Hello! I just wanted to ask, while writing a pilot or any script, is it necessary to have a knowledge of the cinematography jargon? If there is a certain way I am thinking of presenting a scene visually, in terms of camera placement etc., how much of it should be mentioned into my script (by how much, I mean how often or how little because I have read that people don't like to see camera directions written in the writer's script.) How much of it is acceptable, in a manner of speaking?
A beginner here, so please consider this a naive inquiry stemmed from my curiosity and desire to understand every aspect of screenwriting.
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They aren't directly related. The script is written from the perspective of the final product as we see it on the screen. Cinematography, versus just camera placement, looks to match the concept and emotion of what's written on the page, either through lens selection, camera angels, lighting, and camera movement.
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Christopher Phillips Thank you for the clarification and distinction!
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Rohit Kumar Yes, I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your detailed reply!
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Hey, Tamanna! We love curiosity - keep those questions coming! This is a quick video I used to use in my classes to demonstrate that composition and camera language is a very unique art form that is often overlooked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGc-K7giqKM&list=PL2w4TvBbdQ3sMABf317ExC...
Fair warning, Every Frame a Painting is ADDICTING! LOL! ;-)
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I hear that the script could be shorter with out the shots... but you really have to think about what you are gonna do with it. Maybe those shots were there as reference. Usually it could be seen a whole different way. You might be fine without playing director if you can live with that. Also when I re-read my script after I previs I find shots unnecessary sometimes. I think it could throw acting off during cold reads, there are a lot of negatives when you think of it.
Vincent Turner I understand what you are saying. Not tracking the camera shots helps make the script be compact and concise. But again, my confusion is about "those shots that just have to have that particular manner of camera position to it". What do you do then, do you still hope for the best and let it go? I mean, you sound more experienced than me, so what do you do? How much do you write camera shots and placements into your scripts, and where do you draw the line?
Again, thanks for the reply, means a lot.
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Karen "Kay" Ross Thanks for this! I am going to check this out. Thanks for this reference and taking some time to reply to my question!
Cheers!
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When I get backed into a corner a make a shot. Maybe it's action driven with no dialogue really. Then I add a shot to keep the lines looking sleek.
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Hannes Famira That's a good point, actually. Tamanna Reading back over your question, _knowing_ about the language of film is incredibly important as a writer, director, even actors will ask "what's my frame" so they know how to adjust their performance. HOWEVER, telling the director or DP what to shoot in your script is directing from the writer's chair and is generally not appreciated. The only exception to this rule is if you are writing with the intent of being the director, but even then anyone else reading it may lose faith in the strength of the story if you have to include camera direction in the script.
I hope that helps!
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Purely from a technical position, there is zero reason to give camera direction. On the set, the camera people are going to shoot from various angles to give enough coverage to the editor. Wide establishing shots, medium shots, close ups for people speaking, and b-roll so there are cut away shots for the editor. Many camera people are going handheld these days, working all sorts of tricks. So, to write CU on on some actor talking doesn’t add anything.
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I'm sure writer directors add their own shots. Get past the script and get to the previs, so you can see the deeper problems in the screenplay.
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Christopher Phillips Duly noted! Thank you.
Vincent Turner shots are planned during storyboarding.
Maybe there is a shot you hope you do not forget. It's wrong to write it down they tell you, but you are making art so if you need the shot write it in. There is a whole different way you might look at it during previs, and could forget how you intended the scene to look. The few problems come from it are inaccurate length, and actors watching the directing.
Christopher Phillips what if you don't want to show speech. Is it wrong to write a whole scene with shots? It takes up the page that's the only down side I see. In fact it is storyboarding marker to add in a shot sometimes
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Great question and discussion. Ready for one of my lengthy humble opinion diatribes? There are countless long standing rules in film making. Some will argue they can be broken at will, or in some circumstances. Here is a fact: If a writer wants to work effectively with experienced crew, circulate their script to people who have seen and used scripts before, and be taken seriously, they do not put camera angles in a script. NONE. The script is action and dialogue and description of important story elements to be depicted. It is not a shot list or a storyboard. The reasons for this approach are many, but 3 stand out. First, (and this also ties to the 2nd and 3rd reasons ) script format does not have a provision for shots. There is no graceful or useful way to put shots in a script when writing it. Not only that, script format does allow for it once the script is completed and printed; 1 of the 2 reasons there is so much room on a script page is so that anyone holding said script can make copious margin notes of their own. TONS of notes. But later. The second reason there is no shot listed is that the shot list will change. A writer has a movie in their head. That's not the same movie the director or DP have. But even if writer is certain they will personally direct and shoot the script on their own, once they tech scout the location and breakdown the script to a schedule, shots WILL change. The saying "Get everyone on the same page" is never more true than with a script. If you plant the visuals in people's heads in the script, you will create confusion later. The third reason for never putting shots in a script is timing. If you format your script correctly, each page will average 60 seconds on screen and are divided by calculation into 1/8ths of a page ( FWIW, 1/2 a page is still called 4/8ths). Adding unneeded info like shots makes the job of the script supervisor, AD and UPM particularly more difficult. How exactly does one go through the script to schedule a 2 -3/8, 1 -4/8ths and two 1/8th of a page scenes? You can't. If someone handed me a script with shots burned into, respectfully, I would hand it back. You can write : "We see" such and such, then " Another angle " of such and such if and when there is good reason. That's about it.
I think you afford to step out the box and try on your next filler scene to make the entire scene with all shots. You make a perspective that way. When you have it all in mind you have grown a new limb. Then you become the spider.