OVERVIEW:
Greetings! If you're not familiar with my budget filmmaking system I call "Fake Filmmaking" it's a method I've been developing that's much easier than "conventional" filmmaking. The system covers the 3 main components of filmmaking: LIGHTS, CAMERAS & AUDIO, and every bit of it is super easy (in a technical sense). This article is an introduction to the "CAMERAS" part of my system and covers what I call my "3 Simple Shots". (This will be just a brief overview, and I hope to create a more complete tutorial in the future.)
ABOVE: I think I've figured out HOW TO: Always Shoot With 2 Cameras but can my "Fake Filmmaking" method truly cover all conventional filmmaking shots, with only 3 shots?
HOW DOES THIS ALL WORK?
Well, conventional filmmaking uses a long list of shot types that need to be memorized, sometimes requiring storyboards for each one. My "Fake Filmmaking" system only uses 3 SHOTS to capture everything, but in a more flexible (and realistic) way. I Always Shoot with 2 Cameras so I'm always capturing at least 2 shots of everything (WIDE & TIGHT). Then, my third shot ("TELE.") adds flavor to the sequence using close-ups and/or macro. It saves you from having to shoot things over and over (like you must do when only using a single camera). This method shifts your focus from just thinking about a single shot, to being "in the right place, at the right time" as the story unfolds. I think this system can be a lot faster, and it's more "reality-based" (which I prefer).
The "3 Simple Shots"
*The three numbers in each shot represent the lens focal length for each sensor size. The 3 sensor sizes I cover within my system include: Micro Four Thirds (2x crop) Super 35/APS-C (1.5x/1.6x Crop) and full frame (1x no crop). Each lens focal length is shown in millimeters.
SHOT 1 "WIDE"
FOR "ESTABLISHING", "EXTREME LONG", "LONG", "FULL" SHOTS
The "WIDE" shot is usually the "establishing" shot used for almost every scene. I always like to have at least 2 cameras rolling to avoid "jump cuts" while editing, and the "WIDE" shot is often the #1 shot I compose while using this method. It's also one of the two classic shots in "talking head" interviews.
ABOVE: Wide "establishing" shots are an essential part of REAL storytelling, so I think it's worth having a dedicated camera (to make capturing these a lot quicker...no lens changes).
SHOT 2 "TIGHT"
USE THIS FOR "MEDIUM", "CLOSE-UP" SHOTS
While the "WIDE" shot provides a sense of place, the "TIGHT" shot emphasizes details of a scene, especially the expressions of a subject's face. This is not only often used as the #2 shot of the classic 2-shot interview/talking head scene, but it is also one of the most basic filmmaking shots in general. It uses a "standard" focal length lens (of ~25 to 35mm on 2x, ~35 to 50mm on 1.5/1.6x, and 70 or 85mm on full frame) and is very familiar to most audiences, and it does not optically distort the image.
ABOVE: I like using a lens slightly over the "normal" focal length (based on the sensor size) for scenic shots sometimes, as it renders things more accurately (no wide angle distortion).
SHOT 3 "TELE" (ADVANCED)
FOR "MEDIUM", "CLOSE-UP", "EXTREME CLOSE-UP" SHOTS
First of all, this requires a 2nd tripod, whereas the 1st two shots utilize one of my "dual-camera rigs". I call this a "TELE" shot because (when used at a normal 6.6 feet / 2 meter camera-to-subject distance of a "talking head" scene) it can be used to capture "EXTREME CLOSE-UP" shots of a person's face or eyes. However, this only applies if the telephoto lens has macro capabilities (such as with many 1990s vintage 70/75-300 lenses). I also list this extra shot as an option, because you can tell the story without it, but these shots can really help add interest.
ABOVE: Extreme close-up shots can also be taken with a medium focal length lens (85mm or so) if the close focusing is good enough (usually you'll need a MACRO lens).
CONCLUSION:
While I do plan on going into more detail regarding these 3 shots in the future (beyond the application of talking head scenes) I've been pretty happy with how these 3 shots have gotten me through most scenes. Keep in mind that my method isn't meant to limit your options but is rather a way for entry-level filmmakers to start creating as quickly as possible. They may want to progress to the more complicated and conventional filmmaking methods as they expand their skills, but my goal for this system is make it really, really easy and that's why I call it "Fake Filmmaking".
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