Film Better Dialogue With One Camera! | Shooting & Editing Tutorial

[@henriquemoreira4176]

great video, but how did you edit the dialog of those j and l cuts, when they're overlapped? I think this scene is flawless in the terms of framing, blocking and audio!

[@garrettsammons]

You can use audio from other takes when showing the reaction shot. Either sentences are spliced, or we just use the audio from the incoming shot. Also, in the performance, the dialogue wasn’t always as tight as it ended up being in the cut.

[@henriquemoreira4176]

@@garrettsammons that makes a lot of sense, thank you! it really works well when used properly

[@BDoughly]

i came to the comments just for this.

[@blaylock1978]

@@garrettsammons This was going to be my question as well. I think this answers it. So you are recording everybody else’s dialogue at the same time and when people are supposed to be talking over one another, you are just simply not recording it that way but in edit you’re overlapping that audio to make the conversation seem quicker and natural. But, ultimately every single person is saying their lines during every take?

[@Dan1elAndrade]

@@blaylock1978 that's what I understood. Everyone's saying their lines during every take, not because you are going to use all of the lines recorded in every take, but because it helps actors act better.

[@vincenttheriault796]

Great video, thanks. One thing I would add, about the J and L cuts : it's not just about masking the edits. We tend to find J and L cuts more pleasing because it is more natural. Imagine you are listening to a conversation between two persons (as if you were the camera in the scene). When one person speaks, you watch him/her. But when the other person starts responding, you don't watch him/her immediately. You HEAR him/her first, and THEN you turn your attention to him/her (J cut). And sometimes, you wanna watch the reaction of the other person while he/she is being speaking to (L cut). This kind of editing mimic what it is like to follow a conversation in real life.

[@garrettsammons]

Great advice Vincent! Thanks for your insight.

[@TheSpecterRanger]

Yes. Some of the most amateur looking dialogue is when you always watch who is talking. Don't forget to take into account what information is being said in the scene. If a character is learning something important for the first time, it's often fitting to see them hear the news rather than the person saying it (if their reaction gives insight into their emotion and informs the story.) Sometimes seeing a group of people's reactions is more important than the speaker, like when two people are hearing something and they have a visual exchange with each other. This sort of thing is a good reason to have an additional two-shot of these two characters so that you can see them both interacting as they listen to some vital information. Don't take this to mean that you should shoot endless amounts of coverage, with every possible combination, but rather that you should pick the shots carefully that best show the important details in a conversation. This may require more (or even less) shots than "basic coverage," but it also saves time because you know what parts of the scene you need from each angle, and therefor don't have to over-shoot and run through the entire scene for every single take.

[@skoobakane]

man your cool you teach so cool

[@CoachAnthonyMiller]

I'll be shooting my first film this Thursday. So glad i came across this video it was immensely helpful. Thank you.

[@Jai_jagannath003]

Always Congratulations Keep Creating

[@roehaus1]

This is HANDS DOWN... one of the best tutorials that I have ever seen explaining the working relationship that should exist between writer, director, DP and editor. Congrats on a great video!

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks Jerry! Always happy to help 🙏

[@vincentolixcomedy7048]

'"Think of how to create your shots and think of how to create power in that" Powerful statement

[@producer4hire]

This has been by far the most immersive and informative video I've have seen on this site. Everyone always talks about shot sizes and focal lengths, but nobody sets up the camera and shows how their explanation relates to world experience. You've done just that. Took me from theory to actual practice. Thank you!! Amazing and insightful work! Bravo!!

[@garrettsammons]

I'm so glad! Let me know if there are other scene types you'd like me to make videos on.

[@christianschonberger9695]

Very helpful! First thing I noticed, after the first j-cut, is the framing: female detective - left, male detective - center, guy who lives there - right. You never break that rule and I love it. As much as I am in favor of experimenting, dialog shot and edited by the rules is by far the best. One last thing: also love that you framed the actors with just the right amount of "dialog air" (negative space in frame). Thanks for making this.

[@albgoode2u2]

EXCELLENT. DIALOGUE scenes always made me wonder how they were shot. Now I know, EXCELLENT

[@NewMoviesonCinema]

I love your studio setup very quiet and I easily focus on you than disturbed by cameras or lots of unnecessary props.

[@stockhousefilms]

Wow!!! best dialogue video I’ve ever seen extremely informative!!!!!

[@ALALAMP]

I don't usually comment but I just had to commend @Garrett Sammons for a well detailed explanation of how to shoot a dialogue scene. Incase no one noticed he went far into explaining how to direct, blocking, shoot and preparation for the shoot and even to the edit. Thank you very much Garrett.

[@MobileFilmmaking]

Probably the best tutorial I've seen on having multiple shots. As I'm shooting my first feature this year, this will improve my scenes dramatically. THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

[@JacobVossFilms]

These filmmaking specific-subject deep-dive videos are my favorite of yours. Keep making them, they're so helpful! :)

[@garrettsammons]

I'm working on a series of them right now. Stick around!

[@rebth1st]

This was great. I am currently enrolled in the Los Angeles Film School Bachelor of Science in Online Digital Filmmaking program and we briefly touched on a little of what you explained. I am in my 8th month and my camera techkit will come at the end of the month but I already have a buttload of professional equipment. What you described in this video is so insightful. Thank you.

[@sunilkokkiligadda]

Hands down one of the best tutorials on this very important filmmaking subject. Thank you so much...!!

[@bendyarms]

Dude this is so good. You went beast mode on all these videos.

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks bro! I’m stoked to finally get these out into the world 🤙

[@stefang9291]

I normally don't ever comment, but this video was incredibly useful. It really dives into the specifics of things and a lot of what you mentioned weren't things that I noticed naturally. Thank you for putting it together!

[@SmoothMoodProject]

It is very rare that i sit and watch a video from the beginning till the end! Great job and i learned a lot!

[@AnthonyVella]

This is so cool. I’m just a boring ol KZbin, but THIS makes me want to make something cinematic! Thank you!!!

[@mattceccotti]

New subscriber about to shoot some scenes for the first time ever and utterly clueless....thank you for this, it's incredibly helpful!

[@CompleteProducer]

super helpful video! side note, but in regards to trimming your beard, the guys from Queer Eye recommend trimming your beard from the top of your adam's apple down, because it looks more natural that way. I only say that because you trim line looks a little high. Someone once told me the same and it improved my look and my life. Hope this helps.

[@allaripidugulu5406]

No body xplain like you brother..till now... urs every Word So valuable for Upcoming Artists n Filmmakers... Thanks for your support...

[@monteestowes1245]

Ridiculously helpful. Came across this in the middle of storyboarding and subbed

[@Firetracks]

Wow this was major! Thanks man!

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help! 🤙

[@markelrandle1029]

so much info in one video , thanks Garrett ! first one I saw from you, definitely won't be the last

[@garrettsammons]

Happy you found it helpful!

[@lionchasermedia]

Thank you for this! I’m currently scheduling cast and crew. This is going to be implemented into my short. I’ll be shooting in December. This really does help, brother! Thank you!

[@garrettsammons]

You’re going to crush it Daniel! 🤙

[@danishear6574]

You are such a brilliant communicator. I'm about to do my first short film. Thank you for these gems~~

[@terrytang5367]

I better start working on my shot list! Thank you for your video! Exactly what I want!

[@The22Century]

This video answered all my questions about how to film dialogues scenes with one camera. Really needed that. Thank you. Subbed.

[@kelvinnimelyjr]

Wooow, the best and most helpful video I've watch so far as it relates to film making

[@jacobsnightmare1807]

Wow!! This was amazing! You deserve your own Masterclass episode! Made me feel better about working my upcoming project with one camera, too! Thank you. Definitely subbed!!!

[@mohbati9139]

Really enjoyed this video and very informative. Oh god I'm an actor and always I tell the director let other actors be with me during the single scenes but most of directors refuse and force me to do it alone!!!!!

[@FilmSpook]

Much Love and Appreciation for you, Garrett, you are Awesome. 🤠 Wishing you all the Best, man.

[@qaanithmasoodi17]

The best video on shooting dialogues, thank you man. Make more

[@nyladorsey3512]

I’m a young aspiring screenwriter wanting to put my ideas out there starting off by short films this was very helpful for me because I was struggling with trying to shoot scenes and all thank you so much

[@blueflowerfilms5933]

I'm looking for ideas and am a beginner filmaker. Maybe we can work together? Do you have ig?

[@charliexmovie]

beautifully done Garrett

[@onyebuchidavid1860]

Thank You Sir So glad i came across this video it was immensely helpful.

[@BRO_Ld_ISREAL]

THIS IS EXACTLY THE INFORMATION I WANTED!!! THANKS GARRET, I SUBSCRIBED!!!,THANKS.

[@dannydirect]

Excellent vid. TY for your great insight dude. Especially your thoughts on the (overlooked) importance of reaction shots 🔥

[@sp00ky_ruby65]

Brilliant video, thanks for the help. I’m filming my first ever directed/written film and this really helped. Cheers!

[@garrettsammons]

Glad you found it useful!

[@webstervisuals6520]

This is something which I waited for all my entire life 😍

[@teampetty7603]

Garrett , thank you bro. You are a great teacher I hope you prosper. I subscribed just because of this video.

[@ScribblebytesWorldwide]

It was soooo good. I tried to keep looking at the technique but I kept being pulled into the characters, how the shot choices progressed the character arc.

[@brianhayes260]

Subscribed off of this video alone! You dropped some jewels! Thanks for sharing!! 💯

[@TheDreamworkCoach]

Such a great video packed with practical information! The advice on L cuts and J cuts is particularly awesome. Thank you!!

[@sorellamber]

This material is so helpful! Had to subscribe! Great work here!

[@gvuprise1465]

Thank you so much. Please we need more videos.

[@garrettsammons]

Coming right up!

[@BoookofPeace]

Great storytelling and scene breakdown Garrett!

[@stillstrong9444]

Dude i am stuned ! wow. .

[@ShotByChuka]

This is so good mehn. Thank you so much!!! Learnt so much from this video

[@scottwithers7026]

I have to agree with the other raves and thanks. This is exactly what so many of us are out there searching for. 🙏

[@yikesdarnell]

Thank you for sharing this, this is great information for beginners.

[@hwcentertainment]

Thank you man. Visual Boredom happens when there is no enough takes.

[@blueflowerfilms5933]

Yes, story isn't enough.

[@gyarney]

You packed a lot of gems in less than 15 minutes.. great video

[@igorsauchuk7724]

thanks from self-studying actor, producer and scenarist

[@ali_yazdanpanah_1379]

This is my 1st comment on youtube >

[@jpfiuza]

The tip on the reaction shot was superb. Great video, keep it up!

[@SaulMarquezRousset]

Una clase magistral! Gracias por compartir!!

[@quickpickle]

This is awesome advice.. I would love to have seen how this was filmed with 1 camera. Mainly how the flow of reactions and the back and forth was achieved when using 1 camera having to cut and change position of the camera. Thats my main difficulty to understand how to go about doing that when multiple cameras aren't used.

[@lethelthurman3684]

Beautiful video my friend excellent.

[@hommedemystere]

I love the blue background you use in the intro… could you explain how you set that up?

[@MichaelSteighner]

Working on shooting my first short film with a friend in a few days. There’s so much information that I have been looking for, in this video! All in one neat little package. Thank you!

[@garrettsammons]

Good luck! I’m sure it’ll turn out amazing 🤙

[@cheemantavedantam5036]

Saw it for the second time. I like the content.

[@mrAkeemAdebisi]

Thank you..now I know what my interview shots are missing

[@gustavocardososchanaider758]

About to direct my first dialogue scene. So grateful for this video and for people who share their knowledge! Found the explanations were perfectly clear and not over-simplified. Definitely, following Garret’s content from now on.

[@rutuj8455]

Loved the video💕🤌🏻…. But how did you manage the audio for 9 different shots and edit it like one smooth conversation. ?

[@JohnnyJayVisuals]

Sheesh this is exactly what I needed to see starting to want to get into short films and wanted to see how it was done

[@garrettsammons]

Should I make more like this?

[@bilaashaep2407]

This is Master class, Thank you Garret.

[@TURNERNATOR82]

So awesome 😎

[@mfcreativemedia]

learned alot of things on this video. you got me subbed

[@manishraj3784]

Very well explained. Thanks for sharing.

[@zogood3495]

Thank you so much for the insight on film making

[@garrettsammons]

Glad it was helpful!

[@abeeeshen3852]

Great tutorial! Thank you for talking about tone of the shots. I think that is real big

[@osheebaugus]

Filmaking is a craft. Art is art. It's seperate from the medium.

[@garrettsammons]

I like this

[@YoPraise]

awesome dude

[@qhwecumexez336]

thanks very much for the knowledge. You've earn a follower

[@jaspermeulendijks4033]

Absolutely amazing video! Thanks!!

[@jorgeclosabenitez7681]

You've got such a great energy bro, keep doing videos like this ;)

[@garrettsammons]

Thanks Jorge! 🤙

[@ewanjonesfilms8446]

Currently planning my cinematography work for my grad film and this helped me out incredibly, thank you so much!

[@damancandance1]

damn dude you are such a great explainer and teacher for this stuff thank you for the breakdown.

[@ratt57]

Hey, Garrett, thanks for the video! I'd really enjoy seeing a video covering audio recording and editing when shooting a conversation... how to mic each person in the best way during a two-way conversation, intercutting between one person and another and audio issues that can come up during editing. When shooting the scene, how do you deal with overlapping audio between both actors from another take if you've shot the entire conversation three times from three different angles? How do you replace a line of dialogue from a different take and keep your timing intact? Also, you mention J-cuts and L-cuts in this video, but in this video, but you don't explain what they are..???

[@garrettsammons]

Great suggestions! Thanks 🙏 L cuts and J cuts are a method used in editing to disguise seams. An “L cut” is when you introduce the next video clip before the corresponding audio. An example would be seeing someone reacting to what they’re hearing before they begin their response. A “J cut” is the opposite. It’s when the audio is introduced before the video clip. So you would hear someone’s voice before cutting to see them. Breaking the cuts up help blend the performances and takes together into a more cohesive narrative.

[@derik_niez]

I really enjoy this type of content, thanks for sharing

[@garrettsammons]

Happy to help dude!

[@derik_niez]

Much appreciated

[@simlinedrew]

Just what I needed!!

[@zoanyway]

Basics. But such very nice coverage of the topic with a perfect example to work from. Keep it up!

[@Cloud_Envy111]

This was fun to watch 🔥

[@KervyKun]

This is more than helpful, this is perfect

[@turtlemediacreations2826]

Excellent buddy ! i loved it thanks for the tips

[@BayBoyFilms]

You answered all the questions I had. Great video. Just gave you a sub!

[@cinematicamusic2578]

Very good info!, thanks!

[@fshaz]

Brilliant tutorial

[@cesarq6011]

Masterclass on line 1

[@essence2466]

aw the little flies he drew @ 4:30

[@dheerajrattan]

very Helpful video for aspiring filmmakers ... i loved the profile short at 1.36

[@twistedwizardry5153]

Best explanation yet subbed!

[@jayamohan1250]

Very informative vedio. Thanks for uploading . Lots of love from India.

[@SebastianChuffer]

You are amazing explaining things Garret.Thanks!

[@garrettsammons]

I appreciate that Sebastian!

[@SebastianChuffer]

@@garrettsammons How do you plan your dialogues scenes? Do you record everything for each shot?

[@garrettsammons]

Precisely. I’ll run through the scene with the actors in rehearsal/table read to get the right tone. On set, I’ll setup a camera or two and then run the whole scene. Change over cameras and run it again with new angles.

[@mariahbulivou5529]

This whole video was so well explained and so helpful I learnt so much!! Thankyou

[@RickyCatalogue]

I really enjoyed watching and of course learned from it! I’m new to filmmaking and I’m very passionate about it. Been doing voluntary production for a none profit group on family for a year+ now. I write, shoot and edit for them. I own one dslr camera and that’s all I shoot with. I’m presently working on a personal short film on domestic violence here in SA which should be out by month end. Well, at a point, I felt bad with several takes and having my characters repeating from the beginning just like you explained. I also don’t have the budget to hire more cameras and stuffs. So, I usually make do with what I have. With your video today, it feels good to know that I’m not alone, that a professional like you could do same. I’m encouraged to continue until I’m able to buy a second camera. Thanks for sharing this to encourage people like me. Thanks so much! I subscribed 🤝

[@hameedtacharakalpudukudi5980]

Thank you sir...💕 It's a great video...👌

[@Swimgood_world]

Any tips on how to write good dialogue for a short film?

[@garrettsammons]

Oh, writing is a super tough one for me. Seth Worley has a great writing 101 course online that I think you'd find super helpful.