Summary
Learn from Carmen Cabana, an acclaimed cinematographer celebrated for her work on 52 TV episodes and 25 feature films, including Netflix’s NARCOS and Blumhouse’s NOCTURNE!
You’ll receive storyboard samples, example call sheets, an assignment to create your own shot list and more!
A film or TV production thrives on teamwork, and is a collective effort. As a cinematographer, you are at the heart of bringing the creative vision to life. By knowing how to prepare and understanding what’s expected of you—both before and during filming—you have the power to foster a collaborative, inspiring work environment. This is your chance to shine, earn respect on set, and build a reputation that opens doors to exciting new opportunities. In this exclusive Stage 32 2-part class you’ll gain the tools and confidence to excel and make a lasting impact on every project you work on.
Missteps on set can cost you time, money, and even future opportunities. Not fully understanding your responsibilities, failing to communicate effectively, or being unprepared can hinder not only your success but the success of the entire production. Without mastering set etiquette, pre-production planning, and the collaborative workflow, you risk missing out on building meaningful industry connections and achieving your goals. With Carmen Cabana’s expert guidance, you’ll gain live insights and strategies needed to navigate these challenges and thrive in your role.
Your host, Carmen Cabana, is an acclaimed cinematographer celebrated by Variety, American Cinematographer, and ICG Magazine. Raised in Colombia and Venezuela, Carmen brings a rich cultural perspective to her storytelling. Her impressive credits include Narcos S2 (Netflix), Ms. Marvel (Disney+), The Big Cigar (Apple+), Vida (Starz), and many more. With a portfolio spanning 52 TV episodes, 25 independent films, and high-profile commercials for brands like Doritos and Discover, Carmen is here to share her wealth of knowledge and help you achieve your goals.
By the end of this class, you’ll walk away with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel as a cinematographer. From mastering pre-production essentials to effectively navigating on-set dynamics, you’ll gain a comprehensive toolkit to elevate your craft, build strong industry relationships, and leave a memorable impact on every project you work on.
This interactive Stage 32 class is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!
PLUS! You will receive the following handouts:
- Storyboard Samples
- Example Call Sheets
- An assignment to create your own shot list to be shared in class
Praise For Carmen's Previous Stage 32 Education:
"Wonderful see the pre-production process from a cinematographer's POV! Also really appreciated that Carmen dropped the names of helpful apps."
"Carmen shared so many valuable insights-truly an informative session"
"Carmen not only presented the process beautifully, but I left feeling so inspired for whats next for me! Thank you Carmen & Stage 32"
What You'll Learn
Session #1: Preparing For Set
In this class we will discuss all that is expected of you as you prepare for the role and shoot. It is a key part of etiquette and respecting the team to come prepared with all that is needed and expected from you. Understanding a script and strategies to approach its creative challenges
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The information you must gather from location scouts.
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The art of shotlisting, storyboards and pre viz
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How to make equipment lists
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How to adjust your creative needs to the budget and time limitations
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How to develop relationships with your key crew in pre-production
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How to plan with the Assistant Director department.
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Understanding the TV Dynamics with a Showrunner and the Network
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Do’s and Don’ts of prepping for set and communication
Q&A with Carmen
Bonus Handout: Storyboard Samples
Assignment: Create a shotlist for a scene that will be shared in class
Session #2: What To Expect On Set
In this class we will make sure you are prepared for the shoot and understand expectations, the work flow, do’s and dont’s to working on set and with others.
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Understanding the call sheet
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Navigating the flow of a normal day on set
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The dynamics with the Digital Imaging Technician
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How to get ahead of the schedule
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Do’s and don’ts of working on set and with the team
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Set anecdotes
Q&A with Carmen
Bonus Handout: Example Call Sheets
What To Expect
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is limited and will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.
- This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
- **Carmen will be available on email during the 2 sessions to answer any questions you have about your craft or career.**
- You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
- Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
Who Should Attend
- Cinematographers (all stages) looking to elevate their skills and industry knowledge
- Directors and producers who want to better understand the role of the cinematographer to foster stronger collaborations
- Filmmakers preparing for their first or next production who want to ensure on-set success
- Anyone passionate about creating visually compelling stories and mastering the art of cinematic storytelling
Executive
Carmen Cabana is a cinematographer of Afro-Hispanic descent raised in Colombia and Venezuela whose work has been recognized in magazines like VARIETY, AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER and ICG Magazine. She has shot 52 episodes of TV including: “MAL DE AMORES” (Netflix), “GOOD AMERICAN FAMILY” (Hulu); "THE BIG CIGAR" (Apple+), Bad Robot’s pilot "DUSTER" (HBO), "MS. MARVEL" (Disney+) , "RESIDENT EVIL" (Netflix), "CITY ON FIRE" (Apple+), “NARCOS S2” (Netflix), "HIGH FIDELITY" (HULU), “PRETTY LITTLE LIARS ORIGINAL SIN S2” (HBO); "VIDA S1/S2" (STARZ/BIG BEACH), "LOS ANGELES" pilot (AMAZON).
Her film work includes 25 independent features including Blumhouse/Amazon's: "NOCTURNE" starring Sydney Sweeney and Silk Media/Mucho MAS horror film “ROSARIO”.
Her commercial work includes brands like: Doritos, Elf, Square, Philips Norelco, Discover, Scott, Enmarket among others.
Carmen's years of experience and ability for understanding story, capturing emotion and visual dynamism has catapulted her towards the top choices for cinematographers. Quick to adapt and collaborate with locals, Carmen has filmed in 16 US states, Mexico, Malta, Cuba, South Africa and Colombia.
She is represented by UTA.
Schedule
Sunday February 9th, 1pm-3pm PT
Sunday February 16th, 1pm-3pm PT
Testimonials
Praise For Carmen's Previous Stage 32 Education:
"Wonderful see the pre-production process from a cinematographer's POV! Also really appreciated that Carmen dropped the names of helpful apps."
"Carmen shared so many valuable insights-truly an informative session."
"Carmen not only presented the process beautifully, but I left feeling so inspired for whats next for me! Thank you Carmen & Stage 32."