Apr 25, 2009

BEHIND THE CAMERAS OF LA VIDA ENTERA-PART 3


In today's post we go back to behind the cameras in a telenovela. This time I focus on the taping of a "sequence shot" or plan-séquence.  

A sequence shot includes a long take and camera movements that are sophisticated because they allow for significant middle ground and background activity to be seen. These are shot and taped as one long shot, which means that any acting or technical error requires that the sequence be reshot from the beginning.

In LA VIDA ENTERA, the telenovela I'm currently studying, the use of a  steadicam and sequence shots is a fundamental ingredient of the visual vocabulary and aesthetics of this telenovela. It is used in particular in the newsroom of magazine "Exquisita", the storylines' main context.

Here you can see a sequence shot that aired on episdoe 85. (Context: it's deadline day at Exquisita. Everyone works feverishly and under stress when lunch arrives in the form of a pizza delivery):
 



Below is a video I took of the first attempt at the sequence shot. Notice at all times the steadicam operator and his movements. Notice also how everyone else moves on the set:

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hola Carolina! Me encanta todo lo que escribes sobre mi genero favorito, las telenovelas. Lo que queria decirte es que ya que tu tienes contacto con productores y escritores del medio podrias hacerles llegar un pedido de muchos de nosotros los viejos fans de telenovelas. Creo que ya es tiempo de que una productora haga un remake del gran exito international de Venezuela, Niña Bonita. Esta es una novela del mismo escritor que escribio Las Amazonas(original de Nina amada mia) y fue un gran exito en su tiempo. Como me gustaria ver esta novela echa de nuevo! Ahora hacen remakes de novelas que todo el mundo ya las a visto o sabe mucho de ellas. Si es que puedes darles la idea, creo que es una historia que merece llegar a nosotros de nuevo.