This is our Directors Commentary on our film - Vengeance in Disguise.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Vengeance in Disguise - Final Piece
This is our film introduction, Vengeance in Disguise - which is based around terrorism. After many weeks of hard work, we are proud of this introduction - lasting around two minutes. Enjoy.
The piece centers around terrorism and the events leading up to... well that's for you to decide.
The name Vengeance in Disguise was chosen because we want the theme to be the terrorists fighting back against the traditional stereotypes and to satisfy God, per our Bible quote, "the wage of sin is death" and should our terrorist carry out the deed, she herself would be dead also.
We state the film as "Based on a true story" based on a theory the Coen Brothers (Independent American film producers and directors) had - that because the film is 'fictional' that in the fictional world - it can be a true story.
The piece centers around terrorism and the events leading up to... well that's for you to decide.
The name Vengeance in Disguise was chosen because we want the theme to be the terrorists fighting back against the traditional stereotypes and to satisfy God, per our Bible quote, "the wage of sin is death" and should our terrorist carry out the deed, she herself would be dead also.
We state the film as "Based on a true story" based on a theory the Coen Brothers (Independent American film producers and directors) had - that because the film is 'fictional' that in the fictional world - it can be a true story.
what we have learnt since doing the preliminary task
From out preliminary task we have leanrn that we need to do a lot more planning before going out to film, so before we went out filming we made sure that we knew exactly what shots we wanted and we made sure we had our story board complete. We have also learnt a lot more different tricks whilst editing for example at the opening credits with a glow behind them, while we were doing the preliminary task we did not know how to do this.
Since the preliminary task we have also become more equipped with the equipment. In the prelim we just used a tripod and camera and moved the camera when we wanted to show movement, however in the final task we decided to use a dolly whilst moving the camera to give it more of a professional effect.
From out preliminary task we have leanrn that we need to do a lot more planning before going out to film, so before we went out filming we made sure that we knew exactly what shots we wanted and we made sure we had our story board complete. We have also learnt a lot more different tricks whilst editing for example at the opening credits with a glow behind them, while we were doing the preliminary task we did not know how to do this.
Since the preliminary task we have also become more equipped with the equipment. In the prelim we just used a tripod and camera and moved the camera when we wanted to show movement, however in the final task we decided to use a dolly whilst moving the camera to give it more of a professional effect.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products.
In our film we have changed forms and conventions of real media products in many different ways. After watching films that inspired our own film, we realized that they all used the typical stereotypical image of terrorists and we didn't want our film to be the typical terrorist film; therefore in order to to change the forms and conventions we decided to go against the stereotypes. We did this by having a white Catholic female play our terrorist. We also wanted to make sure that we made references back to the idea of Catholicism through out the film an example of this is right at the beginning of the film we have a shot of Mary and later of a shot of a chapel with a close up on a cross. We also looked at films such as the Exortist to get ideas of how we can do represenataions of religion within the film.
Flight 93, is one of the films we looked at closely in relation to our film as the themes are closely linked. Flight 93 is a unconventional film and as we followed this and tried to make ours similarly based, our film is therefor also unconventional to a certain extent. Flight 93 is also filmed in a the style of a hand held camera similarly to ours, it gives the impression of actually being there and realism. In order to show that we tried to link the films they both start in a similar way. Flight 93 starts with someone boarding a plane showing September 11th and in ours we begin with Noelia, walking through the airport acting suspicious about to board a plane. There are also scences from the plane set we had in our lesuire and touism department within college, to make assoctations with the plane in flight 93.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
We feel that our film represents many social groups some of these being teenagers and Christians. Our film would particularly attract the social group of female teenagers because the film is based around a young women playing the role of a terrorist. This would attract female teenagers as the lead of the film first is a women but also the fact that the women is playing a strong independent role rather than the typical 'damsel in distress' would attract a female teenage group. The fact that the women is a young blonde female, they can also be refered to and represented to as 'the dumb blonde'but yet again we decided to attempt to break the sterotype as our women was the strong intimidating women.
The film would also attract the Catholic social group as the female is a traditional Catholic women, as there are close links to religion within the film. This could also attract a variety of social groups as we are breaking the current media stereotype of the Muslim male terrorist, and replacing with a Catholic women. This was also once done when the typical stereotype was the Irish male in the RIA.
Who would be the audience for media product?
The ideal audience for our film would be in the age group 15-24 and within the NRS Social grade we feel it would be best fitted to those in the range A- upper middle class to C2- skilled working class. We feel it would suit this audience best as it contains a variety of complex language mixed with unconventional scenes that the older audience would appreciate. Although the film contains a young female actress the film is filled with complex and intense themes and issues which maybe be to much for a young audience to handle as they are controversial.
The film also if filmed fully may contain violence and strong language not suited to those of a younger age.
How did you attract/addresses your audience?
Our film addresses the chosen audience because of its content, the film addresses a range of ethnicity's after the fright of 9/11 and 7/7. After both attacks there was a growing interest in terrorism and security withing the airport; as people At the time we made our film Osama Bin Laden died, therefore there was a re-interest in the topic, making it a perfect time to release the film.
The fact that we changed the terrorist to a Catholic female would attract theMuslim audience as it is a different take on the films as it is no longer an offensive stereotype of a male musilm terrosist.
The fact that we used a women as the main and only character would attract a femal audeince as not many films have the lead villan as a women. This attracts them as it is something differnt from the norm.
The music within our film isnt typical to the audience of our film, the main piece of music in our film is a classical piece, and therefore steotypically would appeal to an older audience. However we thought we would break another stereotype and link the classical music in with the emotions of the film and therefore it attracts the audience 15-24.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of construction of this product?
Whilst making our film we used new technology such as final cut pro in order to edit our film, we used various types of transitions such as cross fade, fade in and fade out, and non-additive dissolve. An example of when we used this our introduction and we used a non-additive dissolve at the end to close to film. Whilst using final cut pro we were able to use basic text credits and edit the font, colour, size and alignment in order for it to look the best it could. In the opening to our film we also used editing effects such as 'glow' over the writing to make it look more eary.
We also used new technology such as the blog. The blog allowed us to post details about the making of our film at all stages of development of the film rather than writing it all free hand, The blog also allowed us to upload pictures and video's from youtube that are relevant to our film. This videos included the openings to flight 93 and the terminal.
One major piece of technology we experienced was the green screen, we are lucky at college to have a TV Studio which has a green screen technology corner. This allowed us to create the directors commentary in a professional environment with the equipment behind Jason. It also allowed us to create the news report, which is far more realistic than anything else we could have imagined doing without it.
3. What kind of media institution would distribute your media product and why?
We looked at IMBD31 1to get more information of films that we looked at to inspire us with our final film. We looked at the film Flight 93, which was distributed by dream works we also looked at the film the Terminal that was distributed by Sony Pictures Company. We would like one of these companies to distribute our film as we think it would get great publicity. We would like our film to be advertised direfctly before or after programs that appeal to a wide audience, such as Eastenders or CSI. This would help us attract a range of different age groups, social classes and a general all round audience. We also think it would be a good idea to have our film advertised on national and local radio stations and social networking sites, such as facebook and twitter as this would also attract a younger audience that may be interested in this genre of film. The main source of advertisement would be on tv or in cinemas.
In our film we have changed forms and conventions of real media products in many different ways. After watching films that inspired our own film, we realized that they all used the typical stereotypical image of terrorists and we didn't want our film to be the typical terrorist film; therefore in order to to change the forms and conventions we decided to go against the stereotypes. We did this by having a white Catholic female play our terrorist. We also wanted to make sure that we made references back to the idea of Catholicism through out the film an example of this is right at the beginning of the film we have a shot of Mary and later of a shot of a chapel with a close up on a cross. We also looked at films such as the Exortist to get ideas of how we can do represenataions of religion within the film.
Flight 93, is one of the films we looked at closely in relation to our film as the themes are closely linked. Flight 93 is a unconventional film and as we followed this and tried to make ours similarly based, our film is therefor also unconventional to a certain extent. Flight 93 is also filmed in a the style of a hand held camera similarly to ours, it gives the impression of actually being there and realism. In order to show that we tried to link the films they both start in a similar way. Flight 93 starts with someone boarding a plane showing September 11th and in ours we begin with Noelia, walking through the airport acting suspicious about to board a plane. There are also scences from the plane set we had in our lesuire and touism department within college, to make assoctations with the plane in flight 93.
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
We feel that our film represents many social groups some of these being teenagers and Christians. Our film would particularly attract the social group of female teenagers because the film is based around a young women playing the role of a terrorist. This would attract female teenagers as the lead of the film first is a women but also the fact that the women is playing a strong independent role rather than the typical 'damsel in distress' would attract a female teenage group. The fact that the women is a young blonde female, they can also be refered to and represented to as 'the dumb blonde'but yet again we decided to attempt to break the sterotype as our women was the strong intimidating women.
The film would also attract the Catholic social group as the female is a traditional Catholic women, as there are close links to religion within the film. This could also attract a variety of social groups as we are breaking the current media stereotype of the Muslim male terrorist, and replacing with a Catholic women. This was also once done when the typical stereotype was the Irish male in the RIA.
Who would be the audience for media product?
The ideal audience for our film would be in the age group 15-24 and within the NRS Social grade we feel it would be best fitted to those in the range A- upper middle class to C2- skilled working class. We feel it would suit this audience best as it contains a variety of complex language mixed with unconventional scenes that the older audience would appreciate. Although the film contains a young female actress the film is filled with complex and intense themes and issues which maybe be to much for a young audience to handle as they are controversial.
The film also if filmed fully may contain violence and strong language not suited to those of a younger age.
How did you attract/addresses your audience?
Our film addresses the chosen audience because of its content, the film addresses a range of ethnicity's after the fright of 9/11 and 7/7. After both attacks there was a growing interest in terrorism and security withing the airport; as people At the time we made our film Osama Bin Laden died, therefore there was a re-interest in the topic, making it a perfect time to release the film.
The fact that we changed the terrorist to a Catholic female would attract theMuslim audience as it is a different take on the films as it is no longer an offensive stereotype of a male musilm terrosist.
The fact that we used a women as the main and only character would attract a femal audeince as not many films have the lead villan as a women. This attracts them as it is something differnt from the norm.
The music within our film isnt typical to the audience of our film, the main piece of music in our film is a classical piece, and therefore steotypically would appeal to an older audience. However we thought we would break another stereotype and link the classical music in with the emotions of the film and therefore it attracts the audience 15-24.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of construction of this product?
Whilst making our film we used new technology such as final cut pro in order to edit our film, we used various types of transitions such as cross fade, fade in and fade out, and non-additive dissolve. An example of when we used this our introduction and we used a non-additive dissolve at the end to close to film. Whilst using final cut pro we were able to use basic text credits and edit the font, colour, size and alignment in order for it to look the best it could. In the opening to our film we also used editing effects such as 'glow' over the writing to make it look more eary.
We also used new technology such as the blog. The blog allowed us to post details about the making of our film at all stages of development of the film rather than writing it all free hand, The blog also allowed us to upload pictures and video's from youtube that are relevant to our film. This videos included the openings to flight 93 and the terminal.
One major piece of technology we experienced was the green screen, we are lucky at college to have a TV Studio which has a green screen technology corner. This allowed us to create the directors commentary in a professional environment with the equipment behind Jason. It also allowed us to create the news report, which is far more realistic than anything else we could have imagined doing without it.
3. What kind of media institution would distribute your media product and why?
We looked at IMBD31 1to get more information of films that we looked at to inspire us with our final film. We looked at the film Flight 93, which was distributed by dream works we also looked at the film the Terminal that was distributed by Sony Pictures Company. We would like one of these companies to distribute our film as we think it would get great publicity. We would like our film to be advertised direfctly before or after programs that appeal to a wide audience, such as Eastenders or CSI. This would help us attract a range of different age groups, social classes and a general all round audience. We also think it would be a good idea to have our film advertised on national and local radio stations and social networking sites, such as facebook and twitter as this would also attract a younger audience that may be interested in this genre of film. The main source of advertisement would be on tv or in cinemas.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
location shots
In the opening of our film we use three differnt locations, Manchester airport, a plane from the travel and tourisum department in our college and barton airport.
This is a picture of terminal two in manchester airport were alot of our film was filmed.We used this location to give our film a relastic effect of an airport. We also used terminal 2 because when we arrived at manchester airport terminal 1 it was far to busy and the tunnle in terminal was to small.
This is a picture of Barton airport were Jason was lucky enought to go inside and film. He got some really good shots of inside the tower and of the small planes and hellicopters outside. Unfortunally we wernt able to use alot of the shots as they didnt fit in with our film.
This is a picture of terminal two in manchester airport were alot of our film was filmed.We used this location to give our film a relastic effect of an airport. We also used terminal 2 because when we arrived at manchester airport terminal 1 it was far to busy and the tunnle in terminal was to small.
This is a picture of Barton airport were Jason was lucky enought to go inside and film. He got some really good shots of inside the tower and of the small planes and hellicopters outside. Unfortunally we wernt able to use alot of the shots as they didnt fit in with our film.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Problems we ran into whilst filming
In the finished version of our film we encounted some problems.One of these problems included the background music. The music we chose to use was a classical piece by Bach Prelude in c major, however we ran into some copyright issues that needed to be addressed before continuing with our editing. We thought we would be unable to use this certan track, so we asked our music teacher to record herself playing the same track and used that version instead to avoid any further problems. After we had gone through all that trouble we realised that the music was over 50 years old and therefore didnt apply to the copyright act.
A further problem we faced was getting permission to film in manchester airport. We contacted the management at the airport to enquire about filming in the airport. However we accidently mentioned the word "terrorist", prompting them to hang up immidiently. However we wouldn't take no for an answer, and we went down inspite of this. When we arrived at Manchester airport where we ahppened to bumped into a police officer, whome we asked again about filming in the airport. The police officerwas slightly reluctant but seen as it was red nose day and Jason was dressed up, we were about to use this is our advantage and use it as an excuse to film; this then gave us freedom and permission to rome the airport.
Finally another problem we ran into was the the costumes department, we wanted our film to look as realstic as possible but unfortunaly we couldnt get any air hostes or piolet outfits. As a result of this we were unable to film some of the shots that we had planned to take place in the the plane set.Yet again we didnt let this stop us, we just changed the idea of the shots and in our opinon changed them for the better.
A further problem we faced was getting permission to film in manchester airport. We contacted the management at the airport to enquire about filming in the airport. However we accidently mentioned the word "terrorist", prompting them to hang up immidiently. However we wouldn't take no for an answer, and we went down inspite of this. When we arrived at Manchester airport where we ahppened to bumped into a police officer, whome we asked again about filming in the airport. The police officerwas slightly reluctant but seen as it was red nose day and Jason was dressed up, we were about to use this is our advantage and use it as an excuse to film; this then gave us freedom and permission to rome the airport.
Finally another problem we ran into was the the costumes department, we wanted our film to look as realstic as possible but unfortunaly we couldnt get any air hostes or piolet outfits. As a result of this we were unable to film some of the shots that we had planned to take place in the the plane set.Yet again we didnt let this stop us, we just changed the idea of the shots and in our opinon changed them for the better.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Shot List - Our film introduction
This is our shot list for our intended religious terrorism film introduction:
- Opening Shot - Panning shot of religious statue (Potentially Mary or Jesus?) in mid-shot showing some part of the statue and including some of the natural background.
- Establishing Shot - Very wide shot of aircraft at airport and emphasising airport evironment.
- Phonebooth / Phone Call - Medium close-up of Noelia in a phone booth or at a phone stand or similar and showing clear emotion and 'stress' of actress.
- Tracking Shot - Following Noellia from the phone to an escalator or elevator/lift to show movement through the airport.
- Cut-away - Airport signage - showing terminals, gates, lounges etc in medium close up
- Medium close up - Noellia going for the lift or escalator in the airport.
- Mid-shots showing other people being either on the escalators or in a lift with Noellia.
- Close-up of noellia either coming off escalator or in a lift - showing emotion and confusion in her face and body language.
- Cut-in coming off elevator or inside a lift - close up to show clutching of the bag.
- Long shot - showing Noellia walking on to a flat-escalator which is a typical setting of most airports.
- Medium close up and tracking shot - showing Noellia on a flat-escalator in the airport to show movement - including emotion/confusion.
- Long shot from side angle (following 180 degree rule) - show a different view of Noellia and the airport as she is walking through
- Cutaway - show the religious attributes once more - potentially a church or spire?
- Long shot of control tower at airport - also use as a weather shot to reflect the mood of the day.
- Close up of control tower attributes to show a movement in time - a clock? or an instrument with the time on?
- News report - medium close up of news report - show top half of reporter and the studio backing - use of green screen.
- Zoom from long shot to medium close up of fire, ambulance or similar emergency service to show there's some consequences of the day ahead in the film.
- Tracking of emergency service - show movement through the airport/airfield - follow across runway or taxiways if available.
- Close up of other emergency services in a different aspect of the airport - add more tension regarding the day ahead.
- Medium close up of control tower and show activity - potentially a turning aerial thing, a weather station or wind sock?
- Mid shot on an aircraft with Noellia boarding - placing bag in to a luggage bin or other stowage area.
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Opening film sequences- analysis
To prepare for our filming of our main piece we analysed opening sequences to similar productions that have come out of Hollywood
Flight 93
Flight 93 was a 9/11 tribute filmed in 2006 allowing people gain an incite into what happened the day the twin towers where destroyed by terrorists.
The opening to film is mysterious music creating tension and suspicion, it then shows a shot of pilot getting ready to fly the plane like he would on any other day and saying goodbye to his family, it is unknown that this is the last time he will see them. The pilot is unaware of the fact that he is going to die along with passengers. Following there there is then an establishing shot showing a representation of the airport, this is done by showing a control tower and planes. After this there is a close up of a man shaving of a beard in what looks like the airport toilets, this is to the viewer is random and out of place therefore it creates a sense of unknown and tension. There are also two pilots and air hostess whom are positive and have no idea of what is going to happen once they are in the air. All passengers are unaware an cheerful, there is a shot of key props such as a 'new mothers book' allowing the viewer to understand that there is a pregnant women on board the flight and there is also a shot of a voicemail so that you know that the husband doesn't know that his wife is on that flight .
The terminal
The terminal was filmed in 2004, and is about a whom is declined entry in to America.
The film opens with minor opening credits and production company. It then has a shot if departures board to represent that is going to be based inside an airport. The board also has the title of the film on it. There is then a bus with loads of passengers showing how busy the airport is. Following this there is a shot of the security booth showing how tight security measures are. A group of Chinese people then come on the scene with forged papers and get chased by security for trying to enter the county illegally. It also shows the force of the security. Tom Hanks passport is not working and therefore he do gets declined entry and will have to stay in the airport as he can't retire to his own country due to violence and he can't enter the country because of his passport, this therefore creates the storyline. Opening finishes with Hanks standing on his own shaving in the middle of a terminal, with important people watching him.
Air force One
Air force One was filmed in 1997
Air force One starts with patriotic music playing over the credits. The credits themselves are long at the start, around three minutes. From 3:00 onwards is where we looked at the opening sequence. It starts with a major event which appears to be an assassination in Moscow, Russia which is a major event which leads on to the impact of the main story in the film - which is the hijacking of Air Force One (the President of the United States plane).
There is no evidence of the plane or airport in the opening sequence but it is the demonstration which leaves us wondering what the impact will be as a result of the event. The opening sequence is based around this major event which leads on to the point of the film - the plae hijacking.
Flight 93
Flight 93 was a 9/11 tribute filmed in 2006 allowing people gain an incite into what happened the day the twin towers where destroyed by terrorists.
The opening to film is mysterious music creating tension and suspicion, it then shows a shot of pilot getting ready to fly the plane like he would on any other day and saying goodbye to his family, it is unknown that this is the last time he will see them. The pilot is unaware of the fact that he is going to die along with passengers. Following there there is then an establishing shot showing a representation of the airport, this is done by showing a control tower and planes. After this there is a close up of a man shaving of a beard in what looks like the airport toilets, this is to the viewer is random and out of place therefore it creates a sense of unknown and tension. There are also two pilots and air hostess whom are positive and have no idea of what is going to happen once they are in the air. All passengers are unaware an cheerful, there is a shot of key props such as a 'new mothers book' allowing the viewer to understand that there is a pregnant women on board the flight and there is also a shot of a voicemail so that you know that the husband doesn't know that his wife is on that flight .
The terminal
The terminal was filmed in 2004, and is about a whom is declined entry in to America.
The film opens with minor opening credits and production company. It then has a shot if departures board to represent that is going to be based inside an airport. The board also has the title of the film on it. There is then a bus with loads of passengers showing how busy the airport is. Following this there is a shot of the security booth showing how tight security measures are. A group of Chinese people then come on the scene with forged papers and get chased by security for trying to enter the county illegally. It also shows the force of the security. Tom Hanks passport is not working and therefore he do gets declined entry and will have to stay in the airport as he can't retire to his own country due to violence and he can't enter the country because of his passport, this therefore creates the storyline. Opening finishes with Hanks standing on his own shaving in the middle of a terminal, with important people watching him.
Air force One
Air force One was filmed in 1997
Air force One starts with patriotic music playing over the credits. The credits themselves are long at the start, around three minutes. From 3:00 onwards is where we looked at the opening sequence. It starts with a major event which appears to be an assassination in Moscow, Russia which is a major event which leads on to the impact of the main story in the film - which is the hijacking of Air Force One (the President of the United States plane).
There is no evidence of the plane or airport in the opening sequence but it is the demonstration which leaves us wondering what the impact will be as a result of the event. The opening sequence is based around this major event which leads on to the point of the film - the plae hijacking.
Friday, 11 February 2011
What did you learn about the cameras and editing software during the preliminary task?
Whilst doing the preliminary task, we learnt how to use the cameras and editing software.
we learnt the basics ins and outs of the equipment and by the end were rather familiar with it. We used the tripod to steady our shots while filming. The camera had a zoom function this further increased the aspect of our shots.After a few practice shots, we found the cameras simple to use.
The editing software we used was Final Cut Pro, this software was hard to use at first but after awhile we got the hang of it. This software allowed us to cut our filming, placing each shot on the timeline in sync with each other and add music to our shots. It allowed us to make each shot run smoothly with each other. We added credits to the prelim. This made it look more like an opening scene to a film.
In the filming and editing of your project, what worked well and what could have been improved?
In the filming of our prelim we filmed different types of shots including match and over the shoulder. When it came to cutting and editing and piecing together shots, we found that each shot worked in sync smoothly. We could improve the actual shots themselves. This meaning the focus on the character and surrounding. Due to it being a practice, next time we could improve our filming and acting.
Whilst doing the preliminary task, we learnt how to use the cameras and editing software.
we learnt the basics ins and outs of the equipment and by the end were rather familiar with it. We used the tripod to steady our shots while filming. The camera had a zoom function this further increased the aspect of our shots.After a few practice shots, we found the cameras simple to use.
The editing software we used was Final Cut Pro, this software was hard to use at first but after awhile we got the hang of it. This software allowed us to cut our filming, placing each shot on the timeline in sync with each other and add music to our shots. It allowed us to make each shot run smoothly with each other. We added credits to the prelim. This made it look more like an opening scene to a film.
In the filming and editing of your project, what worked well and what could have been improved?
In the filming of our prelim we filmed different types of shots including match and over the shoulder. When it came to cutting and editing and piecing together shots, we found that each shot worked in sync smoothly. We could improve the actual shots themselves. This meaning the focus on the character and surrounding. Due to it being a practice, next time we could improve our filming and acting.
Give a detailed, specific example of how you have used a shot/ reverse shot combination in your film
In our prelim, we found the aspect of shot reverse shot difficult. We filmed shots of the conversation between noelia and keir, but the idea of shot reverse shot was difficult to be seen. This can be improved in the final task as we learnt how to do this.
Give a detailed, specific example of how you achieved match cuts during the editing process
We used a match cut when there was an image of keir getting out his phone and the and image of his phone on the table at the end of the conversation.
In our prelim, we found the aspect of shot reverse shot difficult. We filmed shots of the conversation between noelia and keir, but the idea of shot reverse shot was difficult to be seen. This can be improved in the final task as we learnt how to do this.
Give a detailed, specific example of how you achieved match cuts during the editing process
We used a match cut when there was an image of keir getting out his phone and the and image of his phone on the table at the end of the conversation.
How did you make sure that you didn’t break the 180 degree rule? Or if you broke it, what have you learnt from this?
While filming we made sure we filmed from the same side each time. This made sure that we did not break the rule.
While filming we made sure we filmed from the same side each time. This made sure that we did not break the rule.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Preliminary Filming Evaluation
What did you learn about the cameras and editing software during the preliminary task?
The preliminary task was a great opportunity for us to get use to the equipment and software we would be using for our final piece. we also were able to explore many different camera angls and shots.
The preliminary task was a great opportunity for us to get use to the equipment and software we would be using for our final piece. we also were able to explore many different camera angls and shots.
Friday, 4 February 2011
Our Preliminary Film - Experiencing the equipment and editing software
Before going ahead to do our main production - we do some preliminary filimg to create a short film so we could get used to the equipment and using Final Cut Pro on the Mac's.
Our intended story line was surrounding two best friends (Noellia and Keir) talking about Keir's date at the cinema the previous night and he is anxiously waiting for a call back from the girl.
We started the filming with Keir and Noellia walking across the road from outside the Church over to College and through the gates. We wanted to practice a variety of shots following people walking in preparation for our intended final piece which we would need them for. So we did a panning shot following them across the road and we filmed that in three different shots - Long shot, medium shot and close up so we had more flexibile options in editing. We used the medium shot and the close up shot in the final piece for the panning walk across the road. The problem arose that the traffic flowing was going to be different in every shot - so we had to cut the editing to either side of the road, missing out them crossing so we could make it all connect seamlessly. The panning shots were a bit quick or slow at times in the shots so we weren't always in time with Noellia and Keir walking in the shots - but in the final edit, we think it works well with the variety we used.
We did a steady zoom out to follow to Noellia and Keir walking through to gate toward the camera and with the use of continuity editing - we did a zoom in following them from the same position the shot ended through the door to one of the buildings on college campus. We kept the camera rolling as they walked in the building to show them walking around the corner from a distance which we could use for continuity in the next shot inside the building showing them turning the same corner. The problem with the final version of the prelim filming is the zoom we did looks very amateurish and would never be seen in a real production.
When they were walking in to the cantene having turned the corner - Noellia and Keir were directed to sit down on the chairs and we would film them. However a classic filming mistake - we had them sitting down one way and then filmed the conversation from the other way - we didn't realise this until we sat down to begin editing. We tried to make it seem less obvious with the methods of shots used - but it was definitely a mistake we should have re-shot whilst filming.
We wanted to have different perspectives of the conversation from different angles - but with only one camera, we knew this would be a struggle. We initially filmed Noellia and Keir front on so we could see both of them clearly and then over both of their shoulders. We did this so we could use them in editing - giving us a variety of options. We were able to use shot reverse shots and two shots this way - allowing us to work with a variety in the editing. We found it really hard to get a decent zoom from Keir throwing the phone down to the screen - so we decided to film a 15 second shot of the call incoming itself - this way we were able to use an eyeline match, rather than an amateur zoom. The story behind the phone being thrown down is that Keir was hoping and expecting it would be the girl calling but it was instead his 'Mummy' - which we thought would be fun and cute.
We didn't want to leave the long walking shots boring and blank so we decided to add music over the top which in the end, we added to the full product. We used "Florence and the Machine - Dog Days" and we were able to make it work really well with the walking and the Blackberry incoming call from 'Mummy' at the end. We really struggled to choose appropriate music and spent 30-45 minutes searching for appropriate options and Noellia suggested this song we used and it worked great with it. The voices in the conversation didn't sound all too good on their own - so we reduced the volume to -21db so it was still playing faintly over the background and it seems to have worked fine with the conversation, but we would have preferred that scene to look much better. We them upped the volume to 3db over the final shots of the Blackberry and the credits with it slowly fading out over the final 8 seconds of the credits.
We created the credits using the "Scrolling Text" feature in the Final Cut Pro Effects - they work great for this prelim and we named ourselves "VEKS Productions" - Vicky, Emma (Noellia), Keir and Scales (Jason's surname) Productions. "VEKS" to us both looks and reads well to us and hopefully it will to others.
Our intended story line was surrounding two best friends (Noellia and Keir) talking about Keir's date at the cinema the previous night and he is anxiously waiting for a call back from the girl.
We started the filming with Keir and Noellia walking across the road from outside the Church over to College and through the gates. We wanted to practice a variety of shots following people walking in preparation for our intended final piece which we would need them for. So we did a panning shot following them across the road and we filmed that in three different shots - Long shot, medium shot and close up so we had more flexibile options in editing. We used the medium shot and the close up shot in the final piece for the panning walk across the road. The problem arose that the traffic flowing was going to be different in every shot - so we had to cut the editing to either side of the road, missing out them crossing so we could make it all connect seamlessly. The panning shots were a bit quick or slow at times in the shots so we weren't always in time with Noellia and Keir walking in the shots - but in the final edit, we think it works well with the variety we used.
We did a steady zoom out to follow to Noellia and Keir walking through to gate toward the camera and with the use of continuity editing - we did a zoom in following them from the same position the shot ended through the door to one of the buildings on college campus. We kept the camera rolling as they walked in the building to show them walking around the corner from a distance which we could use for continuity in the next shot inside the building showing them turning the same corner. The problem with the final version of the prelim filming is the zoom we did looks very amateurish and would never be seen in a real production.
When they were walking in to the cantene having turned the corner - Noellia and Keir were directed to sit down on the chairs and we would film them. However a classic filming mistake - we had them sitting down one way and then filmed the conversation from the other way - we didn't realise this until we sat down to begin editing. We tried to make it seem less obvious with the methods of shots used - but it was definitely a mistake we should have re-shot whilst filming.
We wanted to have different perspectives of the conversation from different angles - but with only one camera, we knew this would be a struggle. We initially filmed Noellia and Keir front on so we could see both of them clearly and then over both of their shoulders. We did this so we could use them in editing - giving us a variety of options. We were able to use shot reverse shots and two shots this way - allowing us to work with a variety in the editing. We found it really hard to get a decent zoom from Keir throwing the phone down to the screen - so we decided to film a 15 second shot of the call incoming itself - this way we were able to use an eyeline match, rather than an amateur zoom. The story behind the phone being thrown down is that Keir was hoping and expecting it would be the girl calling but it was instead his 'Mummy' - which we thought would be fun and cute.
We didn't want to leave the long walking shots boring and blank so we decided to add music over the top which in the end, we added to the full product. We used "Florence and the Machine - Dog Days" and we were able to make it work really well with the walking and the Blackberry incoming call from 'Mummy' at the end. We really struggled to choose appropriate music and spent 30-45 minutes searching for appropriate options and Noellia suggested this song we used and it worked great with it. The voices in the conversation didn't sound all too good on their own - so we reduced the volume to -21db so it was still playing faintly over the background and it seems to have worked fine with the conversation, but we would have preferred that scene to look much better. We them upped the volume to 3db over the final shots of the Blackberry and the credits with it slowly fading out over the final 8 seconds of the credits.
We created the credits using the "Scrolling Text" feature in the Final Cut Pro Effects - they work great for this prelim and we named ourselves "VEKS Productions" - Vicky, Emma (Noellia), Keir and Scales (Jason's surname) Productions. "VEKS" to us both looks and reads well to us and hopefully it will to others.
This is our final prelim video showing our story line of Keir and Noellia talking about Keir's date the night before and the girl not calling back. We had fun making and editing it - we feel good having taken a bunch of shots in a normal video camera to this final production and it being our first and now we've done our prelim and the editing associated with making it - we will hopefully be able to transfer that experience to making our final piece.
Jason,noelia,vicky and keir
Jason,noelia,vicky and keir
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