My AS Prelim

Our task was to create a short film involving a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. The short film should've demonstrated match on action, shot/reverse shot and 180-degree rule.

1)Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you? 

To create the short film I worked with Matthew and Eleanor. As a group we first had a group discussion in order to sort out basic details of the film. We decided on the story line of the short film whilst sticking closely to the brief. We had to ensure the story line included two characters with a few lines of dialogue between them. as a group we decided the short film would be about a detention and the two characters would be a teacher and student. As a group we formed a short script of what each character will say. During the production of the sequence Matthew and I were acting with Eleanor doing most of the filming however we both took turns directing and filming scenes.  For the editing section of the task we were split into two groups. Matthew and I worked on one version of the sequence together whilst Eleanor made her own version by herself.

Our Group

Our script

                                               
2)How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? What theories did you try to take into account?

First off we planned who would act within the sequence. As a group we decided Matthew and I would feature in the film, Matthew as the teacher and me as the student. Next we started off with a group discussion of how the story line would work on camera.Thus as a group we planned each individual shot into a storyboard. On the story board we figured out the composition of each shot and the order each shot would go in. After story-boarding we referred back to the brief to ensure we met its needs for example "a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue." Our short film met this specific need. The next process we went through was figuring out where we would shoot the sequence. We decided our sets would be room PA6 in the media department as it had a teachers desk and was quite spacious to film in, thus making it easier to film in, as well as outside the media department and the foyet as they could easily show the character walking into the classroom. After deciding on the sets a shoot schedule was made in order to be more efficient when filming. This also made our filming a lot more organised. We took many theories into account whilst planning the sequence. Our first theory we took into account was genre. Our sequence was part of the school-drama genre. We showed this through our set being a classroom and dress code. I was dressed in smart casual clothes to show I was a student and Matthew wore a suit to display he was the teacher. This automatically gave the audience a representation of our characters.  Our shots were long with many awkward silences to try and imitate the drama genre. We used continuity principles in order not to break continuity such as the 180 degree rule, shot-reverse-shot, eye line matches and the 30 degree rule. we also achieved continuity within the editing stages by matching shots as close as possible.

Rough birds eye view of set

                                                       

Our Storyboard

3)What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it? 

During the shooting and editing process we used a wide variety of technology such as

A Canon HFG30 Camera to shoot. It is a camcorder that has professional grade features such as amazing video quality. It is fairly easy to shoot with which made it perfect for out task as we had to shoot scenes quickly and efficiently. However it is quite big and heavy which made it hard to film scenes that needed the camcorder to be elevated such as the clock scene.

A Canon HFG30

A Libec TH65-DV tripod in order for our shots to be steady. Without the tripod our shots would be shaky. The tripod was especially useful for smooth pans and tilts when using the tipod arm to swivel the camcorder.

The Libec TH65-DV

A Canon DM-100 Directional mic. We used the mic in order to record characters talking, the sounds of doors opening and the chocolate bar being unwrapped. The mic helped the audience visual things that were happening off screen such as the chocolate bar being unwrapped.

The Canon DM-100 Directional Mic

A standard clapper board in order to make the editing process easier when identifying shots.

Generic Clapperboard

A PC running Windows 7 operating system equipped with Adobe Premier Pro. The use of this editing software made it easy to cut clips and join them together. This was especially useful as we could edit efficiently and quickly within the time constraint.

Me and Matthew editing on a PC

4)What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing? 

We took many factors into account during the planning, shooting and editing processes. When planning we needed to take into account we only had three members in our group. This meant that we were limited to only two actors providing that one person could work the camera by themselves. We also had to plan our set. In order to do this we set up a birds eye view of how we would set up the classroom. During the shooting process we needed to take into account where we would shoot and at what specific time. Thus we made a shoot board to ensure we would not conflict with the other group in terms of setting. We also needed to take into account the time constraint throughout shooting and editing. We were given 1 hour to shoot and 1 hour to edit. This means we needed to time efficient with everything we do and there was absolutely no time to relax/ mess around. Full concentration was needed to fit into the time constraint.

5)How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/ do differently? 

I think overall our sequence was quite good. The majority of the shots worked well in terms of continuity and framing. I also really like the shot where the teachers gets the chocolate bar from the drawer. This is quite a unique shot with a smooth pan from an upward angle. In this shot we manage to also see the student in the background walking away. However there was a slight continuity error as the pencil case of the student disappears from the table in one shot and isn't seen again for the rest of the sequence. I also thought the atmosphere of the shot worked well with awkward silences to create tension between the two characters. in hindsight I would change the dialogue between the characters. Due to time constraint we used basic phrases. If possible I would change the actors especially me as it would be more efficient. For one shot we had up to 11 takes which could've been avoided.

6)What have you learnt from completing the task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework, do you think?

I have learnt a variety of things from this task. First of all acting is hard especially when trying to be serious. It took me 11 takes to get a straight face which is an awful lot. Also I learnt how to be more practical with some of my shots. For example something as simple as opening a chocolate bar is much harder than it looks as once opened it cannot be closed. I also learnt how to edit well. Once I got into a system I could edit with some pace and precision. This was not the case in GCSEs with editing being a long and painful process but now I find it enjoyable and will definitely be editing in my spare time. Editing as a skill will also be very useful when  it comes to the actual project where editing is key in order to achieve a desired effect. One last thing I learnt was many continuity principles such as the 180 degree rule and master shots.

Continuity Task 2 (BLK)

My sequence is an extract from the film "Man of Steel". The sequence I will be analysing starts at 0:11 till the end of the clip. A film based on the extremely popular Superhero from DC comics. in this sequence the main character, Superman, is being interrogated by the US Military as well as Louis Lane. Many techniques are used to show continuity in this sequence.

At the very start of the sequence we get a long shot of  two characters sitting at a table in the centre of the room. This automatically tells the audience the setting for the scene. The One-Way mirror is in shot as it is used later on in the sequence.

The shot then cuts to an over the shoulder shot of Louis Lane. This shot could be seen as an eye line match as they we are seeing Louis from almost Superman's perspective. The shot then cuts to an over the shoulder shot of Superman but now from Louis side. This is done to allow the audience see Supermans as he replies. The next shot is extremely similar to the first over the head shoulder shot of Louis however it is slightly zoomed in. This means that this is done from the same set up as the first shot but with different framing. A back and forth then occurs from the same set up and over the shoulder shots however with different framing.

The next shot cuts to a mid shot of a third character being introduced however form a different unknown destination. It is then revealed in the next shot, which is an over the shoulder shot of superman and Louis sitting at the table, that it is from the one way mirror seen in the very first master shot. The following shot shows a similar shot to the previous one however from the opposite side of Louis and Superman.This then cuts to other characters within the one way mirror to show their reactions, all of which are medium close up shots. This then cuts to a back and forth between medium close ups of superman and the third character as they converse.

After that the shot shows a completely different set up behind both the third character and the table. This shows the scene from the surrounding characters point of view as well as displays continuity by showing how each characters positions within the setting relate to each other. This set up is then abandoned in the next shots as they follow the previous set ups of medium close ups of Louise Lane and the other unnamed characters.

The last shot then shows Superman get up and begin to walk towards the mirror. As he is walking the shot cuts to the other characters backing away. The shot then cuts back to a long shot of superman still walking however he had covered some distance from when the characters began to walk away. This shot and the ones discussed above show continuity within the scene

Evaluation of AOTT Activity (DYM)

• Our film was about a pupil with memory loss that was a serial killer however, he managed to keep his incidents on the low key leaving fellow students and teachers clueless. In the film opening we see our main character look into the mirror. From there he has a series of flashbacks to his previous victims and how he killed them.
• In our film opening we managed to introduce our main character. We also showed the audience the deaths of his previous victims. We heavily implied that these were flashbacks by adding a sepia filter. Many settings are shown that shows the film takes place within a school. Settings such as the bathroom and field were heavily featured. 
• The titles don't directly related to the main film idea but instead who worked on the film. Many actors/directors etc were mentioned in the titles giving the audience an idea of who worked in the film and what they did exactly.
• The expected audience reaction is mild shock. This is because of the gore and violence used within in the film opening as well as how the back story of the character massively contrast on what the audience see at first. At the end of the opening audience should be intrigued to see what happens next as well as they should have a slightly greater understanding of the main character. I think our opening is fairly ambiguous to start off with however it becomes more clear who the character is as the opening goings on. At the very ending of the opening it is still unclear what the characters further intentions are and thus slightly ambiguous.
• in our opening we included various techniques so it is recognisable as a film opening. The first technique we used were titles/credits embedded within a few of the shots. This shows the audience who exactly worked on the film. This is extremely common in film openings. Another technique we used is a variety of angles and shot types. for example the mirror shot and the extreme close up are extremely different. The mirror shot is usually used within the horror/ thriller genre and thus connotes our genre well. A final technique we used was including a title card shot. This is extremely vital for an opening sequence as it gives the audience the film name. 
• I think our film opening is fairly effective as a film opening. We managed to use a variety of techniques as well as including titles. The titles font could have been improved to give a more professional look however they served their purpose well. To conclude our film opening was reasonably effective. 

Film Opening Analysis and AOTT Research (DYM)

1) The film is Kung Fu Panda and its genre is action comedy

2)The opening sequence takes place in a fictional version of China that is inhabited by animals, mainly rabbits,. The opening sequence however does not reveal a time scale.

3) In the sequence starts of with a "Legendary warrior whos kung fu skills were the stuff of legend" travelling China in search of "worthy foes" The warrior then ends up fighting many enemies whilst a voice over ,describing the fight, plays. The warrior then befriends the heroes of China "The Furious Five". Just as the warrior and The Furious five begin to fight an army it is revealed that it has all been a dream sequence by Po, an ordinary Panda who works in a noodle restaurant. 

4)I think all the events directly link to each other in the sequence. As it is a story instead of a cluster of unrelated images seen with other titles e.g. Skyfall

5)The Furious Five characters are revealed however they are a fictional versions of themselves in Pos dream. The characters aren't properly introduced till later in the film due to the opening sequence being just a dream. 

6)None of the story is revealed to the audience other than the setting which is China. This is because the opening sequence is revealed to be just a dream.It is withdraw as it leaves the audience questioning what will happen next as what they thought they knew about the film was a lie. However the opening of the sequence could be seen as foreshadowing as the characters dream eventually becomes his reality. 

7)At the start of the film the audience would need to know the overall genre of the film in order to understand that most of the scenes are not to be taken seriously. 

The first opening sequence is from Kung Fu Panda and the second opening sequence is from Skyfall. Despite both films being from contrasting genres they have many similarities and of course differences. Kung fu Panda uses extremely bright colour schemes such as orange, red and yellow where as Sky fall uses dark colour schemes such as black, dark blue and dark red. This is expected as Kung Fu Panda is targeted to younger audiences where as Sky fall is targeted to more older viewers. The openings are simmilar in the fact that they both use animation as well as the fact they both take a different style to the rest of the movie. Kung Fu Pandas opening is done with 2D animation where as the rest of the movie is done in 3D. This change in style from opening sequence to the actual film can be seen in Skyfall. Such as the opening uses a mixture of CGI and animation where as the rest of the film is live action. Due to the above both openings have similarities and differences. 

Continuity Task 1 (BLK)

Continuity Task 1: Evaluate+Reflect

1) We were given the task of making a short video displaying an accident. The story starts off with a person, Person A, walking into an elevator. Already inside of the elevator is another person, Person B, The shot then cuts to the digital dial of the elevator going down. Then Person A walks out of the elevator whilst Person B is left on the floor. this heavily implies some sort of accident occurs within the elevator.

2)We attempted to create narrative flow through a variety of techniques. The first technique we used was using establishing shots in order to let the audience become familiar with the setting despite the limited time. This can be seen with the shot were Person A and Person B enter the elevator. Also we tried to overlap shots so that the narrative flows from one shot to the other. This can be seen with the shot of Person A walking towards the elevator and the next shot of Person B inside of the elevator.

3) I don't think we achieved full continuity in our task.as some of the shots did overlap correctly. this can be seen in when Person A starts to walk towards the lift but in the next shot seems to be further away thus continuity was disrupted. Also the shot with the digital monitor did not show continuity. This is clear as we did not specify what characters point of view this shot was coming from. As well as the fact that the monitor was not seen before so it has no connection to the lift to the audience. 

4) In hindsight we would have planned the shots better in order to achieve full continuity. A shot that could've been used was a shot of each other in the lift from each others perspectives. Also I would make sure each individual shot links directly in with each other. This would effectively get rid of the break in continuity within the shots.

My Film Still Analysis (BLK)

The shot is a closely packed mid-close up shot. The lighting is quite dark except from one source of light. It signifies the horror genre due to this. Also due to the shot being packed not a lot is being given away to the audience this helps add mystery and atmosphere.

In order to achieve this effect we turned off all lights to emulate complete darkness. We then used portable lighting in order to create a single source of light. In order to capture the tight shot we moved the camera as close as possible.

We were trying to communicate a closed off area through the darkness which hopefully the audience will interpret as horror

The shot was framed well as well as lighting. I think it manages to connote the genre horror quite well

I would change the camera we used in order to blur the background better so more focus is on the subject