Concrete does not self level well at all. A bad footing leads to a terrible wall. Getting a footing level is done several ways. We form it up with 2 x 4's if it is an 8" footing and level the 2 x 4's with a rotary laser around the enter basement. Then once grade is established we dig the footing down the necessary 8" of total depth. This helps key the footing to the ground and helps reduce problems with backfill and also reduces on wasted concrete.