Shooting my first short - Anything I should watch out for?

John

John

Well-known member
Ok, well I have everything set. Location, good actors, lighting, sound, the whole shebang. The short is based in a well lit store with 2 actors, one extra. It's going to be 4 minutes long and is basically just a conversation between the two about a quite odd subject.

I'm planning on shooting three times, once for each different angle. Both characters and then a more distant angle. I'm trying to get a lend of a softbox to give more subtle lighting besides the naked light from the store lights (more overhead and dim underlights.)..

This is my first attempt at shooting a short, my first real experiment with the DVX in the year that I own it. Yes I know I'm slow but I was really busy with work. Is there any first time mistakes I should watch out for? I'm shooting in 25P (PAL dvx) and going to go over it with magic bullet with probably a subtle white diffusion effect (Will this be ok with high lighting?). Mic is an AT 897. It's mounted on the cam and will be close to the characters in the shoot. Is there a need for a boom?

I know these are quite trivial questions but I've spent the time getting two decent actors and made sure I had a tight short script that flows well. I've booked the time off of work so I don't want to let anyone down with a poor finish. Last thing I want is to post it on here and have 100 people tell me I should of done x differently. Id' rather get it right first time :P

Any suggestions for me or to watch out for anything?
 
I would boom the mic or put it on a stand as near to the actors as possible. Also monitor your sound with some decent earphones! Mics will pick up things your ears don't sometimes!

Also watch the line. If you don't know what the line is, ask.

Generally people shoot wide shots first and then move in to do close ups. This allows a lighting style to be established and then perfected in the CUs. I normally do this to give the actors more practice before you get to their CUs.

If you are only doing 3 shots, make them damn good shots! Compose the actors so that the shots will edit nicely - If one actor is framed in a different style to the other, it can look strange in the edit. Sometimes it works though.

Good luck! Enjoy it! Remember, the best way to learn is by making mistakes and experimenting.
 
Thanks MMM. Sound advice. I'll try to be as consistant and as symmetrical with my shots as possible.

And since you mentioned it, I'll have to ask it. What is the line?
 
It can be more complicated than this but...

If there are 2 actors looking at each other. From a bird's eye view, draw an imaginary line that passes through each of their heads. This is "the line." You should then keep the camera on one side of this line whilst shooting, otherwise the geography of the scene may become confusing for the audience.

For example: You film character A from over B's left shoulder. You then shoot B from over A's RIGHT shoulder. When the 2 shoots are edited on screen, they appear to be looking at each other. Any other long shots etc, should also be from the same side.

When your setup gets more complex, it becomes more complicated than that and people always get it wrong, even on major films!

Of course, feel free to break this rule, but only deliberately. If you want to shoot from the other side, it is best to cut to a cutaway and then back to the characters.
 
Hi John,

Having been an editor for years, I have to say that you should shoot more coverage. A minimum of: 2 shot, over the should for each, and close up for each. THAT'S MINIMUM. But let's say the coversation between your characters starts out normal and becomes more intense or intimate. You might want loose over the shoulders for the first part of the conversation and tighter over the shoulders for the more intimate parts of the conversation. Really sit down with your script and work out what kind of emotion you are trying to convey, and work up a shot list that best matches that emotion. You might find you need inserts of other things in the scene. Are there any props that are important? For example, if this store is being robbed, a shot where a gun takes up most of the frame might be needed. Or is one of the characters an alcoholic and he's buying a large bottle of booze? Maybe that should be emphasized. Know what I mean? Really think about your script and the emotion of the characters and come up with the best compositions to relay that to your audience.

Good Luck!

Dan Selakovich
www.DVcameraRigs.com
 
Thanks Danslak.. What I had marked out is anything a person conveys an emotion, for example, being shocked by a gesture, then that will warrant a close-up.. Anytime there is a re-action that must be shown, it will be a close up. Rest will be over the shoulder for certain parts and then another direct shot which has both characters.

I'm going to make sure it's spot on tonight when I get home so I really know what I want to shoot and what way.
 
danslak said:
Hi John,

Having been an editor for years, I have to say that you should shoot more coverage. A minimum of: 2 shot, over the should for each, and close up for each. THAT'S MINIMUM. But let's say the coversation between your characters starts out normal and becomes more intense or intimate. You might want loose over the shoulders for the first part of the conversation and tighter over the shoulders for the more intimate parts of the conversation. Really sit down with your script and work out what kind of emotion you are trying to convey, and work up a shot list that best matches that emotion. You might find you need inserts of other things in the scene. Are there any props that are important? For example, if this store is being robbed, a shot where a gun takes up most of the frame might be needed. Or is one of the characters an alcoholic and he's buying a large bottle of booze? Maybe that should be emphasized. Know what I mean? Really think about your script and the emotion of the characters and come up with the best compositions to relay that to your audience.

Good Luck!

Dan Selakovich
www.DVcameraRigs.com
Click to expand...

I second all that! From what you said, it now sounds like you will need an over the shoulder and a CU of each. Plus a wide of the scene.

I wouldn't try and do anything too crazy, as this may detract from you action, but still try to make each shot appealling and interesting.
 
All of what mmm and danslak is right on. Something I can add is that with a short that is focused on this conversation make sure you actors know exactly what they are going to do...meaning, with their hands, facial expressions, messing with their collar, etc.

Meaning if in your master shot actor A picks up a mug of coffee and drinks it and says, "Have a great day." Make sure he does that in your other shots. Or if they wipe their nose without thinking but the shot was perfect, make sure either you or they remember when they did it.

This also applies to emphasis's on words...for example, "I THINK you should go to the store with me," has a huge difference in meaning then, "I think YOU should go to the store with me." Make sure you know what words you want emphasized and not. If your performers are theatre actors sometimes the may look to "theatrical" for film. I have done that several times.

I hope that helps, if I think of more I will get back to you. Best of luck and have fun (that's what is most important).
 
Alright thanks guys.. I'll upload in it as soon as it's shot so you can all see the final product. Will be 3-4 weeks.
 
checking your locations to see if they have 2 or 3 prong outlets. I ran into this problem once, luckily, the location had an adapter for one of the outlets, and I was able to hook a power strip to it. But, be careful w/ electricity, and circuits, you don't want to blow anything. Studio Lights use tons of power.
 
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