Preliminary task-continuity editing

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.

How to shoot people walking
Although at first it may appear that a shot of a character walking is one of most irrelevant, and perhaps pointless sequences within a film, it could be argued that it is one of the most iconic and relevant character establishing shots. This is because the camera can manipulate the audience to not just show a character walking, but to portray a character in a certain way. This can be done by using a variety of different camera shots, which keep the audience interested in what is happening within the sequence, and by focusing in on  significant aspects of a character, it helps build a distinct impression of that character.

Easy A Long Shot establishing scene

When shooting people walking, to keep the audience interested it is important to make the scene iconic and distinctive from the other shots in the film. One way of doing this is by using a close up of somebody's feet whilst they are walking. This is usually used in introductory scenes as it builds suspense and creates an Enigma code to keep the audience interested in what or who the character is, and what they are doing.
However, some directors feel that by doing the reverse of this and revealing everything to the audience in a long shot, until gradually cropping the shot, can have an equally dramatic effect upon the audience.
This is because by using a long shot with the subject of the shot at the center of the camera, it gives the audience an opportunity to observe the surroundings. An example of this is used in the film 'Easy A' by which the first shot is a wide long shot of the central character who is placed at the focus of the shot, the audience have a chance to take in and absorb what is going on within the shot. Also, by enabling the shot to show other characters reactions to one character, it can help exaggerate the effect of the character on the audience and show what the audience should think of a character.
 For example, in this shot, the other characters are looking shocked, impressed, and disgusted. This makes it clear to the audience that she is different and stands out to everybody else, and that she is seen as an idol and subject of dispute amongst her peers which consequently makes the audience feel beneath, and indeed, pushed aside by the protagonist, resulting in the central character appearing more powerful and threatening to an audience.

Easy A mid shot

When shooting somebody walking, it is also quite common to shoot them walking in slow motion, as it slows the pace of the scene down so that the shot has time to have an effect upon the audience. This also means that any dialogue or background noise is absent from the shot, focusing purely on the action within the shot. However to have no sound whilst having a walking scene in a film is extremely uncommon, as it has been found that by adding a backing track which is relevant to the mood, this can create a rhythm and a beat, which added to the dramatic slow motion walk, has a more pronounced effect upon the audience.
It is also common when shooting people walking to use a tracking shot, which is easier to shoot a longer walking scene as it means the sequence can continue until the characters have reached their destination rather than when the characters have reached the camera. By doing this, the audience are also put in the position of the camera and therefore by moving backwards it feels like the audience is moving along with the character making them again feel more involved in the shot. 
Sometimes, this aspect of making the audience feel a part of the shot is accentuated by using a handheld shot so that the camera moves with the movement of the walk as if the audience are an observer of the walker, or indeed the walker themselves.
 This although is not as smooth as a dolly or a track shot, it gives a more real, less rigid and restricted camera shot.

However, sometimes like the shot used in the example 'Easy A', the camera is stationary so that the audience have no freedom or power to move, which makes the character of importance appear more threatening as they advance towards the camera, again highlighting the fact that they are in control and powerful.

Easy A close up

A pan shot is also commonly used when shooting a walking scene as it slowly draws the audiences attention to the crucial parts of a character that the directors do not want the audience to miss. 
For example, a pan shot is normally used to show what a character is wearing, their body language and then their facial expression which all helps to create that characters image. 
A pan shot is commonly used in films to change the shot from a mid body shot up to a shot of a characters facial expression. This is usually one of the last shots of the scene when the audience feel like they have finally understood enough about that character to be 'introduced' and build a relationship with the protagonist.

Although changing shot types is important, it is equally as important to change the camera movement to keep the audience interested.
Here is another 'Easy A' example of a crabbing shot, by which the camera follows alongside the person, consequently meaning that the character is not making eye contact with the audience but ignoring them. It is effective in making a character appear headstrong and determined, and is a much less personal shot than one where the character is focusing on the camera.

Crossing the Line Rule

Although it is important to try and change the camera angles and movement to make the shot appear interesting, it is important to consider the 'crossing the line' rule, as to not confuse the audience.  This rule was a guideline set out to mean that the audience are not confused by the apparent change of direction of the subjects. However some choose to ignore this rule to add to the disorientation of the audience.

Camera angles and shot types

Camera Angles and Shots

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Hi I'm Maddy Parke, welcome to my media blog