Making A Shot List Page 4

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2 to 3 person shots to show volume of
people involved
CU front Bill Clinton on the phone
MS side Bill on the phone- shows more of
location (hotel room)
WS 3 person at table to show team that has
accompanied Bill
The opening credits shots showing all the different campaign posters were probably
gotten as b – roll or extra footage used to fill in gaps. But it plays a major role because it
sets the stage and the mood for what this movie will be about. You can see what kinds of
places we will be visiting, how political campaigns advertise, and the every day people
that are effected.
Because you will only have one camera it will be difficult to try and get the person
talking as well as reaction shots. But remember. You can use editing to make reactions
shots from maybe another conversation fit into different times. The B- roll is key
because you won’t necessarily need to use it chronologically or use the audio from it and
it is explanatory enough that you can use it to intercut with interviews (to keep it visually
entertaining and stimulating). The best thing you can do is try to cover as much ground
as possible. You can never have too much information. And it is always easier to cut
away then try to add on another day.
Again, the distance of the camera can play with your emotions even in unpredictable
documentaries. The filmmakers’ decision to keep a close tight shot on Bill as he is on the
phone, in a baseball hat and t shirt, hits you early on with the intimacy and candidness
you will be experiencing in this documentary. Then it moves to MS to gain some
distance and start to gauge your surroundings… you are in a hotel room.
Then it cuts to a wider shot so that you see he is not alone. There is his team with him
and this leads you to believe that on this campaign, he rarely has alone time. All these
assumptions are derived from subtle camera movements and angles.

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