Jump Cuts, Over-the-Shoulder Shots, Cutaways and Point of View Shots

A jump cut is a cut in film editing in which two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera positions that vary only very slightly. Shots taken in this position are caused to 'jump' and create an effect of discontinuity.



Example of an over the shoulder shot.



An over the shoulder shot is a shot of someone taken over the shoulder of another person. The back of the shoulder and head of this person is used to frame the image of whatever the camera is pointing toward.

A cutaway is a shot of something related to but outside the main action of a scene. It's a shot that cuts away from the main action to a separate the main focus. It could be used between shots to add interest.



Example of a POV shot.

 

A point of view shot shows a view from the subject's perspective.

This following website was the main source in finding out this information. http://www.mediacollege.com/

Script Writing

When choosing a subject for our script to be based upon, we thought the most effective way of engaging two people with the preliminary task brief was in the setting of a psychiatric cell. When initially taking this idea into consideration, we brainstormed a few ideas and decided that our dialogue should create an element of fear. LIAM's character is going to act very distorted and dangerous, creating a build up which is taken out on JACK at the end of the sequence. All members of the group had an input to the final outcome of the piece.

When producing the script, we made sure that there were key moments within the dialogue that would allow us to try out different types of shot. For example, when JACK enters the room the focus should be upon him, therefore a close up here will be necessary. Another example would be the extreme close up of when the two characters are contemplating a hand shake; we added key moments like this to experiment with all the shots we have previously looked into.

There could be potential continuity issues, such as the positioning of when LIAM sits on the bed and the movement of JACKs steps when he enters the room. To avoid these issues, I will make sure that any possible issues of continuity will be noted throughout the shooting process.

Continuity

Continuity aims to present a scene so that the editing is seen as "invisible" and the viewer is never distracted by awkward jumps between shots or by any confusion about the lay-out of the scene. For example when the camera position changes, the movement that was present in the previous shot must be the same when continuing in a new shot. I found this website which helped me find a definition of Continuity.

The 180 degree rule is a rule in preventing continuity issues when filming. It states that the camera must stay on only one side of the actions and objects in a scene. The camera can only shoot from the position they are in and move only 180 degrees from that position; there is an invisible line that can never be crossed. I used the same website as previously mentioned to help define the 180 degree rule.

The shot/reverse shot sequence is normally used in filming a conversational scene between two characters when filming. The camera frames each speaker in medium close up as they recite a line of dialogue, commonly using the over the shoulder technique and alternating between shot and reverse shot of both characters. Detailed information about the shot/reverse shot sequence can be found on this website.

Match on action is another method in preventing any continuity issues when filming. It is a cut when editing that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. By carrying on a motion in two shots, it continues interrupted to the viewer. I found information on this on this website.