Just to clarify, Director, that there is only one camera used when you do this. (You move the camera after person 1 is shot and move to person 2) But when you move the camera and shoot the exact same scene (only on the 2nd person) what if person 1 and 2 say their lines slightly different than the first camera take. How would that work? I dont know if my question makes any sense..
Yes. One camera is used.
Actors will often deliver lines differently. You have a number of choices
when this happens. You can do another take and make sure the actor
says the line as written or when you are in editing you can decide which
line reading to use.
BTW, what editing programs do you use? For making short films, I am planning on using a Canon HG20 and Final cut express 4.
Both are fine for making movies. I've used the HG20 - it's a terrific camera -
and I've been a Final Cut user since it was first introduced. Express is excellent!
Here's a breakdown of how shooting a scene works:
Scene 22 is Bob and Mary sitting at a table - it’s three pages long. You will set
up the “Master Shot” - both people at the table, camera getting a head to
foot shot of both of them. On your slate you will write “Scene 22 - Take 1”
Scene 22 - This will be the entire scene from one angle. You do as many takes
as you feel you need. Again, shooting all three pages of dialogue.
Then you will move the camera to get Bob’s side of the table. Adjust the lights
and set up the dolly track. Again, you will shoot all three pages of the dialogue,
then you will “punch in” to get inserts and other coverage you might need. These
set-up requite only minor adjusting of the lights as you get closer.
Scene 22A - A slow dolly push in on Bob - from a full shot into a close up.
Scene 22B - Close up of Bob.
Scene 22C - Over Mary’s shoulder on Bob.
Scene 22D - an insert shot of Bob lighting a cigarette.
Scene 22E - a close up on Bob’s hand putting the cigarette in the ash tray.
Scene 22F - a close up of Bob taking the contract, looking at it and signing it (from
Mary’s point of view)
Now you do the same thing - this time from the other side of the table. This is a
major lighting and equipment change - moving the dolly and track, all the lights
and the crew.
Scene 22G - A slow dolly push in on Mary - from a full shot into a close up.
Scene 22H - Over Bob’s shoulder on Mary.
Scene 22J - Close up of Mary.
Scene 22K - an insert shot of Mary putting the contract on the table.
Scene 22L - a close up on Mary’s hand snuffing out the cigarette in the ash tray.
Scene 22M - a close up shot of Mary putting the contract on the table, putting a
pen on the contract and pushing it to the middle of the table.
Scene 22P - a close up of Bob taking the contract, looking at it and signing it (from
Bob’s point of view)
Another major lighting change. You want to do a dramatic, overhead shot of part
of the scene. You know you won’t be using much of this in the final scene so no
need to shoot the entire three pages.
Scene 22 R - start when Mary puts the contract on the table.
Scene 22 S - zoom in to get only the contract - follow all the business with the
contract.
Scene 22 T - while the camera is up there might as well get a shot of the two actors
sitting down at the table and then leaving the table. Who knows? You might want
to use it.
You continue this until you get all the coverage you need.
You will record sound for all the takes, too so you will have different audio takes
to choose from. You'd be surprised - many times I have used the audio of "Mary"
from 22J-take4 on her shot from 22H-take2 and it syncs up perfectly.
