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How to use visual language for documentary filming. The Long Shot.

2/1/2021

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Production Workshop #14: THE LONG SHOT
Every time you think about your documentary, you need to also think about the shots and the types of shot you need; and why you need them. Over the next few weeks I will go into detail over the shots which will give some nuance, energy and dynamism to your work.


When thinking about cameras when unsure, the advise below is paramount:

"The intimacy and rapport you develop with your subject is more important at this point than mastering technical craft. Consider shooting your first video with a smartphone or an easy-to-use consumer camcorder to keep things simple. If you already own a video camera that is capable of shooting high definition video, use that. When you’re starting out, the best camera is the one you have.” David Tamés

PicturePhoto by Quang Nguyen Vinh from Pexels








Cinematic Language: THE LONG SHOT

A long shot
shows the entire subject from head to toe and shows the subject in relation to the surroundings.

It is often taken at a distance so that we can get a real feel for the place. It is sometimes called a “Full Shot.” Or a “Wide Shot.”

  
WHY DO WE USE THE LONG SHOT?
  • Establish setting
  • Tone of film. The feeling of film
  • To show relation between subject and space
It is not about the lens you use, as you can get a long shot with almost any lens, it is about the artistic decisions you will make for your documentary.

"At the end of the viewing experience, most stories are judged on their emotional satisfaction, of which well applied visual language is always a powerful tool. It is possible to tell an effective story without it, but always more satisfying when present."

Patrick Gregston,
Board of Editors Guild.

PictureAuthor: Asheeshmamgain CC Attribution 2.0 Generic license






Photo:(CC license)
In the photo above, the subjects are the cars.
  • Watch as many documentaries as you can
  • Be curious
  • Try and see how directors create their camera shots.
  • What makes the documentary exciting?


Picture
AUTHOR: Charles Nadeau: CC Attribution 2.0 Generic license
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The Sea Hut. Jeanne Pope
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The Cars. Hu Chen
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Spider Vine. Jeanne Pope
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Violette's Playground. Photo: Jeanne Pope
This long shot of my granddaughter shows her in the environment, and is placed in relation to the space around her.


REMEMBER

Make a film schedule. This way you know where to go, when to go, and you can prepare the sort of footage you want to get.

Even in lockdown we can continue to work.

Experiment and have fun


Consider different elements you will or could use:
  • Will you use voice-over?
  • Sit down interviews?
  • Interviews on the go?
  • Found footage?
  • Drone?
  • Music?
  • Photographs - stills?
  • Animation?
  • Graphics?




iphoneProMax 11
FLIMIC PRO APP
Review on iphone shooting
It might be worth thinking about using a cell phone to shoot with.

Picture
Frédéric Paulussen @fredography for Unsplash
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    Jeanne Pope

    Filmmaker, teacher, traveler and storyteller

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    Links to the Workshops

    Pre-production
    1. How to find your documentary idea
    ​2. How to find your documentary approach
    3. Understanding the documentary genre
    4. Creating hybrid documentaries
    5. Understanding narrative storytelling
    ​6. How to film an unscripted documentary
    7. Tips and techniques for interviewing
    8.Why you need a release form
    9. How to use free public domain archives 
    10. Why write a documentary synopsis?
    11. Find funding for your documentary film 
    12. What documentary film equipment do you need? 
    Production
    13. Seven camera shots and techniques
    14. The Long Shot
    15. The Long Take
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CONTACT ME

    Looking forward to hearing from you

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"Jeannette helped me find a path and create energy with my material which I first found so difficult to handle. With her help to become interesting and wonderful. She is interesting in class, lively in class, often in communication with students, very popular with students. Jeannette is a very conscientious documentary teacher." TianHui Li,  award winning filmmaker, Beijing Film Academy graduate, Concordia University

"Jeannette taught me the tools I needed, never having made a documentary before. She gave so much time, patience to show me, guide me and share her creativity and skills with me."  Zou Qialing, Master's student, Beijing Film Academy
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