When filmmakers used film cameras to make movies, rolling a camera take would consume film constantly, which would cost money and get expensive. In the modern era, with digital cinematography, cameras record to SSD cards, eliminating the cost of recording. So directors can continuously roll camera without cutting and do rolling takes to keep cast and crew in the zone.
- Film directors yelling, "Action!" and "Cut!"…are almost as iconic as cinema itself.…We'll talk in detail about the workflow of calling shots…in the next training series about working on set,…but here I wanna talk about a new exception…to this gold standard.…In times past the cost of film was one of the things…that made filmmaking so out of reach…for most independent filmmakers.…Every second that cameras recorded used up film,…which costs money,…so filmmakers with smaller budgets were usually really…judicious with takes because they had to be, financially.…
But now in the days of video,…recording video doesn't really cost anything.…You can do take after take while the cameras keep recording…instead of calling, "Cut!".…Here's what that looked like on The Assurance.…Back to one, back to one, back to one!…Keep rolling, keep rolling!…- [Young Girl] Hello!…- Okay, do that again, keep rolling,…and then go back to one.…Notice that I often my notes by yelling, "Still rolling",…so that camera and audio didn't stop recording…
Author
Chad Perkins
Released
8/18/2016Watch and learn how to shoot a script, using visual motifs, atmospherics, framing, and different types of shots to tell the film's story. Find out how to give direction to your crew and be a good leader, while staying on budget and on schedule. Plus, get tips to improve shots during retakes or in post, and to become a better director, storyteller, and communicator.
Note: Like the rest of the Creating a Short Film series, this course was shot during the production of The Assurance. It offers a unique window into the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Find the rest of the courses in the series on Chad's author page.
- What a director does
- Interpreting the script
- Scouting locations
- Choosing the tone and theme of the film
- Using motifs
- Shaping the story through visuals
- Being a good leader on set
- Respecting budgets and schedules
- Planning shots
- Moving the camera: on a tripod or dolly or in handheld shots
- Using rolling takes
- Framing shots
- Adding atmospherics
- Directing in post-production
- Becoming a better director
Skill Level Intermediate
Duration
Views
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Introduction
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What does a director do?1m 53s
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The Assurance7m 43s
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1. Preparing for Production
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Choosing your crew1m 37s
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Interpreting the script2m 4s
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Creating a visual style2m 36s
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Scouting locations1m 37s
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2. Themes and Tone
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Controlling the tone4m 39s
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Using themes1m 58s
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Using motifs2m 13s
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About the blur motif2m 18s
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3. Shaping the Story
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Killing darlings3m 59s
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Cutting to add clarity1m 54s
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Adding tension2m 19s
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Showing, not telling4m 35s
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4. Running the Set
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Being a good leader3m 29s
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Sticking to your vision3m 3s
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Throwing away your vision2m 57s
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Knowing when to reset2m 45s
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Wearing multiple hats1m 25s
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5. Planning Shots in a Scene
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Understanding the scene2m 45s
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Planning the shots4m 19s
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6. Getting the Shot
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Getting coverage4m 2s
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Cheating and stealing shots3m 20s
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Utilizing rolling takes4m 10s
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Breaking the "fourth wall"1m 45s
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Fixing it in post1m 43s
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7. Improving the Shot
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Improving takes4m 11s
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Using extras3m 38s
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Framing the shot5m 28s
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Adding atmospherics3m 8s
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8. Directing in Post-Production
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Directing the edit1m 36s
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Directing VFX shots1m 49s
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Directing audio choices2m 46s
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Conclusion
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Becoming a better director1m 31s
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Directing resources2m 52s
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Final thoughts1m 1s
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Video: Utilizing rolling takes