Thursday, 8/27- Wednesday, 9/2
Goal: Students will review and discuss camera directions and angles.
Students will review two worksheets.
Students will discuss the following planning and technique tips
Students will choreograph a project
(From our books) Tips:
HOW TO SHOOT A QUALITY VIDEO:
PLAN -If you plan your shots in advance you'll get your shots more quickly. Directors of big budget films frequently create tight drawing called storyboards of every single shot in their movie before they every start a camera, a process that could take months. However, I will settle for doodles of each shot and camera angle/ change.
Plan...but be ready to improvise, too. It's like singing a song. You don't need to know the whole thing, but don't start without knowing what the tune and first verse are.
KEEP IT SIMPLE:
A good video trick is a short video trick. If your idea takes more that a page to describe, it's probably too long.
ACTING:
You must be believable. If seven books fall on your foot, react in pain. It is essential that your audience believe what your are doing on film.
(Hideous acting can be great only if it is incredibly bad!!)
Basic elements:
Coordinating a scene is very much like choreographing a dance move. All participants must rehearse...this includes the production staff.
Establish your shot- Give the audience a big first view so they understand the context of your production. Capture the entire set/ background/ scene.
Camera Angles- see worksheet
The 180 rule- When you are shooting a character, stay to one side of them. If you are filming the right side, do not switch to the left. This will leave your shot awkward and unbalanced.
Eye line match-This is two or more shots. Show your character looking something or pointing to it. Hold this shot for a few seconds, then cut to what they are looking at. Be sure that the second shot is shot from his/ her eye level and angle.
Over the shoulder shots- switch back and forth between your subjects
Action shots- Mike stands on a bench, looks down and jumps. As he begins to jump, cut to a different view.
The Dolly shot- move with your subject. Sometimes it is easier to roll with your subject.
**Storyboards are required and MUST match up to your video. You will only receive 50% of your grade if you cannot provide this element of planning.
Project: Staging
1. Review video sample
2. discuss established shots. Create secondary storyboards
3. discuss shots and sound effects
Directions:
1. Open with a wide shot. Include both characters in one shot from one side. Stick with this side for this shot.
2. Hold the established shot and let characters take a few swings and cuts at each other.
3. Practice so everyone knows where each person is working and acting
-You must memorize all steps and actions.
""ll start with one jab. You duck. Then you do two jabs , and I'll duck. Next,...)
The sound effect person must practice too.
4. In the middle of a swing, stop the camera and switch to a new point of view, over the shoulder. This way you can use the momentum of the action to carry through the cut. It keeps the action moving)
5. The big trick. Shoot over the shoulder . If the camera man backs away and zooms in, you'll create an illusion that the fighters are much closer than they really are.
-Camera will be in full zoom 5 to 6 feet away from the subject
-The fighters are always too far apart to actually reach each other. On top of which, everybody knows what is going to happen next...it's practice!
Add sound effects and let's get started!!!!!
