Media Journal  What camera shots would you use to create a 5- shot sequence capturing a student walking into this classroom and sitting down at a desk?

Broadcast and Video Production I

Shot Sequence  The order and types of shots used to tell a video story.  The order in which shots are placed create the flow of a video production.  It should be smooth, logical and not confusing to the viewer. This is called continuity.

Time Limits  When creating a shot sequence, you must think of the camera as similar to the human eye.  The mind will not let the eyes stay fixed on one subject for more than 4 or 5 seconds.  Constantly moving and focusing.  The camera must record a variety of fast paced single images and not one long single image.

30-3 Rule  Most TV producers follow a rule that no shot should last more than 30 seconds and no scene should last longer than three minutes.  Take one long scene and break it down into a variety of short shots.

Order of Sequence  A basic sequence generally begins with a wide-angle shot that establishes in the viewer’s mind where the action is taking place. This shot should only show what is important and relative to the scene.  A medium or close-up shot should follow the establish shot.  A Cutaway is a shot of some action not taking place in the scene.  A Cut-in is a shot of some action that is taking place in the scene. One commonly used cut-in is the shot of the TV reporter’s face listening to the response in an interview. A cutaway in the same situation would be a shot of a scene, which is relevant to what the person is talking about.

Shot Selection  When creating a shot sequence, each new shot, when possible, should show a change in the size of the image and the camera angle.  Image Size: When changing image size, you go from wide shots, to medium shots, to close-ups.  Camera Angles: The camera moves in an arc about the subject. The move should always bee at least 45 degrees. By doing this, you bring variety and interest to the scene.

Jump Cut  Occurs when you do not move the camera at least 45 degrees or change the image size enough.  The jump cut produces a picture that seems to be a double exposure or make the subject seem to bounce up or down slightly.  To Avoid the Jump Cut: Use the cut shot. (A cutaway or cut-in)

Screen Direction  Screen Direction: The direction in which people and objects face and move on the TV screen.  180 degree Rule: It helps avoid viewer confusion by keeping the flow of action on the screen moving in the same direction. It gets its name from the 180 degrees in half a circle.

180 Degree Rule  The arc: The arc that is formed in the half circle is where the camera can be placed when shooting sequences.  The Diameter: The straight line that is the diameter of the circle becomes an imaginary line that should not be crossed when shooting a sequence. If you cross that line, viewer confusion would result because the subjects would be looking from opposite directions.  Example: Would apply in a football game where you want all players to move in the same direction. It would also apply to an interview.

180 Degree Rule  Breaking the Rule: There are ways to break this rule but the following techniques must be used to avoid viewer confusion.  The Subject Changes Direction: The camera is filming while the subject changes direction.  Example: A person is running in one direction and suddenly reverses his direction and continues to run.  Example: A person speaking to someone on the left, turns his head and speaks to someone on the right. These situations tell the viewer the screen direction has been changed.

180 Degree Rule  Cross the Line by Leaving the Camera Run: Camera is running while the videographer moves across the line.  Example: You are filming a person baking a cake. You want to show how they are mixing the ingredients from the other side of the counter. So, you leave the camera running while you carefully walk around the counter to the new position.

180 Degree Rule  Cross the Line by Stopping on It: Record a situation, use a cut shot of someone or something on the line, then cross the line.  Example: Using the cake example, you would record the person baking the cake from the one side of the counter, pause the recording, take a close-up shot of the person’s face intently concentrating on baking, pause recording, cross the line and begin recording from the other side.

180 Degree Rule  Point of View Shot: This is when you film a shot from the viewpoint of what the subject would see. It is as if the camera were the eyes of the subject. It is from the subject’s point of view.  In the cake example, instead of taking a close-up of the chef’s face, you would take a close-up of the spoon mixing the ingredients.