crossing the line

[redlum]

Could somebody explain this concept/rule when filming. I have a fair idea, but I'd like to understand the reasoning behind it etc.

[Generic Skinhead]

Back to plain old redlum again eh?

I know all about this but I find it hard to explain.

For example: 2 charachters at a table. Once you start filming from one side of the table you must STAY on that side when choosing other angles. If you do not, then you will cross the line and to the viewer the charachters will have seemed to "swap positions."

Imagine a circle around the table split in half. Your range of movement is limited to 180 degrees.

Its much easier to explain with a drawing. But basically when you pick a side-stick to it for the rest of the scene.

[redlum]

nah, you explained it well. I drew my own diagram in my head.

I was just watching The Royal Tenebaums (awesome film) with commenatry and Wes Anderson was talking about this scene and saying he broke so many rules. The camera goes from side to side between Royal and Chas, from behind the judges head.

"Everyone knows that Custer died at the battle of Little Big-Horn. But what this book presupposes is - maybe he didnt?"

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 03, 2002 08:18 AM: Message edited by: redlum ]</font>

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 03, 2002 08:19 AM: Message edited by: redlum ]</font>

[Generic Skinhead]

That is an awesome film. What are the extras like on the dvd?

[zTolerance]

You can't break rules without people complaining, but you can bend them easily.

[deanl]

Hey there.

Rules.... Pah.

Despin out.

[Generic Skinhead]

So you dont like rules and ya dont like Dogme? Cool. [img]cool.gif[/img]

[eddie]

I was editing a film yesterday where I HAD to use two scenes that crossed the line really obviously.
It was such a jump, they looked terrible together.
The audience were literally picked up and dumped on the other side of the action.
I got around it by doing a crash zoom into the first scene and then zoomed out of the second, from roughly the same place.
Worked pretty well, and made the 'mistake' look like a deliberate effect.

[Generic Skinhead]

Ugh: Crash Zooms. Good job on the salvo though.

Obviously it's better not to make the mistake in the first place, but sometimes its tricky, esp outside in big open spaces when your worrying about everything else and your bloody deadline. You rely on someone else aand then what? They fu(k up thats what.

[redlum]

Re: Tenenbaums DVD.

The aextras are good, by no means amazing but its the effort into the presentation that makes it worthwhile. Its a Criterion but the DVD has a sleeve and the case itself is divided into three, and is almost twice the thickness of your usual case. It has two booklets that are amazingly detailed, including maps of the Tenenbaum house. The picture is excellent and it even has a DTS track.

The extras aren't bad though, for once the interviews with actors on a dvd are quite insightful, and the commentary is cool, but could have done with OWEN WILSON. Also, a funny little easter egg with Kumar spinning plates (for those who are Kumar fans).