How do you film a conversation? Most likely, you’re going to block the actors, set up the camera, and do shot/reverse shot. But where do you put the camera? What lens do you use? And how do you cut back and forth? Today, I consider the Coen brothers — Joel & Ethan — and see how these choices lend a particular feel to their version of shot/reverse shot.
Music: Carter Burwell - Way Out There (Raising Arizona) Carter Burwell - A Serious Man Oscar Isaac - Green Green Rocky Road (Inside Llewyn Davis) Carter Burwell - Little Blackie (True Grit) Carter Burwell - End Titles (Miller’s Crossing) Creedence Clearwater Revival - Run Through the Jungle