Tags: Directors, Filmmaking, Saveslot
Filming for part of Saveslot’s upcoming web-series on Sunday, I came across a good example of the filmmaking concept that NOT showing something makes it more powerful than ever.
There was a joke involving “Upper Decking”, which is the practice of taking a “deuce” in the upper-reservoir tank of someone’s toilet, so that when the next person flushes away their respective urine, the toilet bowl will turn a magical shade of brown and smell violently.
At first we debated the merits of having a “shock humor” sight gag with a chocolate bar falling into the water, but I decided to hold off and see if we needed it. Good thing, because when I edited the footage, I found it wasn’t necessary to SHOW it. Audiences are smart enough to bring their imaginations along for the ride, so sometimes the obvious shots are the best ones to omit. I’m a firm believer that the human imagination can conjure up images that can be more powerful than anything shot on film. By NOT showing the low-brow dropping of the “log” or the subsequent flooding of the toilet (but instead, explaining it in Voice Over and showing a REACTION) I found that the actual concept of “Upper Decking” retained it’s humor without alienating anyone.
So next time you have a tricky shot to shoot, or sensitive/complicated imagery and you’re trying to figure out how to shoot it- consider NOT shooting it. It’s easier than shooting it and it’ll turn out better in the audience’s mind than you could ever accomplish.
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