Learning cinematography with Arman Khan.

Arman Khan

Arman Khan is one of the prolific thinkers and ingenious personalities in the field of filmmaking. Recently in an interview, he revealed the technical advances in cinematography and social media effect. Also presently, he is actively engaged in his forthcoming screenplay which is based on a true story. The movie is about the clash between the Ghabizai and Ahmadzai Tribe.

When Arman was asked about how he got into this field, he said one of his cousins was an editor so he thought of becoming the same but with time when he got to know what role does the cinematographer plays, he took an interest in it as it was a leadership position to hold working with the director and producer envisioning whats in the mind.

In film school, he worked with both film and digital cameras as being a DP it is important to learn how the visual components of digital cameras work and to handle their technicalities. Now when he teaches cinematography to his students he is glad that they are well versed with the digital aspect. Though the authenticity sets with the film and he is happy to see the students are keen about it.

He emphasizes the need of collaborating with the team. A person who could not do so cannot produce desired results. It is important to give the whole team the idea of what results you finally want and work accordingly keeping in mind the best outcome of the project. To be a good DP it is important to maintain a balance between your artistic side, technical knowledge, and collaborative aspect. If you fail at any of these there would be a disbalance and ultimately it will reflect in your work.

While at work keeping perfect track of lenses, cameras, software, lights, etc. is very important. Nowadays ‘'couples therapy'' is used which cuts off a major amount of light. It has a dual ISO image that avoids noisy images. In addition to this, we have a team of technicians, gaffers, key grips, AC's who are experts in tackling any technical issues. In his initial days, he too worked as a gaffer and an electrician which now helps him to deal with lightning and what not or what has to be integrated into his work.

In features films, a DP works directly with the director but in a ‘'couples therapy'' executive producers are involved along with a team so a cinematographer has to work closely with all of them and not impose his decisions and visions solely. Because ultimately, what's more, important in a film is the story, if people get completely involved in it then this makes it successful.

Arman decides on what project to work on on the basis of where the project is leading. Because social media is the strongest and most effective way to gain public support and change their opinion about things. If a project holds a comedy element in it, it sounds more attractive to him. Most importantly before starting working and bringing his crew to the site, he makes sure he does have a healthy relationship with the director because they'll be working with them for several months so it should be in the progression of the whole team and the project.

Regarding crowd-funded movies, he says this really does not work as one practically cannot manage to collect enough funds from the crowd itself. The independent movies that are being made do have some major connections that finance their production otherwise setting up a whole movie independently becomes an expensive deal.

"Shiva Baby," "Milkwater," and "Dating in New York," are a few of his favorite projects

he has worked with. When it's time to execute work the things get more pressurized but when you make it through nothing feels better and this is how you keep moving to your next project. Cinematography is not only the work for Arman Khan but a passion that pushes him to do a lot better every day.