CAMERA WORKSHOP 2

Camera Workshop 2.

In our second workshop, we continued to learn how to use a camera. The first thing we did was the 180 degree rule; the rule follows the idea that the camera must be remain behind or on one side of an imaginary line, free to move anywhere (within the 180 degree angle) in order to not confuse the viewer. 

We then learned about rules of three which follows the idea that within a frame's composition (where the different subjects within the frame are placed/located), it should be divided into 9 parts equally by 2 lines horizontally and 2 lines vertically. 

We then began shooting the scenes. The importance of call outs were explained to us - the call outs being 'stand by' (ensuring everyone is ready and in the positions they need to be in, called out by the director), 'standing' (the response to 'stand by', letting the others know that you are ready, said by members of the crew), 'roll camera' (instructing to press record, said by the director), 'camera rolling' (meaning that the camera has started rolling, said by the camera operator), 'action' (instructing the acting/scene to start, said by the director), and 'cut' (instructing the camera to stop rolling, said by the director). The camera starts rolling before the action takes place to ensure that the record button has been pressed, and continues after the action has finished in case any new shots can be found.

We put this into action later on, and attempted making our own, simple sequence of Matthew walking over to a stool, grabbing the hard hat off of it, putting it on, and walking off again. We learned that wide shots are what should be shot first in order to gain an understanding of the overall scene, the actors, the space etc. The same action was carried out for every shot. In order to ensure continuity (the
idea that details in a scene/film remain consistent for audience clarity), we also used marks on the floor to act as a marker for where Matthew had to walk to and do his action for absolute precision.

We also learned to not watch footage back on set to ensure that the actor doesn't become self conscious, and also to quicken the film process as studios tend to cost money to rent, as well as the need to pay staff by time periods.