-
Research
We started off by researching into the thriller genre. We then made analysis of the thriller films that we watched.In lesson we learnt what the aspects of thrillers were, i.e. tension build up edge sitting etc. Then we went on to learn what directors do to achieve this. We had a couple screen shots of the film ‘Dark Knight Rises’.In this we saw how the mise en scene sets the mood and how camera angles can portray different ideas for instance a low angle shot shows the intimidation of a character -
Planning stage
After hearing the brief we went into our groups and allocated ourselves with different jobs. I was going an actor to be the person receiving the package. We went around looking for the best place for a location for out filming. After doing so we then started planning out the storyboard and the camera angles we were thinking about using. The brief was to exchange a package & dialogue and show a door being open. This meant we needed a shot reverse shot, respecting the 180 rule and match on action -
Complication
I had to change groups and re-plan on the filming day because of the group sizes and late arrival. With my new group we had a few minutes to plan and film the exercise. This was really difficult; we had making the dialogue on the spot and because of time we couldn’t do many takes we just had to be precise. I was an advantage that we had a technician helping us this was really helpful and eased the pressure however we had to pay attention as we were about to go film & edit ourselves after. -
Shot reverse shot and 180 rule
We also covered how the shot reverse shot concept works, this is normal used when dialogue is being exchanged. This was a bit tricky but we managed to work with is whilst doing this we had to watch out for the 180 degree rule. This is when “The camera stays behind an invisible line so that characters / objects on the left stay on the left and those on the right stay on the right”. It took a lot to understand how this worked but we managed to work it out on the filming day. -
Peliminary Exercise
Here is my peliminary exercise
The preliminary exercise helped us get an insight into the filming and editing of videos. We had to cover the basics starting from how to work the camera. I learnt that you have to check the white balance, exposure, focus and make sure it’s on manual in order to get the best quality footage. This is was the purpose of the preliminary exercise;getting ready for filming. -
Continuity
For a film to run smoothly you have to edit it well and this is where the match on action comes to play. When we got into the edit room we had to watch the footage that we had recorded and match up every shot with the previous. When we edited the door being opened we had to match the shot when the door was ajar. This made the sequence run smoothly and it look natural. Continuity is all about making the audince not see whee it has been edited. The better you do that the better the final product. -
Reflections and erros
Another thing we had to watch for was the reflection of the cameraman within the shots. We had to look out for things like glass doors mirrors etc. These mistakes were made however it was a good thing that we spotted it in the preliminary exercise in order to keep us aware of this when filming our own. When we got in the edit room we realized we couldn’t use this shot. I learnt that taking multiple shot is useful because you can cut to a different shot when mistakes like this happen. -
Preliminary conclusion
We didn’t have enough planning as said in the preliminary exercise evaluation this made it a lot harder. Having experienced this when we did the preliminary exercise gave me an idea of how to conduct the pre-production of our opening title sequence. I learnt that planning makes it a lot easier to film because you know exactly what shot works how to shot the and the intention behind it. -
Start of Opening title sequence planning
After the preliminary exercise we had to focus on the opening title sequence. This meant we repeated the process research like we did for the preliminary however we had to do in in a bit more depth. We firstly thought of what exactly we wanted to do. I had an idea of someone being kidnapped, and Kimberley and Emma had a stalking idea. It wasn’t hard to make a decision as we decided to include both ideas and work them into one. -
Planning & Research stage
We started off but having this really detailed storyline I came up with however we realised that we could thing small and be more effective as the other idea would have required a longer time that we had. After coming up with the story line we watched opening title sequences of similar products. We watched bullet boy and I really like the way the shot the scene in the boot. Also SIXTH SENSE the pub cellar scene shot through the shelves. -
Working together
After the preliminary we knew that the more pre-production is done the better and easier the filming will be. This is when working in a group became useful. This meant we could share out the work and get it done in time to fit the schedule. We thought of the location and I started writing/ drawing out the storyboard whilst the girl went to do a recce of the library. Checking that the location is suitable for the scene and if there are note complications. -
Filming day
After making a few extra checks we set a filming day and a plan of what was going to happen on the day with time set. Some props we needed included a car so I organised it with one of my friends however as I learnt before always a backup because the person I was relying on let me down this meant I had to resort to plan b. Luckily I rang arranged it with another friend of mine who was free at that time, he came down and we managed to film all of the shots we needed. -
Filming day
In the library we took several takes of each shot so that we had enough footage. As a director I was focusing on the entrance and exits of the shots making sure the continuity worked. I had the idea in my head and it took recalling the errors I previously made to make sure this time round it went well. I really like how I visualised the pan shot of the books and how it came to life when we filmed it. -
filming day comlication
Having spent a lot of time in the library this meant we had less time to finish the rest of the filming and we managed to get lost driving to our next location, the natural light had slightly changed at this time so we had to quickly do the last shots. It then started raining which wasn’t too much of a worry but it messed with the continuity a bit. Also because of time we skipped the process of moving from the library to the car park. -
Editing
We then started the editing process. For the preliminary the editing was pretty much done for us but we had to edit the whole piece ourselves. I previously had a bit of experience with premier however it had been quite a long time since I used it. I had to relearn how to do certain things but I picked it up as we went along.We started by picking shot that we considered using for our OTS. Kimberley then started the first part of editting by making a rough cut. -
Editing : working together
It’s not so much the editing which was difficult it was the process of working with someone else as you both may have different opinions and there isn’t another person to make a comment therefore it either one or the other. After watching the rough cut footage we had some feedback and as a group we decide that we had to re-film because the continuity wasn’t going well. We had to get a variety of shots like close ups and some shot to fill in the gap from the two locations. -
Editing : thriller techniques
After we had the footage we had to make the edits shorter to create pace in our piece, this also helped as our film was over 2 minutes long. Cutting scenes shorter created a thriller feel to the product. Adding effects like the white flash fade added intensity and more pace to the film. Compared to the preliminary the edits we had to do where much different in terms of effects. This was because the preliminary was more of a drama thriller it had a much steadier pace whereas the OTS was a mysteri -
Editing, Music , decison & analysis
No dialogue was exchanged this was a choice we made as we had difficulties the time we had dialogue in the preliminary exercise. I also had to make suitable music for the OTS whereas in the preliminary we just got it from a website. Even thought it was difficult I enjoyed it because it made it more original. It became easier editing as it started coming together. I also used my Graphic skills to create the production logos so that our product could be visually intriguing. -
Positive and improvements
I think our Opening title sequence was really good, considering the work we put in I think that is a pretty good outcome. Compared to the preliminary we did a great job. We used the knowledge from the preliminary and executed out task well. If I had an opportunity to do this again I would probably film different types of shots and get a more eerie location. I would also work on the font personalizing it and adapting the use of Photoshop alongside premier. -
Conclusion
Overall I really enjoyed the experience I had a really good group who I enjoyed working with. Working together pushed us to be responsible because whilst we were editing Emma was providing the written work and we worked together on analysing our progress. It’s the constant feedback that kept on motivating us both from the teachers and our peers. I’ve adapted a lot of skills during this project. -
Conlusion
Firstly I learnt how to properly work a camera not just pointing and shooting. Waiting for the right moment and making sure everything is in the scene. How and what factors affect continuity? My adobe premiere vocabulary has increased. Every time I watch a film of any media products I’m always attentive to how it has been done and with this understanding it is only going to lead me to produce my own products that are just as good.
