An in-class activity we did during the second week was learning about different shot types, camera angles, camera movement, how to mark up a script for coverage, and how to create a shot list. Having already learned about shot types and angles in high school and uni classes, this was a refresher for me. Some clips were also shown to the class where we had to analyse how the specific editing styles and camera shots influenced how the storyline is told and the choices made by the director and editor. We watched an interrogation scene from Insomnia (2002) where the shot duration gradually becomes quicker and quicker as the scene unfolds. The camera is also static at the beginning of the scene when the characters are calm and collected, as soon as the suspect and interrogator raised their voice and became riled up, the camera changes to handheld, the shakiness indicating a sense of tension within the scene.
We looked at a script and as a class, we envisioned what the shot would look like, by noting the shot type and camera movement of every specific scene. This activity was very new to me as it was my first time actually reading a script and picturing how I would film the shot in detail. It occurred to me then, that good editing and storytelling come from shooting a variety of different creative shots which can be edited together. This ensures there is enough coverage of the scene and backup shots available in case the editor or director is unsatisfied with the shot. When doing the activity myself with a new script, I was able to visualise the script as a film in my head already, which allowed me to be precise about what angle and camera movement the shot involves and what effect it would have to the audience and the storyline.