How to
Shoot a Shot For Beginners
How to
Shoot a Shot For Beginners
Produced by
Special thanks to...
Late Joseph V. Mascelli Vipin Chandran Pathiyil Sanjay Morlidhar Shyam Musthafa Jeevan Pathare Smita Kulkarni and also, Abhineet Arora Abhilash Bajpai
Anirudh R. Nandan Archana Bagaria Bhavana Inaganti Dipayan Das Fraddi Nehru Gaurav Singh Puneet S Sree Raj Vishnulal CR
Copyright Š NICC 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Printed in Bangalore, India
All photographs by H. Hudda, copyright Š NICC
Contents Introduction
2
Chronology
3
Camera angles
4
Continuity
8
Cutting
14
Close-ups
18
Composition
20
Quick Tips
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Introduction Have you ever wanted to make a film but couldn’t start on the thought that you do not have enough knowledge or the expensive cameras? Here is something to get you started...
You do not need big equipments to make your own film. You only need a video recording device and this book. 2
Keep track of your progress!
Chronology Script
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uc od r P
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The first step is to get your story or concept ready. This story or concept written down properly is called a script.
Storyboard
5C’s
Storyboard will contain in-depth detail of each scene as in what camera angle to use, where are the lights placed etc.
•
Produ
•
ction
• • •
Continuity Cutting Close-ups Composition
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c du ro t-P
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This is where the video recording happens. There are 5 things to take care of which are called 5 C’s of cinematography.
Camera angle
In editing the footage is put together in the intended manner along with sounds and other effects.
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Camera Angles Types of Angles
Camera Angles is the first C. Camera angles defines where the camera is placed and how will the audience participate in Objective Camera Angle
Films from a sideline viewpoint. The audience views the event through the eyes of an unseen observer, as if eavesdropping. Also called ‘audience point-of-view’.
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the shot and also how will the audience perceive the motion picture. Subjective Camera Angle
Films from a personal viewpoint. The audience participates in the screen action as a personal experience. The viewer is also involved as sometimes the lead looks directly in the camera.
Camera Angles Types of Angles
Point-of-view shot is as close as an objective shot can approach a subjective shot - and still remain objective. PointPoint-of-View (Objective)
The camera is positioned at the side of a subjective player - whose viewpoint is being depicted - so that the audience is given the impression of standing cheek-to-cheek with the player.
of-View shots can be shot in objective manner or subjective manner depending on the scene. Point-of-View (Subjective)
The Player is looking off the screen, but not too far from the camera also not directly into the camera. This provides the feeling of being part of the scene still not being involved directly.
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Camera Angles Types of shots
Various types of camera shots are used to establish a sequence. Establishing a sequence is very important as it Extreme long shot (ELS)
An extreme long shot depicts a vast area from a great distance. An extremely wide angle static shot is usually more adaptable for extreme long shots than a panning camera movement.
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will define where the complete action will take place and the number of characters involved in the sequence. Long shot (LS)
A long shot takes in the entire area of action. The place, the people, and the objects in the scene are shown in a long shot to acquaint the audience with the over-all appearance.
Camera Angles Types of shots
Generally the sequence moves from an extreme long shot to a long shot to a medium shot and then to the close-up. A Medium shot (MS)
Players are filmed from above the knees, or from just below the waist. Even with several players in the shot, the camera will be close enough to record with clarity their gestures, facial expressions and movements.
sequence can end following the reverse order of these same types of shots. Close-ups
Close-ups are very important for emphasis of facial expressions. A medium close-up films a player from approximately midway between waist and shoulders to above the head.
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Continuity A motion picture should present a continuous, smooth logical flow, depicting the filmed event in a coherent manner.
This continuous flow of visual images is called continuity. Space Continuity deals with continuity of the environment or
For example if a person is traveling back from college to his home it should involve following shots to maintain the continuity.
Person leaving from college.
Keep track of every environment change in the sequence.
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He is walking back to his house.
Continuity Space continuity
the surrounding. If the first shot is of a person leaving a classroom and next shot is of him entering his house then
the sequence will lack continuity and it could confuses the audience.
He enters the main gate
He unlocks his house door.
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Continuity
Directional Continuity
Directional continuity deals with the direction in which the actors, the props or the set is facing. A simple method for establishing and maintaining screen direction is by use of the Action Axis. An imaginary line made by an individual walking down a hall or a vehicle driving on a road. This travel line is
the action axis. The camera should not cross this line and shoot from the other side or the scene loses its continuity. If the camera crosses the line it looks as if the person is looking in opposite direction rather than what is presented by the original shot.
6 Action-Axis 5
1
3
10
4
2
Here camera 1, camera 2 camera 3 and camera 4 are on the same side of the action axis, but camera 5 and camera 6 crosses the action axis and thus will disrupt the continuity if used.
Continuity
Directional Continuity
Shot from the same side of the action axis:
Camera # 1
Camera # 2
Camera # 3
Camera # 4
Camera # 3
Camera # 6
Shot from different sides of the action axis:
Camera # 1
Camera # 5
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Cutting
Continuity-Cutting
Cutting means editing the available footage in a way which narrates a story. In Continuity Cutting the story telling is
dependent upon matching consecutive scenes. Here the scenes are generally in the same setting or the environment
Continuity cutting for conversation between three people would proceed as follows:
First cut would be a medium close-up of all the players in the scene. Care should be taken that none of the players are cut in the shot.
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Second cut could include close-up of two out of the three players in the scene. Care should be taken that it is not an abrupt cut as in a choker close-up.
Cutting
Continuity-Cutting
as to not to confuse the audience. The cuts made in the shot need to follow an order as to follow the preceding cut in the
shot. Unless this is done the scene will not follow continuity. Also abrupt changes in angles should be avoided.
In the third cut, head and shoulder close-up of one person could be used as it maintains the continuity of the previous cut.
Next cut could show an over the shoulder close-up focused on only one person who is involved in the conversation. This would emphasize the facial expression of the character. Do NOT be too abrupt with alternating angles in a shot 13
Cutting Cross-Cutting
Cross-cutting consists of parallel editing of two or more events in an alternating pattern. Cross-cutting may be
employed to heighten interest by depicting two or more separate segments of the story in an alternate manner.
Following scene shows cross cutting of a fighting scene:
First shot of a person running towards the right of the frame. Here only one character is shown to allow use of multiple environment in the scene.
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Second shot is of a person running towards the left of the frame as to oppose the direction showed by the first shot. This maintains the continuity of the scene.
Cutting Cross-Cutting
Some times cross-cutting is used to show actions occurring in parallel environment. Cross-cutting is also very important
tool to build suspense in a motion picture as it can portray two separate environment is the same scene.
Third shot shows the first person running towards the right of the frame as shown by the first shot but he would have progressed in his motion.
The last shot shows the collision of both the characters in one frame. Here care should be taken that direction of the characters does not change or it will disrupts the continuity.
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Cutting
Compilation-Cutting
Compilation cutting works in accordance with the narration in the background. Here the story-telling is dependent upon
the narration, and the scenes merely illustrate what is being described. Documentary-type films of surveys, history or
For example compilation cutting would proceed as follows for respective narrations:
“... the early morning long drive to the temple was a pleasant experience as the roads were clear and the light was perfect. The road was surrounded by tall trees making it look like a pathway to ...”
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“... the ornamental carvings on the walls, the structural base, the statues of goddess guarding the gate, the lights reflecting from the ...”
Cutting
Compilation-Cutting
travelogues , generally use compilation cutting where the visuals should be in harmony with the narration. For industrial
documentary care should be taken that the visuals reflects the process being described and follows a coherent order.
“...amidst the jungle of concrete there lies a vineyard which would strengthen ones faith in humanity. The view of green and black grapes entwined together replenishes ...”
“... but the most calming of all was the sight of a Buddha disciple walking beside his ‘guru’ holding the offerings in his hand. Maybe they both are disciples but one can ...”
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Close-Ups In films close-ups provide emphasis to the detailed portions of important performances. Depending on the scene different Medium Close-Up
Medium close-ups are shot from approximately midway between waist and shoulders to above the head.
Keep the background clean
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types of close-ups must be chosen. If a scene uses hand gestures then medium close-up should be used. Head and Shoulder Close-Up
Head and shoulder close-ups are shot from below the shoulders to above the head.
Close-Ups Close-ups are widely used to isolate significant incident providing them narrative emphasis. Here care should be Head Close-Ups
Head close-ups are the close ups that include only the head without the shoulder. Here the complete head is visible.
taken that the background is not too cluttered as it would distract the audience. Choker Close-Up
Choker close-ups are extreme close up of the face. Here a face shot will be from below the lips to above the eye.
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Composition Good composition is arrangement of pictorial elements to form a unified, harmonious whole. Rule-of-Thirds:
Divide the frame into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and place the important compositional elements along these lines or their intersections.
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Composition
Balance
The manner in which objects are placed in the frame depicts their importance in the scene. Balance:
Balance may be considered as a seesaw. An unbalanced image will attract the viewer’s attention to the heavy part of the frame. In above image attention directly goes to the pink flowers as there are no elements that balances the ‘weight’ eastablished by the flowers. 21
Composition Balance
Balance is created by placing the objects in the frame in a particular manner. Placement of the objects depends on
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what the scene is suppose to convey. There are two types of balance for motion pictures:
Symmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical Balance
Here both sides of a composition are symmetrical, or almost equal in attraction. It is usually static, lifeless, lacking in force, conflict and contrast.
Here both sides of a composition are asymmetrical, or different in attraction. Informal balance is dynamic because it presents a forceful arrangement of opposing compositional elements.
Composition
Light
Balance in a scene can also be altered by making use of multiple elements like lights, objects in the background, Condition one
Here even though the person on left takes up larger frame, the person on the right dominates the scene because of the light on his face and the three-quarter angle view.
colour tone etc. Following shows the use of light in the scene to manipulate the balance: Condition two
Here even though the person on right takes up larger frame, the person on the left dominates the scene as there is more light on the person on the left.
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Quick Tips
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For outdoor shot use natural lights. Best time is early morning or evening when the sun is not too harsh.
For more light reflectors can be used. Any plain white surface that could reflect light can be used as reflectors.
Evening shot when the sunlight is not too harsh.
Here the reflector adds more light to the face of the player.
Quick Tips Light is very important part of any motion picture as seen in the balance section. Light boxes are used to control the light on the subject.
Smooth camera movement is important for an aesthetic appeal in a motion picture. Big-budget films uses expensive dollies for such purposes.
Want to make light boxes at home? Check out the video tutorials at www.shootashot.com.
A tripod can also be used to get a decent movement in a motion pictures. Check out this and many other video tutorials at www.shootashot.com.
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