Time for shots! Not those shots (sadly) but camera shots. More specifically, Sequence shots and Bridging shots. Now for those who don't know, a sequence shot is used to deliver an entire scene without cutting to another shot. Just look at Birdman for example. An entire film made almost entirely of sequence shots one even lasting almost an hour and a half. It looks incredible. Another great example is this clip form Gravity. This type of shot is used well in action scenes to show how frantic a situation is and how terrifying it could be for the characters.
In this scene the International Space Station is hit by debris from a satellite in earths orbit. The shot follows Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as they are thrown around in space as Clooney attempts to help Bullock. The use of this type of shot helps to show the severity of the situation and how intense it is. It keeps you watching and gets your heart racing. Now onto Birdman.
Best picture winner Birdman is a perfect example of how this shot can be used to amazing dramatic effect. In the clip above Emma Stone and Michael Keaton (father and daughter in the film) are arguing about Keatons obsession with the play in the film. The camera moves between the two actors as the argument becomes more and more heated. The use of the sequence shot gives the effect that you are standing just outside of the argument and moving your head to look at each of the people involved. This shot makes you feel like you are part of the scene and part of the story. It feels personal. And thats why i love it.
Weirdly, Bridging shots aren't used to get across large bodies of water. I know right. Who knew? No, they are actually used to connect scenes together by showing changes in time or location. Can't drive your car over that. Great examples of these shots are when films show a line moving across a map or the hands on a clock moving.
Weirdly, Bridging shots aren't used to get across large bodies of water. I know right. Who knew? No, they are actually used to connect scenes together by showing changes in time or location. Can't drive your car over that. Great examples of these shots are when films show a line moving across a map or the hands on a clock moving.
(I couldn't find the actual one from the film so this will have to do.) These work so well because they can take the film halfway around the world in 80 seconds (that was almost a reference, almost.) Bottom line is they're great and in some cases have become iconic.
Right. That's your lot. Get out and thanks for reading.
Right. That's your lot. Get out and thanks for reading.