How do directors film a conversation?

How do directors film a conversation?

In order for directors to film an interesting and intriguing conversation, they must use a wide range of camera angles and camera techniques in order to hold the audience’s attention so they don’t get bored.
Jim Jarmusch’s “Coffee and cigarettes” uses the 180° rule; where you only film on one side of an imaginary line – all cameras are required to be on one side. This imaginary line passes through the actors’ faces who are facing each other, so usually we only see one side of each actors face, unless they turn their head of course. The purpose of this shot is to let the audience see the positions of each actor and let them get a feel of their surrounding environment. The 180° rule prevents confusion in the audience as they just get to see one side of each actors’ face, and the camera angle changes aren’t too harsh and extreme and makes it easier for them to follow the actions the actors are doing and the conversation that they’re having. If the director wasn’t to use the 180° rule then the shots would then be disoriented, this is called a reverse cut which most directors aim to avoid.
This scene also uses a shot/reverse shot. This type of shot is when something what one of the actors is looking at is shown, then shortly after is seen looking at that object, or this could be the other way around. In the clip below, it is clearly shown when Iggy Pop is shown looking at something, however as the audience, we aren't really sure what it is until the next shot shows it. Shot/reverse shots are used to create tension, suspense and mystery in a scene, as at first we only see how the actor behaves because of such object, and this creates an aura of tension as we are left wondering why the actor is behaving because of this object. It is also used to show significance of something in a scene or the whole film it's self, by showing the actor's interest in it, it becomes a key part of that scene/film.

Another scene which incorporates what a director should use to film a conversation is the rule of thirds, which is displayed in the clip below from Lord of The Rings of Gollum and Smeagol. Although there isn't actually two characters and it's just Gollum talking to the other part of himself, a good, intense conversation is still achieved. The way the rule of thirds works is a grid is set over the top of scenes and images and the camera returns to a set of 3 shots in the scene; the effect of this is it creates the sense of isolation and claustrophobia for the audience as the shots focus on these 3 shots.

Another filming technique that causes the feeling of claustrophobia, discomfort and isolation is the lack of head room in this scene. When the camera zooms in onto Gollum's face when he is being mean to Smeagol, it makes the audience feel uncomfortable with the lack of head room in the shot. This makes the scene intense and intriguing for whoever is watching it, which is a good thing as it keeps the audience interested and on the edge of their seats to see how the conversation will end.

Again in this clip below from "The Tomorrow People", the director sticks to the 180 degree rule. The reason for this is to let the audience see the whole of what is going on in the scene and to help them not get confused by the cameras' positions, the do this by keeping the cameras on one side of an invisible line.

Like with the "Lord of the Rings" clip, the director zooms in on the actors' faces in attempt to create an air of suspense, uncertainty and discomfort. This works very well for this scene in particular as Stephen is trying to prevent the woman from discovering the truth about something; by zooming in on each of their faces during this interrogation, it makes us feel uneasy whether or not she's going to sniff him out.