Composition Basics (Page 3 of 3) in pdf

Documentaries and demos rely heavily on sequencing shots to clearly present an idea or information. These scenes

are broken into individual shots that advance the story.

Think of each shot as a sentence in a paragraph. Just like writing, where there is syntax and grammar, shooting a

sequence has visual syntax. And just like writing where the order of sentences will have a significant impact on the

coherency of your story, the order and structure of your shots will have a significant impact on the coherency of

your story.

Shooting a sequence leverages all of the shot varieties listed above. The close-up, the wide shot, the establishing

shot, the reaction shot, and the POV (Point of View) shot are all staples of a sequence.

Camera Movement

Camera movement plays a considerable role in the emotional language of a story. It can be used to follow or reveal

an action.

A well choreographed shot leveraging thoughtful camera movement can eliminate the need to edit your story. This

choreography can be difficult to achieve as there are often competing variables contributing to sabotage the effort.

But when a well conceived shot is successful the fluidity of the camera can draw the viewer into the story or

information.

In addition to practical concerns like tripping over cables, unplugging lights, forgotten lines or bumping into

objects, one of the biggest pitfalls to using a continuous shot is the dead spot. Often when moving from character

to character, or moving a large distance, there is a moment in the video when nothing happens. The camera may

have nothing in the frame, the presenters may be waiting for a cue, or people may forget a line. The consequence

of this inaction drains the energy from your video.

If you choose to create a scene with a continuous shot it is recommended that you allot the time to rehearse it

thoroughly.



Pan: Horizontal shift in viewpoint from a fixed position; like turning your head side-to-side. Horizontal

movement can suggest travel or momentum. Movement from left-to-right across the screen is more

common for western cultures.



Tilting: Vertical shift in viewpoint from a fixed position; like tipping your head back to look at the sky or

down to look at the ground. Vertical camera movement can suggest growth and freedom from traditional

bounds. Tilting down can suggest danger or overwhelming power.



Zoom: It is a single shot taken with a lens that has a variable focal length, moving from a wide-angle shot

to a telephoto shot in one continuous movement.



Dolly: Placing the camera on a moving platform to move it closer or farther from the subject.



Tracking/Trucking: Placing the camera on a moving platform to move it to the left or right.



Crane: Moving the camera in a vertical position; being able to lift it off the ground as well as swing it

side-to-side from a fixed base position.

Composition Basics Page 3