Preliminary Task
One of our first tasks, before we began filming our final product, was to create a short preliminary sequence. This is where we had to film a conversation focusing on the camera shots and the 180 degree line. This is an important concept in media as it allows you to film a linear sequence without continuity or error within the clip.
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180 Degree Line Theory:
This theory is that filming of a conversation has to take place within a specific 180 degree line. If you film beyond this line it effects the continuity of the sequence as the actors within it seem to change their position. The imaginary line, referred to as the axis, is situated through the middle of the characters. The filming then takes place on one side of the axis for every camera shot. The first character is always frame right of the second and the second character is frame left of the first.
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Camera Shots:
We had to use a range of camera shots within the sequence in order to make it more interesting and ascetically pleasing. We used close ups on the characters face while they were talking, which is conventional when filming a conversation. We also used an over the shoulder shot while one actor was talking, allowing us to focus on who was speaking at the time. We also had to include a long shot, a mid shot and an extreme close up. This exercise allowed us to develop our understanding of the importance of different camera shots to make the sequence interesting.
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