pre-production:
*decide up-front how much work [you're] gonna do
*decide up-front how much i’m gonna get paid [ie, if project, how many hours i'm putting-in]
*decide up-front all the fees, personnel, budget, etc…
*and then STICK WITH IT!!!!
shooting:
*think of the edit:
– pan, zoom-into a CU right at the dramatic moment
– pan from [interest] to [interest], zoom-in & pan-to to [heighten] interest!!
– pan along lines of ppl
– follow their motion– point-glance, show [their] context, etc.
– shoot cutaways!!!
*think of the [crew]:
– they’ll get [their] best shot, [but] not necessarily the ‘most-important’…
– so *always* think of the *most-important* shot–
– sometimes they’ll get-it, so you’re free to get [cutaways, etc.] -or-
– sometimes [you know] they’re not getting it, so *you* gotta get-it!!
*think of the *pace*:
– tap your foot [but be *carefull* you're not jarring the tripod]
– you’ll be moving, etc. on the _beat_, which looks fantastic
*think of *coverage*:
– pan back/forth, pausing on [interest], but cover *everyone*
– keep [other] eye off-v/f, & looking to the [ends] of the lines
– dancers who move, look great when you get them turning a corner,
esp. if they’re moving towards you… you get ppl front/behind simultaneously,
coming, going, & moving-away all in 1 shot.
– pause w/ good framing… 3-ppl is a good frame
– *move* on each ‘event’… like switching!!!
editing:
*keep as many of the kinesthetic shots as possible: zooms, pans, etc.
*match-cut on stacato’s: claps, kicks, head-nods, turns
– this works best 2fm *before* the kick/clap/etc.
– cutting on the actual point ‘feels’ late
*go-out, wide… [but] keep coming-in
– [whereas] the dancers like to see WS, ‘everyone’ & the patterns,
– [normal] ppl can only see/identify w/ 1 person at a time… so keep cutting-in,
& showing the [individuals]… their faces, tension, smiles, reactions
*occasional WS, occasional overhead, & lotsa CU’s. you can hold & let ppl go-by… esp. if they’re moving fast, & you dissolve
*you *must* keep returning to intelligible stuff, ppl’s faces, etc. Cut-away wide, but back to faces, interesting ppl
*but remember– keep [cutting] on *Events*, rather than cam-moves
Tags: production methodologies