How do directors film a conversation..

How do directors film a conversation?There are specific rules and camera angles that directors use when filming a conversation. There are usually cameras placed with one focused on each character and one on both of the characters in a mid shot. They use the 180 degree rule where the director must face all of the cameras to one side of the characters and the imaginary line, to show where everything in the scene is. There's also the rule of thirds where the characters are placed along lines that divide the camera shot into thirds to signify their power or focus on their dialogue. Directors must consider head room which makes sure there is enough room on the screen for the character's head so that they don't get cut off the screen. Lead room/ nose room ensures that there is a space next to the character on the screen in the direction the character is facing or moving so that it gives a sense of distance to where the subject is facing, it also makes the shot less claustrophobic.Also directors use the shot reverse-shot rule where they film a shot of the character looking at something/ someone then a shot of the thing they're looking at, to create suspense and continuity editing which makes the editing between shots smooth.

Coffee and cigarettes: In this clip from Coffee and Cigarettes the director films a conversation using all the rules and tips such as the 180 degree rule because the camera angles don't cross the imaginary line and the shots stay on one side of the characters. Secondly they successfully use continuity editing for example when the camera angles change from a mid shot to a shot from above when they are pouring the coffee, their arm stays in the same position on the rule of thirds, this creates a smooth change between the shots. The director also ensures that there is head room and nose room on the screen to give an accurate picture to clearly show what going on. 

  

In the conversation scene from Pulp fiction the director uses similar filming techniques such as shot reverse- shot when the camera angles switch from one character to the other, this gives the awareness of the characters in conversation and their surroundings. Also the director: Quentin Tarantino uses a diverse range of shots including over the shoulder, mid shots and close ups. This keeps the conversation scene interesting. There is an intense atmosphere when there is an uncomfortable silence between the characters and during this the camera angle changes from a profile view of each character to a side view, this seems to isolate the characters. Finally the director uses the rule of thirds as both characters are on a line of thirds which signifies them as equals and that there is a balance of power between them.