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The Shot
Shots are the smallest unit
of dramatic action in the movie and serve as building blocks for scenes.
Each shot must have a purpose in the scene, otherwise it should not be
used. Once the shot's purpose is achieved, it is time to cut to the
next shot.
A
shot must be as short as possible while still achieving its purpose. If
it is too long, the audience will be bored; if it is too short, they
will be frustrated.
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A
shot must be as short as possible while still achieving its
purpose. |
Several factors contribute
to determining proper shot length:
Audience Expectation -
In most cases the editor cuts
to a new shot simply because the audience expects it. The
audience may need to get closer, further away or angled differently
to see the action. Audience expectation works on a subliminal level.
Still, if the expectation is not met they will feel it and react
negatively.
For example, if a
character is injured in wide shot, the audience will want to see a
close-up in order to clarify what happened. If the first shot drags
on too long, it will frustrate the audience and possibly impede
their understanding the action. Running a shot too long is common
error with novice filmmakers.
Comprehension -
Shots require various viewing times for the audience to comprehend
them. Simple compositions, static subjects, and shots similar to
their predecessor need minimal screen time for comprehension. On the
other hand, complicated compositions, moving subjects, and shots
vastly different than their predecessor need more screen time.
Despite this, the speed with an audience can absorb the meaning and
purpose of a shot should not be underestimated.
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Don't
underestimate how quickly the audience can absorb the meaning
of a shot. |
Action Requirements
- Some shots contain an
action that must be completed before cutting to the next shot. If
the action is too long to hold audience interest, you should
compress it using the techniques discussed later in the course.
Editor Imposed -
In the above situations, the editor determines shot length based on
audience needs. Occasionally, the editor will impose a cut to create
a response in the audience. This can be to: create emphasis,
maintain rhythm, jar the audience, or make a symbolic point.
The Scene
Just as shots are the building blocks for
scenes, so are scenes the building blocks for the overall movie. Each scene
must move the story forward in a significant way. Ideally, it should unfold
like a story in miniature, with a beginning, middle and an end. Obviously,
this will not be the case all the time, particularly with transitional scenes.
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Scenes should unfold like a miniature story, with a
beginning, middle and end. |
When constructing a scene, it is essential
to consider how it fits into the overall story. Specifically, you should
consider the:
You are not limited to a single time period
or location when constructing scenes, rather, you can choose from three
designs: continuous action, parallel action and montage. Each design is
characterized by a progressive loosening of the time/space continuum.
This material
was adapted from
Film School
Online! Filmmaking Website
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