Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to full product?
When creating a prelim task we had to add a 180 degree shot, match on action and an over the shoulder shot. By doing this exercise it gave me a better understanding of shots and angles. I tried to portray this understanding through my opening sequence. The problem was that since I was only adding in short clips throughout the opening it would be hard to include these shots also what made it hard was that my opening sequence would only have one character in it and there identity wouldn't be relieved. Doing the prelim task though did give me the idea of the doing my panning shot at the beginning of my opening sequence. By doing it in my prelim task I noticed that it was a good way of showing the location to the viewer and it worked well in my opening sequence.
Another technique that I picked up from the prelim task was by how going in and out of focus can give a shot more depth and can make a boring shot more interesting. I did this in our prelim as an experiment to see if it worked and it did so we added it in. I then did the same when I was shooting my opening sequence because it worked well in the prelim task.
Saturday, 15 January 2011
Thursday, 13 January 2011
Film Evaluation 6.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
| This is an image of me holding the camera I used to film my opening sequence. It is a good camera and shots in a good quality this helps because when capturing your footage. |
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| I used a green screen for one part of my opening sequence. This was very useful and I learnt alot about how this technology works and it also gave me an idea of how to use it in the future. |
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| I used an IMac computer to edit my opening sequence. |
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| I used Adobe Premier Pro to capture and also edit my opening sequence. I learnt many new things when editing my opening and I also learnt alot about the FX and how to control them properly. |
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| I used the After Effects to edit and apply the FX to the green screen. I had never used this before and it was both challenging and fun learning how to use it. I will defiantly use it again. |
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| I used YouTube to upload my video so then I could transfer it into my blog. |
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Final Evaluation 4.
Who would be the audience for your media production?
My audience for my film would be older teenagers aged between 17 and 25. Also adults over 25 would also be another audience aswell. My audience would be interested in my film because it scary and also will have graphic scenes in which will contain blood and gore. A younger audience wouldn't be interested because it would be to violent and scary for them to watch.
This is Charlie Jackson he is 17 years old and is a student at the Leigh Technology Academy in Dartford. He lives in Dartford with his mum and dad and his little brother.
He enjoys playing football with friends, going to watch films with friends and hanging out with his girlfriend. He cares about how his appearance, he shops in places like Topman, Burtons and Next.
He enjoys films such as 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland. He likes getting films on DVD and sitting at home and watching them either with his friends or family. He also likes eating chocolate whilst watching films.
He listens to a wide range of music, he listens to new stuff that is in the charts and also listens to old songs. He likes listening to dubstep especially through big speakers. He also likes pop punk, he listens to such artists as Fall Out Boy and Panic at the Disco.
He enjoys such TV programs as The Walking Dead, Scrubs, The Inbetweeners, Family Guy and Lost. He also enjoys watching the F1 on TV on sundays and also occasionally watches motorbike racing when its on.
I think my film would appeal to Charlie because zombies interest him and he also enjoys watching scary movies. It is also similar to other types of films that he watches. I think he would watch this film with his friends because it would be something they would hang out and watch together.
Feedback
The feedback I got from the class was very constructive because both told me what they liked and also what I could improve on if I did it again. Aimee said that she liked my special FX that I added onto my first clip and said it made the land seem like it was bleeding. She also thought that my music and shot sequence worked well together and that I placed my titles well where the music let me. The thing that she critiqued on was that there could of been more shots of zombies so it was more zombie based. I think if was able to do this again I would have more shots of zombies in different places. This impacts on the story just like Kirsten said that because there wasn't many zombies in the actual opening and this would distort the story a little and if I had to do it again I would defiantly put more zombies in the opening to make the story more clear. Many of my viewers have made the same comment about the lack of zombies and the reason why I didn't put many in there was because I didn't want to give to much away and this create tension towards the end of the opening sequence. Most of my viewers like Yvonne said that she like the way that I built tension in my opening sequence through the way I use shot clips because the viewer will never get bored and will always be surprised by what is coming next.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Film Evaluation 3.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Script
A production company is an organization that helps fund the film. This in turn affects how the film will come out because of the amount of the money that is going into it. If the film has a low budget this means that they won't much money to put towards actors, crew, equipment and FX. This means that the director and creator will have to be more creative because of the situation they are in. On the other hand if the production company had a big budget then film will use more specified equipment and there FX will be to a better standard. This does mean the director will have to use all equipment properly.
My production company was called Black Sheep Productions this gives off a scary feel. I makes it sound like the production company are use producing scary movies. I think it also adds towards adding tension towards the opening sequence. The name also makes it sound like it is high budget production company. This also a simple name so people will not forget it when they see my opening. The role of my media company will be to find an fund small budget horror movies.
Distributors are companies that help to distribute the films to different places around the world. They have the contacts in media industry that will let them broadcast trailers and other advertisements. That will make people want to see the film and after it had been shown will be paid by the producers for advertising the film. An example of a distribution company is 20th Century Fox.
To fund my movie I would rely on a production company that will get money from a bank which they will use. They might also get money from an investor aswell this will be either a person or a company that will give money towards the film being made and will expect a share of the profit when the film is released.
When putting my titles in order I put the production company first because they made the film happen by giving money towards it. I also gave credit to the writer because he wrote the story and next I gave credit towards the two main actors because without them I wouldn't have the acting talent. I then added the directors name after this because he put it all together. I added in all the main companies and names that made my opening sequence what it was.
Script
A production company is an organization that helps fund the film. This in turn affects how the film will come out because of the amount of the money that is going into it. If the film has a low budget this means that they won't much money to put towards actors, crew, equipment and FX. This means that the director and creator will have to be more creative because of the situation they are in. On the other hand if the production company had a big budget then film will use more specified equipment and there FX will be to a better standard. This does mean the director will have to use all equipment properly.
My production company was called Black Sheep Productions this gives off a scary feel. I makes it sound like the production company are use producing scary movies. I think it also adds towards adding tension towards the opening sequence. The name also makes it sound like it is high budget production company. This also a simple name so people will not forget it when they see my opening. The role of my media company will be to find an fund small budget horror movies.
Distributors are companies that help to distribute the films to different places around the world. They have the contacts in media industry that will let them broadcast trailers and other advertisements. That will make people want to see the film and after it had been shown will be paid by the producers for advertising the film. An example of a distribution company is 20th Century Fox.To fund my movie I would rely on a production company that will get money from a bank which they will use. They might also get money from an investor aswell this will be either a person or a company that will give money towards the film being made and will expect a share of the profit when the film is released.
When putting my titles in order I put the production company first because they made the film happen by giving money towards it. I also gave credit to the writer because he wrote the story and next I gave credit towards the two main actors because without them I wouldn't have the acting talent. I then added the directors name after this because he put it all together. I added in all the main companies and names that made my opening sequence what it was.
Film Evaluation 2.
How does your media represent particular social groups?
When finding a character that is similar to my main character in my sequence I didn't have many options to pick from. Most zombie movies are similar in plot by this I mean that they have one central character who struggles to survive through the film. My plot is similar to this by having one main central character and I have compared my character to the Jim character from 28 days later.
Similarities
When finding a character that is similar to my main character in my sequence I didn't have many options to pick from. Most zombie movies are similar in plot by this I mean that they have one central character who struggles to survive through the film. My plot is similar to this by having one main central character and I have compared my character to the Jim character from 28 days later.
Similarities
- Both characters are in the same position, being surrounded by zombies and not knowing what to do next.
- They are both similar in the sense that they both on there own at the beginning and have no one to turn to. They both most fight there way out of the situation they are in and they both want to find someone to accompany them.
- They both are feeling similar emotions because they have no one to turn and there whole world has been turned upside down because all there family and friends are now dead.
- They are both set in the same surroundings, both stories are set in England and around the London area.
Differences
- The main difference between these two characters are that Jim from 28 Days Later is male and my character even though you don't actually see her face you her a female voice. This suggests that she is female.
- There is also a difference in story plots between the two opening sequences. In 28 Days Later Jim wakes up from a coma to find that the world has ended and everyone has been turned into zombies. But in my opening sequence my character is aware of the apocalypse and is trying to survive through it.
Art of the title link for Dawn of the Dead:
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/
Monday, 10 January 2011
Film Evaluation 1.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In the first shot of my opening sequence a big empty field and then following in this a montage of clips showing different house my main character trying to close the door on something. These shots show that a character is trying to get away from something that hasn't been reveled yet. I show quite alot of different clips all stuck together into a montage and the beginning of the story is slowly reveled through this technique. Then the characters voice asks for help this gives the information that she is still alive. Then the character screams towards the end which may suggest the mystery creature has killed her but to keep the story going at the end. I added in the shot of a door opening and voice saying hello which will add in mystery and will make the viewer want to carry on watching the film. One of the criticisms I got from feedback was that the story wasn't explained clearly enough. I think I could use the feedback to improve on my opening by adding more story based shots into the montage so that the story is better explained.
The title of the film
The title of my film is featured in the 9th frame. This is a simple title with a black background and a white writing. I made it simple so because I didn't want it to be to complex and ruin the opening sequence. By making it plain I also think that it represents the title of the film The Silence by this I mean that nothing is happening because the world has become silent. This type of title is quite stereotypical with horrors because its plain and that means that the viewer won't expect what's about to come onto the screen. This is the same with the opening sequence to Dawn of the Dead each title is in a plain font on a black screen and this means that the viewer won't see what's coming next and it will shock them even more. Whereas in the opening sequence for 28 Days Later they don't use the plain screen when portraying there titles. They use them on the shot and this way they don't carry the tension through the opening as well.
Setting/Location
The location of my film appears as the first shot in my opening. In the 1st key frame I set the location as somewhere on Earth, I do this by panning round a big empty field and not only does this show the location it also shows emptiness and that no one is around. I also do this in the 2nd frame where I show the outside of a house with blood speared across the door, this also gives off the idea of loneness to the viewer and also of the location. This is different to the opening to Dawn of the Dead which has clips from all over the world and also there people in these clips because they have used old and new news clips which make it look like the world is in panic.
Costumes and props
Normally in zombie films they rely on costumes because the realer the zombie looks the easier it is to believe the story and to make a zombie look real you need good make-up and a good costume and these cost quite alot of money. I did not have these so I tried to make my best looking zombie using make-up that I had borrowed. The costume that my zombie was wearing was a fairly standard shirt, top and jumper but we messed these so that she looked rough. I didn't really use any props in my opening sequence apart from my location.
Camerawork and editing
I tried to use as many different shots as I could when shooting this sequence. I used many different shots so that I could keep the pace going in my piece and through this it would add tension. So every-time I shot something I would also shoot it from another angle and I would also look for interesting angles also ones that are creative. When shooting I tried to shot things that looked normal from the outside but then in the editing process I could make them look strange or scary. When editing I used a range of effects on most of my shots, from just the simple back and white effect to the colour distortion effect. I tried to time these right as well because in the first shot which is the first key frame I timed the effect so that as the clip progressed more of the effect would be added. This turned out really well. In the editing process I also found a position where I would be able to use the green screen. In the 7th frame this is shown, first I recorded the legs of some of my actors against the green screen then when I copied the footage onto the computer. I then put this clip into a program called Adobe After Effects and from here I could put an image into the background and use the green screen technology. I found this challenging but fun to do and it gave the shot a really rough look which went well.
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| This is a screenshot of my opening in development using Adobe PremierPro. |
Title font and style
The title font in set up in a standard font just like all the other titles in the sequence they are also in the same position. This shows that the titles are simple and also that the opening sequence is on a simple subject.
Story and how the opening sets it up
In the first shot of my opening sequence a big empty field and then following in this a montage of clips showing different house my main character trying to close the door on something. These shots show that a character is trying to get away from something that hasn't been reveled yet. I show quite alot of different clips all stuck together into a montage and the beginning of the story is slowly reveled through this technique. Then the characters voice asks for help this gives the information that she is still alive. Then the character screams towards the end which may suggest the mystery creature has killed her but to keep the story going at the end. I added in the shot of a door opening and voice saying hello which will add in mystery and will make the viewer want to carry on watching the film. One of the criticisms I got from feedback was that the story wasn't explained clearly enough. I think I could use the feedback to improve on my opening by adding more story based shots into the montage so that the story is better explained. Genre and how the opening suggests it
The genre of my film is a horror and my opening portrays this by being mysterious because most of my shots are random and don't make much sense towards a main story. The music used in my sequence also suggests that my opening is a horror because its fast paced which adds tension and its also quite dark which makes the viewer feel scared. I also think that the shots of the hands coming round the door suggest that the opening is a horror because this will shock the viewer and suggest violence.
How are characters introduced
My opening sequence only introduces the main character and it does this by introducing her voice only so that my opening sequence only revels a part of the character. This will make the viewer want to carry on watching my opening sequence so they can see what the main character looks like and also what the zombies look like.
Special FX
I used a big range on many of the my clips. I used FX to help give my shots a more creepy feel and I think they worked well. I also used green screen technology on one shot and this means that I could choose the background that I wanted which means that I could shot in a place that I wouldn't normally be able to get to.
Thursday, 6 January 2011
Final Task
Development and Planning
Equipment list
- Camera
- Tripod
- My actors
- Fake blood
- Ripped clothing
Location & Time
- There will be many different locations where I will shot, some of these are: the school field, the school hallway, outside my house, the school toilets and also in the media studio.
- I started filming on the 24th of November and filmed over the duration of about 7 days.
Shot-list
I will us several different shots in my film but I will cut them up and us them more than once in the whole opening. These are the shots I am going to use:
I will us several different shots in my film but I will cut them up and us them more than once in the whole opening. These are the shots I am going to use:
- Panning shot- round the field
- Medium close up- abandoned house
- Medium close up- zombie
- Extreme close up- hands trying to close door
- Medium close up- back door of house
- Extreme close up- goalpost
- Medium close up- zombies legs
Script
There won't be much dialogue in my opening sequence, but one of my actors will do a voice over which will be played over the image of a zombie hand coming up a wall. My voice over goes as follows:
Actor: Hello is anyone out there... Hello... Can anyone help me hello? Please
(Then at the end of the sequence.)
Actor: Hello?
Production schedule
Production schedule
Monday 15-11
Thursday 18-11
Monday 22-11
Thursday 25-11
Monday 29-11
Thursday 02-12
Monday 06-12
Thursday 09-12
Monday 13-12
These are the lessons that I have left until the deadline which is on Monday 13th December 2010. I will start shooting my opening on Monday the 15th of November and will shoot a over the duration of a week and a half so I will aim to have finished shooting by Thursday the 25th of November and then I will have plenty of time to edit my piece. If I do fall behind and end up getting behind on shooting my film then I can catch up by shooting in between lessons. I will end editing hopefully by the deadline day or before. If I don't finish editing before deadline day then I will work everyday to finish my piece.
Storyboard
Storyboard
| My storyboard with post-it notes (which show more detail about the shots.) |
| Normal storyboard with caption drawings. |
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Ideas for main task
1st idea
My first idea was for a zombie horror film. I thought of starting off the opening by panning round a couple of empty deserted places that look like they have been abandoned. I will get some other shots maybe some ariel shots over abandoned roads over turned bins and rubbish littered across the streets. I will get sound clips of car alarms, gun shots and screaming towards the end to create tension. At the end of the opening sequence I would have a close-up shot of the side of a wall and then hand zombie hand clutching onto the side of the wall and the music would all build up to this point. Then the title would flash onto the screen and would start to drip down the screen like its made of blood. For the sound I would have non-diegetic sound through it all with just random sirens going off and maybe some background music running through the whole piece.
2nd idea
My second idea was for a superhero movie opening. This would consist of close-ups of someone getting changed into there school uniform and the shots wouldn't show there face just other body parts and this would make the viewer think who this character is. At the end of the opening there would be one shot of there face reveling who they are. Throughout the whole opening there would be titles appearing on the screen maybe be wiped on or dissolving onto the screen. There would also be non-diegetic voiceover throughout the whole opening talking about just being an ordinary student and wanting to be more and at the end of the opening when the camera shows the characters face the non-diegetic voiceover would turn in to diegetic voiceover and you would see them talking to the camera at the end. Then as the door shuts the title slams onto the screen just as the door slams.
The final idea
For my main task I have decided to follow my first idea and make a zombie horror movie this will include lots of different camera angles of empty streets and deserted places. Then I will raise the tension with non-diegetic and then i'll flash a zombie at the end to release the tension. I took inspiration from the opening clip of Dawn of the Dead and also 28 Days Later which are both very good at building tension and keep the audience at the edge of there seat.
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/
My first idea was for a zombie horror film. I thought of starting off the opening by panning round a couple of empty deserted places that look like they have been abandoned. I will get some other shots maybe some ariel shots over abandoned roads over turned bins and rubbish littered across the streets. I will get sound clips of car alarms, gun shots and screaming towards the end to create tension. At the end of the opening sequence I would have a close-up shot of the side of a wall and then hand zombie hand clutching onto the side of the wall and the music would all build up to this point. Then the title would flash onto the screen and would start to drip down the screen like its made of blood. For the sound I would have non-diegetic sound through it all with just random sirens going off and maybe some background music running through the whole piece.
2nd idea
My second idea was for a superhero movie opening. This would consist of close-ups of someone getting changed into there school uniform and the shots wouldn't show there face just other body parts and this would make the viewer think who this character is. At the end of the opening there would be one shot of there face reveling who they are. Throughout the whole opening there would be titles appearing on the screen maybe be wiped on or dissolving onto the screen. There would also be non-diegetic voiceover throughout the whole opening talking about just being an ordinary student and wanting to be more and at the end of the opening when the camera shows the characters face the non-diegetic voiceover would turn in to diegetic voiceover and you would see them talking to the camera at the end. Then as the door shuts the title slams onto the screen just as the door slams.
The final idea
For my main task I have decided to follow my first idea and make a zombie horror movie this will include lots of different camera angles of empty streets and deserted places. Then I will raise the tension with non-diegetic and then i'll flash a zombie at the end to release the tension. I took inspiration from the opening clip of Dawn of the Dead and also 28 Days Later which are both very good at building tension and keep the audience at the edge of there seat.
http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Prelim Task
For the prelim task we needed to create a short scene. This scene must include a couple of things first a basic script to be said by actors in the scene. We also had to include a match on action shot, shot reverse shot and 180 degree rule shot in our film.
Planning
We started out by deciding on an idea on what our short film would be about. We sat in a group and started to come up with ideas of subjects we could create a scene about. First we thought about making an awkward scene because then the script would be easier to write. Then when we had all agreed on this we had to think about a scenario to write an awkward script about. First Jodie thought about the idea of someone being on the phone to some else having a conversation about a party but then we dismissed this idea because it would had been to complicated to film. Then Vicky said about two people meeting and wearing the same outfit as each-other and then having a conversation about one of them having to go change. I then said a rough idea about two people going to a restaurant and someone being there that wasn't invited and we decided to develop this idea started to write a script for it. I said I would write out the script on the computer and we all just put our ideas as we went through. This didn't take us long because it was only a short script and it just flowed. Whilst I was typing this on the computer Jodie was writing down all the information about filming such as the location, the actors and also all props we needed on the day of filming we did this because coming up to the day of filming we could then get all our props and actors organized so nothing wrong on the day. When Jodie had done this she got started on drawing the storyboard out this was fairly simple because we all helped out with this task and we all knew what camera angles went where and also in what order. We also planned to add a depth of field shot which would focus on one thing and then focus on another person in the background. I thought the storyboard looked good but I think could have added a bit mor information on to it because it looked a bit plain when we finished it. After we had done this we had to find an actor to help us out. Once we had an actor we where ready to start filming.
Filming
On the day of filming we went and got our actor straight away because he remembered he had to help out and then we just got the camera and went straight into the media studio where we would be shooting our film. This was all really easy because we had it all written down on our summery sheet and we also had everything we needed next to this we could pick it all up and go we weren't delayed by trying the to find our work. Once we where in the media studio we could then get prepared to start shooting our prelim task. First we had to arrange the furniture because we needed two sets of tables with chairs one behind the other and in the studio there was only one table but enough chairs. Brandon the art technician helped me carry up a table from downstairs and put it in the room. Then we had to arrange them this took us about 10 minutes because we had to think where the best camera angles would be and where the tables and actors would look best. If we had made a floor plan previously then we could have done this quicker and without much fuss. Once we had the setting out done then we could move into the lighting, the rooms main lighting where okay but there was also a lighting rig which would possibly give us better lighting for our film but it had to be set up perfectly otherwise it would ruin the shot. After about 20 minutes of trying to position the light rig we decided to us the main lights in the room because we couldn't get them in the right position but when I have learnt how to properly position then I will definitely us them again. While we where sorting out lighting and preparing we had given our actor Liam Smith a copy of the script and let him reed through it and see how much he remember. He couldn't remember the whole of it, so Jodie quickly came up with the idea of having the script stuck to the back of a menu because the scene is set in a restaurant and this would make sense for the actors to be holding menus. So I quickly printed out another script while Vicky went and got some card to make a menu out of. Jodie then quickly wrote out menu on the front of them and then we stuck the scripts to the inside of them. This was a good idea because it means that if the actors forgot there lines mid-scene then we wouldn't have to stop the whole scene and start again they could just refer back to the script. Once we had filmed all the planned scripted bits we then all thought that it seemed too short and that it was only one conversation. Then we thought we might as well film some more improvised stuff to fill in at the beginning of our prelim. I gave Liam and Jodie a subject to talk about and we went through it once without the camera on and they did very well and it flowed. So then we shot it strange after and this went well and we did all the lines in one take each.
Editing
When had done all the shooting we then went straight into editing out piece. First we captured all the footage off the camera and once we had done this we could then start to cut and arrange the clips. The editing for this taks wasn't to hard because there weren't that many clips to cut and put into place. So when we got the editing stage we first captured the clips off the camera and gave them names so that we could identify them when they where in the clip bank. I then dragged them into the timeline and arranged them in order, from here I can see where they needed to be cut and also where they didn't. We didn't use any FX because we wanted the shots to stand out on there own. From here we all took turns cutting clips up and putting them into there right places. Once we where doing putting all the clips into there right places we then watched it through a couple of times to check if it ran smoothly and from here we could go and correct any mistakes.
Planning
Filming
On the day of filming we went and got our actor straight away because he remembered he had to help out and then we just got the camera and went straight into the media studio where we would be shooting our film. This was all really easy because we had it all written down on our summery sheet and we also had everything we needed next to this we could pick it all up and go we weren't delayed by trying the to find our work. Once we where in the media studio we could then get prepared to start shooting our prelim task. First we had to arrange the furniture because we needed two sets of tables with chairs one behind the other and in the studio there was only one table but enough chairs. Brandon the art technician helped me carry up a table from downstairs and put it in the room. Then we had to arrange them this took us about 10 minutes because we had to think where the best camera angles would be and where the tables and actors would look best. If we had made a floor plan previously then we could have done this quicker and without much fuss. Once we had the setting out done then we could move into the lighting, the rooms main lighting where okay but there was also a lighting rig which would possibly give us better lighting for our film but it had to be set up perfectly otherwise it would ruin the shot. After about 20 minutes of trying to position the light rig we decided to us the main lights in the room because we couldn't get them in the right position but when I have learnt how to properly position then I will definitely us them again. While we where sorting out lighting and preparing we had given our actor Liam Smith a copy of the script and let him reed through it and see how much he remember. He couldn't remember the whole of it, so Jodie quickly came up with the idea of having the script stuck to the back of a menu because the scene is set in a restaurant and this would make sense for the actors to be holding menus. So I quickly printed out another script while Vicky went and got some card to make a menu out of. Jodie then quickly wrote out menu on the front of them and then we stuck the scripts to the inside of them. This was a good idea because it means that if the actors forgot there lines mid-scene then we wouldn't have to stop the whole scene and start again they could just refer back to the script. Once we had filmed all the planned scripted bits we then all thought that it seemed too short and that it was only one conversation. Then we thought we might as well film some more improvised stuff to fill in at the beginning of our prelim. I gave Liam and Jodie a subject to talk about and we went through it once without the camera on and they did very well and it flowed. So then we shot it strange after and this went well and we did all the lines in one take each.
Editing
When had done all the shooting we then went straight into editing out piece. First we captured all the footage off the camera and once we had done this we could then start to cut and arrange the clips. The editing for this taks wasn't to hard because there weren't that many clips to cut and put into place. So when we got the editing stage we first captured the clips off the camera and gave them names so that we could identify them when they where in the clip bank. I then dragged them into the timeline and arranged them in order, from here I can see where they needed to be cut and also where they didn't. We didn't use any FX because we wanted the shots to stand out on there own. From here we all took turns cutting clips up and putting them into there right places. Once we where doing putting all the clips into there right places we then watched it through a couple of times to check if it ran smoothly and from here we could go and correct any mistakes.
Monday, 11 October 2010
Film Opening Remake
For this task our team (Vicky Rose and Jodie Nason) where set the challenge of remaking a film opening of our choice. First we all started looking through film title openings and in this we where looking for a film opening that didn't include to much special effects because if it did then we would takes ages editing special effects into the film. We where also looking for a film opening that didn't include hundreds of people because then we would struggle to find all these people to star in our film. Our first idea was the opening from the film Juno because this didn't involve to many people or to many special effects but we all discussed this and decided to do something more adventurous. Personally I wanted to do something that would involve more cuts and less effects. We looked at some different film openings after such Saturday Night Fever and also She's the Man we all debated remaking these in our group but then we all decided on an option that I had suggested which was the opening of Reservoir Dogs which was fist shown in 1992 and was directed by Quentin Tarantino. We all decided to choose this opening because it didn't include that many people so it wasn't unmanageable and also that it didn't include to many effects so that it wouldn't take us ages to edit. So after we had picked we could then go on and start our work.
Analyzing
We started by noting down everything we needed to make the film opening such as props and people and set. Throughout this process we where all watching the film opening as many times as we could so that it would get into minds and notice every detail that we needed to include. Then after we had a summarized list of what we needed for our film. Then we started to write down timings so that we could plan everything that we needed to do for the film. We recorded the timings by getting the video up on YouTube and then whenever something changed in the shot or a title came up then we would pause it or drag it back if we needed to then we would write down the exact timing and also what happened in the film. Then we did this for anything that changed in our film. When we had finished this we then had a list of everything that goes on in the opening and this would help us when we where editing the actual film.
After we had a list of timings we then wrote down the titles so that we knew what order they went in and what they said so that it would be easier when we where editing. We also had all the actors names so we could then start finding actors to star in our remake. Then we looked through the whole opening sequence again and noted down all the camera angles that were featured and also the effects that connected the shots. We did this so when we are shooting with the cameras then we knew what angles we needed to shot from and also how long each shot needed to be.
Next we wrote down how the actors need to move away and also how they need to move move in close up shots. First we wrote down the timings for the first restaurant scene and at what time every actor got up from there chair this took along time because it was a matter of seconds and we had to look really closely at the clip to find this information out. Then when we had accomplished this task we drew a diagram of the round table and then what formation they would all be sitting in. This will come in handy when we are shooting because then it will be easier to show the actors where they need to sit and also look more like the original.
As soon as we had all our actors grouped together in one place. We then went and got the camera, notebook and also a laptop. The reason why we got the laptop is so we could show the original clip to the actors so they know what they had to do and also so we could view the clip as-well so if we where not sure of something then we could go back to the original clip. I thought this was a very good idea because it meant we didn't have to go back to a computer every time and also it better explained the scene to the actors. After we had explained to the actors what positions they would need to be in and also when they would need to move using both the notebook and the laptop. I then found tried to find the perfect camera angle. I needed to find one that looked similar to the original shoot and also that was right. I had to stand in a couple of different places before I got the right one. Since the film is over dubbed my a song anyway this means we could talk while filming this made it easier because then we could give directions while we where filming. The most challenging part of filming the remake was getting all the camera angles right but once I had done this we where able to film it all quite easily and quickly.
Editing
The editing part of remaking this film was the hardest part because it took the most concentration but this is the bit because that I enjoyed the most because you have to make everything right even the smallest part. First of all what we did was transfer the film from the tape onto the computer. We did this by connecting a wire from the camera to the computer. After we had done this I then opened up Adobe PremierPro and created a new folder called reservoir dogs remake and then opened it. We then went on the capture menu and a box came up with the film from the camera on it and from this we could take parts of the movie that we wanted this feature is very useful because it means we can only take the bits we actually need instead of having to take everything and then taking it apart. We didn't have to cut it down perfectly because once we had put it onto timeline then we could cut it down perfectly. This task didn't take us too long because it was easy to us and plus we didn't have many shots that we didn't need. Once we had done capturing all of our clips we closed that window and checked that they had all imported into our clip bank on the side of the screen. Once we had checked that we had all the clips we then transfered imported the original clip into the clip bank and then transferred it into the timeline of the movie and made it smaller in the corner of the screen. We did this because it makes it alot easier when editing the our piece because if we copy exactly then the timings will be exactly right. We started by naming each clip in our bank because then we knew which to take or us. We took the first clip from the bank and put it on our timeline then watched it with the original in the corner. Then we had to unlink the audio with the visual footage, we did this by right clicking the selected clip and then choosing unlink in the menu and after we could then select the audio and delete it separately. I then noticed that it didn't quite match up so Jodie cut it using the razor tool and made it fit. We then did this with all the clips. I was given the job of putting the clips in the right place and cutting them so that they fitted with the original. I found this very interesting because you had to get the correct timings and then it all fit together like a puzzle. This took me quite alot of time because I had to get everything perfect.
After we had put the titles everywhere they need to be. We could then start on the audio side of the film. In the original there a voiceover at the beginning of the clip and then when the voiceover stops then music starts. In the notebook that we had done some work in before we decided to listen to the film clip very carefully over and over until had it all down. Then we needed to find out what the piece of music was called. Fortunately I already knew what it was called and told the rest of the team. Then we had to make a decision whether we would remake the voiceover or just us the one from the original. We where doing well and where ahead of all the other groups and wanted to redo everything on the remake so we decided as a group to redo the voiceover. This means that we needed a couple more things, the first thing that we needed was an person to redo it and the other thing we needed was a microphone to record it on. First me and Jodie went out to search for a voice actor that could play the narrator in our remake. We went out searching for Mr Lower who can take in many different accents. We found him and asked him if he was free to do it and he accepted. Then we went to Brandon who has microphones and also has the software. While me and Vicky where putting all the titles in the film. Jodie helped record the voiceover with Mr Lower using a radio microphone and then from there they transfered that onto software called Synergy Radio Broadcasting and from there exported it strange onto a memory stick then strange onto the computer on which we where doing the editing on.
Analyzing
We started by noting down everything we needed to make the film opening such as props and people and set. Throughout this process we where all watching the film opening as many times as we could so that it would get into minds and notice every detail that we needed to include. Then after we had a summarized list of what we needed for our film. Then we started to write down timings so that we could plan everything that we needed to do for the film. We recorded the timings by getting the video up on YouTube and then whenever something changed in the shot or a title came up then we would pause it or drag it back if we needed to then we would write down the exact timing and also what happened in the film. Then we did this for anything that changed in our film. When we had finished this we then had a list of everything that goes on in the opening and this would help us when we where editing the actual film.
After we had a list of timings we then wrote down the titles so that we knew what order they went in and what they said so that it would be easier when we where editing. We also had all the actors names so we could then start finding actors to star in our remake. Then we looked through the whole opening sequence again and noted down all the camera angles that were featured and also the effects that connected the shots. We did this so when we are shooting with the cameras then we knew what angles we needed to shot from and also how long each shot needed to be.
| This is all the timings for the film and also the summery for everything we needed. |
| On this page we wrote down all the camera angles and also the positioning of the actors in the first scene. |
Next we looked through the close ups carefully and wrote down every action of the actors. This would make our remake look more like the original because we could copy there exact movements. We also wrote down the timings for each close up and also when there title came on the screen. This would also make our film look like the original because if we got all the timings right then we could run our copy next to the original and they would look and run the same. After we had done this we noticed there was a short monologue/ voiceover at the beginning of the piece and as a group we discussed what we should do either remake the voiceover or just take it from the original. We discussed how if we did remake the voiceover then it would take us longer than if we just took it from the original. Since we where ahead in our project we all decided that we would remake the voiceover. So first of all we listened to the voiceover and wrote in down on the notebook.
| On this page we wrote down the actions and timings of the close-ups and we also wrote down what the voiceover said. |
Next we thought of people who would appear in our film. We needed people who looked vaguely like the actual actors so we thought of and wrote down some names of people we knew. When we wrote down all the people we could think of. Then after we had this we went out around the school and asked these people if they would take part in our piece. Most of the people we asked said they would take part but some of them couldn't because they where busy or where in lessons. On the morning of the shoot we then reminded these people of the shoot but we ran into a problem. Some of the people where ill and couldn't attend and some people dropped out so we had to get some people quickly. Luckily we managed to get the right amount of people but this meant that I had to take part in our film. If I had to this again then I would make sure actors know what the date and the time of the shoot was so that they couldn't drop out.
| This was the lists of different people who where going to be in our remake. At the bottom is the finale list of people. |
Whilst the other members of the team where writing. I took on the task of creating and drawing a storyboard. For this all I did was a summery of he camera angle who was in the shot and what it would look like if someone drew it. I could have improved this by spending more time on it and drawing it in more detail and by adding in every piece of information.
| This is the storyboard. |
Filming
As soon as we had all our actors grouped together in one place. We then went and got the camera, notebook and also a laptop. The reason why we got the laptop is so we could show the original clip to the actors so they know what they had to do and also so we could view the clip as-well so if we where not sure of something then we could go back to the original clip. I thought this was a very good idea because it meant we didn't have to go back to a computer every time and also it better explained the scene to the actors. After we had explained to the actors what positions they would need to be in and also when they would need to move using both the notebook and the laptop. I then found tried to find the perfect camera angle. I needed to find one that looked similar to the original shoot and also that was right. I had to stand in a couple of different places before I got the right one. Since the film is over dubbed my a song anyway this means we could talk while filming this made it easier because then we could give directions while we where filming. The most challenging part of filming the remake was getting all the camera angles right but once I had done this we where able to film it all quite easily and quickly.Editing
The editing part of remaking this film was the hardest part because it took the most concentration but this is the bit because that I enjoyed the most because you have to make everything right even the smallest part. First of all what we did was transfer the film from the tape onto the computer. We did this by connecting a wire from the camera to the computer. After we had done this I then opened up Adobe PremierPro and created a new folder called reservoir dogs remake and then opened it. We then went on the capture menu and a box came up with the film from the camera on it and from this we could take parts of the movie that we wanted this feature is very useful because it means we can only take the bits we actually need instead of having to take everything and then taking it apart. We didn't have to cut it down perfectly because once we had put it onto timeline then we could cut it down perfectly. This task didn't take us too long because it was easy to us and plus we didn't have many shots that we didn't need. Once we had done capturing all of our clips we closed that window and checked that they had all imported into our clip bank on the side of the screen. Once we had checked that we had all the clips we then transfered imported the original clip into the clip bank and then transferred it into the timeline of the movie and made it smaller in the corner of the screen. We did this because it makes it alot easier when editing the our piece because if we copy exactly then the timings will be exactly right. We started by naming each clip in our bank because then we knew which to take or us. We took the first clip from the bank and put it on our timeline then watched it with the original in the corner. Then we had to unlink the audio with the visual footage, we did this by right clicking the selected clip and then choosing unlink in the menu and after we could then select the audio and delete it separately. I then noticed that it didn't quite match up so Jodie cut it using the razor tool and made it fit. We then did this with all the clips. I was given the job of putting the clips in the right place and cutting them so that they fitted with the original. I found this very interesting because you had to get the correct timings and then it all fit together like a puzzle. This took me quite alot of time because I had to get everything perfect.
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| Screen of our film in editing just adding the titles. |
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Analysis of film opening
The film I have chosen to analysis is the opening of the film Dawn of the Dead. My fist impression of the film was that it was going to be quite scary because it starts off with just a black screen with red writing on it. This could represent blood and these both are dark colours which could tell the viewers that the film is going to be dark and scary. Then it goes strange into the shots and these are all very fast paced and only last about half a second each which created tension because they are shots of riots and violence. They also only last half a second each which then leaves an image in the viewers mind like subliminal messaging. Through the film opening they keep on flashing back to the same clip of this one zombie and this builds the tension because it is setting the scene for the movie which is about zombies and because these are so frequently pooping up for about a quarter of a second each time this keeps reminding the viewer that they are watching a zombie movie. Also the effect of having fast paced shots is that it also makes the viewers jumpy making them more scared and raising the tension. All the shots are filmed at a hand held angle which makes them seem more like they where shot for the news and also making it more realistic, so its more believable. Then after a couple of seconds you hear some non-diegetic sound from an interview talking about the zombie invasion. In this sound clip it keeps on getting interrupted by the sound of the zombie screaming. This brings tension to the clip because the screams get louder further on through the clip. Until the the non-diegetic of the interview becomes diegetic and mets up with the clip. This brings tension because they put emphasis on the last line of the interview which is a very tense line. Then strange after this some more non-diegetic comes on in the form of music and the fast paced news reports and these us hand held camera angle to make them more realistic. The song that is playing in the background is a Johnny Cash song and its about death and with the war torn footage playing on the screen all the viewer can think about is death, now they know what to expect from the film. Through the into titles appear on the screen and then drain away like blood this editing raises tension because the viewer is getting the image of blood put into there mind even if they don't want it there.
The into for Dawn of the Dead: http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/
The into for Dawn of the Dead: http://www.artofthetitle.com/2008/06/30/dawn-of-the-dead/
Monday, 20 September 2010
Cityscape film opening
For this task I was set the task of creating a film opening on the program Adobe Premiere Pro. I learnt lots of new skills when editing this piece. Some of the new skills I have learnt are, how to us the cutting tool which allows you to separate clips so that you can shorten them or replace them. I also learnt how to use the unlike tool which allows you to separate the audio from the video. This is useful if you want to add music into your video. I also learnt how how to animate scene changes by creating scene changes. This works well if you want your scene changes to be smooth. I also learnt how to add in titles into my movie and this very useful because you want to give your movie a name and display it on the screen.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Trainspotting opening sequence
For this task we had to create a mood board from the opening sequence of the film Trainspotting.
This is the opening film sequence that we had to work from:
This is the opening film sequence that we had to work from:
Six Picture Sequence
We where set a task of taking six photos and then we had to annotate them and write about there story, angles and compositions.
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