Preliminary Task: Planning

As part of our preliminary task, we were asked to storyboard the sequence of shots we were going to use to create our 2 minute clip. Our group came up with the idea of creating a situation that involved a job interview. However, as a practice for our coursework we decided to create an interview that was quite tense and based on a "thriller" type story. The storyboard below shows how we intend to create a short piece of film that follows an interview for an assassin...

 Even though our 

storyboards are not brilliantly drawn, we are able to capture each shot that we will need to create the type of genre and tension that we expect from our clip. The storyboard is also useful as it gives brief description of how to shots may pan or track and what sort of frame we will use.

The storyboards mean that we will not miss shots accidentally as we have a detailed plan of what shots are needed and in what sequence. The storyboard is also helpful to understand how much of the shot we need to cover the background and where the camera should be to ensure the character is in the centre of the frame.

The storyboards we have created will make filming and keeping on track a lot easier than if we just worked from memory. The storyboard also helps us to track our progress and discover which shots work and which don't without having to remember which shots we have tried. 

Preliminary Brief: Continuity Task

We have been set a preliminary task in which we must film a short clip using continuity techniques. The clip of film must show a character opening the door, crossing the room and sitting down opposite another character where a few lines of dialogue will be exchanged. The task must involve: match on action, 180 degree rule, and examples of shot/reverse shot. 

Match On Action: This refers to an editing technique where the editor cuts from one shot to another whilst still matching the action of the previous shot. Despite the fact that these shots will have been filmed separately, match on action gives the impression of continuous time when the film is put together. This type of editing has to look seamless to be successful.

180 Degree Rule: The 180 Degree Rule is a simple guideline that means that 2 characters or objects in a scene should have the same left/right relationship to each other. This rule refers to the spatial awareness of those in the scene. The camera must stay on the same side of the imaginary line, known as the axis, in order for these shots to work. 

Shot Reverse Shot: This is also a continuity editing technique that is usually used in conversations between characters. This shot cuts from one person to another as the conversation progresses. This helps the viewer to see the characters as facing each other and helps the scene look more natural.

For this task I have teamed up with Oliver and Jake, we have all agreed to make our clip quite tense and serious as a practice for the thriller opening sequence that will be graded for our coursework. 

Framing A Shot: Practice With Stills

Myself, Max and Max were set the task of taking a series of stills that used different shot types, angles, and effects to clearly create a narrative that included an antagonist and a protagonist. The photos had to clearly indicate a plot involving the two characters, whilst also displaying different shot types.

Our story shows Max and Max B playing the role of the antagonist, and myself playing the part of the protagonist. We aimed to make our photos reflect the chase of the antagonists, and the capturing of the protagonist.

We started out by taking an establishing shot to show the location of the chase. This particular establishing shot is appropriate for our narrative as it shows a wide area in which the chase could happen and is an appropriate for the antagonist to "hunt down" the protagonist.

 The initial shot we decided to use to show the story was an ECU (Extreme Close Up) of the protagonists face. This shot helps to show the fear and worry that the protagonist feels in relation to the situation they are in. 
The blurred background in this shot also helps create empathy with the protagonist as it gives a sense that the only issue on her mind is the chase that is about the begin.

Following with a midshot that allows a lot of the background to be seen means that the protagonist can be seen as vulnerable, as the area is so large in comparison to the protagonist themself. The use of the filter on this creates a sense of isolation for the protagonist.

We felt a low angle shot would be perfect for showing how intimidating the antagonists are. The lower angle shows power and dominance of the antagonists and the lack of light in the background coincides with the darkness of their plan to capture the protagonist.

 We also used a total of 3 shots to focus in on one of the antagonists. The use of the 3 shots together gives the impression of Max having eyes everywhere and always watching and waiting for the next move.

The shot from behind gives a point of view of the protagonist. The shot makes it seem as if the antagonist is hiding or plotting the next move in the chase.

 The higher angle hints at the ideas going through the antagonists head, and completes the plan of the chase.

The leading lines of the fence in this shot shows that the chase has begun and that the antagonist is quickly closing in on the gap to capturing the protagonist.

I think the final shot is my favourite because of the way the ''rule of thirds'' means that the railings act as a frame for the capture of the protagonist. This final shot shows the victory of the antagonists and the perspective of the protagonist brings back the empathy and vulnerability of the situation. 

Overall, I am very happy with the way our first attempt at getting to try out new equipment and shots turned out. Both myself, Max and Max found the task enjoyable and an experience that allowed us all to take parts in both photographing a scene and being in a scene. 

Our main ambition was to become more comfortable with the equipment but also with being in shot and acting out roles. Although we had fun, not all our shots went to plan, as you can see in the GIF below...

An Introduction...

Hi my name’s Emma and I’m an AS Media Student. I have never studied Media before but I have always had an interest in TV/film and how the Internet attracts and appeals to other people. I am interested in how sites, such as YouTube, are becoming more popular and a main source of information and advertising for a range of different people.  I am very interested in how the “vlogging” side of YouTube is rapidly expanding and how this is becoming a wide community. 

Social Media also plays a large part of my life, Twitter being my main “go-to” app when boredom strikes and usually my main form of procrastination when something more important calls…

Films, FilmMaking and Photography has always attracted me, and has become a rather large part of my life. Both my favourite photographer, Tom Leishman, and favourite filmmaker, David Spearing, have inspired me to try new things and and experiment with cameras, although I have no real experiences.

Although these areas of media interest me, as of yet I am not entirely sure how they are produced or how they manage to capture a wide audience through use of the Internet. I aim to be able to understand the ins and outs of these forms of Media and use them in a way that will entice others and that gives me an insight into how beneficial the media itself is. 

I am looking forward to experimenting with different equipment and giving myself an opportunity to be creative. I'm also looking forward to turning my thoughts and ideas into a physical piece of film or photography that not only makes me proud, but also entertains others. 

I think the "behind the scenes" work will be a learning curve for me, in which I will be able to perfect editing and capture certain moods by doing so. The thought of being able to edit efficiently and professionally makes me rather nervous as these are areas I hope to thrive in and become comfortable with. And the idea of not achieving that is quite daunting.

For my AS year, I will be expected to create a title sequence/opening to a thriller film. The clip has to create tension and suspense, whilst being able to capture an audience. The opening sequence will be expected to set the scene and hint at a possible storyline as if it was a full length feature film. I am looking forward to this task as it allows me to have a go at something I have never done before. Overall, I am looking forward to the AS course and getting to know the equipment that I will be using throughout my Media course.