Skill-Builder 1.2: Reading Scene – Review of Shoot
Review Session:
After completing the shooting exercise, gather online or in-person to screen and discuss each group member’s footage, one at a time.
Guidelines:
If the group member’s footage exceeds 3-4 minutes, select a section of the footage to watch fully and skim through the rest, focusing on how well the person has captured a variety of Shot Types.
Provide feedback on the following:
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- Storytelling: How effectively do the Shot Types convey the complete story of the activity?
- Shot length: Has the cameraperson held each Shot for a minimum of seven seconds, or long enough for it to tell its story?
- Stability: Are the Shots steady, not shaky? Was a tripod used effectively? If a tripod was not used, did the cameraperson use proper technique to keep the Shots steady?
- Distractions: Are there any aspects of the camerawork that calls attention to itself and distracts you from the subject’s activity?
- Naturalness: Does the subject appear natural in their activity, or do they seem directed, self-conscious, hesitant or otherwise aware of the camera?
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Keep the discussion focused on the goals of this exercise and avoid issues that have not yet been covered in the presentation modules.
Review Sessions Setup and Feedback Guide
In-Person Review Session Setup:
– Ideally, use a projector or large screen connected to a single computer to display each person’s work.
– If the exercise includes sound, connect speakers to the computer’s audio output.
– Each group member should bring their footage, exported Sequence, or written document on an external drive compatible with the main computer.
– For efficient playback, use video software like VLC.
– If reviewing footage, avoid playing individual clips one at a time. Instead, compile all clips in the order they were shot into a Sequence using editing software such as Adobe Premiere.
– This compiled Sequence can either be played directly in the editing software or exported and played via VLC.
Online Review Session Setup:
– Option 1: If all group members are joining by computer, each person can share their screen to present a written document, footage, or Sequence—either played from a video player like VLC or directly from editing software.
– Option 2: If some group members are joining by phone instead of by computer, they should upload their written document, footage or Sequence to a file-sharing platform (like Google Drive) before the session. A designated group member can then share their screen during the meeting to present the submitted work, either from a browser or downloaded files.
Healthy Approaches to Feedback:
Giving Feedback:
The filmmaker needs your fresh perspective on their work. Focus your feedback on what you see, learn, and feel. Be specific. If something isn’t clear, tell them what you are curious or uncertain about rather than suggesting fixes.
For example, instead of saying:
– “You should have gotten a Close Up (CU) of the book in his hands,” it is more helpful to say, “I don’t fully understand what he’s reading. How could you have communicated that to me?”
Instead of:
– “The duration of the Shots are too short throughout this section of the edit,” say “I’m feeling frustrated in this section of the edit because I don’t feel like I get to experience what is going on. How can you help me feel more engaged with the story here?”
Rather than:
– “Cut this Scene from your Treatment because it repeats what we experience in an earlier Scene,” say “The fourth Scene feels to me like a repeat of the second Scene. Why are you including the fourth Scene? What does it add to the story?”
As you give feedback, remember that some of our most valuable learning comes from watching and discussing other people’s work. You can often learn as much, if not more, about how to improve your own work from the feedback you give others about their work.
Receiving Feedback:
Feedback helps you understand how others experience your work – mirroring the likely response of your future audience. Their fresh perspectives are one of the most effective ways to learn how to improve the impact of your work.
When presenting your work, let it speak for itself without preemptive explanations or excuses. Similarly, after receiving feedback, resist the urge to explain or defend your choices. Instead, focus on listening, taking notes, and asking questions to make sure you fully understand the feedback.