Quick Reference Directing
List:
Staging and Choreography
Peter D. Marshall
Over the past 20 years, I have read many books
and articles on Film Directing. As I read, I underline or yellow
certain sentences or paragraphs that contain valuable information. I
then take these marked sentences and type them into a Quick Reference
Directing file on my computer where I sort them into specific
categories, print them out and keep them in my binder for quick
reference.
The following list contains just a few of the
"rules and guidelines" that I have accumulated over the years. Click
here to review Quick
Reference Directing List: Visual Concept and Colours
STAGING AND CHOREOGRAPHY - dramatic use of the
camera and cinematic techniques to illuminate the truth
1) Staging Space
- stage across the frame (left to right / right to left)
- in-depth staging (FG to BG / BG to FG)
- circular staging
2) Staging Methods
- zone (organize isolated groups or individuals in the same location)
- man to man (organize according to the movement of the subjects)
3) Staging Techniques
- static camera
- moving camera
- static subjects
- moving subjects
4) Basic Camera Movement
- move for emphasize (camera approaches the actor)
- move to emphasize one subject in a group
- transferring attention from one subject to another
- connecting and introducing movement (from one space or another)
5) Shot Plan (where the camera is placed)
- whose POV is being expressed
- what distance are we from the subject (size of shot)
- what is our relationship to the subject (angle of view)
- are we comparing points-of-view (cutting or moving the camera)
6) Narrative (specific action described in the
script
- narrative logic ( following action of one or more characters)
- eye contact (where an actor looks)
- shot size (closer the size, the greater the intimacy)
7) Dramatic Emphasize (elements which colour
our emotional understanding of scene)
- primary concern is shot size and the placement of the subjects in the
frame
8) Pictoral Considerations
- composition, framing, lighting, lenses
9) The Dramatic Circle of Action
- place the camera in the action
- place the camera outside the action
| If you are a Film or
Television professional and would like to contribute your
expertise with filmmaking articles, tips or special reports, please
email me at: pdm@actioncutprint.com |
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Peter D. Marshall/www.actioncutprint.com
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