the field against field

This Wednesday, we continue to talk about achievement. I would like to explain to you what a field against field, how it is used and in which case you can use it.

The field against a field this is the basis of the achievement. It is used most of the time to film a conversation between two characters. The field counter field is, in fact, that the alternation of the plan of the character who will be the field and the plan for the character B , which will be the against field.

In the filming, (unless there are two cameras) we turn first to the field, that is to say, the camera facing the character and then a second plan : the counter field, that is to say, the camera directed towards the character B.

Some of the “filmmakers” found this figure to be too simplistic, flat or too common… frankly, I’ve seen a lot of movies, or the field against field was used perfectly in the story.

What counts after all, in a film, whether short or long, is that the achievement serves the story. Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective, never forget that. The field counter field is a vital asset in your next achievements no matter what you say ! ;o)

But a field what is it ?

I’m not going to start giving you a definition complicated (I assure you that some complicate life. (lol) In fact the field is what is shown in the camera. Everything that is not in the field of the camera, (so anything that is not shown) is says : ” out of scope “. When your character is, for example, in front of the camera, it is said to be in the field, ok ?! It is all the same very a simple non ?!

And the against field then ?

Always so simple, the counter field is simply what is in front of your character, that is to say, what your character sees.

So we can say that this that sees your character is out of scope ;o)

For a counter field, it is sufficient to return the camera ! ;o)

Why is the field / counter field is it also used ?

The field counter field is also used in the productions, as it is the simplest way to film a dialogue. But not only that ! We shall see a little later in this article.

How to film a field against the field, the 180 degree rule

 

 

Shooting a dialog with a field against field is not very complicated, but it is necessary to comply with a rule under the penalty of any miss ! This rule is the rule of 180°.

Then Kesako ? It is very simple. You simply place a line (virtual) and place your camera (if you have one) to the right of your character Has and then for the counter field to the left of the character B. In this way your camera stays always on the same side, she remains in a space of 180°.

You can of course set your camera to the left of your character and to the right of your character B. It is up to you, but above all always garder cameras on the same side.

Yes, but it’s been what ?

The fact keep the camera on the same side will give the impression to the viewer that your characters are facing. This way it gives the impression to your viewer to control the space, he knows where are the characters.

All of this is also due to the look of the actors , because the character Has to have a gaze directed toward the right, and the character B will look to the left…simply because it gives the impression that the looks of the characters intersect and thus that it is facing. I put a video very well done : what are the ” lessons of cinema “, produced by orange, you will see it is extremely simple.

But before I will explain to you what happens if you switch the axis of 180 °, that is to say, if you put the cameras as follows :

 

If you pass the axis of 180 ° , you no longer have to field against field, finally to be more clear, you no longer have to field against field, as it should be done ! Because even if the characters are always facing (on the set), the viewer has the impression that they are on the same side as the eyes of the characters are directed to the same side (they do not intersect anymore).

The viewer has more of a landmark in the area. We even have the impression that the characters do not look.

The counter field is not used it for the dialogues ?

Of course not. Imagine a character who shows up in front of the entrance door of a house. The camera is on him (this is the field), it opens the door of the house, we continue to see not the inside. Then we will place the camera in the back of the character, oriented towards the inside of the house (this is the counter field). So we will see what the character sees. The field against field also serves to discover a place.

In shootings it is the same principle. The plans alternate between the character’s that we can see draw and the character who takes the ball it is also a field against field. (You’ll see, the video I was talking about gives an example).

And the primer ?

The what ? Finally, it is imperative that I speak to you of the primer.

A primer it is just a piece of the character that it puts the edge part. Watch the video below, you will see that the ” filmmaker “ leaves a piece of the character Has in the field and a piece of the character B in the counter field. It helps the viewer to better identify but also to make the map more alive.

Let’s be clear. The field against field does not happen only in a fixed plane ! A dialogue, not more. You can walk your characters, make them evolve in space etc…

But you can also move the camera, use a dolly, a steadicam, a louma etc…

Try to watch with attention the movie or series the next time. Locate the fields against fields , and look at how and why they have been used ;o)

That’s it for this article on the field against field. If something escapes you or if you have a question, leave me at the bottom of this article.

You can also read other articles by returning to the site map by clicking on this link.

If you liked this article on the field against field and share it with your networks or click the ” like “button at the top of the article. You will help of this way to know a little more about the blog.

Thank you to those who will make it ;o)

Soon,

Tom