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video Focal Length and Editing

sfoster

Staff Member
Moderator
I'm looking for examples of editing that are related to focal length.

Like a movie where a shot/reverse shot setup uses dramatically different focal lengths, 20mm and 135mm.
something like that and it flips back and forth quickly between the focal lengths for each character

or another example.
sergio leone is known for extreme wides and extreme close ups... does anyone know if he had a consistent focal length for those?
were the close ups shot with a wide angel lens and he moved the camera really close to their faces, or did he switch to telephoto for the close ups?

Say anything at all that comes to mind when you hear editing and focal length together
 
A wide angle lens close to the actor's face will show the background in sharp focus. A closeup of a face with a telephoto lens will have the background out-of-focus.

Lets say we have a close up with deep focus and a reverse shot with bokeh. How would that make the audience feel?
Where has it been done?

Check out this example of editing and focal length

The 30-degree rule is a basic film editing guideline that states the camera should move at least 30 degrees relative to the subject between successive shots of the same subject. If the camera moves less than 30 degrees, the transition between shots can look like a jump cut—which could jar the audience and take them out of the story. The audience might focus on the film technique rather than the narrative itself.[1]

The 30 degree change of angle makes two successive shots different enough to not look like a jump cut. However, camera movement should stay on one side of the subject to follow the 180-degree rule. Also, when thinking about the 30 degree rule, it is important to change the focal length of the lens at least 20 mm with each move you make on the axis. The 30 degree rule is often called the "20 mm/30 degree rule" for this reason
 
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