MediaArtTutorials
Continuous Shot (Individual)
In this assignment, you will create a 30-second continuous handheld video recorded from a first-person point of view, moving from an outdoor space to an indoor space in a single, uninterrupted shot.
The focus of this exercise is on movement, exposure anticipation, and spatial transition, not narrative development of perfect lighting. The goal is for you to rely more in post-production processes so you practice advance colour correction.
❗ Attendance and engagement are part of the rubric.
You are expected to work actively during class time and participate in all in-class activities.
Project Overview
- Format: 30-second continuous video
- Camera: Handheld (no tripod)
- Point of View: First-person (camera as body)
- Exposure: Manual Mode (M), set before recording and locked
- Focus: Auto Focus
- Image Stabilization: ON
- Audio: Built-in camera microphone
- Location: McMaster University campus and immediate surroundings only
- Collaboration:
- Work in the same groups of 3 as Week 3
- Equipment is shared
- Each student records their own individual video
Examples
Russian Ark (2002), by Alexander Sokurov
→ Filmed in a single uninterrupted shot, this work demonstrates how space, light, and sound evolve over time without cuts. Although not first-person, it is a strong reference for understanding continuity, spatial transition, and the limits of exposure control in long takes.
▶️ Trailer
▶️ Full Movie
Victoria (2015), by Sebastian Schipper
→ This film moves fluidly between indoor and outdoor environments, forcing exposure, focus, and sound to adapt in real time. The camera navigates space through walking, following, and drifting.
▶️ Movie Trailer
▶️ Movie segment
⚠️ Content Warning: This film contains violence, criminal activity, and intense scenes.
Enter the Void (2009), by Gaspar Noé
→ A landmark example where the camera adopts an embodied, subjective perspective. The film uses handheld movement, continuous motion, and dramatic exposure and color shifts.
▶️ Movie Trailer
▶️ Opening Sequence - Enter the Void
⚠️ Content Warning: This film contains explicit imagery, including drug use, sexuality, flashing lights, and intense visual effects that may be disorienting or triggering.
Activities
Complete the following in order. Ask the professor or TAs for support or feedback.
1. Planning [15m]
Before recording, your group (from Week 3) must select one shared route that moves from outdoors to indoors within approximately 30 seconds at a normal walking pace.
Even though the route is shared, each recording should feel distinct through framing, attention, and movement.
- Choose a location near a door or clear transition point
- Avoid routes that include stairs
- Do not over-design the path
- Do not choose a route that requires running or abrupt movement
As a group:
- Agree on the same location and route
Individually:
- Decide where the camera will look while moving
- Decide how you will frame space as you walk
- Think about how light will change during the transition
- Perspective: First-person point of view
2. Recording [40m]
Camera Setup
Follow W4 — Tech Walkthrough
- Handheld camera
- Manual Mode (M)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Resolution: 1920 × 1080
- Frame Rate: 30 fps
- Auto Focus ON (new: you can use manual focus if you want)
- Image Stabilization ON
- Custom White Balance
- Exposure set before recording and locked
Anticipate changes in lighting contrast and set your aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and exposure so they work generally well across the entire scene. Use the histogram to evaluate exposure in both spaces (outdoors and indoors) ❗ Exposure changes are expected. Do not attempt to correct them during recording. You will work with advance colour correction during Post-Production
- Save the following camera parameters for your submission (write them down):
Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO - Audio: camera’s built-in microphone
Avoid touching or covering the microphone
A general technical tip to keep in mind:
When setting your exposure, aim for a balanced middle point. Avoid setting exposure so it looks perfect indoors or outdoors, because the opposite space will likely become unusable. Instead, choose settings that preserve as much information as possible across both lighting conditions, even if neither space looks “ideal” at first glance. This will give you more flexibility during color correction.
Recording Rules
- Each student records a maximum of two takes
- Each take must be: continuous, handheld, and last 40-60 seconds
You will trim the beginning or end to reach a final duration of 30 seconds
- No stopping or restarting mid-shot
- No running
- Walk at a normal, steady pace
- Classmates may help:
- open doors
- clear the path
3. Post-Production: Premiere Pro [Begin in Class]
Refer to W4 Tutorials or previous tutorials.
Editing Requirements
- Final duration: 30 seconds
- No cuts within the shot — it must remain a continuous shot
- No speed changes
- Do not slow down or speed up footage
- Simple fade-in (beginning) and fade-out (end) only
- Use the original sound from the camera
You may adjust audio levels
- Perform color correction only
- Address exposure imbalance caused by lighting transition
- Maintain a natural look
- Very subtle colour grading is allowed
- Maintain a natural look
- Use keyframes if needed to:
- gradually adjust exposure or color
- respond to lighting changes over time
- Add both Titles and Credits at the end of the video
🚫 No music
🚫 No visual effects
Project Info PDF
Create a one/two-page document including:
- One representative still image
- Title
- Year
- Author
- Location and route description
- 3–4 line description explaining:
- your framing choices
- how movement shaped the image
- how light changed during the shot
- Technical information: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Lens used
- Brief note on colour correction: 1–2 sentences identifying the main exposure or color challenges in the shot and explaining how keyframes and scopes were used to correct them
Submission
- ➡️ Export as PDF
- 📄 Filename:
Lastname-Name-ContinuousShot.pdf
📤 Submission (individual)
| Item | Required Filename |
|---|---|
| Final Static Outdoor Scene MP4 | Lastname-Name-ContinuousShot.mp4 |
| Project Description PDF | Lastname-Name-ContinuousShot.pdf |
⚠️ Follow the submission protocols carefully. Incorrect submissions may result in lost points.
Credits: Jessica A. Rodríguez
AI Disclosure:
Microsoft CoPilot and ChatGPT was used for editing and clarity only, as well as to create some to the image visualizations. AI is not used to generate original course content.