Post(s) tagged with "filmmaking"
Hey kids! If you’re a filmmaker, animator, or storyboard artist and you don’t know what screen direction is, you might want to read this.
For the record, there are always exceptions to the rule in filmmaking, which is why I pointed out 3 examples here.
I’ve also found that comic books tend to NOT take screen direction as seriously as film does, but I’m still on the fence if this is wise or not. My favorite comics pay close attention to screen direction so as to not confuse the reader.
Good luck!
I’m not the biggest fan of using the 180 in action sequences (primarily because I do my best to establish geography through a variety of ways, particularly in the build-up to the set-piece or transitions between locations), but it’s very helpful in dialogue sequences and some of the foundational work.
The key is figuring out how to become good enough at visualization beat-by-beat, shot-by-shot, that you actually don’t require it. Filmmaking I think has a much easier time of this if you’re working with one of those master director/DP teams.
But, this is a better explanation of the rule than I’ve seen around.
That said - be very careful with multiple person dialogue scenes. I’ve worked with directors who have no fucking clue how to use the line in scenes of 3 or more characters and the result was terrible. o_o
As an AD, I often find myself asking the director & DP if they know they’re breaking the line and if they’re ok with a shot that’s broken the line. Sometimes, in the mad dash to cover a scene, they forget the 180 rule and realize when they’re setting the eyelines that it’s not a good matching shot unless they get more cutaways. I’ve seen this waste time. Never ask in a condescending tone; it’s not your movie. But always check in to make sure they are aware of the screen direction change before they spend time setting up for a shot the editor is immediately going to throw out. Or make sure they have proper cutaways scheduled for the screen direction change to work.
Source: giancarlovolpe
I’m working with this guy currently as the lead in the feature film I’m ADing and despite his character being an ass on the show, he’s seriously one of the NICEST actors I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.
The numbers on the shotlist are arbitrary once you are on set. It’s simply a labeling method to keep everyone on the same page during pre-pro. Once you are on the day, your slate labeling is contingent on the order shots are actually filmed.
For example:
The first shot of scene 47 is often simply labeled as “Scene 47 take 1”. The next shot filmed on 47 (even if it’s not the next shot on the shotlist) is labeled as “Scene 47A, take 1” and then the next shot filmed is labeled as “Scene 47B take 1”, etc.
There are times when the scripty or director will specifically request a shot be labeled a certain way. It’s very rare but it does occasionally happens. In the end, it’s really up to the scripty how they want the slate labeled since they are making the notes for the editor. But 9 times out of 10, they will go with the slate labeling method discussed above.
Occasionally, a scene is split up and filmed in different pieces that may span over different locations (I typically ask for a revision if this happens in which a new slugline is introduced when a location changes in the scene). If this happens after scene numbering has been locked, I find it’s been easier to simply label the pieces of the original scene with a letter before the original scene number. For example: Our scene 47 has now been divided into 3 individual montage sequences (series of shots) that take place in three very different set ups. To avoid confusion, the first sequence of scene 47 will continue to be labeled as scene 47 and all corresponding shots to that sequence would be labeled as discussed above. The next sequence of scene 47 will be labeled A47. (so, shot 2 for A47 would look like “Scene A47A, take 1” on the slate). The final sequence of the scene would be B47. This is also a rare occurrence and again, always consult with the scripty on how they would like the changes to be labeled for the editor.
For the love of all that is holy, never lock in a location that you do not obtain full control of. This is rule number one to location scouting. When you have dialog, multiple actors, background, picture vehicles, and other large elements at play, having civilians also stepping through the set and forcing production to wait and move aside for them as they shop is simply not ideal. Even if the location has light pedestrian traffic, the risk of injury, loss and damage, and unnecessary stress still runs high. And to top it all off, you can never really schedule for a location that makes you hold filming every time a customer even looks at the store.
So obviously, it’s in everybody’s best interests to NOT film at these locations. But sometimes, it’s necessary. This week, I’ve had to lock down three live gas stations in a city/state that is not very privy to what a film production actually means. And thus, we pissed off a LOT of people.
If you’re anyone like me, your initial instinct when hearing that a location will be live during filming is “OHGODNORIPUPCONTRACTFAAAAACK”. You’ll dread the day on the stripboard and constantly pester producers about what the live location will entail. You’ll beg the DP and Director to keep the shotlists simple and clean and stick to the plan in case production slows down (which it invariably will no matter how light the traffic is at the location).
The reality of handling these locations is that you really just got to keep on keepin’ on. What I mean is that wonderful phrase many of us production folks find ourselves saying out of defeat: “It is what it is.”
And it really is. There’s nothing you can do to make the location any more efficient. You are going to hold the roll for a customer who slowly saunters by the camera either scowling that you’re upsetting the norm of his favorite ice cream parlor or smiling and waving at the camera and asking if they can be in it. You’re going to hold the roll for people outside the gas station screaming about getting their cigarettes and kids loudly asking what the name of the movie is. It really and truly is what it is.
The other horrifying reality of shooting live locations is that the owners often don’t understand what having a film production means. They think student with a camcorder or some documentary crew. They don’t understand what you mean by basecamp, lock up, roomtone, can we shut off the cooler for sound?, can we stop customers while rolling?, lunch break, PAs, greeking logos, and having actors play customers instead of letting the real customers in. No matter how much you outline your footprint on the location as a production, the owner will undoubtedly think three dudes with a camera and a boom pole and will be genuinely surprised by the grip truck and the art van rolling up at breakfast. They will try to fight the producers and say you are disrupting their business and they’re losing money. They will make jokes about Hollywood and cause undue stress by getting randomly freaked out when you try to move the twinkie stand 2 feet to the left for a shot.
As an AD, I’m often the first one they come running at when they think there’s an issue. This is not abnormal. They look towards the one who’s making the loudest commands on set and assume they are the True and Only Boss of the film world. There’s no understanding of the true hierarchy at play and they get confused and irritated when I have to hand them over to the production manager or producers for discussion. Yesterday, I heard “But I want HER to meet with us right now, too!” and the producers had to physically stop him from walking away from them and getting me. I was in the middle of getting an actor changed, a debate about angle sorted out, and shooing off the scripty asking me about a logo that was barely noticeable. I had no interest in once again telling the guy that we’re doing exactly what we lined out in the contract we signed.
My approach to filming live locations is to keep as calm as abso-fucking-lutely possible. And that’s goddamned HARD. It’s ok. It really is. Everyone on that set understands what you’re going through and tempers having small, private flare ups is an expected thing. However, whatever you do, don’t have a full blow up in front of the owner. Go back to basecamp if the urge to tear into a producer rises, but keep it off the set at all costs.
Setting a quiet yet productive pace is the best thing you can do. And you’re going to look around at points and think you’re never going to make the day. And you might not. That’s ok too. Always look at these filming locations as a scenario that will probably be changed. Allow yourself to be flexible with the protocol and the schedule in order to just keep getting shit done. Owners don’t like watching a film crew stand around their store and it makes the customers nervous. Obviously you should take your time with complicated set ups, but always be pushing your crew to keep working, even at a snail’s pace.
Be very careful with the amount of time you actually spend rolling. Do a bunch of rehearsals first in which you don’t need to disrupt the business. That way, when you do lock up the location, it’ll only be for a small time period and the actors are already comfortable with lines and blocking before you even press the red button.
As I stated earlier, flexibility is key here. You’re going to move scenes. You’re going to jump back and forth between scenes and maybe even angles. You’re going to force the DP and director to do some things differently from the shotlist to appease the owner and keep the production from being thrown off set. I had to push several simple car interiors yesterday alone simply to make sure we could have the time to deal with standing by while customers were at the counter. Not everything is going to go as planned and that’s OK. Be prepared to make it a flexible day and find your contingencies ahead of time, but don’t feel like you need to stick to schedules that are hurting the production just in the name of protocol.
Finally, patience is so damn important. And that might be the hardest part of this all. As an AD, you’re often used to pushing and pushing and pushing and going faster and faster and keeping everyone moving at a very quick pace. You’re probably not going to be doing that on these locations. So employing patience even when the entire is crew is looking at you ready to shoot is going to be a good tool to utilize. Calmly explain why we have to be in standby so much and make sure everyone’s ready to go the moment the location is cleared to shoot. Work with an amicable producer who can keep a dialog with customers coming in and also act as liason with the owner. Be patient with the customers too. It’s not their fault either. They’re just doing their thing. Don’t rush them and don’t be rude to them no matter how many times you get asked when the movie’s going to air or if any big names are in it.
You’re probably going to have several moments where you want the day to be over or you want to desperately punch the owner in the face. Just remember that you’re not alone (for once) in this stressful state. The entire cast and crew involved are right there with you, so set a good precedent and be patient, pleasant, and flexible. You should be able to make the day you need to make.
Tumblr ate the post when I tried to post it. Don’t understand that one.
Breaking down a scene with voice over is quite easy. I prefer to make a note of the voice over in both the scene description and the “SOUND” section of the breakdown sheet like such: “JOE’S VO”.
But always double check with your director. They may secretly want a visual of Joe’s VO being delivered, which then is a new shot and should be accounted for when timing the day and treated like normal. Always check with your director in regards to VOs.
Love seeing good articles and tributes to people in our field. And if you don’t know who Joe Reidy is…well…he’s like The Godfather…of AD’s here in NYC. Check out the full article HERE
Awards season again. Last year, as you may recall, a many months pregnant Natalie Portman received the Oscar for Best Actress for “Black Swan.” Her lithesome acceptance speech, without notes, thanked many colleagues she knew had helped her stand there. As both a lifelong moviegoer and a worker on films, my spirit lifted at these words: “There are people on films that no one ever talks about, that are your heart and soul every day, including Joe Reidy, our incredible A.D…” Along with so many others, I was thrilled by her sentiment — and especially pleased for Joe Reidy.
YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE.
So while in the midst of pre-pro for my next feature, I am also prepping to DIRECT a promo for a feature script I’ve been working on for 2 years called House Bound, the story of a girl who saves herself for once. Tonight we have our first rehearsal for the promo and I’ll be shooting it on April 20th.
We’ll be utilizing the promo to help secure investment for the feature film.
It feels so good to direct again.
I’ve had quite the jump recently in new followers, so let me introduce myself.
I’m Michelle, I’m a professional AD living in Austin. I work predominantly as a 1st AD for indie features here in Texas. But I also do shorts, music videos, commercials, industrials, webisodes, and I also work as 2nd, 2nd 2nd, key set or field PA. I’m working to eventually get into the DGA as a 1st. On the side, I am a camera operator for live event/conference/sport/ENG shooting. I also do some producing.
My next project is a feature in May that I’ll be 1sting in Mississippi… so if anyone lives in Mississippi and has some free time in May and would like to PA a couple days here and there, drop me a line.
And YES, I’m available for hire and I do travel, so don’t hesitate to drop me an email if you’re looking for an AD: goingforpicture@gmail.com
This blog is mostly my musings on various things ADs deal with. Sometimes I go off on crazy feminist rants that I won’t apologize for. Sometimes I reblog silly film set stuff. I tend to keep personal stuff off this blog except for the occasional off topic post.
I also like answering your questions, within reason of course. However, questions about what you should charge for rate, how I got into the industry, advice for getting your foot in the door, etc. have already been answered on this blog a few times, so please feel free to check my archive before bumping me a question. I also tend to tag all my posts.
I do have a personal blog, Mothra Smash, that’s mostly weird reblogs, feminist/anarchist/activist propaganda, and my film/TV fandoms which are of the Mad Men, IT Crowd, Paul Thomas Anderson, Sidney Lumet, Martin Scorsese variety. I’m not into Potter/Who/Supernatural/Thrones/Hunger/Vampires/LOTR/comic book superheroes/hipster triangle/lonely girl quotes so you won’t find any of that there, sorry.
I do follow back if your blog has anything related to film production. I don’t follow back if it’s mostly fandom reblogging. I occasionally make an exception. But don’t take it personal if I don’t follow back, I just try to keep my dashboard as film production centric as possible.
So HELLO! It’s good to see all of you.
Dear PAs, 2nds, 2nd 2nds and any other poor schlub forced into doing lockup on set. I present to you a marvelous image tumblr called View From My Lockup.
For those of you who already knew about it, why the fuck haven’t you alerted me to it?!?!
For those who were unaware of its presence in the internets, you’re welcome.
Holy shit.
For the first time in five years, I’m holding auditions for a project that I’m directing.
Yes. Directing. Not ADing. Directing. YESSSSSSSSS. So psyched. Can’t sleep.
Ok, I got inspired.
EDIT:
I’ve been dating a gaffer for the past nearly 8 months. So you know… I totally messaged him this picture.
A Teacher, which is a film I associate produced and 1st AD’d last year has been picked up by Oscilloscope!!! First, Sundance, and then SXSW and now distribution! Congrats to director/producer Hannah Fidell and everyone who helped to put this project together!!!
Assistant Directors don't always yell. Sometimes we write about stuff. Because I'm a workaholic, I sometimes feel the need to document the things I see and the questions that are raised while going through the most insane process of making a director's dreams come true. About me: My name is Michelle. I am a (currently) non-union First Assistant Director working out of Austin, TX. I hope to one day join the DGA and direct my own scripts on the side, but until that time comes... Got questions? Comments? Complaints? A project you want me to AD? (I'm cheap!) Email me at - goingforpicture@gmail.com You can also find me on the good ol' twitter - twitter.com/m0thra
