As predicted in my former post about coverage, my perception of the definition has already been altered. My previous post tended to focus on the need to prepare and plan for a shot or a scene in order to film a good piece of coverage. I did note the term needed to be broad in it’s definition, and that the simple act of placing down the camera in front of something would indeed adhere to having covered the scene. However, perhaps I put too much emphasis on the need for planning to create good/watchable découpage.

It seems that it is likely that a great shot could occur by accident. Sure, planning out what we are going to shoot in advance may make us feel better prepared and ensure that we have access to the equipment we need, but over planning does often have the power to blow everything out of proportion.

In the interview we watched in class, a French filmmaker’s use of the term ‘découpage’ was translated to ‘choice of shots’. It is possible that this is coverage in it’s simplest form. But does the suggestion that there is a ‘choice’ even applicable? I would think that if we are trying to get to the bare bones of ‘coverage’, that the selection of which shots will be included in the final cut of the film will be mostly the doing of the editor.

We could suggest that the decision to put the camera in a particular position would require a choice on part of the DOP or director, but if we are excluding the need for preparation prior to filming, coverage could literally comply taking the camera out of the bag, pressing play and walking away.

It still likely that my definition of coverage/découpage will again change within the blink of an eye, but I hope that by reflecting upon how these opinions alter, I will be able to find a more solid definition eventually.