How do they shoot conversations?

[benandaim]

Hi Guys,

You know in just about every show eg. the 4400 cos i'm watching it at the moment... When two ppl are having a conversation that cuts from person 1's face to person 2's how do they shoot it generally? with 2 cams or cut between them with one cam. Always wanted to know this. I hope u understand the question!

Thanks

 

[jchenier]

2 cameras.

 

[Erik Olson]

It's done several ways. Often, it is accomplished simultaneously with two or more cameras with different complimentary shots (e.g., master two shot; subject 1 over-shoulder; subject 2 over-shoulder).

Single-camera shows often shoot three or more angles separately with talent playing against other talent or someone off-camera reading dialogue. These are individual and distinct set-ups, coverage / master often being shot first.

It depends from one show to the next.

e

 

[Joshua Provost]

Yeh, depends from one show to the next. Years ago, many productions couldn't afford more than one camera, so it was all shot separately with one camera. Nowadays, there a lot of multli-cam going on in film and television.

But, you can always do it with a single camera, nothing wrong with that, it's how I get things done.

 

[suckamcee]

just go the way of the rodriguez...and use what you got! if you do use one camera, though...make sure your actors are conscious of repeating their actions to keep continuity on different takes! also...check out this site - they have some tips for working with actors. good luck!

http://www.rockfordimages.com

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

The majority of film sets (for TV dramatic series) I've been on, with a few exceptions (e.g., "24" does roll two cameras), shoots single-camera. After the first actor is shot, the camera "turns around" (and grip/electric crews re-light) for the reverse angle of the other person's dialogue. The benefit of rolling two cameras simultaneously is often a more natural interaction of the actors' performances. The downside of shooting two cameras is having to light for two angles yet still not see all the gear.

 

[bigteethproductions]

The downside of shooting two cameras is having to light for two angles yet still not see all the gear.

That really in my opinion is probably the biggest reason to shoot one cameras vs. multiple (other than rarely having more than one cam in my world :cheesy: )

Generally when you watch a conversation the angles that the close ups are shot would not leave much room for lighting to set up both sides, plus (and I'm def. not the lighting expert here) it seems like if you're lighting for both people at once, alot of times you're light sources will bleed into each other giving you much flatter lighting than you'd probably want in any narrative scene.

Someone with better lighting experience can probably correct me if I'm wrong, but when I've set up shots, that has been a factor.

 

[DorkmanScott]

just go the way of the rodriguez...and use what you got! if you do use one camera, though...make sure your actors are conscious of repeating their actions to keep continuity on different takes!

That's what the script supervisor is for.

 

[Arson]

If you have to shoot single camera shoot the interviewee
That way you at least have the interviewer off camera asking the questions. After the interview you can reverse the set up and shoot all the interviewer questions without the interviewee sitting there while the interviewer asks questions over and over again. Alot of times the interviewer can quickly rewrite the questions based on the answers and add a few more if the interviewee had interesting stories and it wasnt really part of a qustion.

90% of the interviews you see are reshot/edited like that unless its a 2 shot the whole time.

 

[drdimento]

Most all of our shoots are interviews, commercials, or dialog in short movies (like infomercials or movie shorts) and we ALWAYS use more than one camera where possible and to this end a videographer on "24" is the one who sold us on the idea . . if one view is bad . . there's another )

also, we ALWAYS use a clapper even if on the rare occasion there is only one camera . . however, using two always leaves options . . moreover, at least 65% of our shoots are 3 camera. sure it's a pain digitizing but wiat'll ya see the options )

now movie proeduction ??? different story . . usually one camera and occassionally two because of everything that is going on and because of the shortness of a scene as compared to a show (like an interview) that is more like a linear production as opposed to clips and piece pasted together

just our two cents or is it too sense? i get those two confused all the time. . . or is it confessed? o well, get the point?

 

[snowleopard]

Agree completely with Rezfactor and Big Teeth. It's a real challenge for your gaffer and DP (and grips, and art department, for that matter) to set up lighting for a double subject shoot. The shoot will go faster on your talent, but the set-ups will take much longer. If you have the gear, and the resources, and the skill, then go for it. When I have access to two cameras, I still only use them both from one side - one wide, the other CU, then shift over and re-light the opposite way. If you've got just one camera, and minimal gear, there's nothing wrong with taking the Rodriguez "Mariachi" method. Use what you've got to your maximum ability. We get caught up in making everything look as pro as possible, but there's a lot to be said about shooting simple and fast. It keeps the energy up on your set, and you get a lot done. It just takes a lot more preperation.