multiple people dialogue scene

[krish]

ok so I know that when you have two people conversing in a scene the best way to capture their action/reaction etc would be to do it twice once with the camera pointing at each actor. What is the typical approach in case of say 4 actors can I do something like

One Master Shot
One CU of actor A
One MS of actor B
One CU of actor C
One CU of actor D

with over lapping sound.

Would appreciate any input.

-Kris

 

[uTurnProductions]

Krish.. i read in a book (the title is called PICTORIAL CONTINUITY)

It recommended that one should start with a wide-shot to establish the scene, and then move into a medium shot (which can be the master), and then move in and out close-ups.

The book talked about how we shouldnt start with CLOSEUPS because it confuses people and loses their interest quickly if it is not effective.

hope that helps..

 

[Mortimer]

In most conversations you usually move into CU's when it becomes more intimate. Always exception to the rule, but just wanted to enforce what Uturn had stated.

 

[jpbankesmercer]

From personal experience, I would suggest always take a complete wide, you may only cut back to it at the start and the end but if you do run into continuity problems its better to have a back-up.

When shooting any scene, you should break it up into emotional elements. You move in with the close-up to reveal more information about the characters, even if its only a silent reaction to a character off camera.

MS – People tend to over use them resulting in critiques singling them out to complain.

Take your scene, break it down. Consider what you want the audiences reaction to be, if it needs movement get it off the sticks, if its highly intimate get in close but remember every framing choice will loose it’s impact if over used. You could start a scene with a CU then reveal back to a wide if you want to withhold any information for that moment (used in comedy a lot), just sit down and map it all out. Once you start to engage the audience and know what you expect your viewers to feel/ think about it, each shot choice then becomes just a tool in your directing armoury of chops.

Cheers.

J.P.