to take and store images and, create GPS tags and record information relevant in planning shoots. With iPads and digital media taking the place of traditional storyboards and printed script breakdowns, digital viewfinder applications can also capture video sequences, allowing for a much higher level of detail in pre-production. They are also considerably cheaper than the first two physical devices, giving greater flexibility and functionality of the traditional viewfinder but lacking the critical assessment characteristics of the lens finder.

Five uses for using a director’s viewfinder:

PRE PRODUCTION: Many directors create a shot list and map out their camera set-ups during preproduction. Some use small objects to represent their talent and test their blocking with set prints, models, or taped tabletops. By using the director viewfinder in this way, the director can estimate the approximate camera position for the DP prior to the shoot.

LOCATION SCOUTING: Few independent productions have the benefit of a location scout.  By keeping a director viewfinder handy, the filmmaker can immediately test the composition of any cinematic location he stumbles upon.

DEVELOP DP SHORT CUTS: The director viewfinder can be set to any standard aspect ratios (Academy, TV-4X3, 1.66, 1.76-16X9, 1.85, 2.35, and 2.55) and formats (Film: S16, 35mm, Anamorphic and Video: 2/3”, 1/2″, 1/3”, Mini DV, 1/4″, 1/5”, 1/6”), so when the director finds his shot, he can immediately share the specifications of the shot with the DP by looking at the settings. This allows the DP to quickly delegate important information to his camera and grip teams.

SIMPLIFY GRIPS JOB: Film shoots can require multiple cameras, dollies, cranes, jib arms, etc. Having the grips set and shift each set-up until it’s close to the director’s vision tires the team and slows down the shoot. Ideally the equipment would only move once per set-up, which is easily facilitated by a director using his viewfinder.

PREPARE FOR A STUDIO PICTURE: Directors need to build skills and good habits that create productive conditions during a shoot. A director who burns $50-$500 an hour on a small production is typically more wasteful than a director working a studio picture, who uses a director viewfinder and burns through $5K-$50K per hour. He typically has a process or methodology that provides a highly creative and efficient environment.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, Careers Hub, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Blurb, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Chron, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, How Stuff Works, WGA, BBC, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Bright Hub, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros, UCAS, Frankenbite, Realty 101, Liberty Me, Careers Hub, Sokanu, Raindance, Film Connection, My Job Search, Prospects, David Mullich, Gear Shift, Video University, Oxford Dictionaries’, Boredom Therapy, The Bold Italic, Nicholas Persac, The Guardian, Jones on art, CJ Powers,

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MarkVb Directors Viewfinder / Photo Credit: Alan Gordon Enterprises