Depok-The Multimedia Broadcasting study program, Vocational Education Program, University of Indonesia (UI), held a guest lecture by presenting Herlangga Janottama, a cinematographer and Founder of Rumah Produksi Dari Hati, on February 12, 2025. Herlangga invited students to explore cinematography in more depth, especially in making a film. Starting from the need for cinematography, its role in a production, to making diagrams and shot lists.
According to Herlangga, cinematography is an art and skill of visual storytelling. Cinematography includes the selection and arrangement of lighting, camera angles, composition, movement, and other visual elements to support the narrative, emotion, and theme of a story. “In cinematography, of course, it is supported by several main elements that are very important. Starting from the selection of crew, camera, lighting design, to lenses that are suitable and in accordance with the needs of a project,” said Herlangga.
(Photo: Herlangga explains the role of cinematography in a film work)
Herlangga said that cinematography focuses on controlling the camera and lighting. On the camera, there are several parts that can be controlled and maintained, such as shutter speed/shutter angle, ISO/GAIN, and aperture/T-Stops. Meanwhile, in lighting, the parts that can be controlled are the placement, intensity, color, and quality of the lighting.
In addition, Herlangga described the anatomy of the camera commonly used in filmmaking, such as the top handle, camera body, battery & power distribution, bridge plate, dovetail plate, lens, electronic viewfinder, studio matte box, and others. He also provided several shooting techniques, ranging from two shots, single, to over the shoulder. “Students need to learn techniques like this so they can practice them properly and according to the object they want to highlight,” added Herlangga.
(Photo: Group photo after the guest lecture ended)
No less important, Herlangga gave an example of a shot list that needs to be made to facilitate the shooting process. A shot list is a list of all shots that will be included in a film with minute details to be more efficient. In addition, the list will also help the crew in considering shooting based on location or setup.
Head of the Multimedia Broadcasting Study Program, Peny Meliaty Hutabarat, S.Sos., M.S.M., said that guest lectures by presenting practitioners in the film industry will provide new knowledge to students in a practical way. “I am sure that students will get interesting insights from the perspective of people who are experienced and directly involved in the film world. Multimedia Broadcasting students need to have cinematography skills because this skill is a key element in the production of effective audiovisual content, not only adding aesthetic value but also important in conveying messages to the audience. Hopefully the knowledge that has been received can be implemented when they enter the industrial world later,” concluded Penny.
