Floor plan

                          Floor plan

Planning is important in the production of footage; a careful plan of shots and layout allows for a greater level of continuity and greater quality of film. 

A plan of space and layout of the first location.

One of the first steps in practical planning is the floor plan; which must address the dimensions and layout of the chosen location so that any necessary adjustments can be made to accommodate potential problems such as the area of floor available and where to position the cameras. In this post are several floor plans which should help to give us a more precise idea of how to organise our location.

A rough idea of camera placement.

In our first location there are several factors to consider which could impact on the filming process if they remain unchecked. First and foremost is the issue of space. Because of the limited room actions and scenes will have to be well measured within the space available to be effective. This may require several practice shots experimenting with height and zoom settings of the camera; but for now these initial measurements will give a rough idea of were to place the cameras.




The length of the room is greater than the width; so there will be one camera placed at the end of the room (as seen above) so as to film the tracking shot. (in this the character is seen from the front.)It's more practical the layout the scene along the length of the room rather than the width simply because there is room for the actors to maneuver. 

A second accommodation has to be made for the contents of the room and what is shown in shot; items such as the work surfaces,the sink, the cupboards and the microwave need no attention because they suit the intended impression. (That is, the impression that this small, cramped place is lived in beyond just this event.) However such things as the washing machine wouldn't suit this; not only is it illogical that someone who is essentially living in a shed could afford a washing machine, it simply makes the space look like the laundry room of someone's house. The simplest solution to this would be to cover it with a plain white sheet- the advantages of which are twofold. Not only does it hide the machine, but it also gives a slightly eerie sense that adds to the sense of disrepair surrounding the setting. It may seem too simple- but it's really a very effective, subtle solution. I would also apply this to the paintings and canvases within the room should I be unable to remove them.