Studio Workshop - Camera Lesson 2

Our second studio lesson consisted of learning about what is a sequence, what is the 180 degree rule, as well as the appropriate use of the two when shooting a media piece. Throughout the lesson we were given the opportunity to shoot a sequence in a group whilst applying the 180-degree rule to it. In addition to the following we were assisted by a member of staff present in the studio that corrected us or gave us suggestions whilst we were shooting our sequence 

A sequence is a series of shots usually connected by either the unity of location or unity of time.  Shooting a sequence allows the director to create a more stimulating and realistic mediation of what it is that he/she is filming. Furthermore a sequence allows the audience to easily track what is happening within the media piece in a manner that is continuous and does not confuse. During the studio lesson we shot a sequence of an actor coming up to a table, picking up a toy motorcycle, looking at it, putting it down, and finally leaving. As a team we portrayed the following event through the use of close ups, mid shots and long shots. Each time we shot from a different angle/viewpoint we shot the entire sequence, which allowed our team to clip together our sequence in various ways during the editing process, as well as have extra material that we can use in case any of the cuts do not work. I think this task allowed me to grasp an idea of what it means to shoot a scene in a manner that portrays it as continuous after the editing process. Although that is not the way in which that particular scene is shot during the filming process.

The 180-degree disallows the director from filming a subject from an angle that crosses an imaginary 180-degree line beyond which the subjects present within the frame appear to change sides. Another result of the 180-degree rule being broken is a subject being filmed will appear to move in the opposite direction when displayed on the screen from a shot that crosses the 180-degree line. Although there are occasions during which directors break the 180-degree rule to purposefully confuse the audience. Whilst shooting our sequence our team made sure to correspond to the 180-degree rule, which allowed us to learn how to avoid breaking it and how it can be unintentionally broken while filming if the crew is not carful enough to notice it, keep it in mind.

In conclusion sequences and the 180-degree rule are both principal aspects of filming media pieces, which is what I together with my group was able to grasp throughout the second lesson in the studio.