Figure 2-7.
The imaginary line
(1) Have your subject actually change direction and show the change on the
screen. If you film a sequence showing a sentry walking his post, show him moving
in one direction; then pick him up as he is doing an about face and show him moving
in the opposite direction.
(2) Gradually film around your subject and include a neutral shot. In the
parade scene mentioned previously, if you film from the other side of the street
you could have worked around the vehicle.
This of course will change screen
direction.
Before crossing the street you would have to move out in front for a
"head-on" shot, or behind for a "tail away" shot, either shot is neutral in
direction.
Now you can pick up the action from the opposite side of the street.
The screen direction is reversed, but the audience knows how it came about.
Remember not to change your angle too abruptly or it will cause a shock to the
audience. Gradually working around the subject is the key to this technique.
(3) Introduce a scene (cutaway) to divert your audience. The attention of
the audience can be diverted from the screen direction of the subject by the use of
a cutaway.
Again using our parade scene as an example, to conceal the change in
screen direction, a cutaway shot of a person watching the parade will serve to
divert the audience awareness in the change of screen direction.
It is always
better to use two or more cutaway scenes in a diversion situation, thereby
utilizing the audience's inability to remember more than two scenes back.
(4) Use of a prominent object to orient the audience to the movement of
your subject. Use a reference point that the
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