The tripod is an excellent tool in cinematography, bluntly, a cheap and effective product which helps provide great results.
Using the tripod enables the user to have stability in the shot that's being taken, as well as more flexibility with the angles, height and perspective of the shot. Firstly, stability is important as it aids the creation of smooth and professional shots, rather than hand held amateur shaky ones. However there is the case, that a unsteady shot is the desired effect to create such an impact on the audience, so a tripod would not be needed and some say they would just hold the camera in their hands, but really all effects should be artificially imprinted onto the rushes during editing. Special shots such as panning and tilting can be achieved successfully with a tripod as again it helps ensure a sleek, equable and continuous (if used correctly) shot, an almost impossible task without this tool. Interesting shots such as the Dutch tilt can also be used, to help create a desired effect on the audience. A final benefit is that it's pretty much totally adjustable so it can fit and shape itself to the necessary requirement of shot or environment, making it the perfect tool for location shoots too.
Below features a tripod.
Below features the video "Video Equipment, Tripods and Monopods"
Multi-shot is a great concept and arrangement to use when filming any sequence complex or simple. It involves the use of two or more cameras focused on the same subject of the shot. By having the cameras set up in this fashion it allows them to record rushes of the same thing from different angles, proving useful as it helps ensure that the continuity of the film is not flawed.
A sequence such as 'two characters talking at a table, requiring the use of cameras from both sides of the table directionally aimed at the character on the opposing side of the table from the position of the camera' - would be a nightmare to shoot with one camera as the crew would have to put in place extra precautions when moving the camera to keep the same position for when it returned. This is why with a multi-shot set up you can do this without the rearrangement of cameras, plus everything the characters do will be recorded and with truthfully correspond with the footage captured on the other camera.
The all time classic continuity error: Girls fiddling with their hair.
The shot described above in quotations is the layout and criteria for a sequence in our preliminary task, it's called a shot/reverse shot. This kind of shot is particularly useful for shooting long conversations or complex risky characters actions that may vary upon every take whilst filming. In television the news is normally shot with multiple cameras capturing a variety of angles of the presenter during their bulletin. Also in television, I have actually visited the BBC studios, with intent to partake in the audience for the 'Not Going Out' comedy sitcom. There I clearly saw how in real life this set up is used as many cameras were placed around the studio door to capture many angles of the conversation during the scenes.
However the greatest and most beneficial advantage of using a multi-shot set up is that it saves time. Literally it's that simple.
Below features a basic multi-shot layout.
The 180 Degree Rule
This rule is a guideline and not a law of production, as many film makers choose to ignore it to create special effects, however the majority of television and film use this as a device to satisfy the audience. The 180 degree basically states that the camera shot stay on one side of the characters. To explain it even further, the '180 degrees' is the imaginary line that divides the left and right of two characters, of which the camera must stay on one half. This is because if the camera was free to switch and roam the full 360, it creates confusion and irritation to the audience. When a camera does cross this line, the true phrase is 'crossing the line'.
For example, during a conversation the speaking character could be on the right of the frame, and the when it's the other character's turn to talk, and the rule is not followed he could end up speaking from the right side of the frame which looks wrong. The 180 degree rule ensures that the characters stay to one side of your screen throughout, creating less confusion, as disorientation is generally not the impact that you set out for.
Below features an example of the shot reverse shot and the use of the 180 degrees rule.
Below features the video "Tech Tip, the 180 degree rule"
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