FILMMAKING CLASS ASSIGNMENT 003

FILMMAKING CLASS ASSIGNMENT 3:
Breaking an action sequence down into a series of shots, and filming it

For this exercise, plan out and then film a short scene showing your character in action.  Choose one that looks action packed and is visually interesting, but is safe to film.

You do NOT need a high quality camera or camcorder to film this with. It can be filmed with any inexpensive recording device, even a cell phone if that’s what you have handy.

An example might be, a sequence showing your character running into a building, up some stairs, down a hallway, into an elevator, then emerging from the elevator and leaving.

To film this sequence you would want to get a long shot from behind as he/she runs into the building, then a matching lot shot from inside the building,  showing the character running in.

Then you might bet an extreme long shot of the character running up some stairs,  then a medium shot of him or  her emerging from a doorway at the top of the stairs, then a  long shot of him or her running down a hallway, then getting into an elevator.  Then film the elevator doors closing behind him or her.

Then go to another floor of the building, and get a shot of the person coming out of the elevator, looking around worriedly, then leaving.   (Coming out of the elevator could be a medium long shot, and the worried look, a close-up.)

Don’t worry about the lighting for this exercise, just film a variety of shots, including long shots, medium shots and closeups to communicate the action.