Bye
Friday, 7 May 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Looking back on your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in progression from it to the full product?
Looking back from the preliminary task to the task I have just finished I have improved greatly (before the preliminary task I had not as much as used a tripod or a Mac computer.)
I was able to set up a tripod successfully (you may laugh but when I first set out in filming the prelim task I had to get someone else to show me how to set it up.) And I can now handle a camera pretty well. Some of the problems I encountered in filming the prelim was that I didn’t frame a shot well. When showing two people in a conversation I didn’t keep to the 180 degree rule and some bits did not look aesthetically pleasing. Although there were no two people in a conversation I did use the 180 degree rule and the previous faults I had made, made me more aware on framing a shot in the last task and getting it right. Having said this, I still have to more improvements to make for example when the character was speaking on her phone.
I used many more features on the imovie software with the opening sequence than I did in the prelim. For starters I used music! (Things I did are explained on the previous question.) I was much more aware of using the sound toggle for the music to fade away or not be too loud etc… which in the prelim I had not thought to use at all.
I learnt how to use special effects (which I found easier than it sounded) to enhance my film. Having opening credits to mimic a real film I had to find the right text font but I also used a couple of transitions to go from the credits to the film, and then a fade from the film into the title. Doing this project on my own, I had to rely on feedback from other people to get different perspectives and suggestions on improvements I could not perhaps see. I found the task difficult at times but fun and challenging. What’s great about doing a project on your own is sometimes too many people in one group means you can’t try all the different aspects of making the film, and also having to agree on a final idea!
Looking back from the preliminary task to the task I have just finished I have improved greatly (before the preliminary task I had not as much as used a tripod or a Mac computer.)
I was able to set up a tripod successfully (you may laugh but when I first set out in filming the prelim task I had to get someone else to show me how to set it up.) And I can now handle a camera pretty well. Some of the problems I encountered in filming the prelim was that I didn’t frame a shot well. When showing two people in a conversation I didn’t keep to the 180 degree rule and some bits did not look aesthetically pleasing. Although there were no two people in a conversation I did use the 180 degree rule and the previous faults I had made, made me more aware on framing a shot in the last task and getting it right. Having said this, I still have to more improvements to make for example when the character was speaking on her phone.
I used many more features on the imovie software with the opening sequence than I did in the prelim. For starters I used music! (Things I did are explained on the previous question.) I was much more aware of using the sound toggle for the music to fade away or not be too loud etc… which in the prelim I had not thought to use at all.
I learnt how to use special effects (which I found easier than it sounded) to enhance my film. Having opening credits to mimic a real film I had to find the right text font but I also used a couple of transitions to go from the credits to the film, and then a fade from the film into the title. Doing this project on my own, I had to rely on feedback from other people to get different perspectives and suggestions on improvements I could not perhaps see. I found the task difficult at times but fun and challenging. What’s great about doing a project on your own is sometimes too many people in one group means you can’t try all the different aspects of making the film, and also having to agree on a final idea!
What have you learn't about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
When I first began my project I was not great in the field of using the camera equipment, but I also wasn’t confident on using the software (imovie) on the Mac as the only practise I had had before was in the preliminary task. As I filmed more and more I became more confident in the shots I used and tried to achieve (such as pans or zooms etc.) I also tried several different angles of the same shot so I had much more choice in editing.
In imovie I used many more tools and editing functions to help me achieve my product. Apart from using effects such as black and white and soft focus, I also edited the music to fit the different parts of the film. The music changed and I had to make sure that it went appropriately with the footage. This meant some of the music had to be put on loop to make it slightly longer but without it sounding too weird.
When I first began my project I was not great in the field of using the camera equipment, but I also wasn’t confident on using the software (imovie) on the Mac as the only practise I had had before was in the preliminary task. As I filmed more and more I became more confident in the shots I used and tried to achieve (such as pans or zooms etc.) I also tried several different angles of the same shot so I had much more choice in editing.
In imovie I used many more tools and editing functions to help me achieve my product. Apart from using effects such as black and white and soft focus, I also edited the music to fit the different parts of the film. The music changed and I had to make sure that it went appropriately with the footage. This meant some of the music had to be put on loop to make it slightly longer but without it sounding too weird.
How did you attract/address your audience?
Half way through production I asked some people for feedback on my film. Some of the people I asked fitted into the target audience, and much of the criticisms and suggestions made by them I tried to improve on.
As mentioned earlier the audience can identify or at least understand the main character as the age group would be similar (therefore the clothing and hairstyle etc… is very much recognizable amongst the audience.)
Choices I made in editing my product allowed the audience to identify with the character and the film. The choice of music was cemeteries of London by Coldplay. Apart from Coldplay being a band well known and recognised by young adults and teenagers, there were other adjustments I had to make to fit in with the actual content and genre of the film. I chose to use the instrumental version as the music was the tense and creepy element to the song. Apart from that, I took out the lyrics as I thought they would distract the audience from the actual film and they could also influence the viewer.
Half way through production I asked some people for feedback on my film. Some of the people I asked fitted into the target audience, and much of the criticisms and suggestions made by them I tried to improve on.
As mentioned earlier the audience can identify or at least understand the main character as the age group would be similar (therefore the clothing and hairstyle etc… is very much recognizable amongst the audience.)
Choices I made in editing my product allowed the audience to identify with the character and the film. The choice of music was cemeteries of London by Coldplay. Apart from Coldplay being a band well known and recognised by young adults and teenagers, there were other adjustments I had to make to fit in with the actual content and genre of the film. I chose to use the instrumental version as the music was the tense and creepy element to the song. Apart from that, I took out the lyrics as I thought they would distract the audience from the actual film and they could also influence the viewer.
Laura finds the letter^
In terms of editing to show the genre of the film there were several things I took into account. One of the positives the viewers commented on was the effect of black and white I put on my film. This gave it an element commonly used in crime films to show ‘what happened’ but also as the shop was very colourful and bright, this did not give the right tone so it had to be ‘dampened down.’ Another comment which was commonly made was the lack of fast pace cuts used. I agree that thrillers should be fast paced, and to increase the tension (a build up) to the end of the sequence I realised I had to add quicker cuts which I managed to add when Laura was walking to the back of the shop and her reaction and the viewer seeing the light under the door.
Looking back at my original idea, not much has been changed. The main story line is there, but the choice of shots I used to make the film make sense has slightly altered my story board. I have used shots and editing that I had not thought about previously. For example, using black and white effect made my film much better but not to confuse the audience and thinking perhaps the whole film would be in black and white I had to add a small sequence after the titles to establish and show the audience the film wasn’t in fact ALL in black and white. Initially I had plans of inserting more establishing shots of the shop but the feedback I received (and I agree) it showed that it did not give the right tone and the cuts were too slow- the thriller had to be pacey.
Showing the audience the film wasn't in black and white- a shot from the scene in the office.
Who would be the audience for your media product?
The target audience of my media product would first and foremost be for people who enjoy watching thrillers in the mystery or crime genre. My product however is aimed more towards young adults and teenagers. Already as the character is a young adult with a small job, people around that age can identify with them.
This cannot for example be targeted to very young audiences as thrillers are too advanced and perhaps scary for children, and my product would most unlikely appeal to older audiences as the film would be primarily based around the one character and the behaviour of her would reflect that of a similar age group. To tie in with the earlier comment about it being too scary or advanced for children, I would probably put a certificate ‘15’ for it. Had it been an entire film, some of the contents may have been too violent, or even with some colourful language!
The target audience of my media product would first and foremost be for people who enjoy watching thrillers in the mystery or crime genre. My product however is aimed more towards young adults and teenagers. Already as the character is a young adult with a small job, people around that age can identify with them.
This cannot for example be targeted to very young audiences as thrillers are too advanced and perhaps scary for children, and my product would most unlikely appeal to older audiences as the film would be primarily based around the one character and the behaviour of her would reflect that of a similar age group. To tie in with the earlier comment about it being too scary or advanced for children, I would probably put a certificate ‘15’ for it. Had it been an entire film, some of the contents may have been too violent, or even with some colourful language!
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
If my opening sequence was made into a film, the most likely production companies would be small independent companies or even studios set up for my types of project. It would not be advanced enough or even viable to become a blockbuster (unless of course I was given millions for a budget!) It’d be distributed on a smaller scale with not many profits. If it were produced it’d be a short film so it could also be distributed on special websites or even channels.
If my opening sequence was made into a film, the most likely production companies would be small independent companies or even studios set up for my types of project. It would not be advanced enough or even viable to become a blockbuster (unless of course I was given millions for a budget!) It’d be distributed on a smaller scale with not many profits. If it were produced it’d be a short film so it could also be distributed on special websites or even channels.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
This product represents people (or victims) placed under witness protection programmes. This is so because the character is meant to have been placed into ‘hiding.’ This may not be clear in the opening of the film but I have tried to put across hints to the audience from the events that happen in the opening sequence to the character; from being watched to receiving a mysterious letter then someone breaking in. This gives the audience the clues but it allows them to feel involved in working out she is part of the witness protection programme. I chose the main character to be female because the audience may believe that the character seems more vulnerable as a female.
Laura is meant to be a teenager with a job (with a Saturday job.) The clothing she wears is smart as one would at work but still casual and it represents someone of that age group (she would not be wearing a suit to be working in a small shop business or something an older woman would typically wear.)
This product represents people (or victims) placed under witness protection programmes. This is so because the character is meant to have been placed into ‘hiding.’ This may not be clear in the opening of the film but I have tried to put across hints to the audience from the events that happen in the opening sequence to the character; from being watched to receiving a mysterious letter then someone breaking in. This gives the audience the clues but it allows them to feel involved in working out she is part of the witness protection programme. I chose the main character to be female because the audience may believe that the character seems more vulnerable as a female.
Laura is meant to be a teenager with a job (with a Saturday job.) The clothing she wears is smart as one would at work but still casual and it represents someone of that age group (she would not be wearing a suit to be working in a small shop business or something an older woman would typically wear.)
In what way does your media productuse, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
My film was meant to be a thriller the genre being a mix between mystery and crime. I feel that one can tell it is meant to be an opening of a film due to the ‘red goldfish productions presents’ and the credits that roll in at the beginning, however it does not have a production company logo at the beginning as many films do and I could improve on that next time. Most films have one track at the beginning of a film introducing the setting and the characters, and I think the way I edited my film and the sequence used these media conventions and there was little dialogue. Using fast cuts and tense music gave the film so much more effect to it and added to the ‘thriller’ type genre I tried to recreate.
Wanting to create as much visual impact as possible I decided to keep the plot as simple as possible. Using the typical ransom letter may seem cliché but it’s successful and it gets the point across to the audience. This has typically been used in many other films, some not even part of the thriller genre.
I found in my research that most of the films did not introduce a character straight away but to make the film to the best of my advantage I had to create a focal point.
The way I introduced the character Laura was also an establishing shot, and I was pleased with the camera work (zoom out) I used to introduce the kidnapper watching Laura. I used an over the shoulder shot so the audience could see what the mystery character was watching (Laura) but also the audience could see the character.
The decisions I made in the filming process was to get as many different angles of the same shot so I had more choice in editing was a wise move as I sometimes found that a shot I had filmed did not look right or there was no continuity. I always had the vision in my head and I storyboarded the shots I wanted. This was altered (as explained in further detail later on) but it was always good to have something to refer to and check off what I had filmed. I researched different types of thrillers and noticed that most began with music to fit the shots and type of tension they wanted to create. I feel that I have achieved this as I built up the pace of the shots (and hopefully the tension) and used one music I felt built up the tension accompany the shots. Also I noticed many of the films showed the opening credits in big, bold, plain lettering; usually white on black. As I had the idea in my head of the torch fading into the title I felt it appropriate to do black on white, but still kept the BOLD aspect to it I believe the fading from the torch into the title went smoothly.
My film was meant to be a thriller the genre being a mix between mystery and crime. I feel that one can tell it is meant to be an opening of a film due to the ‘red goldfish productions presents’ and the credits that roll in at the beginning, however it does not have a production company logo at the beginning as many films do and I could improve on that next time. Most films have one track at the beginning of a film introducing the setting and the characters, and I think the way I edited my film and the sequence used these media conventions and there was little dialogue. Using fast cuts and tense music gave the film so much more effect to it and added to the ‘thriller’ type genre I tried to recreate.
Wanting to create as much visual impact as possible I decided to keep the plot as simple as possible. Using the typical ransom letter may seem cliché but it’s successful and it gets the point across to the audience. This has typically been used in many other films, some not even part of the thriller genre.
I found in my research that most of the films did not introduce a character straight away but to make the film to the best of my advantage I had to create a focal point.
The way I introduced the character Laura was also an establishing shot, and I was pleased with the camera work (zoom out) I used to introduce the kidnapper watching Laura. I used an over the shoulder shot so the audience could see what the mystery character was watching (Laura) but also the audience could see the character.
The decisions I made in the filming process was to get as many different angles of the same shot so I had more choice in editing was a wise move as I sometimes found that a shot I had filmed did not look right or there was no continuity. I always had the vision in my head and I storyboarded the shots I wanted. This was altered (as explained in further detail later on) but it was always good to have something to refer to and check off what I had filmed. I researched different types of thrillers and noticed that most began with music to fit the shots and type of tension they wanted to create. I feel that I have achieved this as I built up the pace of the shots (and hopefully the tension) and used one music I felt built up the tension accompany the shots. Also I noticed many of the films showed the opening credits in big, bold, plain lettering; usually white on black. As I had the idea in my head of the torch fading into the title I felt it appropriate to do black on white, but still kept the BOLD aspect to it I believe the fading from the torch into the title went smoothly.
letter to the record company
As I was using a track of music, I had to write to the record company to ask for permission. I wrote to E.M.I and this is the letter as follows....
Dear Sir/Madame,
I am an AS media student. I am writing to ask your permission to use ‘Cemeteries of London’ by Coldplay in my AS coursework ‘opening of a film’ as the track playing alongside my shot sequence. I am not going to distribute my short film commercially or make any money from it. Thank you for taking the time to read my request.
Yours faithfully...
Dear Sir/Madame,
I am an AS media student. I am writing to ask your permission to use ‘Cemeteries of London’ by Coldplay in my AS coursework ‘opening of a film’ as the track playing alongside my shot sequence. I am not going to distribute my short film commercially or make any money from it. Thank you for taking the time to read my request.
Yours faithfully...
Audience feedback
I asked lots of different people within my target audience to watch my two minute opening of a film and comment on four questions;
what genre do you think it is?
What do you like?
What do you dislike (What I could improve on)?
Does it look like a real film opening?
I wrote several of the interesting and critical points the audience fedback to me, but not all. There was a lot of people saying the same things...
What genre do you think it is?
I got audience feedback from 25 people in the target audience range. Out of 25 people, 15 thought the genre was a thriller. 12 people specified to crime or mystery thriller, whereas some of the 12 just wrote crime or mystery. I believe that with that feedback I was successful in putting across to the audience that my genre was a mix of crime/ mystery and it was a thriller.
other suggestions included: psychological thriller, horror, action and one person said fantasy!
What do you like?
. Good music, very professional
. Good atmosphere
. Camera work, shot angles
. The music and how it all fits together
. Black and white was a good idea
. Like the torch fading onto the title
. I loved seeing the scene from the outside of the shop
What do you dislike (or perhaps needs improving?)
. I didn’t like the soft focus- it seemed a little too fuzzy
. I couldn’t hear the actress talking on the phone very well
. There was little dialogue (a few people said this)
. Confusing… what was the point of the people in the office?
. Does the music fit? Is it not a little too uplifting?
Does it look like a real film opening? (you could comment on music, credits, titles etc...)
. I liked the fading in and out of titles, perhaps the red could have been a different colour
. Definitely very professional… I want to see more!
. Yeah, really does
. It does, but the mystery may stop people from understanding
. Credits and title are really good and professional.
what genre do you think it is?
What do you like?
What do you dislike (What I could improve on)?
Does it look like a real film opening?
I wrote several of the interesting and critical points the audience fedback to me, but not all. There was a lot of people saying the same things...
What genre do you think it is?
I got audience feedback from 25 people in the target audience range. Out of 25 people, 15 thought the genre was a thriller. 12 people specified to crime or mystery thriller, whereas some of the 12 just wrote crime or mystery. I believe that with that feedback I was successful in putting across to the audience that my genre was a mix of crime/ mystery and it was a thriller.
other suggestions included: psychological thriller, horror, action and one person said fantasy!
What do you like?
. Good music, very professional
. Good atmosphere
. Camera work, shot angles
. The music and how it all fits together
. Black and white was a good idea
. Like the torch fading onto the title
. I loved seeing the scene from the outside of the shop
What do you dislike (or perhaps needs improving?)
. I didn’t like the soft focus- it seemed a little too fuzzy
. I couldn’t hear the actress talking on the phone very well
. There was little dialogue (a few people said this)
. Confusing… what was the point of the people in the office?
. Does the music fit? Is it not a little too uplifting?
Does it look like a real film opening? (you could comment on music, credits, titles etc...)
. I liked the fading in and out of titles, perhaps the red could have been a different colour
. Definitely very professional… I want to see more!
. Yeah, really does
. It does, but the mystery may stop people from understanding
. Credits and title are really good and professional.
Most of the comments were constructive and I was pleased with the different aspects I got across to the audience successfully. There are contradicting views on different aspects of my film. For example, some people believed the music fitted very well, whereas others did not think it went with the shots at all. I guess it is just a matter of appeal and taste to different people within my target age group.
Some people said it was confusing and the people in the office did not make sense. I believe in a media aspect I needed to add an extra scene to show the audience the whole film WASN’T in black and white, but I guess to the audience it may have been a bit puzzling. If this were made into a full length feature film I hope that the audience would understand some of the things that happened in the opening two minutes and the clues solved. However this is not the case, but on the whole, I believe the feedback was very positive.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
4th March; Finished!
I have officially finished my film opening sequence. I am going to burn it to discs and collect feedback. Now all I have to do is evaluate my work and tie up any loose ends...
:D
:D
Monday, 1 March 2010
editing (finishing; hopefully....)
I've edited and tweaked lots of clips so the music matches the film and enhances it. I've added several transitions and effects that mimic that of real films and added the opening credits. My film is nearly finished and is shaping up really well, there is just always these little faults I have to correct to try to get my film flawless! It just seems to never end, that all!
Monday, 22 February 2010
last session of filming (some time ago, I forget when...)
To finish off the opening sequence and to show the audience the film is not all in black and white, it was important to add an extra little scene afterwards and what better than for the audience to read what the letter says and to introduce characters that would be trying to look for Laura before it was too late.
I found a few mistakes once I loaded and edited my film, but I will sort them out later
this is the story board.
I found a few mistakes once I loaded and edited my film, but I will sort them out later
this is the story board.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Monday 8th February
I have almost completed the sequence for my film and as we are mid-way through production, My class mates are going to watch what I have done so far and feedback on a short 4 question sheet.
I have to tweak a few clips, add the titles and the music.
here are the results (which I have typed up)
Feedback on opening sequence AS coursework- MIDWAY through production
This movie is meant to be a thriller. Is this shown in the shot choices, cuts etc…? if so/not- how?
· I think it looks really good, but could use quicker shots to build up tension
· No because it’s too slow and nothing builds up the tension
· Yes because of the person watching- who is he?
Personal criticism; I agree- I must make the pace faster by making shots shorter
Are there any faults in the filming e.g. continuity etc…? Do the shots look right e.g. close-ups? Does it make sense?
. It does make sense, perhaps you could include a few more close-ups of the reactions
. Yes it makes sense
. The introducing the shop takes over the element of someone watching
Personal criticism; I will have to cut down on long setting the scene shots- thrillers don’t have time for them!
Is the opening catchy? Would you want to continue watching ?
Comments…?
. I don’t think I’d see this but I can see how it would probably make a good film
. The opening even without sound is tense. Especially because it is dark outside. Once the music is in, it will sound even better.
. I would- what happens to her!?
. Yep, very effective- want to see if she survives…
Any other comments?
. I think the black and white effect looks good
. I like Black and white
. Less scene of the shop. Less is more. But so far, very catchy
. Love the scene with the person outside, very effective
Sunday 7th February
This filming session wasn’t scheduled until I found out what mistakes I had made (all of my footage had been previously shot…) so I had to start again. This time I was pleased with my shots and shot the same scene from different angles so I had a lot more choice of shots to choose from.
It went well, and we were finished within the hour (the shortest filming session so far)
I also shot a few extra pan shots of the shop as the ones I had shot previously were too jerky or they went too fast and hurt my eyes!
It went well, and we were finished within the hour (the shortest filming session so far)
I also shot a few extra pan shots of the shop as the ones I had shot previously were too jerky or they went too fast and hurt my eyes!
2nd day of filming (which happened 1 week ago...)
Sunday 31st January
Again, started filming at five o’clock. I filmed the main bulk of the film and the end. All went reasonably well until I went back to school and began editing…
Guess what…
There was yet again a matter of technical fault and continuity.
The clip where Laura read the letter I realised I had filmed myself as there was a mirror opposite… OOPS!
The next fault was my filming skills. The camera follows Laura to the back of the shop and my filming was too jerky and the quick pans and tilts actually hurt my eyes to watch!
The next day I loaded the film to the mac and then continued editing.
Again, started filming at five o’clock. I filmed the main bulk of the film and the end. All went reasonably well until I went back to school and began editing…
Guess what…
There was yet again a matter of technical fault and continuity.
The clip where Laura read the letter I realised I had filmed myself as there was a mirror opposite… OOPS!
The next fault was my filming skills. The camera follows Laura to the back of the shop and my filming was too jerky and the quick pans and tilts actually hurt my eyes to watch!
The next day I loaded the film to the mac and then continued editing.
Friday, 29 January 2010
A little help please?
To be honest as a media student I don’t really have much experience in filming (for many reasons including the fact I only began the course this academic year.) I’ve been looking at all sorts of media openings from thriller openings to romcoms and I’ve even done a prelim practise to get used to the cameras and software (which by the way can be seen further down the blog…) I needed a little expert help so who better to consult than my media teacher?
What about shooting in the shop (the location)- the 180° rule? Does it matter if I broke it? Would it look weird?
All I have to do is make sure I take shots of the whole shop- for example pan shots to establish the shop and there are actually FOUR walls. That’s ok, I can film that.
Do my shots look alright?
Most of my filming is good (except for the small matter of the shots that didn’t include continuity- oops) but the fact I have chosen the genre ‘thriller’ isn’t really showing, my shots are too slow and I needed quicker cuts and a faster pace. Quite simple- I cut out all the pretty zooms; for example when the mystery character is outside I don’t need a long zoom to get him back in the frame- a quicker cut would be fine and a lot more fitting.
The shots I plan to put at the beginning (close-ups of Laura sorting things out in the shop) of the opening sequence are ok as they establish that the character is in the shot- and in the shop. Also it gives me a chance to show the titles (the name of the cast. The ACTUAL title will come at the end.)
Except from the faster cuts to make more of suspense I should add other effects to create a sort of ‘reconstruction feel’- which is the kidnap, and to show the audience the kidnap is separate from the main part of the film. Similar to openings of murder mysteries it is a good idea to create a detached effect from the rest of the film. To achieve this I will have to look at different effects such as black and white and blurry etc… which I can use on my footage.
How does it seem more ‘thriller genre’ type apart for faster cuts and colour effects?
The content is also very important- the most important. Making sure I tell the audience the story, but not giving everything away or showing everything that (so the audience can't make judgments or guess clues.)
e.g.
The characters; *the young adult woman alone in the shop.
*The mystery character clearly planning something dodgy.
The location; *the shop- its closing time, its dark, the character is all alone…
Showing quick cuts will create pace and keep the audience in suspense for what is about to happen
As earlier said, to keep the opening detached from the main story it was a good idea to change the effects for the opening. To establish this and show the audience my whole film won't be in the same effect, I will have to show a quick shot sequence after the title- Something totally different from the kidnapping.
Back to the story board…
To come away from the first characters we see (Laura and the kidnapper), it’d be a good idea to introduce new ones and what a better way than for the police to discover that Laura is missing (And it’d tie in the title too!)
I will add the storyboard for the next part…..
What about shooting in the shop (the location)- the 180° rule? Does it matter if I broke it? Would it look weird?
All I have to do is make sure I take shots of the whole shop- for example pan shots to establish the shop and there are actually FOUR walls. That’s ok, I can film that.
Do my shots look alright?
Most of my filming is good (except for the small matter of the shots that didn’t include continuity- oops) but the fact I have chosen the genre ‘thriller’ isn’t really showing, my shots are too slow and I needed quicker cuts and a faster pace. Quite simple- I cut out all the pretty zooms; for example when the mystery character is outside I don’t need a long zoom to get him back in the frame- a quicker cut would be fine and a lot more fitting.
The shots I plan to put at the beginning (close-ups of Laura sorting things out in the shop) of the opening sequence are ok as they establish that the character is in the shot- and in the shop. Also it gives me a chance to show the titles (the name of the cast. The ACTUAL title will come at the end.)
Except from the faster cuts to make more of suspense I should add other effects to create a sort of ‘reconstruction feel’- which is the kidnap, and to show the audience the kidnap is separate from the main part of the film. Similar to openings of murder mysteries it is a good idea to create a detached effect from the rest of the film. To achieve this I will have to look at different effects such as black and white and blurry etc… which I can use on my footage.
How does it seem more ‘thriller genre’ type apart for faster cuts and colour effects?
The content is also very important- the most important. Making sure I tell the audience the story, but not giving everything away or showing everything that (so the audience can't make judgments or guess clues.)
e.g.
The characters; *the young adult woman alone in the shop.
*The mystery character clearly planning something dodgy.
The location; *the shop- its closing time, its dark, the character is all alone…
Showing quick cuts will create pace and keep the audience in suspense for what is about to happen
As earlier said, to keep the opening detached from the main story it was a good idea to change the effects for the opening. To establish this and show the audience my whole film won't be in the same effect, I will have to show a quick shot sequence after the title- Something totally different from the kidnapping.
Back to the story board…
To come away from the first characters we see (Laura and the kidnapper), it’d be a good idea to introduce new ones and what a better way than for the police to discover that Laura is missing (And it’d tie in the title too!)
I will add the storyboard for the next part…..
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Today I loaded my half finished film onto the mac and started to cut the shots up into pieces (well technically I cut out lots of shots that were definitely not going into my film which i had filmed over and OVER.)
I still have lots of gaps to do more filming and some technical stuff (like; did i get the right shot? OR was it the right choice of shot? If not then I will be re-filming these next time.
Coursework is quite hard work especially doing the film on my own. I hope it goes well for my sake as well as the people reading this and will update soon.
bye for now :)
I still have lots of gaps to do more filming and some technical stuff (like; did i get the right shot? OR was it the right choice of shot? If not then I will be re-filming these next time.
Coursework is quite hard work especially doing the film on my own. I hope it goes well for my sake as well as the people reading this and will update soon.
bye for now :)
Monday, 25 January 2010
STARTED FILMING!!!
I started filming on the 24th of January.
It was quite fun and interesting trying to work out all the different shots and angles.
It took several shots to make sure I got the shot of Laura walking to the door just right. Laura got a bit annoyed...
After getting as many shots as possible from as many different angles as possible it was time to bring in the second actor.
My idea and aim to get a shot of Laura walking was to filmed from both inside and outside (the outside being from the point of view from the second actor). Getting a shot of Laura walking from the outside proved VERY difficult.
there were several affecting factors;
*the traffic- cars kept zooming past in the shot and it was a matter of continuity to have NONE in the shot.
*the actor- who sometimes got the actions wrong
*the other actress inside the shop who didn't see us signalling to 'GO!' at the right time.
On top of all this I had to make sure I got the right shot LOOKING right! It was difficult and time was not on our side (we started to freeeze in the wonderful Januray weather) but we got there eventually.
After watching it back I realised there was a slight problem of CONTINUITY. the shots of Laura which I filmed from the inside and then from the outside differed in one way--- Laura didn't wear a coat from the inside shots, but from the outside shots she did. I didn't realise this until afterwards (while watching and then moaning at my really silly mistake) so when I film next Sunday (or possible change of date) that is one thing I will definitely be looking out for and checking over and over again!!...
...And reshooting the inside shots of course!
It was quite fun and interesting trying to work out all the different shots and angles.
It took several shots to make sure I got the shot of Laura walking to the door just right. Laura got a bit annoyed...
After getting as many shots as possible from as many different angles as possible it was time to bring in the second actor.
My idea and aim to get a shot of Laura walking was to filmed from both inside and outside (the outside being from the point of view from the second actor). Getting a shot of Laura walking from the outside proved VERY difficult.
there were several affecting factors;
*the traffic- cars kept zooming past in the shot and it was a matter of continuity to have NONE in the shot.
*the actor- who sometimes got the actions wrong
*the other actress inside the shop who didn't see us signalling to 'GO!' at the right time.
On top of all this I had to make sure I got the right shot LOOKING right! It was difficult and time was not on our side (we started to freeeze in the wonderful Januray weather) but we got there eventually.
After watching it back I realised there was a slight problem of CONTINUITY. the shots of Laura which I filmed from the inside and then from the outside differed in one way--- Laura didn't wear a coat from the inside shots, but from the outside shots she did. I didn't realise this until afterwards (while watching and then moaning at my really silly mistake) so when I film next Sunday (or possible change of date) that is one thing I will definitely be looking out for and checking over and over again!!...
...And reshooting the inside shots of course!
Plot synopsis- if my film was real...
LOOKING FOR LAURA- Possible plot synopsis of the whole film
Laura has been placed under a witness protection programme in a small village with a new life and job. When she is kidnapped, the police strongly suspect a group of people she has previously tried to escape by going into the witness protection programme.
The story is not so much about the chase, but the suffering and pain, fright and lonliness Laura has to endure- not knowing which hour is her last…
After several heart stopping almost escapes and near death experiences- Laura is almost in reach of the Police.
Does she get saved? I don’t want to spoil the ending…
Laura has been placed under a witness protection programme in a small village with a new life and job. When she is kidnapped, the police strongly suspect a group of people she has previously tried to escape by going into the witness protection programme.
The story is not so much about the chase, but the suffering and pain, fright and lonliness Laura has to endure- not knowing which hour is her last…
After several heart stopping almost escapes and near death experiences- Laura is almost in reach of the Police.
Does she get saved? I don’t want to spoil the ending…
Friday, 22 January 2010
I went into further detail in the different genres my film might have been made from;
I decided that thriller was the best genre to do, as I'd be able to build up an opening and create tension with music and pace of shot. There was also lots of techniques I could use and develop.
I decided that thriller was the best genre to do, as I'd be able to build up an opening and create tension with music and pace of shot. There was also lots of techniques I could use and develop.
I analysed several comedy film openings looking at shots, music, titles, lighting and other aspects
I then analysed some romcoms. They are very poular in the film industry and have a wide audience range. 
I also analysed some action and adventure films but concluded they are too complicated and too high budget to make.
Because I wasn't too sure of which genre to go into. I decided to do a little research and here are many different genres I could go into;
War films
Science fiction
Thriller- explosive, scary, mystery, action, sci-fi
Horror
Romantic- tragedy, comedy
Action
Fantasy
Fiction
Comedy
Historical/period
Drama
Children’s- animated
Adventure
Musical
Western
Crime
Teen
And many, MANY more…..
War films
Science fiction
Thriller- explosive, scary, mystery, action, sci-fi
Horror
Romantic- tragedy, comedy
Action
Fantasy
Fiction
Comedy
Historical/period
Drama
Children’s- animated
Adventure
Musical
Western
Crime
Teen
And many, MANY more…..
Monday, 18 January 2010
NEW PROJECT; AS coursework film.
Hello!
I am going to start an exciting new project which is my AS media coursework. The subject of this is a two minute opening of a film of a genre and topic of my choice.
I am going to start an exciting new project which is my AS media coursework. The subject of this is a two minute opening of a film of a genre and topic of my choice.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)