Master Shot First? at DVinfo.net

Jack Barker · July 16th, 2004, 08:56 PM

For the sake of discussion, let's say your longish scene is a couple having an argument while Her Friend looks on. Do you shoot the Master shot first as a benchmark for everything else, then get Him, then Her, then Her Friend's reaction shots, or do you start the other way around with the hope that by the time you've finished Him, Her and Reaction, everybody will have settled in with their performances and the Master can be done in fewer takes?

Mike Rehmus · July 16th, 2004, 10:55 PM

I almost always do the master first and then the cut-aways. But then I'm working under very limited time with students and have maybe 45 minutes to capture an entire scene. Since we will shoot 2 scenes in 2 hours, twice a week for 5-6 weeks, we find that running through the entire scene gives everyone a perspective and we can handle acting issues up front. Seems to make everything go smoother and quicker.

The only time we do a cut-away first is if that just makes everything easier or there is some external reason to do so.

Rob Belics · July 17th, 2004, 10:29 AM

You MUST do the master shot first, in most cases. If you did your reaction shots first then everyone would have to, simultaneously, match the master shot later.

July 16th, 2004, 08:56 PM	#1
Jack Barker Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 342	Master Shot First? For the sake of discussion, let's say your longish scene is a couple having an argument while Her Friend looks on. Do you shoot the Master shot first as a benchmark for everything else, then get Him, then Her, then Her Friend's reaction shots, or do you start the other way around with the hope that by the time you've finished Him, Her and Reaction, everybody will have settled in with their performances and the Master can be done in fewer takes?

July 16th, 2004, 10:55 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I almost always do the master first and then the cut-aways. But then I'm working under very limited time with students and have maybe 45 minutes to capture an entire scene. Since we will shoot 2 scenes in 2 hours, twice a week for 5-6 weeks, we find that running through the entire scene gives everyone a perspective and we can handle acting issues up front. Seems to make everything go smoother and quicker. The only time we do a cut-away first is if that just makes everything easier or there is some external reason to do so. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 17th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#3
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	You MUST do the master shot first, in most cases. If you did your reaction shots first then everyone would have to, simultaneously, match the master shot later.