Walter Graff Lighting Seminar July 2012 NYC

Walter Graff Lighting Seminar - Light And Shade

July 2012 - NYC Focus on lighting with DSLR and other video cameras

Walter Graff is proud to offer a reprise of his very popular lighting seminar focusing on what he calls Light and Shade. The event will take place in New York City for two separate individual seminar days on July 21 and 22, 2012 with you attending one of the two days. We guarantee you will not find as intense and as captivating a seminar on lighting anywhere. Walter is a well respected lighting master in the film and video world and has lit hundreds of films and videos. There are many great lighting people out there but few have the ability to explain and demonstrate light like Walter. His seminars are very highly rated by attendees and many professional organizations. Walter has taught both the novice, seasoned pros, and everyone in-between. His easy-to-understand methods, vast knowledge, often humorous presentation, and his many career anecdotes about celebrities and the business in general make for a great presentation.

Here is a comment from one of the participants of a past seminar that sums it up best:

"I have come a long way with light since your workshop. I'm noticing light everywhere I go, taking so many pictures, and practicing all the time on set. When it comes to setting up a shot, it's becoming more and more instinctive--I know what to look for and how to get it done so much more now. I surprised myself with how much better my images have been turning out in such a short time simply in giving more attention to lighting, and I'm still just getting started, so I can only imagine what things will be like years from now! Thank you so much for your inspiration and ideas."

During the seminar Walter will explain the mind set, techniques and tools he uses to envision and then implement the lighting of a scene. Make no mistake about it, this is one of the least talked about or understood parts of what makes a person a successful cinematographer. Walter uses a unique and captivating method pf presentation to help everyone involved see lighting like never before. What does "seeing light" mean? Walter's success as a lighting implementer has come from his ability to understand the quality of light and "see" it in away that few can describe. Walter has successfully taught people this secret for years. Many of his hundreds of past participants have said that spending the day with Walter changed their life and how they light. This one-day seminar is a day long and usually goes into the evening due to interest by the group. By the end of the day you will have the tools to see lighting and understand how to light many scenes that many people say are the most difficult to plot and light. Best of all, Walter does all of this seminar in a way that uses the least amount of equipment to show you that you can get the most with less. It really is an incredible day of learning, sharing and lighting.

Walter will discuss and demonstrate such techniques as, what tools does a cinematographer use to capture moments and memorize them so he/she can draw on them later? How do seasoned vets look at light, what do they see, and how do they take what they see and apply it to what they later recreate with lighting? How do we create believability and continuity in the minds eye?

Walter uses this seminar to bridge the gap in what he calls the gray zone, which he defines as the area where many people are; they buy lights, but really don't know what to do with them. And even if they do, many never fully understand the potential. Walter then takes the theory and what motivates him in lighting a scene and demonstrates a number of lighting set-ups letting the group interact and try their own set-up with him. He discusses color and how it works to create motivation, camera and lighting angles, and focal length and how it enhances a mood and creates the look of a piece.By the end of the day, you will have a perspective on lighting and camera technique that you never thought possible. This seminar covers lighting like no book, video or any instructor out there.

This seminar is for those who have a beginning through intermediate level of knowledge about lighting technique and who want to take their skills to the next level. This would include those who own their own cameras and make shorts, films, whether for their own amusement or for the independent film market. It would also include those who work in news, or any other programs for broadcast television, and non broadcast production atmospheres.

This seminar is less about camera equipment and more about technique although various cameras will be used in the demonstrations. Primarily Walter will use a Canon DSLR for demonstrations and take some of what he shoots into the edit process to understand the possibilities of post and picture manipulation. While you may feel that you know too little or too much for this event, many who have attended in the past say regardless of their level of knowledge, this seminar spoke volumes. Bottom line, if you want to expand your lighting knowledge, this is the seminar for you regardless of your current lighting experience.

This one-day seminar will be held in NYC and will have limited registration due our desire to have small, intimate classes.

Walter Graff's seminars are highly regarded. Walter speaks in clear, straightforward language that the beginner and professional alike can understand. Many who have attended past lectures say that they've learned more in one day from Walter than they have from any other professional seminar at more than twice the price.

Here is what you will learn:

Morning Introduction- We'll spend this time getting to know each other. Walter will gauge the group's knowledge level, which will help him to determine the direction of the day.

Mid-day: What tools does one use to light a scene.? Walter let's you in on a little secret about lighting. Actually it's a big secret. Walter uses video examples to explain what many spend a lifetime trying to find in a clear and entertaining manner.

Afternoon and on: From Theory to Practice- Walter demonstrates just how it's all done, what tools are used and more importantly, how one uses their mind to make it all work.

It's really a great day and based on past seminars, the group comes away getting a lot out of it.

Many times, those who provide the venue for Walter's seminars ask the question "How long do you need?" Walter's answer is, "Trust me, you will be throwing us out of here because no one will want to leave". And while we hope to get out by 6-7pm, if we need to go longer we will.

What this seminar will teach you more clearly than you have ever been taught before in addition to how one uses the mind to visualize a scene:

What video represents electronically and how that helps you to understand its limitations

White Balance

Depth of Field

Internal Camera Adjustments

Filtration

Use of Color

Creating Background Looks

Differences in Men, Women and Skin Shades

Color Considerations and Psychological Effects of Color

Mixed Color Temperatures

Creating a Mood and Theme

Down and Dirty Techniques When You Have Little Money, No Lights, and No Budget

Anything Else You Can Think of During the Q&A...

The cost of the seminar $75 for the day if you register before June 21, 2012. Cost is $100 for registration after June 21st up until the day of the event. This is a long day with theory, experimentation and many lighting set-ups where Walter not only shows you what he wants, but stresses setting up scenarios that you are interested in seeing. It's a small and very personalized day. The event takes place in a yet to be determined location in Manhattan and will be easy to get to by train, subway and car.

Payment can be made now via Paypal, or you can simply send Walter an email with your interest in attending and pay either with cash or credit card at the door.

To send Walter an email to pre-register with an interest in paying at the door please click the link:

Click here to register via email and pay later or at the door.

Or click the Pay button below to pay via Paypal now

This money will be completely refundable if you can not make the seminar for any reason or if this seminar is not what you thought it would be.

Dates of seminar are as follows (you will be asked to fill in one of the two days): Saturday, July 21, 2012 or Sunday July 22, 2012

Times: 8am-6pm

For hotel rooms we suggest a Google search under "NYC Hotel Rates". Expect $95 rates at many hotels at this time of year.

Payments will register to Hellgate Pictures, Inc. Our phone number is 917 217 9766.

Our business address is: 333 E 102 Street #140 New York, NY 10029

THIS SEMINAR IS LIMITED SO SIGN UP AS IT FILLS FAST We may also have some last minute no-shows and may let additional alternates sign up.

Any questions? Call Walter at 917 217 9766

About Walter Graff

Walter Graff has worked in the field of commercial, feature film and industrial /broadcast television since 1982. He has successfully worked in more areas of production than most others work in a single career. Walter has a unique combination of technical and creative knowledge that has helped him to excel in many areas of production. He has directed numerous single and multi-camera broadcast and commercial productions for government, agency, and broadcast clients. Walter was a network level lighting director for nine years for many organizations such as NBC, ESPN, and NIPPON TV. Walter is a respected cinematographer who has lensed over 400 programs for cable and broadcast networks including NBC, A&E, ABC and Fox. Walter has also produced content for nearly 40 broadcast shows and an equal number of television pilots. He was a pioneer in creating the look and feel of seven daytime talk programs. His innovative producing technique and shooting style is considered by many industry peers to be the precursor for today's reality programming. Walter has earned numerous industry accolades including EMMY awards, Telly Awards, and New York Festival Awards to name a few.

The photos found throughout this page are from some of the many hundreds of commercials, broadcast programs, industrials, and special effects that Walter has lit and created over the years.

Page updated 4/21/2012 12:21pm