Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Character is possibly being followed
Shallow, Flat, Deep, and Ambiguous Space
A scene that takes place in a small room with the back wall parallel to the screen could be
considered a fl at, shallow space. Another shot may follow a character as he disappears
down a long hallway revealing a deeper space. A fi lm that runs for 30 minutes in a shallow
space may suddenly change, transporting the viewer to the top of a mountain overlooking
a vast panoramic landscape. This contrast may cause a very strong emotional reaction in
the viewer. The restriction of shallow space may reinforce an idea of limitation and entrap-
ment while deep space may suggest the opposite effect. The contrast of one to the other
can strengthen the impact of each. Your story may require the depiction of a world from a
bug's point of view or through the eyes of an eagle. Sometimes the story requires that the
audience be kept uncomfortable or unsure about the space. Dreams and memories may be
more effective if we are not entirely grounded in a familiar space. Other kinds of poetic
solutions may require a more surreal departure from common experience of space. A fi lm
can make the audience feel the sensation of a type of space and the psychological associa-
tions that come with that experience. Good staging will require a careful consideration of
the type of space a shot is using in order to put the audience in the right emotional state.
Research
There is one sure way to learn and explore staging possibilities, and that is to study the
choices of other fi lmmakers. Watch a fi lm and notice the fi lmmaker's staging decisions.
Watch for the lighting and placement of important information and ask yourself, “How did
the fi lmmaker get me to see what I needed to see?” Think about how the fi lmmaker may
have considered the emotional aspects of the story when making staging decisions. Most
importantly, make drawings of what you see. Simple thumbnails showing placement and
tonal distribution can help you understand how grandeur and intimacy or pathos and
comedy can be presented to an audience in the best way. Learn how the masters achieve
that magical experience we all recognize when we are truly moved by a great fi lm.
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