FILM 250 Directing Exercise

The director must be able to use the choice of camera positions, focal length, frame composition and camera movement, to convey the meaning of a scene visually, rather than relying entirely on actors to make a scene effective. These factors can influence the viewer's perception of the mood, the action, and the characters.

At the same time, the director must plan how the shots will edit together in continuity.

Each group of students will plan a one-minute DAY EXTERIOR sequence, and shoot it twice. Allowing for overlap and the occasional bad take, you should shoot approx. 2 minutes of material for each of the two versions. Slate both versions of the sequence.

• Show a character travelling some distance, then meeting and interacting with a second person. Do not try to edit in the camera, but do take the shots in the order they would appear in your edited version. Overlap each shot with the next one.
• Have your actors repeat the identical action, but create a different style and impression through a different choice of shots. Various factors will affect the number of shots in each version, but a typical number would be 10-15 shots.

Shoot and play back a short practice session before doing the exercise, to ensure there are no technical problems. This will be much safer than watching playback partway through your shoot. Then replace the practice shots with 60 sec. of colour bars on the beginning of your tape.

The same two students will be actors in both versions, but they should also have the chance to be cameraperson for shots in which they don't appear. The group should work together to plan both versions of the sequence.

Think about use of continuity, as well as telling the story with the camera. Plan screen direction and camera setups in a rough storyboard. Consider including action, reaction and POV shots. Use mainly static shots, from a tripod.

Sound will be recorded while you are shooting, but do not rely on dialogue by the actors. Keep the action simple enough to understand without dialogue.

Hand in the footage on the HDV tape. Label the tape with full names.

The exercise is worth 5% and is due in the Lecture on 4/5 October.