Crafting Cinematography

Hey everyone! Yesterday I created a shot list for the short film from beginning to end. 

While making the list, I took the time to imagine the movie in my head in order to consider how it would play out. This meant figuring out what shot types, angles, and other elements of composition I wanted to incorporate on screen that would best tell the story. Because of this, I want the cinematography to be smooth, stylish, and above all else, excellent. 

Some inspiration I had in mind was Wes Anderson's distinct yet perfect use of symmetry in his shot composition.

To make the list, I used the comment feature of the screenwriting platform we used called WriterDuet. What this allows you to do is leave notes on the side of the lines, which can be viewed with other editors of the screenplay. This was especially important as Edward will be illustrating the storyboard and must know what shots to include. 

An example of the feature in action.

For your viewing pleasure, I compiled the comments into a list below. Try visualizing the film for yourself!

Opening Scene

1. Top shot over a table with either a velvet or satin-esque cover.
2. Ethereal and calming nature scenery.
3. Symmetrical wide shot of an open window, which then pans to show the Protagonist in bed.
4. Close up of the Protagonist asleep and then awake.
5. Over-the-shoulder looking towards the window.
6. Medium shot of the protagonist from the looking out the window and then getting up.
7. Wide shot of the protagonist getting up from a side angle.
8. Medium shot of the Protagonist and their reflection in the mirror.
9. Symmetrical medium shot of the Protagonist's back while opening their closet.
10. Close up of the Protagonist's hand shuffling through shirts.
11. Medium shot of the Protagonist putting on a flannel.
12. Close up of the Protagonist tying their shoes and then walking away.
13. Wide shot of house.
14. Medium tracking shot of the Protagonist walking out of the house and onto the sidewalk with a skateboard under one shoulder and slinging a backpack on anothe. The Protagonist then halts to check their watch.
15. Close up of the Protagonist's wristwatch.
16. Close up shot of the Protagonist breaking out of character. The Protagonist here drops the skateboard and backpack, then takes off the flannel.
17. Medium shot of the Protagonist arguing with the Narrator. The Protagonist looks through the script while arguing.
18. Wide shot of the Protagonist running away from the camera, props can be seen on the ground and production equipment such as lights and a camera are set up.
19. Close up of the props being left behind while the Protagonist runs away in the distance.

Action Scene

1. Back to the top shot from the beginning, but this time a new script is place on top.
2. Symmetrical wide shot of hostage in gritty garage. A harsh light shines from the top.
3. Close ups of Ritchguye's hands tied and his face covered in duct tape and a blindfolded. 
4. Medium shot with the side of Ritchguye on the left half of the screen and Deathclaw walking in from the back on the right half.
5. Close up of Deathclaw hovering over Ritchguye from a low angle.
6. Close up of Ritchguye from a high angle.
7. Close up of the two from the side.
8. Wide shot of the door being forced open by the Protagonist.
9. Medium tracking shots of the Protagonist walking in from both the front and back.
10. Cowboy shots from both of their perspectives, one half of the screen shows one character and the other shows their opponent's fists.
11. Extreme close up of the two's eyes, but superimposed onto the screen almost like a comic book panel.
12. Symmetrical wide shot of the two running into the center of the shot.
13. Close up of the Protagonist's arm extending to meet Deathclaw's face.
14. Medium shot of the two with the Protagonist's arm frozen.
15. Close up of the Protagonist carefully rubbing their fighting hand.
16. Wide shot of the characters.

Romance Scene

1. Back to the top shot of the table again but now with a new script on top of the other two.
2. Wide shot of parking lot.
3. Medium shot of the Protagonist walking into frame and going into their car.
4. Close ups from all angles from inside the car.
5. Close up of the Protagonist at an angle while they are looking through the windshield. They then bury their head into the steering wheel while they fake cry.
6. Medium shot of the Protagonist sitting in the car while looking into the camera.
7. Close up of the Protagonist's confused expression as the Narrator begins yelling.

Montage

1. Another top shot with the table and new script.
2. Wide shot of the Protagonist walking out of door into a living room.
3. Close up of the Protagonist looking around confused, at a very tilted/disorienting angle.
4. Medium shot of the Protagonist in the set.
5. Another top shot with the table and new script.
6. Wide shot of the Protagonist walking through a creepy forest.
7. Close up of the Protagonist afraid.
8. Another top shot with the table and new script.
9. Wide shot of the protagonist in the street.
10. Another top shot with the table and new script.
11. Medium shot of storyboard panel with the Protagonist in the center.

Ending Scene

1. Wide shot of the Protagonist standing alone in the dark.
2. Over-the-shoulder shot of the Protagonist panning up while they are looking towards the ceiling where the Protagonist is speaking.
3. Close up of the waveform of the Narrator.
4. Medium shot of the protagonist.
5. Close up of the Protagonist.
6. Wide shot of the Protagonist in the void.
7. Over the shoulder of the Protagonist looking at the desk.
8. Close up of the desk and the script on to of it.
9. Medium shot of the Protagonist from the front starring at the desk while the waveform speaks from above.
10. Wide shot of the Protagonist walking towards desk.
11. Medium shot of the Protagonist taking a seat.
12. Close up of picking up pen.
13. Close up of the Protagonist opening through the script and writing.
14. Wide shot of the Protagonist writing away.