Direction
Roles and Responsibilities of
Director
Responsible for selecting
-
Locations
- Cast
-
Conducting Rehearsals
Director's Job
-
Directing Actors
-
Directing the Camera (Crew)
The
most mistakable job is, taking everything that, I will do everything.
Director as a Manager
Director has to inhabit Two chairs
-
Artistic, Creative
-
Managerial
Director's Quality
-
Delegate Authority
-
Accepting Responsibility
-
Realistic Shooting Schedule
Personality
He has
to be articulate and succinct in communication. He has to make instinctive
judgements. He should be good collaborator with others.
Aspect
Ratios
The
dimensions of a camera's frame that is the active recordable image area or the
width to height relationship with the frame is expressed as a ratio. It is
called as aspect ratio. Example :- Frame's aspect ration = 16 : 4
Frame
The
camera and the lens work together to record a particular horizontal, rectangle
reality with a different border is called frame. Whatever there in inside the
frame is Two dimensional representation of Three dimensional reality.
Shot
A shot
is something captured between On and Off of a camera. It doesn't bother about
Time or Duration. A shot is the smallest unit of visual information captured at
one time by the camera that shows the certain action or event. A shot is
recording of one action from one particular point of view at one time. Even
though the action may be repeated several times ( Takes ) from that same angle
from that camera position in order to get the shot right. It is still same shot.
It would be a different shot if the camera angle, camera position, lens, focal
length or the action changes. Shot is the basic building block for a film. It
builds up a narrative.
Take
The
same action, content repeated with the same camera movements is called Take. It
is taken for satisfactory.
Scene
A
scene is the record of a single space and time. And hence it changes when time
and space changes.
Sequence
Single
lengthy scene or a collection of scenes or more number of scenes is called sequence. It is a narrative representation by the collection
of scenes that has a definite Beginning, Middle and End. There are fight
sequence, sound sequence, montage etc.
Frame
======
It is analogous to a letter.
Eg :-
V
Shot
====
It is analogous to a word.
Eg :-
Vahee
Scene
======
It is analogous to a sentence.
Eg:- Vahee is the best production company
Sequence
========= It is analogous to a paragraph.
(More
number of Scenes)
Screenplay
========== It is a series of sequences which together tell an entire story that
contained in a complete movie. (More number of Sequences)
Preview
They
present the producers cut to a set of people, some collection of people and
screen the film. They collect some feedback from the people. Then they will do
some alterations according to the feedback. This is some research done based on
the audiences reaction. In some preview theatres some individual cameras will
records the audience facial expressions. They collect how the audience reacts
and based on the preview film the marketing starts.
Test Shoot
Take a
shoot and director tests the quality of the cinematographer.
First Assistant Director
Any
contacts goes through the first AD to the director. The first AD is the chief
crew member and considered as a chief technician. He may not have any
creativity. The first AD protects the director from the daily pressure and daily
issues of a film. First AD should balance between the director and the producer.
Continuity Supervisor
A
separate person will be there to check the continuity of the set and actors
action. He checks everything is correct or changed. He checks the action
continuity, shot continuity, camera continuity, set continuity etc. Here one
assistant director will be there and he is third in command.
Costume Director
Separate costume director will be there to check the costumes and costume
continuity.
CCD Monitor
From
the film camera an output will be given to the director.
Mis - En- Scene
Mis-en-scene is what to include in a film and not. It is a french term that
originates in theatre (drama) it literally means "To Put in the Scene". For a
film mis-en-scene has a broader meaning and refers to almost everything that goes
into the composition of shot like framing, movement of the camera, movement of
the characters, lighting, set design and general visual environment and even
sound as it helps elaborate the composition. Mis-en-scene can be define as the
articulation of cinematic space determined by what the camera has been made to
record as against continuity by editing. In a film space is created by Mis-en-scene.
Creating order ness and creating disorder ness is also mis-en-scene. It always
refers to spatial aspect of the film.
Two
Forms of Mis - En - Scene
Open
Form
Given
importance to location.
Camera
follows according to the artist movements.
Importance given to the Content.
Everything looks like, it is created.
Framings will not be correct.
Looks
like happen in real life. (not mean that, the actions of the artists. It Means
that the shot composition looks like happen in real life.)
Closed
Form
Artists will move according to the camera movement.
They
will try to convey everything in a frame.
While
watching the film, they will not let you to go out of the film.
Try to
create slice off feeling.
In
real life it is not seen - Example :- Set Design
The
directors shooting style will be more, than the Content.
Two Styles of Film Making
Realism
Formalism
Realism
Realists Film will be in Open Form. Film Example - Clover Fields
Realism demonstrates that truth can be represented through film and consequently
projects unadulterated reality and that contributes to the artistic success of
the film. Realism tries to realistic film maker. Realists tries to present as it
is. Realism tries to project what happened really at that time. They will not
try to give meaningful. Realists film maker should be more spontaneous.
Formalism
Formalists Film will be in Closed Form. Film Example - Godzilla
Formalism believes that the film is the visual system of representation and
conventions. Formalists tries to manipulate things. They try to composite
meaningful things. They try to create a meaning while compositing the shots.
Three Basic Major Types of Shots
Anything we shoot will fall under these categories.
[1] Medium Shot
It is
the shot that approximates how human sees the environment around them. A person
viewing a medium shot should feel comfortable because it looks like normal human
vision.
[2] Close Up Shot
Close
Up is a intimate shot that provides the magnify view of a person, object, or an
action.
[3] Long Shot
It
explains where the environment around the person, object and an action. The long
shot shows the relationship between the subject, object, environment, action, in
the physical space. Surrounding environment will be more important along with
the subject.
| Close Up |
Who |
| Medium |
What |
| Long |
Where |
| ELS or XLS |
When |
| Extreme Close Up |
Why |
| Medium Close Up |
How |
Extreme Long Shot
Often
shows exterior spaces like landscape. Often used in establishing shot. Used to
identify a location and how traditionally being used to introduce a scene.
Reaction Shots
Usually just close ups of a specific performance showing a subject reaction to a
particular event. Generally reaction shots are answer or addiction to a previous
shot.
Inserts and Cutaways
It is
invaluable to an editor trying to cut around problems in a scene or trying to
cut some time out of a sequence.
Inserts
Inserts are close ups of subject that have already been seen within a scene,
such as a wine bottle or a gun.
Cutaways
A
cutaway is something that has not been seen in any of the other shots in a
scene.
With Whom.?
Including Two persons in a shot.
Two
shots can vary widely from the standard over the shoulder (shown first) to a
variety of other arrangements that convey the subtle but critical relationship
dynamics that are fundamental to making sense of the story you are telling.
2 Shots, 3 Shots, Set Ups
Scenes
continuing more than two subjects will require other wider shots to illustrate
the relative dynamics of all subjects.
Set Up
shot serves as a set up and from here an out in the scene the shots are limited
to 2 shots and 3 shots.
Edit Points the Verbs
If
shots are nouns, then edit points are verbs.
Screen Direction
Maintaining the screenwriting of the subject or object or action is called
screen direction.
30 Degree Rule
If you
want to take another shot (subsequent, next) of the same person, it should be at
least 30 degree difference. maximum no limit.
180 Degree Rule
It is
a guideline. Two characters in the same scene should have a left right
relationship. The imaginary line called line of axis. The new angle from the
opposite side is called reverse angle. 180 degree rule is not needed for
continuous shot.
Film Grammar - Psychology
An
object she or he or vehicle from left to right is normal for the viewers. But
moving right to left will create tension. So most car chasing will be in right
to left to create tension. The person who is in the right side, little bit
dominant.
Depth
of Field
Between film and object a 3 feet distance is maintained to focus the object
clearly. It is called depth of field. In some cameras 1 feet distance is
maintained.
Fixed Camera Position
A
fixed camera position gives you a feeling that you are standing still and look
around. It can convey many meanings depends upon the context, being secured,
trapped, fixed, contemplative, wise etc.
Authentic Camera Movements
Like
the human equivalent never happens without the stimulus or motivation. There
should be some motivation for camera movements.
3 Kinds of Motivation
1. Subject Motivated
The
camera follows the moving subject or adapts to a changing composition.
2. Search Motivated
Where
the camera's mind (Directors Mind) actively pursues a logic of inquiry or
expectation. Not only for searching something but the camera probes. Makes
audiences to guess, inquire something. It will be faster. Example : Thrilling
scenes.
3. Refreshment Motivated
Where
the camera recreates the human tendency to look around when we run out of
stimuli.
Camera Movement
Camera movement always creates significant meaning.
A zoom into a close-up of a
face can suggest emotion.
A pan across a war scene can suggest widespread chaos.
Pan(orama)
The camera moves from side to side from a stationary position
Swish Pan
The camera pans so fast that the image is blurred
Tracking Shot
Single continuous shot made with a camera moving along the
ground
Tilt
An upward / downward motion of the camera
Pullback Shot
A tracking shot where the camera moves backwards, revealing
more of the scene
Vertigo Effect
A
combination of a pullback shot with a zoom, creating a “strange” feeling
Camera Movements has 3 Phases /
Stages
1. Initial Composition
Before
the camera starts. The way the things are arranged in the frame. Focus,
Lighting, Subject, Background, Foreground etc.
2. Movement
Where
the camera actually moves with the particulars of direction, speed, subject, to
follow, object to follow, focus to apply.
3. Concluding
Where
the camera comes to rest / stops.
Camera Movements from Static
Positions
1. Pan
Horizontal panoramic view, wide perspective. Turning left to right.
2. Tilt
It is
vertical panorama view. Seeing from Top to Bottom.
3. Zoom
Zoom
In and Zoom Out. It is made of adjustable focal length. Zooming gives forward or
backward impression of movement. Actually not moving but picture perspective
remains the same.
Track Out
The
depth of field never changes in track out.
Zoom Out
The
depth of field, focus, changes in zoom out.
Vertigo Shot
Combining Track Back and Zoom In shot. It looks that the background is moving.
Traveling Camera Movements
When
the camera moves in a space, Up Down, Forward, Backward, Sideward, Craning Up
and Down, (top to bottom or bottom to top) it gives us a meaning as a person
moving from sitting to standing position.
Dollying / Tracking
Any
Horizontal camera movement through the space. Dollying is which doesn't use the
tracks. It has its own tyres. Just the difference between trains and motor cars.
Crab Dollying
Moving
the camera in Sideways is called crab dollying.
Camera Angle
Camera angles always act to signify meaning, e.g. a subjective POV high angle
shot can suggest superiority; a low angle shot can connote weakness.
Straight On
Eye
Level
High Angle
A shot from slightly above
Low Angle
A shot from slightly below
Side View Angle
A shot that is taken perpendicular to the object, person(s),
or scene that is staged
Dutch Angle
A
tilted shot that is not aligned to the normal horizon
Subjective Camera
A shot from the perspective of one of the actors
Bird’s Eye Perspective
A shot from higher above
Aerial Perspective
A shot
taken from a helicopter, a balloon, or something similar
Continuity
Flow
of events is called Continuity.
It is
maintained in a particular time.
Most
productions have a script supervisor on hand whose job is to pay attention to
and attempt to maintain continuity across the chaotic and typically non-linear
production shoot. This takes the form of a large amount of paperwork,
photographs, and attention to and memory of large quantities of detail, some of
which is sometimes assembled into the story bible for the production. It usually
regards factors both within the scene and often even technical details including
meticulous records of camera positioning and equipment settings.
Maintaining strong plot and character continuity is also a high priority.
Action
Continuity
Axis
Continuity in Camera
Character Continuity
Day /
Night Continuity
Dress
Continuity
Emotion Continuity
Events
Continuity
Falling Down
Hair
Style Continuity
Lighting Continuity in Camera
Objects Continuity
Places
Continuity
Position Continuity
Set
Continuity
Sweating Continuity
Notes
Establishing Shot
Re-Establishing Shot
Full Shot
or Figure Shot
or
Complete View
Medium Shot
Medium Long shot
Medium Close Up
Close Up Shot
Big Close Up Shot
Extreme Close Up Shot
Lean Shot
Lean In Shot
Lean Out Shot
American Shot
Italian Shot
Face to Face Shot
Over the Knee Shot
Tilting Shot
Paning Shot
Trolly Shot
Dolly Shot
Aerial Shot
Bird's Eye Shot / Crane shot
Warm View Shot
Low Angle Shot
Over the Shoulder Shot
Point of View Shot
Reverse Shot
Two Shot
Master Shot
Freeze Frame Shot
Insert Shot
Brief
Shots
Held
Shots
Close
Shots
Wide
Shots
Dutch Tilt
or Dutch Angle
or Russian Angle
or Oblique Angle
or German Angle
or Canted
Angle
or Batman Angle
Neutral Shots
Safety
Shots
Vertigo Shot
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