Short Scene Recreation - story board

The next task we were set was to recreate a short scene of our choice. This task will help me practice my camera work and will give me a good opportunity of following through on planning. my group chose recreate the begging of 'scream' from High School Musical 3 Senior Year. We chose this scene because it has a variety of shots and camera movement but it was still slow paced and simple enough for us to try ourselves. Before we could start we had to plan by making a short story board of what we wanted to film. Due to limited locations and costume we had to choose key and stand out moments in order to recreate the scene effectively.
Here is a photo of our story board.

Next we would be able to begging filming our scene. 

Editing

After filming my first camera task I needed to edit the shots together in to one short clip. This was fairly simple and it got me thinking about film language and what I had previously leant about editing in terms of film.

Editing is an important part of any media production weather large scale or much smaller, editing usually follows a chronological order over a span of set time, however certain films break this chronology with the use of flash backs or to intentionally confuse the audience. An example of a film that is not presented in chronological order is 'Trance' (2013) the editing in the film is very well done and takes the audience on a journey with numerous twists and turns which is compliment by the quality of the edits.  Editing allows scenes to be linked together in the desired way and gives the piece structure which is then able to help provide a narrative.  

Certain types of editing will have a different effect on the audience for example cutting. Many cuts will give the piece a fast paced feel and are often used in a scene of action or one of confusion. More time between cuts will give the piece a more calm or controlled feel. There are also editing techniques that are used to interweave one narrative of action with another such as cross cutting, this can help to show the audience that the two scene are linked and are relevant to each other even though they have happened at different points.Other editing techniques can be used to show there has been a pass of time for example a montage or a fade to black or white which have different meanings in themselves.

Here is an example of cross cutting from inception 

Other areas of editing include colour treatments and sound, being able to choose the appropriate lighting and music for a scene can set the atmosphere or change the tone of the overall piece.
Being familiar with the techniques of editing and the effects it can have on the audience will help me when it comes to editing my own creative pieces.

Camera Shots Task

For my  first time using the cameras I was asked to create a short clip that included different camera shots and a variety of camera movement. This clip includes a still panning shot, this is were the camera is moving and the subject stays still, as well as a moving panning shot were there camera is following a moving object. The clip also shows a tilt up shot, this shot begins low down and the camera moves up to reveal the actor or object. We also decided to film a over the shoulder medium shot which shows two people in the frame and is able to show the reaction of one actor whilst the other speaks.
During the task it took me a while to get to grips with how to use that camera, the camera used required a tape which needed to be rewound as mistakes were made.

Camera Shots Task

My group and I were set a short task in order for us to practice using the camera equipment. We were asked to plan and create a short piece of film including a variety of shots using different angles and techniques. Before we could film our shots we needed to plan what kind of shots we were going to try out, in order to plan we needed to make story boards so we had something to follow whilst filming. Here is the picture of our story board for our first shoot.We included a two panning shots, a over the shoulder medium shot as well as a tilt up shot.

Our next task was to film what we had planned to do then edit them into one short clip.  

The Importance of Story Board and Scripting

In order to be able to being filming some preparations and planning must take place before hand. One of part of this preparations is storyboarding and scripting. Having a script is helpful as it is able to provide the actors with direction and ensure scene are carefully planned out. With out scene planning it can be easy to lose track of what needs to be completed with in that particular scene, this can cause the group to be off schedule. Not having a clear script and plan of what is being filmed could effect the narrative and the overall tone of the final production, this may lead to the production be hard to follow or having key scenes missing.

Story boards are an extension of the scripts and are the ideas of the production be made in to a visual form. Story boards are a good way of helping the people involved visualize how the scene is going to unfold, it can also give actors a focus of where they need to be and the camera workers an idea of what shots they are trying to film. With out the use of story boards it may be hard to establish when the desired shots have been achieved and having visual is a good focal point as ones ideas may be very different when compared to those of an another member in the group.

Here is a good example of a story board as it specifies what type of shot is required and details of the scene.

From this information about scripting and story boards I will apply it to my own planning when it comes to filming my own scenes. When working as part of a group it is important that all of us our are the same page and are working towards the same goals.

Camera Movement

I have started to learn about different camera movements and the effect they create with in a scene. There are varies types of camera movements such as panning, a crab movement which can be to the left or to the right, there's tracking in and out as well as tilting up and down.
A pan shot refers to the movement where the camera follows at the same pace as the moving actor or object, this can be done in a swivel motion. It helps the audience to feel a if they are moving with the character.
A crab shot is where the camera moves left or right to reveal more of the scene.
A Tracking shot is where the camera is moved smoothly away or towards the subject, it bring the viewer closer and draws them in to the scene and relationship between characters.
A tilt shot is where the camera moves up or down from a fixed point, it help show perspective or help reveal something slowly.
Here are some examples.
Tilt Up

Tracking Shot 

Next we will begin to film are own short scene and try out some camera shots and movement.

Mise-en-scene

With in media it is important that I am able to understand and accurately interpret media texts. Expanding my knowledge of film langue will help me do this and will also benefit me when it come to film my own media products. One part of film langue that I have recently studied is the use of Mise-en-scene. Mise-en-scene is the visuals that make up the frame, it includes everything that is shown on the screen including background and foreground.
One area the Mise-en-scene covers are costumes, this includes hair and make up as well as the outfits that the character is wearing. costume is a good way to show what time period the text is set in and it can also outline what sort of status the character may have. For example if a female character was wearing an smart and expensive dress with neat hair it would add to her authority and make her seem more important.

Lighting is also a part of Mise-en-scene. Having a dark setting will have a different effect on the audience when compared to a bright setting, light also refers to how characters with in the scene are lit. For example is a character was shown in the shadows it may be referring to certain aspects of the personality such as non trustworthy or that they have something to hide. When compare the dark washed out colouring and the bright vibrant lighting of the two images they are able to create very different feelings and tones.
Another area of Mise-en-scene is actors, this are includes how the actors are positioned and how they used there facial expressions with in a scene. All of this will help to build their character and showcase them to the audience. Body language is a good way to identify relationships and how the character is truly feeling and this may help the audience identify key information. A example of body language is shown is the screen shot from 'What Happens in Vegas' for it you can clearly see that there is some tension between the two characters shown.

'Children of Men'

Props also play a part amongst Mise-en-scene as certain props have certain connotations. For example a character holding a bunch of flowers would give a different message to the audience when compared to if the character was holding a gun.

'What Happens is Vegas'

                                                                            Setting is also relevant within Mise-en-scene as it as able to provide the audience with information of where the text is set. The setting will also have different connotations depending where it is. For example the screen shot from 'Children of Men' shows run down city which helps add to the dystopian tone of the whole film.










Overall the use of Mise-en-scene is very important in media as each aspect of t it is able give the scene meaning and influence the audiences feelings. Effective Mise-en-scene is able to communicate key details to the audience about what is happening, this can be done subtlety or it can be more obvious.

Camera Shots and Angles

Camera shots are important part of film as they help tell the story and lets the audience know how characters are feeling as well as being a important part of the overall narrative.
Camera shots:
ECU - Extreme Close Up - intense emotion.
BCU - Big Close Up - emotion.
CU - Close Up - further away.
MCU - Medium Close Up - Head and shoulders.
MS - Medium Shot - conversation.
MLS - Medium Long Shot - charters and environment around them
LS - Long Shot -more of the surroundings
ES - Establishing Shot -  where the film takes place
HA - High Angle Shot - vulnerable
LA - Low Angle Shot -  powerful
BEV - Birds Eye View - Shot from directly above
DA - Dutch Angle - suggest something is not right
EL - Eye Level Shot - Camera is at eye level capturing mainly face and shouldersRA - Reverse Angle Shot - Series of two shots showing what the person is seeing
 There are a wide variety of different camera shots used and I will be focusing on 5 of them.

'I Am Legend'

This is a establishing shot, this type of shot can be at the start of this film or when the location had changed. It  lets the audience know where the film or scene is taking place and the type of environment the characters will be in. This shot show a abandoned New York, you can guess its New York from the landscape and buildings, the lonely city which is usually filled with life gives a good premise of the upcoming film.

'America Psycho'

This is a medium long shot and its show the characters body language and actions rather than emotions. This shot shows Patrick contemplating and toying with idea of nail gunning Jean but we also get to see Jean and how unaware she is. These shots are a good way of seeing what the characters are doing as well as getting in dialogue and showing relations between characters.




'The Dark Knight'

This is a Dutch angle shot and the twisted background helps to show that there is something not quite right or sinister about the character in the foreground. The Jokers appearance is unmissable and when paired with the angled background it gives a menacing feel.

'Finding Nemo'

This image shows a low angle shot, this type of shot give the impression of power and dominance. Here the shot is looking up at the shark, Bruce. Because we are looking up a Bruce it help the audience get a idea of how much bigger he is in comparison to Dory and Marlin and show he is a sinister character. 

'Mean girls' Regina, Gretchen, Karen

This show a medium shot from the film mean girls, this shot allows to capture the general emotion from more than one character at a time. From the shot you can also understand who the main character is from the three girls, although Gretchen is in the middle the audiences eye is drawn to Regina because she is slightly closer to the front and looks angry rather than concerned as the other to do.

Short Clip - Camera shot analysis

In Class today we watched a clip from 'King Arthur' we looked different camera shots and analysed why they were put in and the effect they had on the narrative of the story. This clip had a many different camera shots such as establishing shots to help identify the setting and show the icy ground which played a big part in the scene. There were close ups so the audience could get a feel for the characters emotion as well as know who the main characters were. Watching this clip helped us to know what to look for during a scene in relation to camera shots. After we watched this clip we were asked to choose a clip of our own and analyse the different camera shots used.

I decided to choose a clip from Insidious. With in the clip there wasn't a wide range a shots used but the camera shots used made a creepy and uneasy scene and created a good narrative to a uncertain situation and as a horror film the shots are there to draw you in.

The first shot I decided to look at was a medium shot which helped to establish his surroundings and the type of environment he was in. It showed the smiling family in a typical family scenario, also it showed that Josh (the male character) was curious and weary of the family. As Josh becomes more intrigued the camera shot changes into a medium close up as he inspects one of the family members.The close ups are prolonged which helps to build the tension as the audience is expecting something to happen but the girl stays motion less. There is another close up where he inspects the mother figure and the and this close up gives you a good view of Josh's expression which helps you get a feel for what Josh is thinking and although he doesn't look scared as such his confusion is well translate to the audience. Further in after Josh hears the gunshots there is a close up of the doll like girl this shows her deranged look and makes the scene feel even more uneasy than it already was. Close to the end on the clip there is a reverse angle shot which begins show Josh looking around and then we see him looked horrified really for the first time during the scene, the camera then switches allowing us to see what he has scene and the family are right there behind him.

From this task I began gaining skill in how to analyse film language and regognise effects that certain shots will have the audience. These skills will help me when I start to plan and film my own media products. 

Get Carter car park scene

During my lesson today I was introduced to the short scene from 'Get Carter' I had not seen the film so it was a good opportunity to practice my analyses and interpretation.
At the start of the clip we are introduced into three male characters and instantly we are aware of who is the main character is in comparison to the other two. The two men on the right are in the background and are wearing suits of the same colour. The man on the left seems isolated and closer to the audience and although he is wearing a similar suite it is different in colour which makes him stand out and could suggest importance. We soon find out that the male in the grey suite is the dominant of the three as he throws his cup to the floor in a assertive manner. The other two me do not really react and that's the last we see of them. The shot is now focusing on the male in the grey as he crosses a bridge. In the bottom left you can see a male figure standing in the shadows and walking as other man walks. This detail could be missed but it's there for a reason as the shadows imply that the figure could be more of a darker character. Now this new character comes in to play, on seeing him the man in the grey suite calls out 'Jack' so the audience knows that they are aware of who each other are. The man's body language also changes when he sees Jack, he goes from powerful strides to becoming submissive and arching his shoulders back and this builds up the anticipation of something happing along knowing that they are high up, and soon enough he gets punched in the stomach. After their fight the authority and dominance of the man in the grey suite is passed to Jack and this allows the audience to recognise that Jack is the main character and not to be messed with.