Preliminary task: Analysis and Self-Reflection

For this task we had to reflect on our preliminary task and we had to give ourselves a raw mark out of 10 for how effectively we employed the following skills: shot/reverse shot, match on action, the 180 degree rule, zoom, tilt, panning shot and handheld filming. We then have to write an extended description of how you employed that technique, what it added to your film and how it affected the way your audience responded to that part of your film. We then have to write about  filming during the preliminary process and What mistakes are you going to avoid when constructing your final film?
We also have to say about what we have learned about editing during the preliminary process and What skills do you think are going to be most useful to you when editing your final film? We finally had to say about how we could improve our film.



Shot/reverse shot - 6/10. We used shot/reverse shots in the first part of our film. We created a shot/reverse shot by taking a shot of something and then turning the camera 180 degrees and taking another shot. We used shot/reverse shots in the scene in the first part of our film when Ella and Marco were talking. We decided to use shot/reverse shots as it engages the audience and gave them the sense of feeling as if they are in the film and the conversation taking place. Shot/reverse shot was also good as it did not distort the audience's sense of location of the characters in the shots.



Match On Action - 8/10. We used match on action throughout both parts of our film. We made a match on action shot by taking one shot and then by taking another shot making sure the subject is portraying the same action as in the first shot. This gave the sense that the film was more fluid and by giving a continuous sense of the same action as opposed to matching two things together. By using match on action the audience feels a sense of continuity throughout the film as match on action creates a 'visual bridge' which draws the audiences attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues and thus it kept the audience engaged throughout the film. 



The 180 degree rule - 7/10. We used the 180 degree rule in the conversation scene of the first part of the film. We made a 180 degree rule by drawing an imaginary 180 degree line and made sure this line was perpendicular to the camera's viewpoint. We also made sure to only film on one side of the line and made sure not to cross the line as it would break the rule and it would distort the audiences view. The 180 degree rule enforces continuity of the film and it also allows the audience to have a greater sense of location in the scene. 



Zoom - 




Tilt - 2/10. We used tilt in the second part of the film. We used this to address Marco when he walked in the room to meet Ella. Tilting was created by moving the camera lens up and down while keeping the camera on a vertical plane. Tilting is used to make someone look superior ans very significant.



Panning - 8/10. We used a panning shot in the second part of the film when showing the lockers. We created a panning shot by slowly moving the camera from left to right. Panning was used to add contrast into our film as the scenes before this were outside so this implies that the scene is now taking place inside. Panning shot shows the vastness of someone or something - in this case it was the lockers.



Handheld Filming - 7/10. We used handheld filming throughout the fist part of the film. Handheld filming means making the camera more mobile and it is used for following the action of a scene. This gives the effect of the audience being in the scene.




2.) Throughout filming this preliminary task I have learned many things about what I am going to do for my final film and what things I should include. For example, for my final film I would use an external microphone when filming the dialogue as I have noticed that it was very difficult to pick up on what the characters were saying as you could hear a lot of background noise which made it difficult to hear what was going on in the film. We would also use a tripod in most of the scenes in the final film as in the preliminary task we didn't have a tripod in the first part of the film - making it difficult to keep the camera steady - especially in conversation parts of the film, making the audience feel distorted and confused.


3.) Throughout editing this preliminary task I have learned many skills that I am going to use in my final film. For example, transitions, titles, sound effects etc. I am going to be using transitions in my final film as it provides a smooth and fluid transition from one scene to another and this doesn't confuse the audience as much as just cutting and matching two scenes together. I will be using titles in my film so the audience know who the director is, who the actors are etc. I will also be using sound effects and background music in my final film. I will be using sound effects and background music because it can make a scene seem sad or happy judging by the music that is used. I will find transitions most useful in my final film as it will help me to cut to a different scene very easily and will not confuse the audience.


One key way to improve my work would be to use a tripod as this ensures the camera is steady at all times and does not confuse the audience


 







 

Media Video

Storyboard For Our Extended Preliminary task

For this task we had to create a second storyboard for our preliminary task. We have decided to do this to tell the audience what happens next in the story, also to let them know what happens with the characters.

In these shots we have included scenes from the background, we have took these shots to set the scene and to make the audience aware of the surroundings in which the film is taking place. The shots included are - mid shot and long shot. we have decided to use these shots as it allows the audience to see the background and also the audience can tell that this scene contrasts from the first scene as this scene shows very dismal weather - letting the audience know that this scene is more emotional than the first part of the film.
This shot is showing a tap coming to a sudden halt, Representing Ella's sudden realization that she misses Jonathan. 

This shot is a panning shot. This has been displayed to display desolate environment engulfing the two characters as one of them is in sadness.

In these shots we have included scenes of Ella departing a building within school and going to another building to meet Marco. Within one scene, Ella is seen treading through a puddle - we have chosen to do this as it tells the audience how dull and dismal the weather is in this part of the film. The weather is reflecting Ella's personality as in the first part of the film the weather is very sunny and cheerful implying that Ella was very happy as at this point in the film Ella had just split up with Jonathon and had realised that he wasn't good enough for her. But, now Ella has had time to contemplate and she now realises how much she misses Jonathon - but Marco is there to comfort her and to reassure her that she will find someone much better than Jonathon.






























In these scenes we can see that Ella has picked up her phone and stumbled across a picture of Jonathon and then reminisced about all the wonderful times she spent with him. But then, she suddenly realises that she is better than him and that he isn't worth it. In these 5 scenes we have used; over the shoulder shot, mid shot, close up and long shot. We have decided to use a mid shot as it shows most of the subject to the audience and it also lets the audience know what the subject is doing. We have used an over the shoulder shot as it shows the audience the story from Ella's perspective and it also shows the audience what Ella is looking at. We have also decided to use a long shot. We have decided to use this shot as it makes Ella seem very vulnerable and in a state of distress and makes the audience wonder what is going to happen next. We have also used a close up shot. We have decided to use this shot as it shows the sadness in Ella's face and tells the audience how Ella is feeling.

In these scenes we can see that Marco is walking down the stairs and is coming to meet Ella. In these scenes we have used match on action, mid shot and long shot. We have decided to use match on action in these scenes as it creates a 'visual bridge' which draws the audiences attention away from slight cutting. We have decided to use a mid shot as it shows what the subject is doing (walking down the ramp) and this helps audience assume what is going to happen next. We have also used a long shot in this shot. We have decided to use this shot as it is showing how far away Marco is from Ella.

In these scenes we can see that Marco has swept in the room - unaware of how upset Ella would be. But, He is there to reassure Ella that everything is going to be okay and that he is here to support her through this difficult and emotional time. In these scenes we have used low-angle mid shot, long shot and close up. We have decided to use a low-angle mid shot as it makes it look like you are seeing the scene through Ella's eyes, this makes the audience feel like they are in the scene of the film. We have also used a mid shot in this scene. We have decided to use this shot as it allows the audience to witness more of what's happening in the scene (that Marco has put his arm around Ella to reassure her that everything is going to be ok). We have also used a close up in this scene. We have decided to use this type of shot as it allows the audience to see the characters expressions etc. By using this scene the audience is able to witness that Marco is trying to comfort Ella as she is finding it hard to cope.

Filming Techniques - Panning shot, Tilting and Zoom

For this task we was asked asked to define different filming techniques, including: panning shot, tilt, zoom, hand-held filming. We are doing this task to familiarize ourselves with these types of shots and to further our understanding of them.


Panning Shot

Panning is a camera movement technique that involves moving a camera from left to right. This technique is used for tracking a object or following a type of movement.


Examples of a Panning Shot;
  
Panning Shot - Example 1 

Panning Shot - Example 2

Tilt

Tilting is a filming technique in which you move a camera lens up and down while keeping the camera on a vertical plane.



Examples of tilting;


Tilt Example - 1

Tilt Example - 2 

 





















Zoom

Zooming is one of the most frequently-used camera moves.Zooming is one of the most frequently-used camera moves, it involves changing the focal length of the lens to make the subject appear closer or further away in the frame.



Examples of Zoom;


Zoom - Example 1

Zoom - Example 2

Handheld Filming

Hand-Held filming means making the camera more mobile and able to follow the action of a scene. Most times the camera will simply be held by the operator.


Examples of Handheld filming;

Handheld Shooting - Example 1

Handheld Shooting - Example 2

Mood boards for characters

For this task we had to create two mood boards for two characters that were featured in our preliminary task. We have done this to show the audience the characters in more depth and to display their personalities, likes, interests and backgrounds.  
                                                                           
Subject 1:
Name: Marco
Age: 16

Likes: Electronic dance music, LGBTQ themed  movies and psychological thrillers ,traveling, Starbucks, going out with friends, standing up for equality and spending time with close family.

Dislikes: Having arguments with friends and being in disagreements with other people, patriarchy and pro-life.

Personality: Marco is extremely caring and considerate to others. He's a very good listener and is always there to help and support his friends in times of hardship. His friends know that if they are ever having a bad day then they can always turn to him for advice and support no matter what.

Because Marco is so caring, this meant that it was easy for Ella to go to Marco and seek his advice and help on what to do next about her relationship.

Subject 2:
Name: Ella
Age: 16

Likes: Pop music, Comedy movies, traveling, dancing, relaxing, writing, shopping, fashion and spending time with her nearest and dearest friends.

Dislikes: gardening, swimming, rap music, romance films and having disagreements with her boyfriend.

Personality: Ella is a very bright and compassionate girl. She's always there for you if you ever need a helping hand and if you're ever in need of fashion advice - she's the girl to speak to. Ella is a very sensitive girl and gets upset easily - especially when she's having relationship issues.


Because Ella is very sensitive this meant that she was very upset and emotional when she broke up with her boyfriend.

Media Homework: How is tension and drama created through camera angles and camera shots in this extract form Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York?

For this task we was asked to watch a scene from Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York and we had to list camera angles that were used in the film and describe the effect of this on the audience.

How is tension and drama created through camera angles and camera shots in this extract form Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York?

Gangs of New York is a film based in 1863. It is about a man – Amsterdam Vallon who returns to the five points of America to seek vengeance against the psychotic gangland kingpin who murdered Vallon’s father years ago.

In “Gangs of New York” we see a vast spectrum of camera angles and shots used that create a lot of suspense and drama in the audiences mind.  In the opening scene of “Gangs of New York” we see a lot of interesting and diverse camera angles used. For example, we see an extreme close up of Priest Vallon’s opening his eyes – implying to the audience that the movie has begun, this extreme close-up then transitions to Vallon’s chin while he is piercing his cheek with an old, rusted, straight razor – implying that he may be symbolizing some form of trust that may be later shown in the film, because an extreme close-up was used – the audience can really capture the fine details of Vallon gently piercing his skin with the razor. There is then a close-up of Vallon’s son’s neck as Vallon gently places a medallion on his neck – implying that the medallion could be a family heirloom. Because a close-up was used the audience can really capture the detail in the medallion and this may be a symbolic way of Vallon’s strength and power that he will one day want to pass on to his son. There was also a mid-shot that transitioned into an extreme long shot to show the workers working very hard and to show the sheer amount of workers, because a mid shot was used – the audience can capture the workers sheer exhaustion. There was also a mid-shot of a large steel cross that Vallon was marching around with, the use of a mid-shot implies that the cross was rather large and instead of capturing the fine detail in it, the directors clearly chose to use a mid-shot to display the cross’ sheer size to the audience. When Vallon and his son was walking together, there was a close-up of Vallon clasping his sons hand to show that he will be there to protect his son – this implies to the audience that Vallon was a very compassionate and caring dad and that he was vey close to his son.

In the battle scene when the natives were battling the Irish gangs at the Five Points, there was a broad range of camera shots and angles that made this scene even more “heart-wrenching”, intense and gory. At the beginning of the battle scene we see an extreme long-shot transition into a mid-shot. This has been shown to show the sheer amounts of people battling from the different Irish gangs, but once it starts zooming into a mid-shot the audience can then see the members of the gangs brutally plunging knives into other gang members. From the mid-shot in this scene the audience can feel the emotions of the gang members battling and can see the hatred and disgust they have towards one and other. This scene also includes a long shot of Amsterdam Vallon (Priest Vallon’s son) and his peers watching the bloodshed unfold – the use of a mid-shot makes the children seem very vulnerable and helpless, thus this leaves questions running through the audiences mind such as ‘are the children going to be safe?’ ‘Have the children’s parents been killed in the battle?’ etc.  Within the fighting scenes there is a mid-shot of Bill “the butcher” slashing men’s faces and lacerating their legs, a mid-shot has been used in this scene as it is an action movement and the shot captures “the butchers” stance as he plunges the meat cleaver right into the gang member’s chest’s – this shot clearly tells the audience that “the butcher” has strong feelings of anger and pure hatred towards the other gang members.  Within the scenes of the gang members fighting, there is a mid shot of a man lying dead on the floor, within a pool of his crimson red blood that is staining the pale white plush snow.  The use of the mid-shot in this scene enables the audience to capture most of the subject and also enables the audience to see the pool of the man’s blood soaking into the snow. Within these scenes there is an over the shoulder shot of Amsterdam Vallon (Priest Vallon’s son) watching the battle unfold from afar, the use of an over the shoulder shot is to show the audience Amsterdam’s perspective/view of the battle, as Amsterdam’s dad was in the battle Amsterdam must have been looking from afar to see if he could pin point his dad to see if he has been hurt or killed, there is also a close up of Amsterdam’s face and the audience can see the sheer fear in his eyes that he may never see his dad again.