How to Film A Cinematic Documentary Sequence
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- #filmmaking #documentary #tips
Just like in Hollywood, the best documentary filmmakers shoot in scenes. But what does that mean exactly? In this video I’ll go over how I cover scenes and some simple steps you can take to improve the quality of your own coverage.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro.
1:14 - What is a scene
2:24 - How to Plan your Documentaries
4:38 - How to Actually Cover a Scene
7:48 - Always Imagine how to get in and out of a scene
8:29 - Secret Tool for Filmmakers
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How do you think about filming scenes? Are there any parts of filming in sequences that you're struggling with? Let me know!
I have to do a lot of interviews in smaller places that often don't have great lighting or space and aren't great for large set ups. Any advice for filming scenes when you're not in a set environment?
I think for me it would help to see more what you are talking about, when stuff works and when it doesnt. So more actual examples while editing. But thats just personal.
I will say I think it's incredibly important that people get as far away from manipulating documentary scenes as possible because it is a very slippery slope and so many are already stuck in that landslide to the point where it's hard to trust one now..but this was a really great video on the shot sequences and I really appreciate the way you taught it. Thank you Sir!
Luke, great info and presentation. The comments about the importance of audio is spot-on.
I love the slower paced delivery. It really helps me to absorb the info. And the b-roll examples. I love that you pull from your archive and from other films. Really helps demonstrate the ideas.
Yeah I second this!
Thanks, that's good to know - will try and keep it more like this moving forward!
noted!
Came here to say that I'm a huge fan of your channel. There's hardly any fluff and it's full of real world experience. Your practical approach to capturing the right moments, not overthinking gear, and using what is available to you is refreshing in a sea of gear-focused UA-cam content.
On my channel, while I usually say what gear I'm using, it's only as a matter of fact rather than "this is what you need to do what I do."
Thanks for the regular work.
Thanks Aaron, appreciate that. Glad you're finding something useful here, and let me know if there's anything more you want to see!
this is it! the best video on doc filmmaking for beginner/intermediate level. You have now officially taken the place of Mark Bones as my fav. UA-camr XD. Would love to watch a more detailed video on constructing scenes and how to "show don't tell"
Glad you liked it, and more to come!
Thank you Luc. For sure one best videos on sequencing on UA-cam.
wide, medium, tight. shoot with the edit in mind (classic tip) focusing on details all useful info.
Glad to hear it John, thanks!
This video was incredibly useful. I'm currently in school for Digital Cinematography and for this month's class, History of Motion Arts, I'm creating a 3-4 minute "documentary" for my final project. I've been trying to create everything cinematically, but with little learning so far on the subject in school, UA-cam has been my primary source of information. Thank you for putting this together! I will definitely remember. Wide. Medium. Tight. Thinking in scenes is going to be helpful in the future!
Great! Thanks for posting this, I can see some of the mistakes I've been making and following the advice here will help my efforts get better. Nice one!
Great, glad it helped!
Great, this kind of video is really helpful, both for getting new insight and being reminded of some simple but important concepts.
Great, that's what I was going for!
Been enjoying your content so much recently that I let out an audible “woo!” When I opened UA-cam to see you posted lol
Thanks so much for all the info, I’ve been trying to incorporate what I learn from each video every time I go on another shoot and feel like I’ve improved even faster because of it.
That's really nice to hear, I love that you're seeing real differences - because that's really the only reason I'm making all these!
I wish more of the examples were from documentaries, and not from fiction films like Nomadland. In doc shooting, you don't really have the luxury of stopping scenes, reshooting actions from different angles.
Great video as always Luc! But can you please ask your editor to drop the frequencies of the background music that interfere with your voice? It’s really distracting..
Feedback is always cool, I'm here to say I'm happy you have an editor now.
Thanks for the feedback, I’ll pass that along!
Thanks, Me too!
Luc, iam super happy i found your channel man! I really apreciate yor content :)
Thanks, I'm super happy you're here!
More great advice, Luc! Wide medium and tight is something I also remind myself all the time as I am shooting. I am guilty of following the ball in a medium shot if something is going on, or shooting too wide sometimes. Always a work in progress.
100% true for us all, all the time!
Always sharing golden tips. Thanks as always Luc!
You're very welcome, glad to hear they're helping!
Finally a nice bright key! You were looking a little Fintchy with the mood lighting 😂
Hahah, thanks!
Awesome!
Did apply some of your advices from other videos. It's working. Thank you 😊
You're welcome!
Great video, love when you're talking technique and strategy. There are a million gear channels out there already, these are the types of videos that make your channel stand out for me.
Thanks Daniel, appreciate that a lot!
So good. Thank you, sincerely.
Thanks Erik, appreciate that
Always excellent Luc!
Thank you kindly!
This video is exactly your brand, thank you for another great video.
Thank you, appreciate that!
@@LucForsyth I came because you share actual working knowledge to be put to use, some of the later stuff felt meh. Did you just get an editor btw? Much more UA-cam-y, not spec a bad thing
I really like your videos. Inspiring and informative. 👍🌟📺
Very nice to hear, thanks David!
Luc never misses! Great video again
haha, thanks!
very informative10mins, good examples, camera technique, very engaging.
Thank you!
Been really struggling with getting cinematic verite scenes because I'm just so focused on not missing the action. This was really helpful. Been thinking more and more about getting proper coverage and this answered a lot of my questions.
Glad to hear it Sarah! Hope all is well in London - I grew up in Stratford, so close to home!
@@LucForsyth that's so cool!!! Had no idea!
Great reminders to get wide, medium and tight shots and to plan scenes in advance. Getting better at planning ahead of time but for some reason I struggle to always remember to get those tight shots. Any tips for remembering as a solo shooter? Another great video. Thanks Luc!
Basically just keep saying it to yourself over and over again like an insane person!
@@LucForsyth ha ha, that makes sense. I'll definitely try that. Thanks!
Thank you Luc for this truly helpful and practical video - great to hear your thoughts on this subject. I would like to share a few resources that helped me - for everyone searching more on this subject: BBC Michael Rosenblum’s “five shot” method. Wolfcrow: 15 essential camera shots - UA-cam video. Cameraperson [2016] - Kirsten Johnson - how she covers scenes.
I recall how I wished after making my first documentary - that I had known proper way to cover - use the tools of shot sizes, angles, movement to tell a better story. I always try to remind myself - about answering 5Ws -where are we, when - what time of day = Wide shot, Who is subject, what is doing= medium, How they feel /Why they do it - reactions & emotions = Close ups.
These are great suggestions - I'm going ot check out some of them myself. Thanks for sharing!
I think that cap means a lot to you. Also nice new look! Seems like you've been struggling with the teleprompter.😜
hahaha! Finally someone says something about the hat! It's getting pretty dirty now and I kind of just want to see how long I can keep it going...
What do you mean about the teleprompter if you don't mind? Always trying to improve them, so feedback is helpful
@@LucForsyth The tool that reflects your dialogue in front of the lens so you can read the script while looking directly at the lens:). Your channel is gonna explode one day because your content is tied to the reality of filmmaking. Warm greetings!👏
Great Video Luc! a couple of quick questions - Do you get releases signed from the whole group? If you are looking for emotional moments, would you say to that group of tree planters, hey I need some footage of someone on the phone to their parents, anyone willing? Or would you just start shooting when you see someone on the phone? Any issues with filming people while drinking? Thanks!
I always try for releases if people are featuring prominently. If you can't it's not always a disaster, but definitely preferable. And for the second question - both! If I find something spontaneously I'll shoot it, but I definitely asked a few people to call home just for the camera. Some said yes, some no.
I tried to represent the party, but always err on the side of kindness. Don't want to ruin a young person's image just for my shots. My strategy is to be honest, but kind.
Great content Luc! I like the way you structure and share your knowledge. Thank you for your work! Like & Sub. Waiting for new videos on your channel 👍
Appreciate that! Got some good ones coming, so stay tuned!
thanks for the interesting video! id prefer much quieter background music, it was quite distracting
Thanks for the feedback, will pass that on to the editor
Something that would be helpful to hear your input on for me would be when to make the transition from one shot to another while filming something like a conversation. If you are filming something completely by yourself with one camera, do you ever ask your subjects to pause in the middle of conversation so that you can reframe, whether that means turning the camera to the other person talking or just switching from a medium to a wide? Or do you just do your best to make those transitions during pauses and if you wind up transitioning while someone is saying something important you cut to b-roll to hide your transition? Any other tricks I don't know about. Thanks!
Hey Morgan, I personally try to not ask people to stop talking if at all possible. I often will just switch back and forth between shots as the speakers change, though in a fast moving conversation this can be tough. This is where having a clean audio track is key to hide the cuts and repositions. Shoot non-sync wide shots after the conversation is over that you can cut to, and also look for details (hands, or even objects in the scene). Also make sure to get reaction shots of the other person listening, which you can also often shoot after the conversation is over. Assuming you've got the audio, all these shots will hide the transitions. Hope that helps!
@@LucForsyth Yes, that is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!
@@LucForsyth Thanks for the additional color here. To me, you've hit on the primary challenge of solo scene-shooting. How do you get the appropriate emotion with your tight reaction shots if the primary conversation has ended, allowing you to switch focal lengths or even lenses. Do you bounce between focal lengths *during* the central conversation? Or do you allow for some portion of the conversation to play out and then switch into tight mode for the rest? This seems like an intuition one must develop from many hours of trial and error. That said, I'd be happier if you saved me 50 or so of those hours. ;)
I feel like I just robbed you of knowledge giving so little for so much, so I like to see it as if I could offer you a coffee to thank you 😄
Hey, thanks! That's really generous - I'm heading to the coffee shop right now, so great timing! Glad your'e getting some value here as well, hope to keep it going!
Do you offer a course for aspiring filmmakers?
Not yet, but something is coming in 2023 💯
whoa, #spoileralert on that Star War movie!!
haha, my bad!
what's with your hands? are you conducting an orchestra playing behind the camera? or is your karate sparring partner hiding behind the camera?
I really found this video helpful in learning the kinds of shots to get. ua-cam.com/video/xbg9OsbJCqs/v-deo.html
thanks Alex!