Over-the-shoulder vs clean single

[Alexius]

Hi Roger,

I'm interested in your opinion on over-the-shoulders vs clean singles.
Say you're shooting dialogue between two people - what are the considerations that would lead you to opt for one or the other?
Maybe this is more of a question about the psychological implications (isolating someone as opposed to bringing another person into the moment, or whatever...)

Anyhow, do you have a preference? How do you think they contribute to the narrative?

Thanks!
Anton

[Roger]

You kind of answer your own question. I would say it depends on the kind of film you are shooting more than anything. Overs feel a little more observational whereas wide singles seem formal and more artificial, maybe. But it does depend on the situation. Overs do create more of a continuity situation and that is something to consider with an actor who doesn't do continuity well! I do like overs as I like to connect people and I like having that depth in the composition, so I would personally favor shooting overs and singles rather than two sizes on singles if it were always my decision.

[Alexius]

thanks, yeah i guess it comes down to whether you're telling the story in a more formal or more observational way.
interesting that that a clean wide single can have the same impact as a traditional closeup (if the majority of a conversation was covered over-shoulder).

cheers

[Roger]

Yes, the Coen brothers use the wide single better than anyone.

[Jani]

Yes, the Coen brothers use the wide single better than anyone.

Mr. Deakins, how does the Coen brothers cover their dialogue scenes? Master, OTS and singles? I noticed that a lot of the conversations in No Country for Old Men was shown in singles, specially the scenes where the important characters met. But "less important" conversations, like Llewelyn and the border patrol officer, Chigurh and the boys after the car crash, and every scene where two persons met on the Higway, was presented in OTS.

Are these choices made in the editing room, or had the directors a pretty clear idea when to use singles and when to use OTS already when you shot the scene, so there was no need to cover both alternatives? (I have read that the Coens storyboard a lot of their movies in preproduction) If they were preplanned decisions, may I ask what was the motivation for these choices?

Cheers,
Jani

[Roger]

Those are certainly not editorial choices as there rarely is any other coverage than what you see.

[Jani]

I suspected that. What where to motivation to use singles vs ots?

Cheers,
Jani

[Roger]

I think the Coens generally prefer singles. Singles tend to put the viewer right inside a conversation and can be, perhaps, more intense. I would say that overs give a more observational feel depending on the length of the lens used but they also give interesting possibilities for framing. Much of the time I find the choice quite personal and intuitive. I don't really prefer one to the other.

[Jani]

Thanks for the answer!

The singles in the Coen films are very effective. But sometimes when they combine singles and overs the scene becomes dynamite. I love the scene between Wells and the guy who hires him in No Country for Old Men.

Cheers,
Jani

[Roger]

I guess that's is what I do mostly- an over for the wider shot, a single for a mid shot and then a close single.

[sudhir]

I guess that's is what I do mostly- an over for the wider shot, a single for a mid shot and then a close single.

Hi Roger !
How do you lens for the "Over - wider shot" and then the mid shot / Close single . Do you prefer increasing the focal length or keeping the same focal length but moving close to the subject ?
Thanks .

[sudhir]

Hi !
Just read a couple of articles in the forum where you quote "Its like changing sunglasses..." Got my answer. Do put in a word still . Cheers !!

[Roger]

I tend to shoot on a longer lens as the shot gets tighter. However, sometimes an over can be better on a slightly longer lens. It depends on the story. A longer lens creates a 'softer' and more friendly image whereas a wide lens can seem quite harsh and stark, though that is a sweeping generalization and not always true.

[Gohanto]

Found this discussion very interesting and was curious if you normally prefer adopting a particular style for a certain film (like a particular story better suited for doing overs whenever possible) or do you like to focus on finding potential contrasts within the film? (Contrasting different relationships with choices like using overs vs. singles)

Any specific scripts that stick out as calling for one of these approaches more than the other?

[Roger]

That is a very difficult question to answer. As I said before, I like overs and consider them to be more 'observational' that square singles, especially wide singles. There is a formality to using a wide single when two people are talking for instance. The camera is between the conversation and it can feel a little stylized. I find it hard to say why I would use an over as opposed to a single other than that though. Some things are so much more instinctive.