The majority of It's Always Sunny was shot by cinematographer Peter Smokler (who shot the episode I am analysing; Mac and Dennis Break Up).
Seasons 1-4 of It's Always Sunny were shot with an aspect ratio of 4:3 due to using the Panasonic DVX100 MiniDV - this gave the show a cheap, observational feel as it felt as if the programme was being shot on a home camcorder. This camera was used at a quality of 24p until they upgraded to wide-screen to fit with the changing times - however, even though Smokler began to use high definition video cameras, the 24p quality was still retained. Keeping the low quality look of the programme works to reflect the class of the characters and how unpleasant they are as people. This shows that the aspect ratio and quality of the production affects more than just how it looks - it reflects the personalities and environment within the production as well. For this reason, I will be using an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 21:9 at 4K quality as the character Tim has a high view of himself (whether this view is justified or not) and so the quality of the production should reflect this.
Shooting Style
It's Always Sunny is shot largely handheld which aids the low production / natural quality of the show. This handheld filming method gives the impression that the camera is merely observing natural behaviour and that it hasn't been set up and structured to capture 'performances' - this makes the production feel more natural and is, therefore, why I still aim to use a handheld filming style for VET-MAN.
The majority of the scenes follow the same filming process - starting on a wider shot, then moving into shot reverse shot to capture the dialogue between the characters. This helps to establish the situation, before moving into the details - this helps to enhance the comedy as the comedy then lands on the tighter shots, making it more visible to the audience and, therefore, evoking a bigger reaction to the comedy. Even though this is a basic filming technique for dialogue, It's Always Sunny shows how this can be made to fit with the tone of a specific production and can be used to enhance the comedy. As it is all shot handheld, Always Sunny makes the shot reverse shot technique its own as it feels natural and appropriate to the scenario. The handheld camera keeps the informal feel whilst the shot types deliver the necessary dialogue in order to evoke the comedy. Always Sunny uses this shot type to enhance the comedy as the majority of the comedy is seen through these shots in the actions, reactions and expressions of the characters which is made clearer through the use of these shots.
This reinforces my idea to use shot reverse shot in the dialogue portions of VET-MAN. I had reservations at first due to this shot type being used in more structured productions where the shots look pre-planned and would, therefore, take away from the natural feel of the production. However, the use of shot reverse shot in Always Sunny shows how this can be used to deliver the dialogue, enhance the comedy and retain the natural feel of the production.
As there are multiple locations involved in the episodes of Always Sunny, establishing shots are always used to transition between these locations. Whilst this technique is often used in more structured programmes, it is an essential piece of storytelling as it helps to transition the narrative through the locations involved. The use of establishing shots in Always Sunny reinforces the idea that they are not just for structured and polishing looking productions - instead, when filmed in a way that keeps with the feel of your production, establishing shots can be used whilst still keeping the natural atmosphere. I will do this in VET-MAN by matching the filming style of the establishing shots to the filming style of the rest of the production (i.e. I will ensure the establishing shots are filming in the same handheld style in which I plan to film the dialogue and action of the characters).
Overall, It's Always Sunny uses a very similar filming style to the productions I researched in the pre-production unit - therefore, whilst I haven't gained any new inspiration into how to film VET-MAN, it has reinforced the decisions I made regarding the filming style in my director of photography statement.
The lighting set-up of Always Sunny appears to have a very natural tone to it. Within the characters' apartment, practical lighting appears to be used (or the effect of practical room lighting has been created) - this continues the natural feel of the production as it suggests no additional lighting equipment has been used which would make the production feel staged and structured.
The colours then used within the location reflect this natural lighting as the dull natural light casts a dull look on the locations. This works to reflect the characters' status as they are all low class individuals working at a dive bar which brings in little money. This then enhances the comedy as the audience feel no emotional attachment to the characters as they are all horrible people - it is important that the lighting, colour and tone reflect this as it emphasises this aspect of their characters. This also helps the production feel like a natural observation of the characters living their lives as it would feel out of place if these horrible characters were living out the show in brightly lit, high class locations - this would throw out the believability of the show and, therefore, take away from the comedy.
As shown in the image below, the colours used are generally dull and dingy to reflect the characters and the environments they find themselves in. This can be seen within Charlie and Frank's apartment which is supposed to reflect how they live in squalor. The colours are all very natural to how they would be seen within these locations in real life - this suggests no specific colour look or colour grade has been given to the production which helps to retain the entirely natural and low production quality feel. I will ensure the colours in VET-MAN accurately reflect the locations they are in and the status of the characters so that the colour feel appropriate to the production. This is something that Always Sunny has highlighted - there is no specific colour scheme to use to make something look natural, it is all dependent on the type of environments and the type of characters you are portraying within the production.
It's Always Sunny also uses music to transition between scenes. This is usually an upbeat track which helps to keep the pace of the comedy fast so that the audience don't become bored and tired waiting for the next comedic scenario to take place. If the audience are kept happy by keeping the pace moving, they are more likely to react to the humour within the dialogue / actions of the characters which makes the sitcom more successful. We decided in the pre-production unit that there would be no music as it would not fit with the tone of the production. However, Always Sunny is a similar tone to VET-MAN and manages to make a music work within the narrative. Once the production is shot, I will sit with the director and work out if music would feel appropriate in any scene which could work to enhance the production by keeping a fast pace which, in turn, keeps the audience engaged.
What have I learnt?
- The aspect ratio and quality in which the production is shot does more than just affect the visual look - these elements of production also help to reflect the environment, subject matter and characters. This has reinforced my decision to use an aspect ratio of 16:9 or 21:9 as these both indicate a higher production value which will reflect the high view Tim has of himself.
- The handheld camera style helps to convey the natural tone of the production. My research into The Office also showed how the handheld camera style worked to produce a natural atmosphere, however, The Office is a mockumentary style sitcom so isn't exactly the same production style as VET-MAN, so I wanted to ensure a fully sitcom style programme like Always Sunny could also effectively use the same handheld style to effectively convey a natural feeling production - my research into this was successful and I feel confident in my decision to shoot VET-MAN handheld. It's Always Sunny is a very similar tone to VET-MAN with the characters doing ridiculous things in such an ordinary way - the handheld filming style combined with standard shot types like wide shots and shot reverse shots works to convey their actions in a natural and observational way which makes their behaviour appear much more ludicrous and comedic to the audience.
- Believability is a big thing in making the comedy shine through in a natural feeling production. As the audience are lead to believe they are observing the natural behaviour of the characters, all elements of the production need to make this as believable as possible. This means having lighting that feels natural to the environment and colours that reflect the exact location they are in - if elements like this feel unnatural, the behaviour of the characters will seem unnatural which will decrease the effectiveness of the comedy. (i.e. in VET-MAN, if it is not believable that Tim is a travelling vet in the different locations he visits, the audience will struggle to believe any of the behaviour and actions that ensue - however, if the colours and lighting of each environment are natural and appropriate to the exact scenario, the entire production becomes more believable which allows the comedy to unravel as intended).
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