On Tuesday the 18th, our second camera workshop commenced. Matt continued teaching us helpful key tips & methods to enhance our filmmaking, such as the '180 degree rule' and the 'rule of thirds' and many more that will be covered shortly.
Matt taught us what is referred to as the '180 degree rule' within filmmaking. It helps establish spacial relationships between on-screen characters. It profoundly helps the audience maintain a sense of visual consistency. This was a very helpful principal, that I will be remembering when comes time to film within our production groups.
Another principal of cinematography that Matt taught us was the 'rule of thirds'. This applies more to the
photography aspect of film making & helps enhance the visual spectacle onscreen engaging audiences further. The four circles outline the four hotspots that will make your camera composition exquisite. Referring to this image, the filmmaker has clearly been focusing on capturing the symmetry within this image. Both the characters foreheads, hit or are surrounded by the hotspots which help achieve this symmetry.
Matt then taught us as to why we should always shoot a wide shot first. We do this so that the audience can establish the location and the overall atmosphere of the scene. We can also see the entire character, so the audience receive a subtle briefing of what they are about to witness. It creates better understanding, so that the audience doesn't become confused as to what's happening. We shoot a wide shot first, then a mid shot, then a close up so that all angles are covered, and the audience are then enabled to comprehend the current scene.
When shooting Matt taught us the importance of continuity. Continuity is the principal of making sure that all details in a film or TV show are consistent from shot to shot and from scene to scene. I have inserted an image of a clear continuity mistake found in film and TV, as an example.
We were then taught of the importance of 'marks' in film. Commonly, working on a TV / film set or even onstage, you'll hear directors shout 'Find your mark!' As an actor, your mark is an indication of where you should be stood to proclaim your dialogue. Traditionally, depending on the conditions of the location you're working in, there will be a mark on the floor labelled 'X' which is where you should be standing in order for the camera to capture you correctly.
Matt then went on to tell us the importance of 'call outs'. It is crucial that the film crew / staff follow the strict protocol of call outs to maintain flow & capability whilst on set. The call outs are relayed in the following order; 'Stand by', 'Standing by', 'Role camera', 'Camera rolling', 'Action', 'Cut'. When the director is ready for filming and the actors are prepared and waiting the director will call, 'Stand by'. Once the crew, including the camera operator, producers etcetera are prepared, they will call 'Standing by'. The director will then call, 'Role camera' to which the camera operator will respond by calling, 'Camera rolling'. Then the director will call 'Action', the action will then play out and when the director is happy with the standard of said action, they will call 'Cut'. Without this system of call outs, production wouldn't ever be easy flowing and mistakes / errors would constantly be made.
We were then taught the significance of filming before saying action, and keeping the camera rolling before saying cut. Directors often film before saying action, as it often helps continuity and keeps the flow alive onscreen. So that when it comes to editing, the continuity is crisp and clean and enables audience's perspective to be clear and easy to follow. The exact same principal applies to keeping the camera rolling before cutting, as it saves editors time in the editing suite when comes time to edit.
Matt then told us we should never watch the footage back on set. Often, the actors will want to judge / evaluate their performance alongside their co-workers to see if anything needs improving. However, in most incidences, the actors will start judging themselves negatively, so the next time you do a take, the actors will act unnatural, creating an un-authentic performance that appears poorly onscreen. Matt used an analogy to help us remember, he stated, 'Actors may start nitpicking the way they walk, therefore, they'll start walking unnaturally as a result of rewatching the footage'. Another reason, is that the production company may be renting the studio they are using, and don't want to waste time rewatching footage when they must be ensuring that all takes are used purposefully and with intention / drive.
In conclusion, I enjoyed our sessions with Matt. As I felt I learnt a lot from this experience, that I will certainly be taking into my filmmaking at Hurtwood and perhaps later in life.
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