The 180 degree

Daniel Wright

The 180 degree rule is a technique used by directors when two actors during a scene interact with each other, there is an imaginary line between these two actors which the cameras do not cross. This is the 180 degree rule.

 If a camera is put on the other side of the imaginary 180 degree line it will confuse the audience as say.. the first actor who originally was on the left side will be facing in the second actors direction.

Picture example of 180 degree rule

 

This diagram shows the 180 degree shot from above the actors, as you can see there is a line running in between the actors. The camera can only be  put in the specified area if the director does not wish to break the 180 degree rule.

Video example of 180 degree rule

The video above shows in detail why the 180 degree rule is important to stick to, and the consequences of breaking that rule.

Members Jobs

Members Jobs

 

   -    Camera operator 

          Dan
 

   -    Storyboard artist/s

          Tom

   -    Locations Scout/s

          Harry, Dan, Tom

   -    Prop Manager

          Dan, Harry, Tom

   -    Casting Director
     
          Tom      

   -    Director of filming

          Harry

Match on Action.

Daniel Wright

Match on action is where two sequences are put together and make it seem as if they are seamless and flow fluidly while masking the cut in-between the two sequences.

It is a very simple editing technique, the action is used a lot in films today, it is very useful if a filmmaker wants to view the scene in a different perspective and mask the cut at the same time. The actors action in the first shot will always end in the second shot.

Match on action example video

 

While doing a match on action there are certain procedures you have to take in mind. When flowing from one shot to the next you have to make sure that, The character is wearing the same costumes, is continuing his/her actions as from the first shot, the character is holding the same prop (if holding a prop), Hairstyle, facial expression and many more.

Match on action example picture

                                    

This example from Anchor-man shows us the character standing facing towards the character sitting behind the desk. When the shot changes perspective to the whole room the characters are still in the same positions as before but then carry on the actions from the first shot these actions will finish at the end of the second shot.

Shot/Reverse shot

Tom Peacock

 

The Shot reverse shot is a shot used to show a conversation between each character. While filming the shot reverse shot, you have to take into account the 180 degree rule, which will be explained in another part of the blog.

The opening shot is of character 1 speaking to character 2, the camera angle then changes to character 2 to see their reaction and add in a response to what character 1 has just said. The camera then goes back to character 1 who then says something else or reacts to what was said last.

Normally in a shot reverse shot, the director will use close up shots to display the characters reactions each time they engage in convosation. Using a close up is the best option because it allows them to capture the characters reactions and emotions as they interact to the other character.

Below is an example of a shot reverse shot being used.

 

The Task

Dan and Harry

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio Dec – Jan 2012-13

Preliminary Exercise in Continuity Editing

AS Media coursework - COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL What When Worth Main Task Opening to thriller film Jan – April 2014 50% Prelim Task Continuity editing task Dec 2013 – Jan 2014 You have to Complete and PASS Group task Group Task The Preliminary Task. The specification states that this must be: ‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute. This task should demonstrate: Match on Action Shot/Reverse Shot The 180 degree Rule You will also have to incorporate Music, dialogue and sound effects into your film All filming and editing must take place on campus, using College equipment. You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of Thriller Film).

Deadline

You will work on this in all of your Media Studies lessons between now and Friday January 10th 2013.

The final deadline for final edited film and completed blog will be one week after on Friday January 17^th.

Stage One

You will decide upon your groups. Groups must be a maximum of four students, and a minimum of two.

Stage Two

In your groups, you will revise the continuity terms referred to above, and ensure that everyone in the group understands what you are required to demonstrate in the finished product. 

You will set up your group’s blog, and begin to make entries on it.  The first 4 posts will be :-

Post 1) The Task

Post 2) The 180 degree

Post 3) Shot/Reverse shot

Post 4) Match on Action.

Post 5) You need to allocate all members of the group to particular tasks and blog these decisions..  The tasks that need to be done:-

§  Camera operator - assign the person most skilled at this to this task.

§  At least two people should take responsibility for filming.

§  Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)

§  Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)

§  Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)

§  Casting Director (organises actors where needed)

§  Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)

It is likely that most tasks will be undertaken quite collaboratively.  However, if someone has particular skills, then utilise these.  This will be your 5 th post.

 

Stage Three  - Planning the sequence. 

Match the brief to a simple storyline – a lover’s tiff, teacher and pupil, job interview etc or you can do it in a thriller format.    

Location – Where will you film? Is it available? Photograph it for the blog.

Costume – be ambitious and dress characters appropriately

Props – again be ambitious.

Lighting – do you want to create a particular atmosphere?

Then start to storyboard the 1 minute sequence.  You will need to consider shot distance, angle and movement, transitions, and ensure that you cover the 3 continuity techniques mentioned. 

Your storyboard must use the correct format, and include all of the information shown on page 25 of your booklet on Moving Image Language. It should also include timing in seconds for each shot, and exact lines of dialogue, sound effects and or music alongside the shot/s that it would be heard. 

All this needs to be uploaded to your Blog – divide the posts up between the group.

Stage Four – before your film

Organise a time to do your filming.  Remember that everything has to “come together” – props, locations, costumes, make up. 

Make sure you have organised your all equipment (camera, lighting, tripod)

Remind yourselves of  – WHITE BALANCE, FRAMING OF SUBJECT, MAKING A SANDWICH,

Conduct a Health and Safety check – do a risk assessment for your shoot and record this on your blog.

 

Stage Five -  Start filming - You will be given only THREE lessons to film.

Shoot each shot several times, as well as from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully – a shortage of footage usually results in poor productions!!

Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use.  Create a “Sandwich”.

Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network and saved in the appropriate file.  Check with Ollie or Sophie before saving your work!!  You have to Log and save footage immediately after filming – cameras memories will be wiped on return to the technician.

Record EVIDENCE of your filming process on the Blog – this is to prove that you made your film and that all members of the group were present!

Stage Six – edit your sequence. On completion, place your finished product in the “Completed Work” directory for your particular AS block

MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES

EVERY MEMBER OF THE GROUP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINES SET. FAILURE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES BY THE GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.

DEADLINE ONE: By the end of your second lesson. Posts 1 – 5 completed on Blog Storyboard Uploaded to blog – explanations provided Risk assessments completed All planning processes blogged – Props, Locations, Make up, Hair, Costume, Actors, Lighting, Filming Schedule. “Key things to remember about filming” - Post on your blog (WB, Sandwich, Framing)

DEADLINE TWO:  By the end of term Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder. Evidence of the filming process on your blog. An evaluation of your filming – what went well, what didn’t and why?

DEADLINE THREE: By the end of the first week back after Christmas Holidays Friday 10thJan. Image and Sound editing should be completed. Blog evidence of your editing decisions and discussions. This will be your last lesson allocated to editing. Any further editing will need to be completed in your own time and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest.

FINAL DEADLINE – FRIDAY 17th January.  FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE SAVED TO THE COMPLETED WORK FOLDER – AS Prelim 2013-14/AS BLOCK ?/ Your full names. GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES

NB AS THIS IS AN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE PRELIMINARY EXERCISE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO THE MAIN TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEREFORE, ANY STUDENT NOT ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABOVE PROCESS TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE WILL BE ASKED TO INDIVIDUALLY COMPLETE OR SEPARATELY UNDERTAKE THE TASK AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY ON THEIR RETURN TO COLLEGE.

Key things to remember

• Always reset your white balance when repositioning your camera
• Consider the framing
• Give yourself time to capture and log footage before returning camera.  Follow the tutorials saved to the desk tops of the i-Macs.  Camera memories are wiped immediately on return to a technician.
• To log onto network – CONTROL K, Media AS as both username and password
• Never take out equipment without booking out
• Always return equipment to a technician.
• Always create a film sandwich “Camera Rolling”: “Speed”: “Action”: “Cut”: leave running for few seconds.
• Record each shot several times
• Label each shot with whiteboard (“Take one , take two” etc)
• Once you have logged and captured footage, SAVE into appropriate file – AS Preliminary Task 2013/Block ?/Your Names.
• Each time you edit your work, SAVE AS a new version, thus “Version two”.  That way you build up a record of the process that you undergone and you have a backup of your work should a file become corrupted.
• Save work every 5 minutes
• Use your Tripod unless you have reason not to.
• You need a £10 deposit for equipment

Health and safety – don’t put yourself or others at risk:  No Hoodie’s or stalkers:  No weapons.  If using lighting, follow necessary precautions.  Don’t leave the campus.  Please be mindful that other students will be in lessons.  Leave any settings that you use, as you found them.

Your Blog – blogs have a particular format.  Rather than walls of text, you should adopt a multi media approach.  Use lots of embedded video, import images, hyperlinks, write text as bullet points, use sub titles, etc.  Be creative!