Dogme 95
The goal of the Dogme collective is to purify filmmaking by refusing expensive and spectacular special effects, post-production modifications and other technical gimmicks. The filmmakers concentrate on the story and the actors' performances. Dogme 95 includes the following rules:
1.) Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in - Props and set are artificial and can make the scene appear set up and unnatural. By shooting a scene on location, it is realistic and a lack of props means that the audience are not alienated or distracted.
2.) The sound must never be produced apart from the image or vice-versa - Natural sounds such as birds and traffic easily fit in with a scene, particularly if traffic can be seen in the shot. This adds to the realism of the scene.
3.) The camera must be handheld. Any movement or mobility attainable in the hand is permitted - A handheld camera helps the audience to feel apart of the scene, as if they are really there. This once again convinces the audience that what they are watching is real.
4.) The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable - Special lighting can stand out and can count as an "expensive special effect" as it has been added in to improve the scene. To make the shot appear completely realistic, natural lighting such as sunlight must be used instead of "special lighting".
5.) Optical work and filters are forbidden - Just like with special lighting, optical work and filters are unnatural added effects that are used to improve the scene but take the risk of making the scene appear artificial and unrealistic.
6.) The film must not contain superficial action - Unlike in action films, spectacular special effects such as explosions must not occur, as this is unrealistic and mostly used in high-budget films.
7.) Temporal and geographic alienation are forbidden - The characters must fit in with the time period and the setting. For example, you must not have characters from a sci-fi movie in 2006 next to a block of flats. This is unrealistic and will distract and confuse the audience because the characters and setting do not fit.
8.) Genre movies are not acceptable.
9.) The film format must be Academy 35mm.
10.) The director must not be credited.
Example:
In this scene from "WASP", an Oscar winning short film, the director sticks to the rules of Dogme 95. For instance, a handheld camera is constantly used to make the audience feel apart of the scene as well as using natural lighting from the sun. The sounds in the background, such as the birds and the cars, also fit into the scene and do not appear to be added in from the editing. All of this helps the scene appear realistic and genuine. The characters clearly fit in with the time period and setting with no props or sets being used. Therefore, the director has successfully made a short believable film by sticking to the set of rules that were drawn up and confirmed by Dogme 95.
Storyboarding in the style of Dogme 95:
In class we each created a storyboard of a section of WASP. Because of the drawing and my lack of artistic skill, my storyboard is difficult to read and understand.
Scene 1:
A very long shot or establishing shot is used to show the pub along with the woman and her children. The eldest child is carrying the baby and the fact that the woman shows no sign of affection towards her children and tells them to "wait outside" shows their lack of an affectionate relationship. It is twilight, making the streets appear sinister and two men can be seen smoking outside of the pub entrance - this connotes danger for the children. The pub itself is shabby and falling apart, with broken windows and the muffled sounds of male voices coming from inside.
Scene 2:
A medium shot is used to show the mother entering the pub without her children. There is dim pub lighting and a man is to the right of the motherplaying on a slot machiene. There are the sounds of men drinking and shouting, creating a 'caotic pub' atmosphere. The door behind the mother is broken down while the walls are stained and dirty.
Scene 3:
A panning shot from left to right shows the kids in the forground looking around for their mother. Many men can be seen in this shot which makes the pub appear crowded and dangerous for the children. Once again, there is dim pub lighitng with the sound of men shouting. The mother and her boyfriend can be seen in the background playing a game of pool. A few pint glasses are placed on the edge of the table to show that they have been drinking. The mother has clearly not noticed her children and seems to have forgotten about them as she continues to play her game of pool.
Scene 4:
A medium shot is used to show the man and women laughing and struggling to walk - having clearly drunk too much. Part of the pool table can be seen to the right which is covered with empty pint glasses. Police sirens can be heard from outside which connotes danger and trouble. The kids can be seen in the background at a table on their own, surrounded by men from the pub. The mother takes no notice of them and they appear to have been shoved away.
