Do you think or do you feel?

P

Phil_UK

I read an article which was concerning photography, but it's the same in film i guess.

Be honest, do you guys think when framing shots (Like Rule Of thirds, headroom, and so on) or do you just feel what's right and looks natural?

Also, when you change to a different shot, do you notice that you crossed the 180 because it doesn't look natural or do you have to remind yourself before you frame?

To be honest, I looked up dozens of pages when i started filming, but i always frame how i think it looks most natural for me and creates the feel I am going for!

What are your experiences?

Phil
 
For single shots, feel can work great. For a sequence of shots that have to flow together, a lot of thought needs to go into it too.

I think most of us start with "feel". That's the raw talent part, the stuff you're born with. As you improve, learn and practice technique, you can think about "why does this shot feel right, and if I move it 3 cm over is it better?"

The difference between pro and amatuer is the attention to detail and the understanding of the "rules" and which ones you're following or breaking and why.
 
The thinking is involved when you are learning and planning. Feeling is involved when you are being creative. As with most artistic pursuits you should learn the "rules" to the point where they are almost instinctual, then use or discard them as needed when you move on to the creative phase. The execution of your ideas will be filtered through your techniques.

The point is not to have to think when you are creating, but to react to your creative impulses. You already should know what options your equipment gives you, and should have learned the techniques with which you can use them to achieve the desired artistic results.
 
At this stage, maybe it'll change later, it's a bit of both for me. I like to plan everything. It helps me be aware of the 180 degree issues before hand. When it comes to framing, I like the way I like things. I know a little about the rule of thirds, whatever I've seen on youtube, but that's about it. In general, I'll either have my own idea or I'll be trying to recreate something I've seen somewhere and then I work towards that goal. I'm not sure it's 'feel' for me when it comes to shooting. It's more planning. When it comes to how I tell the story, in terms of what happens when, that's more 'feel,' kind of how I want to tell it.
 
It needs to be a combination for a filmmaker, especially as one searches for new ways of excellance.

For the viewers and audience, if they don't feel something after watching your film it could have been better.
 
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When in doubt, go with the rules.

Of all the errors in my feature film, two very, very, small 180 degree violations bother me the most. The other stuff I can live with, but those two, I cringe every time I see them.
 
Well, the "rules" that I tend to follow (almost all the time) are so simple that I really don't need to think about them. So, I am thinking, but I don't exactly rack my brain over it. So, I do both, but it's mostly "feel", with a solid foundation of "think". :)

I'm a little bit of a 180-rule Nazi. All of my shots are planned in advance, and the camera locations are chosen so as to always follow that rule. I use a crudely-drawn areal map to place all of my shots, and that makes following the 180-rule pretty easy.
 
Cracker Funk said:
I'm a little bit of a 180-rule Nazi. All of my shots are planned in advance, and the camera locations are chosen so as to always follow that rule. I use a crudely-drawn areal map to place all of my shots, and that makes following the 180-rule pretty easy.
Click to expand...

Haha, we do the same thing. Primitive, but extreme useful! Cinematographer has started placing light locations on the drawings too.
 
Begin with artistic gut instinct.
Physical location restrictions are subordinate.
Then apply math constrictions, for both framing and camera aperture/ISO/shutter speed, when possible.
Assess: pass/fail, then shoot accordingly.
 
Oooo, I like Dready's and Cracker's answers.

I'm not a filmmaker yet, if ever, so I can only speak as someone who's engaged in other things like photography, drawing, painting, writing, etc.

If I ever make a film, I'll be pretty keen to follow the 180° rule. That one's important to me.

When it comes to writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling etc are important. But I'm not a Nazi about them either. Feeling has to be a large part of it, or else the product is likely to be lifeless. Lately, I'm taking an interest in how words and word combinations etc look visually, as in also being visual art, a visual experience. I guess I'm thinking mostly of poetry there. Anyway.

The Golden Ratio, or the Fibonacci Spiral, or whatever it is? I can hardly wrap my brain around that. Forgetaboutit. Maybe I just haven't applied myself to getting it.

But the Rule of Thirds, that one I get. I'm usually conscious of it when I'm framing a photo etc. I do believe that it's a good and a very simple guideline to choosing compositions that are pleasing to the human eye and brain.

But, like Obi-wan said to Luke, “This time let go your conscious self and act on instinct. . . . Stretch out with your feelings.”

But, with filmmaking, or whatever, I'm sure that that should not mean not taking an honest and rational look at the results, and then making an honest and rational assessment of how successful or unsuccessful your following-your-feelings turned out.

Experiment. Live...and learn.
 
According to my mom I don't think and according to my wife i don't feel....

When planing a shot or sequence of shots I try to think about how each shot and sequence come together. Then once shooting will make adjustments if it feels off.
 
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