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1. The idea for #vpss (virtual photography scene study) came to me towards the end of the "Glory Regained" mission in #AssassinsCreedValhalla 
so the "coverage" for the scene won't be as involved as future vpss posts.
so the "coverage" for the scene won't be as involved as future vpss posts.
2. Sometimes I'll comment on each post, explaining the reasons for shots, types of shots & story points. I will be using film language to describe things so if there's ever anything that's unclear feel free to ask any questions.
3. Some terms you may see me use... establishing shots, wide shots (WS), close-ups (CU), ECU (extreme close-ups), OTS (over the shoulder), medium shot or "waister", cowboy (frame cut above the knee). And the term "coverage" refers to shots that make up the scene.
4. Sometimes I may discuss what type of gear we would have used to get the shots you're seeing. ie. Technocranes, dollies, sliders or overkeepers, drones, etc. I may also refer to real world films and specific scenes that relate to what we're looking at.
5. Line of action. A google search shows the line of action as "the imaginary line that passes from side to side through the main actors, defining the spatial relations of the scene. The camera is not supposed to cross the axis at a cut and reverse the spatial relations." ….
6. ...Example... A guy sitting at a bar is photographed looking camera (or frame) right at the bartender. When we shoot the bartender he's looking camera (or frame) left at the guy at the bar. It can be confusing, but it's rule that can be broken.
7. I want #vpss to be "open" and welcoming. It's a forum for any questions on filmmaking and photography but overall we can talk about anything. Just please keep it fun and friendly. *Also all the images you see are my own captures, no cut-scene shots will be used.
8. So, without further ado...let the adventure begin! Eivor and Soma's army are assaulting Grantebridge with the hopes of reclaiming it from Wigmund. We've just blown the gates open and are charging into the city, only to come face-to-face with a sizeable force waiting to attack!
9. They’re charging us! So let's show the audience who are heroes are facing. Frame 1(F1) is a wide or group shot. F2 & 3 are "2 shots" favouring the FG (foreground) villains. *Perhaps these opening shots, the calm before the storm are all in slow motion, building tension.
10. Sometimes in action sequences "the line" or screen direction is thrown out the window. The audience knows what's happening and we can let that rule slide. Cutting from one direction to the other could help set the tone for the chaos of battle….
11. Also worth noting, that more often than not, there are multiple cameras rolling on the same action. So screen direction can get a bit messy (on purpose!). I'll touch more on that shortly…
12. Back to the fight. Frame 1, leading the charge is our protagonist "Eivor" so a low-angle cowboy shot gives him some power. *note the canted angle, setting our horizon out of wack. Perhaps the camera is slowly "pushing in" tighter on our hero and the angle straightens out.
13. Soma, one of our main supporting characters deserves her own hero-shot. Try to imagine these 2 frames are the same shot. F1 is the beginning, F2 the end. In film we'd use a crane or steadi-cam/gimble to get this shot. Push in and wrap around to the right of Soma.
14. Galinn, a supporting character in line ready to fight. A long lens MCU profile for him. *A note on composition and lens choice here. This shot lines up really well for a "rack-focus." We can start sharp in the BG on the hanging villagers and roll focus to Galinn in the FG.
15. All around our heroes are the signs of a vicious ruler. We should show the audience some of his vile deeds! So a cutaway shot of some hanging villagers helps sell that idea.
16. Eivor has seen enough and lets loose a flurry of throwing axes. The battle is on! A wide shot from behind as he takes out a couple soldiers early. Smart Eivor!
17. The two small armies charge each other, it's quick and brutal. F1, a wide shot of an enemy archer as soldiers rush by in the FG. F2, A wide shot of one of Soma's men getting the upper hand. Cutting in shots of the brutality of war, clashing swords against shields.
18. Eivor has downed a soldier and is finishing him with a devastating stomp to the noggin'. Here we look at a multi-camera set up to capture the same action from different angles. As well as a "special" of Eivor's silhouette during the stomp.
19. Eivor has had enough and finishes the first wave with a beheading. F1, A cowboy shot, Soma heavy in the FG, just before the strike. F2, Behind Eivor's swing, the head flying off in the BG. F3, Slow-mo shot of Eivor as the blood sprays in the FG. F4, Eivor triumphant!
20. A chase leads deeper into the city. F1, Eivor on the move, more signs of torture. This could be a "Movi" shot for me (a stabilized camera system I own) where I follow Eivor as he runs towards the gate. F2, Soma sneaking through the gate. F3, High wide-shot as they hop over.
21. I mentioned earlier I came up with #vpss when I was almost done the mission. There are shots I would have liked to have taken that I missed out on. Again reinforcing the idea that a director/dp needs to know what they want ahead of time before its too late! Avoid re-shoots!
22. Our heroes have come to the Longhouse looking for Wigmund. But the doors burst open revealing Wigmunds huge Lieutenant! F1, this wide shot could have started with focus set on our heroes, then roll deep as the door slam open.
23. F1, the huge Lieutenant steps forward, a low wide angle lens helps reinforce the size of this dude! F2, Wide shot of our heroes facing off. F3, Raking profile shot of more baddies. F4, a head-on 3/4 shot of the Lieutenant, slowly pushing towards him just before he charges!
24. F1 & F2 Wide angle lens, Eivor faces off with the Lieutenant and cuts deep. F3, Eivor kicks his foe, dropping him to his knees. F4, Wide shot as Eivor seizes the opportunity and jumps on his foes back.
25. A lot of action sequences are multi-camera setups. Though sometimes certain choreography permits only one angle that will work. When a “special” is needed it’s usually a single camera. Ie. a “worm’s eye” POV shot as Eivor is stomping down towards the lens.
26. The last gasps of the Lieutenant. A cowboy shot as Eivor chokes him. Perhaps its another “Movi” shot that circles the action slowly.
27. Victory! Eivor sounds the horn, signalling prosperity, long life & bounty. F1, Detail of the horn, focus could shift to Eivor and push in. F2, High wide shot, setting the scene, probably on a crane, drifting slowly. F3, Heroic low angle on Eivor. F4, Soma & gang applaud.
28. Medium low angle shot to end the scene. Eivor proud and hopeful. *See the tree branches above him? We might add a high powered fan to the tree, so the leaves sway in the background.
29. Well. That’s that. The first annual #vpss is complete. I hope some people found this interesting and maybe I’ll do it again some time. Happy New Year everyone.
