First Animatic

This animatic is a film of the story board we used for our final piece of work.

Lighting test

Images from our lighting test shoot

Soundtrack

Soundtrack

We have chosen the Nosferatu Theme as the soundtrack for our film.

Storyboard

An example storyboard

Continuity Methods

Continuity Methods Required

We are required to use three main continuity methods in our film: Match on Action, Shot Reverse Shot and the 180 degree rule. We will also include a graphic match.

Transitions

Types of Transitions

We will use mostly cuts in our film, to suit the simple but effective style of 'Nosferatu' and other old horror movies.

However we will end our film using a fade to black, when the vampire catches up with the girl and she can't escape from him. The fade will create a dramatic and scary ending.

Lighting

Lighting

Throughout our film we will use low key lighting, to convey the theme of horror and connote fear and suspense to our audience.

We will use artificial lighting in order to create a large shadow of the vampire on the wall, similar to in the film 'Nosferatu', which we have partly used as inspiration for our film.

Locations

Our Locations

Media and Film corridor

Corridor outside the common room

Library



End of the Media and Film corridor

Props and Costume

Props required

• Vampire cape
• Vampire fangs
• Vampire books
• Table and two chairs

Costume

Maddie wore a skirt and white top, this connoted femininity and suggested that she was the 'damsel in distress' type character. The white of the top connoted good, which contrasted with the black cape of the vampire to show good and bad.

DECISIONS

• Our story board artists, Location scouts and Casting directors are Maddie, Helen and Gabriel.

• Maddie and Helen (and the librarian) are our prop managers.

• Gabriel is the Director of filming

Match on Action

What is Match on Action?

Match on Action is a continuity editing technique, used to make cuts look more fluid and therefore make action on screen seem more realistic and believable. This is achieved by starting an action in one shot, then cutting to the next shot from a different angle or distance, in which the action is completed.

Here is a brilliant example of a simple Match on Action, from the 1938 film Bringing Up Baby:

Here is a break down of the match:







At 0.22, the character strikes a match on the table.



At 0.23, the character is halfway through the action- her hand is moving towards her face to light the cigarette.

At 0.23, there is a cut to a different camera angle as we see the characters hand come up to her face. This is a fluid movement, completing the action started in the previous shot.



At 0.24, we see the character light the cigarette- the action is completed.

 

Match on Action is used many times in this Buster Keaton clip, in order to make the action fast paced and fluid, which adds to the comedy of the clip as it is more realistic.

How many Matches on Action can you spot?

 

shot reverse shot

what is shot reverse shot?

shot reverse shot is a film technique and an example of continuity editing. it is often used to show conversations on screen and strengthens and builds upon the 180 degree rule.

 Here is an example of the use of shot reverse shot on the extremely popular TV show "friends" which often used this technique.

 When using shot reverse shot for a conversation it usually starts with a two shot to establish the setting,

Then when they begin the conversation, each line of dialogue is a shot of the character who is speaking,

This allows the audience to see the emotion in the facial expressions by the characters. These shots are usually around a medium close up and an over the shoulder shot. However these examples are not over the shoulder shots as the characters are quite far apart. Problems with shot reverse shot At times shot reverse shot can be boring for the audience, especially when used in excess, as it lacks variety and excitement.

180 Degree Rule

• The 180 degree rule means that the camera must stay on one side of the invisable line that runs between the two characters, the line is called the line of action.

BREAKING THE RULE

• The camera must stay on one side of the line as if not it may look like the characters are either talking away from eachother, talking to themselves, or the characters will of swiched places on the screen. This confuses the audience. For example this shot is filmed with the camera at different sides of the line of action:

• The 180 degree rule however can be broken when the camera takes it's audience with it as it crosses over the line:

Here the camera is moving to the right and taking it's audience with it as it travels over the line of action.

Preliminary Task

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio Dec – Jan 2012-13

Preliminary Exercise in Continuity Editing

 

Your Task: THIS TASK CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR COURSEWORK GRADE: COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL The specification states that this must be: ‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.   This task should demonstrate:   Match on Action Shot/Reverse Shot The 180 degree Rule   All filming and editing must take place on Haywards Heath College campus, using College equipment. You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of Thriller Film).

 

Stages of the Work

 

You will work on this in all of your Media Studies lessons between approx. Friday December 7^th 2012, and Friday January 11th 2013. However, the final deadline for all parts of the work will be one week after on Friday January 18^th.

 

Stage One

 

You will decide upon your groups. Groups must be a maximum of four students, and a minimum of two.

 

Stage Two

 

In your groups, you will revise the continuity terms referred to above, and ensure that everyone in the group understands what you are required to demonstrate in the finished product.

 

Stage Three

 

You will set up your group’s blog, and begin to make entries on it.

Based on skills demonstrated in the practice work earlier, you will decide which group members are most skilled at camera operation, and assign them the task of filming. At least two people should take responsibility for filming. Assign tasks to everyone in the group from the list below:

§  Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)

§  Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)

§  Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)

§  Casting Director (organises actors where needed)

§  Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)

 

All members of the group must be involved and present for the editing.

 

 

 

 

Stage Four

 

You will all contribute to a planning discussion, in which you create initial ideas. These must include exact location/s to be used, props required, precise decisions about Camerawork (shot distances, angles and movement), Lighting, types of transitions to use, and continuity methods required.

 

You will then begin the storyboarding process: each shot must be the result of careful discussion and frequent checks that you are meeting the brief. Your storyboard must use the correct format, and include all of the information shown on page 25 of your booklet on Moving Image Language. However, it should also include timing in seconds for each shot, and exact lines of dialogue alongside the shot/s that it would be heard.

 

Remember – you must demonstrate all 3 aspects of continuity outlined in the brief!!

 

Stage Five

 

Check that your locations are available at the times you will be filming, and that no one else is using it at the same time.

Check that props are ready for filming.

Check that actors (either members of the group or others you have invited to take part) are available when you are shooting.

Revise the Health and Safety procedures for filming.

Consider lighting techniques to be used.

 

Stage Six

 

Remind yourselves of the necessary checks (especially white balance and health and safety) you need to do before and during filming, and gather your equipment together:

§  Camera

§  Tripod

§  Dolly?

§  Portable lights? (You will not be assessed on your use of lighting at this stage)

 

Start filming.

You will be given ONLY FOUR lessons to film.

 

Shoot each shot several times, as well as from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully – a shortage of footage usually results in poor productions!!

 

Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use.  Create a “Sandwich”.

 

Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network and saved in the appropriate file.  Check with Ollie or Sophie before saving your work!!  You have to Log and save footage immediately after filming – cameras memories will be wiped on return to the technician.

 

EVERY GROUP MEMBER MUST BE PRESENT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

 

GROUPS MUST UPDATE THEIR BLOG AS SHOWN ON THE DEADLINE SHEET

 

Stage Seven

 

Edit the sequence using Final cut.  This must be done by the deadline you are given. On completion, place your finished product in the “Completed Work” directory for your particular AS block.

 

MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES

 

EVERY MEMBER OF THE GROUP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINES SET. FAILURE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES BY THE GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.

 

DEADLINE ONE: END OF YOUR  SECOND LESSON OF THE WEEK WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 2012 – YOUR DATE: Show a completed storyboard using storyboard conventions plus timing and dialogue to a teacher. Record the following on your group’s blog: Your discussion and decisions, explaining your reasons for elements of the sequence in storyboard form. Your cast, props you intend to use, and locations Your timetable for filming.

 

DEADLINE TWO: YOUR SIXTH LESSON IN TOTAL, DURING WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY DECEMBER 17th – YOUR DATE: Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder (consult technicians for advice on this). Update the blog with decisions, problems and solutions

 

DEADLINE THREE: Your second lesson week beginning 14th January  2013   This will be your last lesson allocated to editing. Any further editing will need to be completed in your own time and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest. Your group’s blog must be updated.

 

FINAL DEADLINE FOUR: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23RD 2013  AT 4.10PM FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE SAVED TO THE COMPLETED WORK FOLDER – AS Prelim 2012-13/AS BLOCK ?/ Your full names. GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES

 

NB AS THIS IS AN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE PRELIMINARY EXERCISE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO THE MAIN TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEREFORE, ANY STUDENT NOT ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABOVE PROCESS TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE WILL BE ASKED TO INDIVIDUALLY COMPLETE OR SEPARATELY UNDERTAKE THE TASK AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY ON THEIR RETURN TO COLLEGE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key things to remember

 

• Always reset your white balance when repositioning your camera
• If using a tape – label it
• If using HD cameras, give yourself time to capture and log footage before returning camera.  Follow the tutorials saved to the desk tops of the i-Macs.  Camera memories are wiped immediately on return to a technician.
• To log onto network – CONTROL K, Media AS as both username and password
• Never take out equipment without booking out
• Always return equipment to a technician.
• Always create a film sandwich “Camera Rolling”: “Speed”: “Action”: “Cut”: leave running for few seconds.
• Record each shot several times
• Label each shot with whiteboard (“Take one , take two” etc)
• Once you have logged and captured footage, SAVE into appropriate file – AS Preliminary Task 2012/Block ?/Your Names.
• Each time you edit your work, SAVE AS a new version, thus “Version two”.  That way you build up a record of the process that you undergone and you have a backup of your work should a file become corrupted.
• Save work every 5 minutes
• Use your Tripod unless you have reason not to.
• You need a £10 deposit for equipment

 

Health and safety – don’t put yourself or others at risk:  No Hoodie’s or stalkers:  No weapons.  If using lighting, follow necessary precautions.  Don’t leave the campus.  Please be mindful that other students will be in lessons.  Leave any settings that you use, as you found them.

 

Your Blog – blogs have a particular format.  Rather than walls of text, you should adopt a multi media approach.  Use lots of embedded video, import images, hyperlinks, write text as bullet points, use sub titles, etc.