Short Conversation Evaluation

Our brief was to create a short film of a conversation between two people showing the 180-degree line of action rule, shot reverse shot and match on action.

In filmmaking, the 180-degree is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. A shot reverse shot is a technique where one character is shown looking at another character, often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. The viewer assumes that the two characters are looking at each other since they are shown facing the opposite direction. A match on action is a technique often used to hide editing. It refers to the editing technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot’s action.

The planning for this piece included writing a script on celtx, which was quite hard to get used to using however it became easy once we learnt how to use it properly. The next step was to create a storyboard to give us a vision of what things would look like once we had started filming them/filmed them. We then did location research so we could find a place that would be suitable to have someone walking down a corridor, opening a door and then having a conversation inside with another actor who was already situated in the room. After this we wrote a shot list so we knew what type of shots we would be using for each clip, we used an over the shoulder shot, two shot, mid shot, long shot, medium long shot and a close up. Finally we did a risk assessment to make sure that the room we used was safe to set up the camera in and safe to use without risking hazards to the people involved in filming our short conversation scene.

Whilst filming the piece we had a few difficulties as we broke the line without realising. After we realised that we had broke the line, we then had to re-film several scenes so that they were on the correct side of the line. We also had to re-film a few scenes due to bloopers. However once we got into the filming we found that it was quite easy to stick to the filming and we worked out how to get the correct shots quite easily.

We edited the film using final cut and we then selected our main clips to make sure that we used the best versions we had. We also used a sound bridge to make the edit smoother. We used a fade in/fade out effect after the title and at the end of the scene to show smoothly the start and end of the scene.

In our film, you can see the use of a 180-degree line as the over the shoulder shots have been filmed from over character A’s left shoulder and over character B’s right shoulder and then when the medium two shot is shown we can see that it has been filmed from the same side of the line. Shot reverse shot can be shown with the use of the over the shoulder shots and match on action can be shown with the use of the close up on the door handle.

Evaluation

Our brief was to create a short film of convocation between two people showing the 180-degree line of action, shot reverse shot and match on action.

The 180-degree rule in filmmaking is the regarding of on screen special awareness and relationship between objects and characters. An imaginary line is used to make sure that the characters are in the correct places. This means that if one character is on the right and one on the left, the 180 degree rule makes sure that the same character are always filmed on the same side if more that one shot in needed.

Shot reverse shot is a filming technique where one character is filmed looking at another character, and this other character is shown to be looking back. This illustrates that these characters are looking at one another or having convocation.

Match on action is an editing technique where one-shot cuts to another shot giving the impression that they are connected. For example the first shot of a character and the second of an object, put together this could make the audience believe that the character is looking at the object.

The planning for this work was firstly that we had to create a script, and this was one on Celtx and this had to include a conversation between two people. Secondly we had to design a storyboard illustrating what would happen in our scene with what each character would say. This was only a brief guide into what could happen in this piece, it also showed the types of shots and positions. We then had to decided where we would shot your scene, which we decided the music studio. The shots we used were the: over the shoulder shot, two shot, mid-shot, medium long shot, long shot and close up. Finally, we did a risk assessment of the music room where we shot the scenes. We made sure there were no wires that anybody could trip over and no equipment that was in the way.

When filming our short film, we used a tripod to keep our camera steady and the same height in our shots. We used a long shot of person A coming down a corridor, and the close up of the door handle to show the match on action shot. Furthermore we used the mid shot of A and B.

To edit our short film, we used final cut express. We chose which shots out of the ones that we filmed that we wanted to use and copied them on to the timeline. On this we cut and edited these shots to make them fit together and flow as a clip. For this we shortened to make them the right length, this will allow them to run smoothly. Furthermore we key framed one of our shots as it was slanted to one side and didn’t make the other shots. This was to ensure continuity. Finally we added a fade in and fade out for the title and ending shot to make it more fluid and smooth.

The way that we demonstrated the 180-degree shot, shot reverse shot and match on action shot by ensuring that non of the shots don’t cross the 180 degree line. We did this by filming the over the shoulder shots and keeping them in line, and not obstructing the 180 degree rule. It also shows the shot reverse shot when flipping from person A in conversation with person B.