The idea of ‘Coverage’ or, now known by us as ‘Decoupage’, means something completely different or at least is interpreted completely differently than it was 5 weeks prior.
Having no clue as to what ‘Coverage’ meant previously, the concept has been given much more weight after 5 weeks of theoretical and practical exercises.

Now, the term ‘Coverage’ can be interpreted to be not only a technical term, but also an analytical and descriptive term. 5 weeks ago, the term ‘Coverage’ was not only vague and ambiguous, but it’s meaning had somewhat been elusive during my time studying media and film. However, 5 weeks later, it can be stated that coverage can be described as the cinematic techniques and stylistic choices made by a cinematographer in order to portray certain moods, concepts and ideas – thus making a shot effective and poignant.

Additionally, the idea of ‘Coverage’ took on an analytical perspective, particularly when it came to breaking down a scene. In an analytical sense, ‘Coverage’ explores the choices of camera shots/angles in order to effectively portray the notions and ideas that the cinematographer wishes to express within a scene. These choices, combined with other elements within a scene, allow for the scene to be fragmented and analyzed firstly as individual shots, and secondly as a seamless piece of cinema. This two-part analytical method allows for separate ideas and concepts that would usually become hard to identify within the scenes entirety, to become easily realized, identified and discussed firstly by themselves, secondly within the context of the scene, and thirdly within the wider context of the film.

Thirdly, ‘Coverage’ can be used as a descriptive term in order to discuss the series of choices a cinematographer has used during the filming of a scene. It can be used to describe not only the obvious technical nuances such as camera angle and shot type, but can also be used to describe the focal length, aperture and other technicalities that are important whilst filming a scene. Lastly, ‘Coverage’ can also be used to describe phenomena such as character blocking within a scene – something that is extremely important in terms of cinematic effect, yet sadly often overlooked.