Using the monitors in class was really helpful to learn how to construct and scene and determine blocking. Its so much easier to see on a bigger monitor and also really helpful when you are using multiple cameras. I hadn’t even thought of making sure the eye line of each actor matched, until it was pointed out to me. The thing that struck me the most was the activity that involved us recreating the scene from Mad Men in two different ways. The first with multiple shots and cameras, and the second in a single take. Although it was more difficult to block and move the camera in a single take, I found it made for more creative filmmaking. A lot of trust was put on the DOP but I think it creates conversation between many different people on set. Even though I haven’t seen the footage (and it could be terrible) I think it could make a somewhat boring scene that bit more interesting.

Speaking with Tim in class he mentioned that he was exploring the ‘Long Take’ and investigating the way in which a scene can be created using just one take. I really liked this idea and even though I’m not looking at investigating the same thing I think I can take a few things from his idea. I think that long takes allow for a more natural performance and the ability to see more of a character interacting with another character. Joe Swanberg’s Marriage Material features really long and drawn out scenes consisting of a couple and their, at times in depth conversations. I think the long take allows both characters to been seen in the most realistic way possible, as performances are not tarnished through cross editing. I’d like to focus more on slow scenes and holding a take for longer.