How to shoot a conversation

When shooting a conversation, as the focus of the shot is to capture the dialogue, body language and facial expression of the characters, only a few shorts efficiently capture these vital elements in a conversation meaning it is common for very few shots to be used when shooting a conversation.

 However it is important that even if few shots are used, that the shots constantly change to still keep the audience engaged, and to make sure the audience are aware of both characters verbal or non-verbal (body language, facial expression etc) responses to one another.

In despite of their being few other shots other than close ups, or indeed extreme close ups or mid shots, usually in a conversational scene there is a momentary extreme long shot of the setting. This is known as the establishing shot as it informs the audience of the setting in which the conversation is taking place.

Extreme Long shot from 'Leap year'

Master shot from 'Leap Year'

An example of this is from the film 'Leap Year' where by the audience are at first introduced to the setting, although only for a few seconds, it is enough to show that they are in a remote, romantic and traditional setting which importantly sets the mood for the conversation they are having.

Another type of shot which is almost always used is a master shot. This is the shot of all characters present in a conversation and is usually a mid to long shot which displays both characters dialogue and body language or facial expression. An example of this is once again used in the film 'Leap Year' in which both the characters are in the frame with both of their faces clearly in full view to the audience. Although this is a mid shot of the characters, they are still close to the camera meaning that the audience can therefore clearly see both characters facial expressions and body language within one shot.

Over the shoulder shot-'Leap Year'

The arguably most common type of shot used when shooting a conversation is an over the shoulder shot as it makes the audience feel as if they are truly in the setting and present at the time of the conversation. It also makes the audience feel involved in the shot, but able to view it from a slight distance so that they can take in what is happening in the shot. It also reminds the audience of the other character in the scene, as for example if a point of view shot was used entirely through a dialogue scene, the audience would feel too emotionally involved and forget about the other character to whom the first is talking to. 

Close up from 'Leap Year'

Close ups are also extremely important when shooting a conversation as it is often needed to show a characters emotion or opinion to something which has been said, and a close up can be equally as effect as dialogue and is often used so that the audience know immediately of the response of one character from what another is saying or said. An example of this is again from the film 'Leap year' when the female character is having an epiphany about what the other character is actually saying, and the audience are therefore informed that she understands the situation, without the other characters dialogue being interrupting.

                                                                                                  

   Another technique used when filming conversations is the 'shot reverse shot' filming method. This is when the camera is often, but not always, a point of view shot, and captures somebody looking at an object. It then cuts to what they are looking at, and once more to the person looking at the object. 
Here is an example below from Harry potter, when Ron and Harry are introducing each other, the shot reverse shot is frequently used, as well as later when Ron is watching the chocolate frog, a shot of the chocolate frog jumping out of the window is shown, and Rons facial expression after.

Also, it is important to consider when shooting, the number of cameras and sequences in which they are shot in. For example, the order in which you film things will differ depending if you are shooting the sequence with one camera or two. This is because if you are shooting with one camera it is commonly thought to shoot the Master shot first, being the main shot with both characters in, and then the individual character shots, and finally pick up shots (the odd shots such as extreme close ups of somebody's hand.)
However, if you are shooting with two cameras, you should shoot the Master shot, whilst shooting the pick ups, and then two cameras can be set up to shoot each characters individual shots at the same time, which is a less time consuming and  more convenient method of shooting.

To make the shots seem smooth and consistent in dialogue scenes in which their may be fast paced movement, match on action should also be considered. This is the means of cutting from one shot to another view that matches the action and pace of the shot before to create the impression of continuity.

It is still also important to consider the 180 degree rule as to not confuse the audience on the seeming change of position of the characters.