newbie question re: camera angles

[NYker]

If an entire film is going to be shot with a handheld camera (think Blair Witch or Quarantine) how would that be stated in a script? Would every scene need to specifically mention the use of a handheld camera or is there a term that could be used in the beginning to indicate that the entire film will be shot that way? Any response would be appreciated.

 

[10s]

my 3 cents: IMO, I'd say nothing about camera angles; that's for the director to decide. Some clever writers are really good at hinting where they see the camera is placed. A shaky hand held effect is about creating energy and a sense of 1st hand participation, or it can cause motion sickness.

If you're the director you might choose to still say nothing inside your offiical script but instead put your thoughts into notes. Once you've created your official industry std. script you can put together a shooting script that will include your notes on angles and such.

SOAPBOX Sermon

So why a std. screenplay 1st if you're going to direct it?

One: it helps establish discipline ( yuck! :angry
Two: it allows a neutral reading by another person that can give you a NEW perspective on how they see the scene interpreted from page to screen. This can help you improve your execution and make you challenege your own assumptions about the best way to shoot it.

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Why Challenge? :violent5:

Because each shot needs to be thoughtfully constructed to bring the story to life (motivated shots). It's easy to get carried away with cool shots and all sorts of devices and gags. Cool shots can distract from the story and lessen the audience's experience. A film maker needs to figure out, are they a cool shot guy or a storyteller. Of course you can have both worlds but the shots really need to be motivated for a good reason: especially hand held (it can be a very annoying device if not used correctly) Unfortunately this cool shot business is all too common for many of us and as a result too often story takes the backseat. I understand everyone wants to exercise their creative angles [ I do too ] but cinema isn't about cool angles as much as it is about good stories.


Good luck!
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[nevill]

If you are writing this script for anyone elese to film or to try and sell, you should not use any technical instrustions (including camera angles) in your work!
I've heard that you can use "CUT TO" and "DISSOLVE TO" however I personally choose steer clear of these bescause you can heavily influence the director in the way you write the scene description or action lines.
For example if your script calls for a classroom setting, by writing something like:
"The teacher walks into a room full of students fidgeting and talking amongst themselves"
You are surgesting a wide shot of the room, where as something like:
"The teacher calls for attention but Tim still sits gazing out of the window."
Surgests a close up or medium shot of Tim and the window.
I know these arnt the best examples as I've just made them up on the go, but the jist is that by mentioning alot of action your surgesting wider shots while being specific in the details you include your surgesting closer shots. Its not a definate way of getting the film how you want it to look but it helps whoever is filming the script see it how you imagine it!
Having said all of this if the scripts your writing are simply for your own enjoyment or you plan on filming them yourself then by all means do as you wish! :smile:

 

[Capt Quirk]

If you are writing this script for anyone elese to film or to try and sell, you should not use any technical instrustions (including camera angles) in your work!

For example if your script calls for a classroom setting, by writing something like:
"The teacher walks into a room full of students fidgeting and talking amongst themselves"
You are surgesting a wide shot of the room, where as something like:
"The teacher calls for attention but Tim still sits gazing out of the window."
Surgests a close up or medium shot of Tim and the window.

But... if Timmy isn't looking out the window, how is he going to warn the class about the approaching Meteor/Monster?

 

[KMR]

But... if Timmy isn't looking out the window, how is he going to warn the class about the approaching Meteor/Monster?

Exactly. It all depends on the point of the scene being written. If Tim looking out of the window is an important part of the plot, it simply won't do just to say "The teacher walks into a room full of students fidgeting and talking amongst themselves." There is no direction or camera angle being implied in saying "The teacher calls for attention but Tim still sits gazing out of the window." That simple sentence could be filmed many different ways, from many different angles, incorporating one or a dozen individual shots. But it's important for the story that Tim is looking out of the window! The first example doesn't even mention Tim at all...

 

[KMR]

Oh, it seems that I read nevill's post too hastily, and totally misunderstood where he was going with his examples. My apologies! These were examples of PROPER methods of steering the filmmaker toward what is being envisioned, without being a "back seat director" via the screenplay. So my comment on Tim gazing out of the window doesn't really contradict what he was trying to say.

 

[kiyong]

try to get a copy of a script from The Office. they use single camera that's handheld that follows the actors into different areas. each location still has a slugline, but it is marked as CONTINUOUS if there isn't a cut.

also, you should read scripts from blair witch and quarantine to see how they write it out.

but yeah, i agree with everyone else, it's not the writer's job to get too detailed with camera angles or how it'll be shot.