Newbie Question on how to shoot scenes

[ericyoung]

I own exactly 21 books on all aspects of filmmaking and I have to say that this book has been far and above the MOST enjoyable read!

Glad you liked it, Shawn! Just started another book which looks to be in the same vein for screenwriting, although seems to not ask the same questions of each writer, so somewhat less focussed.

Will post a link if it turns out to be recommendable!

Cheers
Eric

 

[Shawn Murphy]

..well, even though you don't yet have an opinion or recommendation, what's the name of the book? ;-)

 

[ericyoung]

..well, even though you don't yet have an opinion or recommendation, what's the name of the book? ;-)

Oh...if you insist :laugh:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0571217826/sr=1-2/qid=1139467854/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-0378527-9162428?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Looks like it hasn't been released in the US yet, but can be bought from the UK.

Reviews on UK Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0571217826/qid=1139468086/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-9150363-6354068

Cheers
Eric

 

[Alternative_3]

My reaction to your comments on asking if you should just be shooting "important parts" is a resounding no! Shoot everything! More is definately better. I don't like chopping up scenes while filming...that's done in editing. Remember that many things can change in editing. You may want to deviate from your inital plans and storyboards. Once you're in front of your editor and you actually see things coming together, things may not look or feel like you intended initially. You *will* fix and change things. If you shot limited footage, your editing will be limited. If you shoot plenty of footage with different options, camera placement, angles, subjects, etc, then your possibilities in editing will be much greater.

Remember: You can always cut out tons of footage you don't want to use. But you can't cut in footage you haven't shot. It's somewhat easy to re-shoot environments and establishing shots, but it can be a real pain if you have to re-shoot your actors because you didn't get enough footage or the right footage the first time.

Agree! Definitely cover as much as you can. I wouldn't say do 30 takes of each shot, but I would say follow each shot all the way through. That way, once in editing, you won't fall victim to not having enough footage, or coverage for a scene.

My first short, I shot bits and pieces, editing in my mind. Problem is, my mind didn't see the little in between shots that connect everything together. I ended up doing pick-ups 2 months after the fact, which was more of a pain in the ass than shooting full multiple angle would have been in the first place. I know it seems confusing and tedious.....but welcome to directing!

 

[Ralph Oshiro]

When filming, do you make your cuts at specific points/lines in the script or do you shoot the scene all the way through based on your shot list? I get the impression that you and others shoot each "setup" from beginning to end of scene based on a your shotlist & storyboard.

Yeah, you have to. It's simply too inefficient to shoot everything all the way through for every camera angle, IMO. Yeah, you get the most choices in editing, but I really believe in exploiting a rhythm on-set. Multiple, long takes for EVERY coverage angle can tend to wear out your performers.

I'll instinctively know when and where I can "pick-up" lines and where I can cut. Just keep cutting the movie in your head as you're shooting. I've found that's simply the most creative way (at least, for me) to do it. Storyboards are good for some things, but I find that specific shot design and blocking often needs to be created on-set (too many varuables to storyboard accurately, IMO). Sometimes I set up elaborate dolly shots only to realize later in editing that my cut occurs way before the dolly move. It's best to cut as much in your head as possible, otherwise, you may "waste" really cool shots that won't make the cut.

Every director works differently. Find the style that works for you best. But I think that a good director will be constantly "editing" each shot and "seeing" each cut and transition shot while he's shooting.