Know Your Camera Shots

As an actor, it is very helpful to understand some of the lingo used by the director and the crew, so you know what's going on and how it pertains to you on screen. One example is the camera shots used when filming a scene. A scene will be filmed many times from different angles and different framing.

When you know your framing, you know how much room you have to move, and how subtle your performance needs to be. When the camera is far away, you can get by with more expression than you can when it is focused just on your face.

Listed below are the most common terms that I've encountered on the many films I've worked on. Don't feel overwhelmed by all of this, and don't feel like you have to memorize every one before you go on set. This is merely a tool to help you feel more comfortable and understand what is going on. If the director or the camera operator doesn't tell you what they're seeing through the camera, it's very helpful to ask, "What's my framing?" I've had to ask this MANY times! And it really helps.

Close-Up, Close Shot.  A detailed view of a person or object, usually without much context provided.

Crane Shot. A shot taken from a special device called a crane, which resembles a huge mechanical arm. The crane carries the camera and cameraman, and can move in virtually any direction.

Dolly Shot, Tracking Shot, Trucking Shot. A shot taken from a moving vehicle. Originally tracks were laid on the set to permit a smoother movement of the camera. Today even a smooth hand-held traveling shot is considered a variation of the dolly shot.

Establishing Shot. Usually an extreme long or long shot offered at the beginning of a scene or sequence providing the viewer with the context of the subsequent closer shots.''

Eye-Level Shot. The placement of the camera approximately 5 to 6 feet from the ground corresponding to the height of an observer on the scene.

Full Shot. A type of long shot which includes the human body in full, with the head near the top of the frame and the feet near the bottom.

Master Shot. A single uninterrupted shot, usually taken from a long or full shot range, which contains an entire scene. Later, the closer shots are photographed, and an edited sequence, composed of a variety of different shots, is subsequently constructed on the editor's bench.

Medium Close-Up (MCU). A shot cropped between the shoulders and the belt line. Also called a bust shot. 

Medium Shot.  A relatively close shot, revealing a moderate amount of detail. A medium shot of a figure generally includes the body from the knees or waist up. This shot is also called a Cowboy Shot, and got its name during the filming of many westerns, when this was a common framing technique. When the term Cowboy Shot is used, the shot will always include the hip because that's where the cowboy kept his gun.

Montage. Transitional sequences of rapidly edited images, used to suggest the lapse of time or the passing of events. Often employs dissolves and multiple exposures. In Europe "montage" means editing.

Over-The-Shoulder (OTS) Shot. A medium shot, useful in dialogue scenes, in which one actor is photographed head-on from over the shoulder of another actor. (This one of the most common shots in filmmaking)

Point-of-View Shot. Any shot which is taken from the vantage point of a character in the film. Also known as the first person camera.

Rack Focusing, Selective Focusing. The blurring of focal planes in sequence, forcing the viewer's eye to "travel" with those areas of an image that remain in sharp focus.

Two-Shot. A medium shot, featuring two actors. The subjects do not have to be next to each other, and there are many common two-shots which have one subject in the foreground and the other subject in the background.

Wide Close-Up. This shot features the subject taking up the whole frame. It should include the actor's chin and top of the head.

It is common for a director to start with an establishing shot that shows the entire scene and all the actors, then start moving in closer - two shot, medium shot, over-the-shoulder, and close-up.  Each director has their own methods for filming a scene, though.  Which is why it's helpful to ask questions if you're not sure what's going on.

I copied the camera shot definitions from an article written by Ryan Felton.  To see more types of camera shots and example pictures, visit this link to read the rest of his article:

http://www.castingexchange.com/4/post/2013/12/know-your-shots-camera-shots-that-is.html

Merry Christmas!

As you enjoy the holidays with your family and friends, don't forget the real reason we celebrate - we have received the most important gift that has ever been given.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  And in the words of tiny Tim, "God bless us, every one!"  :-)

Trivia Tuesday

One of my "dream roles" would be Millie in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."  I love that movie!  I actually got to meet one of the actresses at a film festival several years ago.  It was her first movie role.  She's the second girl from the left in the following picture...

This is one of my favorite scenes.  :-)

Okay, your turn!  What would your dream role be in a movie or theater production?

Headshot Tips

"As an actor, the first thing you need is a great headshot. Headshots are the single most important thing you need in order to land a job. (You can even land a job without knowing how to act. Sad, but true.) So, before you put on your best get-up, get a haircut, and pose like you did on prom night, take a look at some thoughts and advice on what to do and what to avoid when creating your personal headshot."

Follow this link to read all the important information that Abbie Cobb shares about the do's and don'ts for a winning headshot: http://www.christianfilmdatabase.com/christian-movie-news/bit-headshots-abbie-cobb-excerpt/.  This is the best article I've seen on this subject so far.  I haven't been able to scrape together enough money to hire a professional photographer to take my headshots yet, but I know it's really important and I hope to be able to do that next year.

A nice snapshot isn't going to sell it.  And I've also been told that you should find a photographer that SPECIFICALLY has experience doing acting headshots, because they know what a casting director will be looking for and they'll help direct you towards that.  There needs to be something about your picture - a depth in your eyes - that intrigues the casting director and makes them want to see more from you.  If they look at a hundred blank smiling faces, the ones that stand out will be the ones that offer something MORE.

But please, if you're interested in acting, take a few minutes and read the article.  You'll find it to be extremely helpful and informative.

You can also do a google search and look at a bunch of actors' headshots online, and compare them for yourself.  Which ones stand out to you?  Why?  Do you see something interesting in their eyes?  Look at their poses, which are your favorites?  What character "types" are you seeing?  Which ones would best match up with your type?

Trivia Tuesday

I am a HUGE Doctor Who fan.  And while I was in Colorado filming "In His Steps" this past May, I joined Zack Lawrence and other Doctor Who fans to create a fan film!  We now have over 3,000 views on youtube, and Zack was contacted and asked if the film could be screened at some film festival!  (I forget the details, but it was pretty cool.)

If you are at all familiar with the original series, you know that the Doctor had an adopted granddaughter named Susan.  She is from the race of Time Lords, which is why she can regenerate...

Any other Doctor Who fans out there?  Who's your favorite Doctor?  Who's your favorite companion? I have loved Eccleston, Tennant, and Smith, but I would have to say that Tennant is my favorite. I've enjoyed all the companions as well, but Clara has become my favorite. She is so delightful. 

I wanted to dress like Clara for the 50th Anniversary episode when it aired in the theater, but these were the only clothes in my closet that would resemble a Doctor Who character, so I went as the 11th Doctor.  :-) And yes, I have a sonic screwdriver...

New Film from the Kendrick Brothers!

If you liked Flywheel, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous, then you'll be excited to hear that the Kendrick Brothers are planning their next film!  Here's what they said on their website:

"After months of prayer, we believe the Lord has given us clear direction concerning the plot for our next movie. Even as Fireproof focused on marriage and Courageous highlighted fatherhood, this next movie will unpack another pivotal issue. We have been inspired with the storyline and are excited to cast and shoot this movie. Lots of emotion. Lots of humor. Lots of truth.

Our current plan is to complete the script this year, shoot and edit in 2014, and then promote and release the movie in 2015. As we continue to develop the story, we are asking for prayer. The script has to be solid and on target. The Lord has clearly carried us in the past, and we recognize our desperate need for His guidance and grace now. Please pray for His inspiration, creativity, and discernment as we develop the characters and craft the scenes. Pray for His blessing, favor, protection, and power to be on this project from beginning to end. And ask Him to strategically use this movie to transform countless lives, restore broken families, and greatly impact the nations for His glory. Thank you in advance!"

If you want to be considered for a role in their next film, they have an application you can fill out on their website:  http://kendrickbrothers.com/connect/application-actors

Trivia Tuesday

I participated in my first play when I was 16 years old.  It was a non-Disney musical version of Beauty and the Beast.  I just wanted a small role to test myself and see if this was something I could do, but I ended up with TWO roles that kept me on stage for a large portion of the play.  I was one of Beauty's (Belle's) sisters, and also one of two princesses that had been trapped at the castle when the spell was cast.  Talk about fast costumes changes - from rags to riches!  I had a wonderful time and made life-long friends during the week-long drama camp!  My future as an actress was sealed.  I knew this was something I wanted to keep doing as much as possible.

(That's me on the far right.)

Résumé Tips

Here is a very informative video from Erica Arvold, a casting director in Virginia, about some do's and don't's for your acting résumé.  She answered a lot of my own personal questions!  To be honest, there's not a specific format that everyone has to follow (google "acting résumés" and you'll end up with a lot of different results!), but there are certain guidelines that should be observed, and Erica touches on a lot of those.

Keep in mind that different casting directors have different preferences.  Erica says she doesn't need to see production company names, but I'm going to leave that information on my résumé until I find out that the majority of casting directors don't care or don't want to see it.

I was also told by a long-standing professional in the acting business that casting directors don't care about your credits as "extras."  They really only care about your speaking credits.  So once you have enough speaking credits to take up some decent space on your résumé, it's probably to your advantage to delete the extras credits.  Sure, I was an extra in Spielberg's Lincoln film, but I didn't have lines or interact with Spielberg, so who cares?  One exception might be if you are hoping to get cast as an extra by a casting director who previously cast you as an extra in something else -- then leave that other credit on your résumé.  Honestly, though, whether you take those credits off or leave them on - it's up to you.  I'm just sharing a word of advice that one professional gave me recently.

Was this helpful to you?  Do you have any information or advice about acting résumés that you'd like to share?  Or specific questions that didn't get answered?  Leave me a comment!  I'd love to hear from you!  I want this blog to be an interactive experience.  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year, my family has a tradition of sitting down together on Thanksgiving Day and writing out a list of all the big things we're thankful for that has happened since the LAST Thanksgiving.  I gotta say, it's difficult to remember back 12 months, and invariably someone will forget something really huge and there will be great outcries of disbelief and consternation when we go around and share our lists.  Haha!  But it's a great time to reflect on all the many things we have to be thankful for and to see where our priorities lie (What's "big enough" to make the list? What do we consider the most important?).

It's fascinating to see how our priorities change over the years.  I confess, when I was in my teens, just going to see a movie in the theater was such a big deal that it made the list.  Almost every social event made the list (obviously, those were somewhat few and far between).  But now my perspective has changed and matured a great deal.  My focus is more on relationships and opportunities God has blessed me with, and tangible ways in which He has provided for my needs.

This year, among other things, I am overwhelmingly thankful for the chance to have acted in 10 different movies in the past 7 months!  For the past three years, I wouldn't get to work on more than 2 or 3 films in a year.  This year, I've been busy almost non-stop since April.  God has opened so many doors!  And He has brought so many precious friends into my life in the process, and has allowed me to reunite with old and dear friends from previous projects.

What are some things you're most grateful for this year?

Interview: "The Senior Prank"

Update: Please note that "The Senior Prank" has now been renamed to "Touched by Grace."

I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Christian author Bob Valleau about "The Senior Prank."  Not only was this was my first time having speaking lines in a feature film, but I was also the leading actress!  God is so incredible!  Working on this film was a wonderful experience and I am so thankful for the powerful message it presents.  I hope you enjoy the trailer and the interview, and I'll throw in some pictures along the way!

The Senior Prank

(StoneTable Films)

Interview with Stacey Bradshaw

by Bob Valleau

“It takes a special person to look beyond the outside, to see people with disabilities as friends or equals.”

Brandon (Ben Davies) to Cara (Stacey Bradshaw)

The Senior Prank

The statistics are staggering. The effects are long-term. Between 1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school. Many fewer have been cyberbullied per the 2009 National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice Statistics. A soon-release family film called, The Senior Prank, tackles this national tragedy with care and finesse.

I had an opportunity, recently, to interview one of the film’s stars, Christian actress Stacey Bradshaw, who plays Cara Jarvis. Stacey was open and candid about her answers, letting me know that the story is more than just about the act of bullying. It’s an incredible story about love, acceptance and forgiveness. But first, here’s the storyline:

Cara Jarvis longs to be a part of the in-crowd at her new high school. In an effort to impress town hottie Brandon, she befriends Grace, a girl with Down Syndrome. It’s a friendship she tries to hide when she meets popular girls Skylar and Quinn. When Skylar loses her bid to be on the Homecoming Court, she sets it up for Grace to win Homecoming Queen...as the senior prank. Grace wins, is publicly humiliated, and Skylar rigs it so that Cara takes the blame. Cara must win back Brandon, restore her friendship with Grace, and save her reputation at her school.

Tell me a little about yourself. When did the acting bug first bite, and what do you hope to accomplish as a Christian actress?

The acting bug first bit me when I was in my early teens, and I was 17 when I participated in my first theater production. I majored in theater in college, but transitioned from stage to screen in 2010 and have been acting in films ever since. I enjoy doing many, many things (writing, singing, dancing, photography, sewing, etc.), but acting has always been the foremost passion of my heart and I knew there was nothing else I would rather pursue in its place. Growing up, I had very little opportunity to get involved in theater, and for the first three years after I graduated from college, I was limited to being a background extra in films, but God is faithful to bring along the right opportunities at the right time.

As a Christian actress, I want to be a part of stories that glorify the Lord and will impact lives for His Kingdom. Every film has a message and worldview and everything we do has eternal value. I pray that God directs me to the films that will reach people for Him.

Tell me about the film, The Senior Prank. What made you audition for it?

I heard about The Senior Prank because a friend of mine shared the audition information on Facebook. I jumped at the opportunity to audition for a Christian film. The story sounded great, and I was still trying to get my “break” into film acting. I had just been cast in the lead role in a short film in Michigan, which was my first speaking role in a film. I'm so grateful to producer/director Donald Leow for taking a chance on “new talent” and giving me such a wonderful break! It was an amazing experience and really confirmed for me that I was doing what God wanted me to do.

Describe your character Cara Jarvis. How did you feel portraying this character?

Cara is a girl who needs love and acceptance from her peers. At heart, she's a good kid. She's not mean-spirited, but she's a follower, doing whatever it takes to fit in with the “cool kids.” The character was definitely a big stretch for me. I'm not a leader by nature, but I do have an independent spirit and I'm not afraid to stand by the strong values and standards that my parents instilled in me. I've always gone against the grain. The hardest part of portraying Cara was the scenes when she pulled mean pranks on other people. I've NEVER been a prankster, and my personality wants everybody to feel happy and be encouraged. Even though it was just acting, making fun of another character because of their size or disability made me feel SO BAD.

Bullying is a hot topic. What are your views about bullying? What would you say to those who are being bullied at school or online?

Bullying is a horrible, horrible thing. It's completely senseless and so hurtful for the victims, and I know it's easy to get angry and revengeful (I get angry just thinking about it), but I think it's also important to realize that bullies are often suffering from abuse or a dysfunctional family, or some other source of pain that compels them to lash out and inflict pain on others. There is no excuse for what they are doing, but they need our prayers. The Bible says to pray for those who wrongfully use you. So to those who are being bullied, I would say to pray for your abusers and try to feel Christ's compassion and love for them, and to also remember that EVERY ONE OF US has value in God's eyes. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are beautiful in His sight. God doesn't make mistakes. YOU are not a mistake. Find your worth and your identity in Christ and ask Him to give you strength to endure the abuse and the wisdom to know how to respond. And remember God's promise to work all things together for good.

Describe Grace Young, the character you befriended. She's played by Amber House who has Down Syndrome. What was it like working with her? Did she teach you anything about yourself as you interacted with her on or off screen?

Grace Young enjoys life and loves everyone around her. She attaches herself to Cara the first time they meet, even though Cara doesn't reciprocate at first. Amber House did a wonderful job portraying Grace, and it was a joy and a privilege to work with her! Some of the scenes were really tough for her, but she was a trooper. Just like Grace, Amber has a strong faith in God, and that's what helped her get through the harder scenes. I hadn't personally known anyone with Down Syndrome before, so it was a good learning experience for me. Things we don't understand tend to make us uncomfortable, and this taught me that I need to be willing to push myself out of my comfort zone much more often.

At first, Cara just wants to be friends with Grace because she wants to use that friendship as a means of getting to know Brandon, the cute guy working at the cafe (played by Ben Davies). But as the story progresses, Cara comes to realize that Grace has truly become a friend in a way that Cara hasn't experienced friendship before. Cara has always felt the need to impress people and stay on their good side so she won't lose their friendship, but in Grace she has found someone who loves her for who she is and asks nothing in return. In the face of tragedy, she finally learns the meaning of true friendship.

The film has received The Dove Foundation's highest recommended rating for family movies. It's a family film for ages 12 and up. Does this story have any personal meaning to you? Were you ever bullied, or do you have friends who were bullied in school?

I'm very grateful to say that I have never been bullied. My parents started homeschooling me in second grade, and I was blessed to grow up with friends who were mature in their Christian faith and who loved and supported me. My two younger brothers have been bullied on occasion, though, whether on the ball field or even sometimes in church. As a protective older sister, it has been very painful for me to see this happen over the years.

The film does a great job of presenting the underlying issues of love and acceptance between people who are different and those who are wanting to belong or fit in. How important is acceptance, in a relationship, for those who may be different than us?

Acceptance is very important in a relationship, especially for those who already see themselves as being different. They may be struggling with feeling insecure or isolated, and we need to reach out to them and let them know that they are loved. We are all special and cherished in God's eyes, and that's what's important. As Christians, we need to share that love with everyone, not ignore those who are different and make us feel uncomfortable because they aren't exactly like us. They are people with feelings just like us. We need to put ourselves in their shoes. How would we feel if people ignored us? I will be the first to admit that I have been guilty of this in the past, but being a part of this movie has definitely helped to convict me and inspire me to be more purposeful in reaching out to people in the future.

Where can people buy the movie? Is it showing in theaters now?

The movie is currently being shown through privately sponsored screenings in theaters across the country. If anyone is interested in hosting a screening in their town, please contact Donald Leow at info@stonetablefilms.com for details. To stay up-to-date on when the film is released in theaters and/or comes to DVD, follow the movie's Facebook page. The web address is: www.facebook.com/SeniorPrankTheMovie

Thank you so much, Stacey, for your time. Any last words?

It was an honor to be a part of a film with such a powerful message. I want to commend Katherine Craddock, who did a beautiful job writing the screenplay. I have been very blessed to hear the testimonies of so many people who have been touched and impacted by the film, and I pray that it will continue to bless viewers and change lives.

__________________________________________

©2013 Bob Valleau is an award-winning Christian writer. He is also an author. He encourages others to believe in the power of God’s love for their lives.

To see more behind-the-scenes pictures of "The Senior Prank" and my other films, please visit:

My Official Website
My Facebook Page
The Senior Prank Facebook Page
StoneTable Films Facebook Page

I also want to give a word of thanks to Julie Hertzog for the work she is doing as the National Bullying Center Director of PACER.  You can visit their website here: http://www.pacer.org/bullying

Welcome!

By way of introduction, my name is Stacey Bradshaw, and I am an actress!  My background is in theater, but in 2010 I made the switch from stage to screen.  As of November 2013, I have worked on 6 short films and 9 feature films, with 5 of those being leading roles and 6 supporting roles.

I actually started out working on crew for a couple of feature films, which has really helped me as an actress because I understand what each member of the crew needs from me and how I can make their job easier.  A little bit of cooperation goes a long way to making things run smoother and faster.

God has blessed me with wonderful opportunities to be involved in the filmmaking industry in the past few years, and I eagerly look forward to seeing what adventures He has in store for the future! Above all things, I want to be following His plan for my life, serving Him with my gifts, and bringing Him honor and glory in everything I do. Without Him, I am nothing, and through Him, I can do anything!

Random facts about me:

I’m a simple country girl with an old fashioned heart. I’ve been told that I would fit nicely into the mid-1800′s or anywhere during the 1940′s or ’50′s…and I’m inclined to agree. Having grown up on old western movies, I’m also a cowgirl at heart.  Roy Rogers is my hero.

Some favorite pastimes include reading classic literature (or modern Christian detective books), writing stories and screenplays, singing Broadway tunes and songs from the ’40′s and 50′s, dancing whenever I can (ballroom, swing, contra, etc.), sewing costumes from all eras, attending historical reenactments, and watching old movies.

So why did I start this blog?

Well, I have a lot of young people asking me how to get started in acting, how to submit video auditions, how to hear about casting calls, etc.  Some of those questions don't have an easy answer, so I figured the best thing would be to invite all who are interested to join me on this fun, crazy, exciting journey.

I want to use this blog to share tips and tricks, useful information, helpful advice, casting calls, etc. I've spent innumerable hours wading through countless articles, I've talked to professionals in the industry, and I've learned a lot from personal experience on the way.  I want to share what I've learned with you, as well as stories and pictures from my acting adventures.

My life is crazy busy (I've been acting in one film right after the other since April), so I can't promise to post regularly, but whenever I have the chance, I'll be sharing cool stuff with you.

So whether you're interested in acting, or just interested in keeping up with my crazy adventures, I invite you to like my blog and share it with your friends!

While you're waiting for my next post, hop on over and have a peek at my website.  You can read more about me, see pictures and movie trailers for some of my films, and link to my other sites like IMDb, Facebook, and more.

Thanks for stopping by!