Grammar of the Shot, 2nd Edition

Chapter Six

Working Practices and General Guidelines

Question: How do you get to be a good camera operator?

Answer: Shoot. Shoot. Shoot some more.

So far we have built up our understanding of the grammar of the shot from the rather basic to the more complex. You should be more familiar with the types of shots, guidelines covering framing and composition, lens choices, prethinking the editor’s needs, and camera movement. The grammar you are learning and putting into practice is a well-established and proven set of principles that will enable your audience to understand your visual intentions, but in filmmaking, as with any discipline or craft, there are many different ways of approaching the material, finding solutions to the challenges, and, ...