Audience feedback is important to a production, both positive and negative; as this allows various improvements, as well as seeing any intentional elements that were included in the production amazed the audience. Such as using good forms of cinematography such as close ups to get many and good details of a characters expression, the audience may comment saying they enjoyed seeing how the characters reacted to parts within the scene and being able to see how scared they were for example.
For my completed production, a small focus group was gathered who were given a simple questionaire which contained two collums in a simple table; Negative and positive, and were gathered in a room for screening of multiple productions that have been completed and ready for viewing, this includes my completed production as well.
The focus group, by using the questionaire, are simply going to feedback at least three points for what they enjoyed and thought was good (a positive) and what they belived required improvement on or did not fully understand. (negative)
The feedback that will be collected from these questionaires and the focus group will be of great value towards the production as it will allow us to get a full description and experience from the audiences side, the production who it is directed to, if we can get any feedback in example of say; using more close ups if a character appears stressed in a certain scene so they can comfirm and witness how stressed the character is. Then we can improve by using that feedback and going back to the editing phase, by using editing software we can make the screen zoom in rather than re-shoot the whole scene. It will also benefit future audiences, allowing them to see more positives than what the first audience had to watch and then feedback was given out on what to improve.
Here are some positives and negatives we recieved from our focus group after our production was screened.
Positives recieved;
- Good sound use, sound and footage went well together (Feedback from Christopher), soundtrack throughout the clip gave it a creepy atmosphere. (Adam)
- Transitions between the scenes were smooth and the quick dissolve was a nice effect. (Feedback from John)
- Really enjoyed the filter effects and on-screen effects used within the scenes, such as the white light strobe effect where the screen flickers. (Chris)
Negatives recieved;
- The narrative, as interesting as it is, needs to be a bit more clearer for me as an audience member to understand what is really going on. (Aaron)
- Dispite the good use of cinematography, I believe there should have been more uses of it such as more variation in different camera angles, pannings and zoom ins, etc. (Ben)
- At one point the actor at the "rocking" scene was smiling slightly. (Ben)
Overall, The good and bad feedback will allow me to focus back on the production and make certain changes required that has been pointed out in the feedback, such as making the narrative more clearer, etc.
I also believe that I have followed the aims of the brief by attending and recording feedback from the focus group by screening our production and then handing questionaires to a small audience who have agreed to watch and comment upon our seeing our two minute production.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Soundtrack of thriller production
A soundtrack plays a major role in both modern day media (such as the common soap operas) and the movie industry.
The main purpose behind a soundtrack is to add atmosphere to a scene that may orginally in raw footage format have none at all. An example is a in-door built set that has been built to replicate a forest, a soundtrack will be required to add specific ambiances to replicate the orginal feeling behind it. (off-screen sounds such as birds chirping in the distance, etc)
However, Thriller films heavily rely on soundtrack to add the chilling, high tension environments they require where the suspence is always high and the audience feel on edge with moments when the killer is nearby the victim or a chase scene between the two takes place. (Usually at this point of the film there is non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack that has a fast paced, dark beat to it)
For my thriller production, there was a large selection and variety of sounds to pick from thanks to an application that was selected to be used in editing the soundtrack of the final thriller production which is called Soundtrack Pro from Apple.
This application allows the function of playing your movie along the timeline of a modifiable soundtrack timeline. Any sound that is on a specific time such as one minute in, the sound that is there will play when the movie reaches the one minute mark. The application also contains a huge quantity of pre-made, free to use and ready to use sounds in a large and neatly catagorized library, such as Dark, Sound FX, Vocals/Voices, and more.
For the thriller production, a good amount and variety of different sounds within the soundtrack were inserted and included, this includes the use of a main soundtrack, a non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack in the background that is played for majorty of the production, as well as many small, off-screen, digetic and non-digetic sounds were added within the production. All of the above are aimed to give the production a certain atmosphere towards the audience, for the production I was trying to create a stable but yet unsafe, eerie, misleading environment to the audience. Dispite the footage being within what appears to be a tidy house and the character is wearing mostly white, the later narrative and the soundtrack being more and more noticable and giving off a larger effect. The soundtrack and narrative are both misleading and turn one concept of the narrative on its head, that being that what the audience belived was a stable and normal character and home is actually a very unstable and dangerous area. and with use of the soundtrack, we add even more feeling towards that atmosphere.
I believe the atmosphere of dangerous and unstable has been created by the use of eerie, distance howls and one specific screech that was used during a certain scene where the main character appears to have a flashback of him rocking back and forth with the screen flashing dramatically fast.
The reasons behind using these "eerie distant howls" was to give hints to the audience within a few seconds in of the opening scene of our production, that what they are seeing currently in the clip, (character performing a standard day to day routine of watching tv, house is tidy, nothing out of the oridinary at the moment) does not match to what they are hearing, where the non-digetic sound of the eerie howls are heard; giving the impression that the area may be haunted or is frighting if such noises are heard within what appears to be just a normal home.
The main highlight of the soundtrack however, where a "screech" is heard, was used to awaken the audience to the very frighting truth that has been unfolding infront of them. (at this point of the narrative, many flashbacks of the character have been shown, showing his unstable other self, during the screeh, the "main" flashback which consists of just a longer flashback of him rocking back and forth with a flashing white filter)
Reflection:
I believe that the soundtrack is parallel to the final production of our thriller, as well as seeing it fit with the generic thriller conventions of sound too.
This is because I have added, inserted, and used sound at specific points and parts of the soundtrack for the production, when combined as a final production piece. I believe that the soundtrack goes very well with the film, which in turn, adds a dark and sinister atmosphere as distant eerie roars are heard and the dark and slow paced soundtrack is played throughout the scene. This will in turn surprise, confuse, and disorientate the audience as the narrative goes further as they watch more of the opening scene as it changes their expectations on what they belived was going to happen during the next following scenes.
The main purpose behind a soundtrack is to add atmosphere to a scene that may orginally in raw footage format have none at all. An example is a in-door built set that has been built to replicate a forest, a soundtrack will be required to add specific ambiances to replicate the orginal feeling behind it. (off-screen sounds such as birds chirping in the distance, etc)
However, Thriller films heavily rely on soundtrack to add the chilling, high tension environments they require where the suspence is always high and the audience feel on edge with moments when the killer is nearby the victim or a chase scene between the two takes place. (Usually at this point of the film there is non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack that has a fast paced, dark beat to it)
For my thriller production, there was a large selection and variety of sounds to pick from thanks to an application that was selected to be used in editing the soundtrack of the final thriller production which is called Soundtrack Pro from Apple.
This application allows the function of playing your movie along the timeline of a modifiable soundtrack timeline. Any sound that is on a specific time such as one minute in, the sound that is there will play when the movie reaches the one minute mark. The application also contains a huge quantity of pre-made, free to use and ready to use sounds in a large and neatly catagorized library, such as Dark, Sound FX, Vocals/Voices, and more.
For the thriller production, a good amount and variety of different sounds within the soundtrack were inserted and included, this includes the use of a main soundtrack, a non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack in the background that is played for majorty of the production, as well as many small, off-screen, digetic and non-digetic sounds were added within the production. All of the above are aimed to give the production a certain atmosphere towards the audience, for the production I was trying to create a stable but yet unsafe, eerie, misleading environment to the audience. Dispite the footage being within what appears to be a tidy house and the character is wearing mostly white, the later narrative and the soundtrack being more and more noticable and giving off a larger effect. The soundtrack and narrative are both misleading and turn one concept of the narrative on its head, that being that what the audience belived was a stable and normal character and home is actually a very unstable and dangerous area. and with use of the soundtrack, we add even more feeling towards that atmosphere.
I believe the atmosphere of dangerous and unstable has been created by the use of eerie, distance howls and one specific screech that was used during a certain scene where the main character appears to have a flashback of him rocking back and forth with the screen flashing dramatically fast.
The reasons behind using these "eerie distant howls" was to give hints to the audience within a few seconds in of the opening scene of our production, that what they are seeing currently in the clip, (character performing a standard day to day routine of watching tv, house is tidy, nothing out of the oridinary at the moment) does not match to what they are hearing, where the non-digetic sound of the eerie howls are heard; giving the impression that the area may be haunted or is frighting if such noises are heard within what appears to be just a normal home.
The main highlight of the soundtrack however, where a "screech" is heard, was used to awaken the audience to the very frighting truth that has been unfolding infront of them. (at this point of the narrative, many flashbacks of the character have been shown, showing his unstable other self, during the screeh, the "main" flashback which consists of just a longer flashback of him rocking back and forth with a flashing white filter)
Reflection:
I believe that the soundtrack is parallel to the final production of our thriller, as well as seeing it fit with the generic thriller conventions of sound too.
This is because I have added, inserted, and used sound at specific points and parts of the soundtrack for the production, when combined as a final production piece. I believe that the soundtrack goes very well with the film, which in turn, adds a dark and sinister atmosphere as distant eerie roars are heard and the dark and slow paced soundtrack is played throughout the scene. This will in turn surprise, confuse, and disorientate the audience as the narrative goes further as they watch more of the opening scene as it changes their expectations on what they belived was going to happen during the next following scenes.
Preliminary Task
What was the preliminary task?
The preliminary task that was given was involving to work within our production groups, (In this case, consisting of me and Bianca) and within the group, to plan, then record, and then edit a small one minute sequence of recording to just demonstrate our understanding of both equipment and our skills with certain mirco-elements such as cinematography.
Upon recieving our task, our first step was to plan a narrative, which then followed up to what locations and settings we will be using. There was no specific aim given for the task aside from showing our understanding and recording for at least 1 minute in total, we were; however. Limited to just the school premises, our options were limited in terms of locations. This did however easily narrow it down to recording within the school building.
Before being more precise on where exactly in the building we will be recording in. (such as a specific room, etc) We first had to build up a simple and small narrative that would give us roughly one minute of footage in the first place.
After a lengthy discussion and on the fact that this is just a one minute task, we created a small narrative to now use for our task. This being that a man (me as the actor for the character) will be making his way down to the libary, and will then ask someone for a book. During the small journey to the libary, this is where we will demonstrate our understanding of cinematography elements, such as close ups, pannings, etc.
Now that we have created a basic narrative to follow and how to show at least a rough understanding. We now start to decide on our locations within the building to demonstrate these different shot angles and cinematography techniques. For the locations within the building for the travel path to the libary, we picked the long, narrow corridoors as this gives the character who will be walking down the middle, with the camera focused on him as he walks closer a very powerful and dominate feeling to the audience. It can also be related to a slightly fear feeling if the corridoors are empty (the feeling of isolation aside from the one character in the area). We picked a corridoor as the main travel path as it gives the audience no other points of interest to focus on aside from the character walking down the corridoor.
After the corridoor scenes, we then will be focusing on entering the libary, where a close up of the character's hand as he places it on the handle and then pushes open the door. To the audience, it can give curiosity as it does not show the full picture; or in short. They can not guess that it is a libary the character is entering as there is no hints to it, such as books, desks, etc).
Then when the character enters the libary, the camera will be shortly following from behind the character as he walks to the table with a friend who currently has the book that the character wishes to ask for back. As the character approaches the friend and asks for the book, a few straight cuts and shot-reverse-shot is used between the short converstation as the character asks for the book. Upon recieving the book, he then opens it shortly, as he does this the camera goes into an extreme close up of the book and then as the character closes it, it goes back to a mid-shot of the character and the friend at the table, with the character walking off the screen to the right side.
After our locations and narrative are decided, we then gathered our equipment, which featured of just a video camera and a tripod. The tripod would greatly aid us in static camera scenes, or where the camera would be fixed in place and then used to pan across as the character walks by the camera in the corridoor as this reduces the amount of shaking when the camera is being used.
With our equipment and our ideas ready and in place, we begun shooting our film and after we gathered our footage, we headed back to class for a debrief and to gather up our total footage and started to work on editing.
Editing mostly consisted of smoothing our transitions between scenes by adding a very short dissolve so the two scenes blend in more smoother. We also moved clips around, for example, during the planned shot-reverse-shot while the exchange of dialog was taking place in the libary between the character and the friend.
Reflection:
Once we completed our preliminary task, I believe that it was helpful in allowing us to understand what is required as a baseline to be used within films, and in terms of aiding us more precisely for our Thriller task. We believe that gaining an understanding in the use of cinematography, such as using a close up to hide certain parts of a scene on purpose to confuse the audience or to hide what can hint will happen in the next scene, can have certain wanted effects from the audience of our film. A general understanding in both how to use the editing program as well as the equipment, such as being able to set up a camera mounted on a tripod to remove shaking when recording helps as well towards our main task so that it appeals more to the audience.
We encoutnered some problems along the way with our preliminary task, which in turn allowed us to understand what difficulties to expect when planning for such a task in the future. The main problem was our location and how open and populated it was, as orginally we hoped for an empty corridoor, but majorty of the time other people were crowding around. But on the other hand, we are happy that we found work arounds, such as simply walking down the corridoor and recording at a later time, or trying another nearby corridoor, and then using the editing program to smoothly blend the two different scenes together to make them appear as if they are linked as one whole scene.
The preliminary task that was given was involving to work within our production groups, (In this case, consisting of me and Bianca) and within the group, to plan, then record, and then edit a small one minute sequence of recording to just demonstrate our understanding of both equipment and our skills with certain mirco-elements such as cinematography.
Upon recieving our task, our first step was to plan a narrative, which then followed up to what locations and settings we will be using. There was no specific aim given for the task aside from showing our understanding and recording for at least 1 minute in total, we were; however. Limited to just the school premises, our options were limited in terms of locations. This did however easily narrow it down to recording within the school building.
Before being more precise on where exactly in the building we will be recording in. (such as a specific room, etc) We first had to build up a simple and small narrative that would give us roughly one minute of footage in the first place.
After a lengthy discussion and on the fact that this is just a one minute task, we created a small narrative to now use for our task. This being that a man (me as the actor for the character) will be making his way down to the libary, and will then ask someone for a book. During the small journey to the libary, this is where we will demonstrate our understanding of cinematography elements, such as close ups, pannings, etc.
Now that we have created a basic narrative to follow and how to show at least a rough understanding. We now start to decide on our locations within the building to demonstrate these different shot angles and cinematography techniques. For the locations within the building for the travel path to the libary, we picked the long, narrow corridoors as this gives the character who will be walking down the middle, with the camera focused on him as he walks closer a very powerful and dominate feeling to the audience. It can also be related to a slightly fear feeling if the corridoors are empty (the feeling of isolation aside from the one character in the area). We picked a corridoor as the main travel path as it gives the audience no other points of interest to focus on aside from the character walking down the corridoor.
After the corridoor scenes, we then will be focusing on entering the libary, where a close up of the character's hand as he places it on the handle and then pushes open the door. To the audience, it can give curiosity as it does not show the full picture; or in short. They can not guess that it is a libary the character is entering as there is no hints to it, such as books, desks, etc).
Then when the character enters the libary, the camera will be shortly following from behind the character as he walks to the table with a friend who currently has the book that the character wishes to ask for back. As the character approaches the friend and asks for the book, a few straight cuts and shot-reverse-shot is used between the short converstation as the character asks for the book. Upon recieving the book, he then opens it shortly, as he does this the camera goes into an extreme close up of the book and then as the character closes it, it goes back to a mid-shot of the character and the friend at the table, with the character walking off the screen to the right side.
After our locations and narrative are decided, we then gathered our equipment, which featured of just a video camera and a tripod. The tripod would greatly aid us in static camera scenes, or where the camera would be fixed in place and then used to pan across as the character walks by the camera in the corridoor as this reduces the amount of shaking when the camera is being used.
With our equipment and our ideas ready and in place, we begun shooting our film and after we gathered our footage, we headed back to class for a debrief and to gather up our total footage and started to work on editing.
Editing mostly consisted of smoothing our transitions between scenes by adding a very short dissolve so the two scenes blend in more smoother. We also moved clips around, for example, during the planned shot-reverse-shot while the exchange of dialog was taking place in the libary between the character and the friend.
Reflection:
Once we completed our preliminary task, I believe that it was helpful in allowing us to understand what is required as a baseline to be used within films, and in terms of aiding us more precisely for our Thriller task. We believe that gaining an understanding in the use of cinematography, such as using a close up to hide certain parts of a scene on purpose to confuse the audience or to hide what can hint will happen in the next scene, can have certain wanted effects from the audience of our film. A general understanding in both how to use the editing program as well as the equipment, such as being able to set up a camera mounted on a tripod to remove shaking when recording helps as well towards our main task so that it appeals more to the audience.
We encoutnered some problems along the way with our preliminary task, which in turn allowed us to understand what difficulties to expect when planning for such a task in the future. The main problem was our location and how open and populated it was, as orginally we hoped for an empty corridoor, but majorty of the time other people were crowding around. But on the other hand, we are happy that we found work arounds, such as simply walking down the corridoor and recording at a later time, or trying another nearby corridoor, and then using the editing program to smoothly blend the two different scenes together to make them appear as if they are linked as one whole scene.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Opening Scene Narration -Ms G
Before making the opening scene for my thriller. It is very important to use some generic conventions towards thriller films as a baseline for what to include within my thriller, more importantly; the opening scene.
By stating "using generic conventions as a baseline for what to include". This is simply following a simliar structure and pattern of what thriller films include within their narrative and plan that even make up the narrative in the first place.
The reason why this appears to be a baseline and is also a generic convention towards all thrillers is because we will always be using some form of every mirco-element.
An example of one element called Iconography that will be included in our thriller will be the main character, a mid-shot focuses on him while he is holding a knife. This follows the generic convention of iconography used in thrillers as it involves including the use of at least one weapon (prop) at some point within the film.
Even a harmless kitchen utensil can be presented as a deadly weapon, this can give the feeling for the character that not even his own home is safe if even a simple utensil can now be turned into a lethal weapon that the killer may easily gain possession of.
Back to defining and explaining the opening scene for my thriller.
Before introducing the audience to the scene, an establishing shot will be required to give information and details to the audience where the whole scene is taking place first.
This is done simply by placing a camera outside the current location (Being a house) and fixing it in a static position by placing it on a tripod. The camera is then set to zoom in slowly and then editing will be used to insert a fade to black to give the illusion that the camera has now entered the house and then will cross cut to our first scene. (However the use of the fade to black transition will make the quick cross cut appear much smoother)
Establishing shot which shows the outside of the house, zooms in slowly after a few seconds delay...
...Which then cross-cuts to the new scene which is now inside the house.
A fade to black and then a fade from black will be used as a transition effect between the change of scenes.
Now following after the fade from black and the first scene inside the house which focuses on a door within a dark corridoor, this is where we present our main character of the film, who will simply open the door and walk into the home.
To the audience, how the lighting illuminates the corridoor and also the back of the main character, can present that he plays a major role within the film. This is also supported by how there is also a slight shadow that covers the front of him, which masks some of his appearance and can only discover more of the character by resuming to watch.
After the character walks a short distance after entering the house, a quick straight-cut is used and a small scene of a camera being dropped onto the floor with a grayscale filter used.
To the audience, the filter effect of the grayscale filter can imply this may be resorting to a memory or incident of the past, or more specifically, can start to raise questions if this relates to the current characters information. By using a camera, it should give the impression to the audience that the character has been involved with photography linked work. However at the same time, non-digestic sound in the form of a distant and eerie howl is applied as the camera is dropped at the start of the small scene, which then can leave audiences to question that the character may have experienced negative or frighting things during a possible photography carrer as the action of dropping an item can be caused by pure shock or frightened by something severely.
After the quick camera dropping scene, it fades to black and then fades out from black and resuming the current scene back inside the house, where the main character is walking but is now in the frontroom, with the camera facing the character's back.
As the character is walking, once again, after a few steps of walking the scene appears to change. However, rather than a straight-cut into another scene; a small scene of the character overlaps half of the screen where he appears to be sitting down and rocking.
But once again, this contains a greyscale filter, but with an added strobe light effect. This can one again imply to the audience this is a bad experience or memory, with the added effect of the strobe light effect though, it makes it seem as more of a faint memory than a "soild" memory such as the camera dropping scene where the screen does not flash within that scene.
By stating "using generic conventions as a baseline for what to include". This is simply following a simliar structure and pattern of what thriller films include within their narrative and plan that even make up the narrative in the first place.
The reason why this appears to be a baseline and is also a generic convention towards all thrillers is because we will always be using some form of every mirco-element.
An example of one element called Iconography that will be included in our thriller will be the main character, a mid-shot focuses on him while he is holding a knife. This follows the generic convention of iconography used in thrillers as it involves including the use of at least one weapon (prop) at some point within the film.
Even a harmless kitchen utensil can be presented as a deadly weapon, this can give the feeling for the character that not even his own home is safe if even a simple utensil can now be turned into a lethal weapon that the killer may easily gain possession of.
Back to defining and explaining the opening scene for my thriller.
Before introducing the audience to the scene, an establishing shot will be required to give information and details to the audience where the whole scene is taking place first.
This is done simply by placing a camera outside the current location (Being a house) and fixing it in a static position by placing it on a tripod. The camera is then set to zoom in slowly and then editing will be used to insert a fade to black to give the illusion that the camera has now entered the house and then will cross cut to our first scene. (However the use of the fade to black transition will make the quick cross cut appear much smoother)
Establishing shot which shows the outside of the house, zooms in slowly after a few seconds delay...
...Which then cross-cuts to the new scene which is now inside the house.
Now following after the fade from black and the first scene inside the house which focuses on a door within a dark corridoor, this is where we present our main character of the film, who will simply open the door and walk into the home.
After the character walks a short distance after entering the house, a quick straight-cut is used and a small scene of a camera being dropped onto the floor with a grayscale filter used.
After the quick camera dropping scene, it fades to black and then fades out from black and resuming the current scene back inside the house, where the main character is walking but is now in the frontroom, with the camera facing the character's back.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Planning the shoot of my Thriller film - Miss Begum
Cinematography planning
Cinematography is important within films because it in a sense, sets the mood and prepares for what action ahead may take place within the scene, or can be used to mislead the audience into thinking what may happen next, does not actually happen.
One example of such a situation can include where a close up is used and focused on a door after a off-screen sound of someone knocking on the door is heard.
This then makes us believe that someone is at the door or is about to enter through the door, this is one way cinematography can present a narrative to us as well as allow us to see what is happening within a scene.
An example demonstrating where a long shot can be used can be where it allows the audience to see both the character and the room he is within, while still maintaining a fixed/static position.
Some of the conventional uses of cinematography in thrillers and what will also be included within our cinematography plans consists of the following;
Close ups: To help capture the facial expressions of the characters reaction to a certain point in a scene and to help display it more clearer to the audience to allow them to greater understand what the character is feeling as they experience the current moment unfolding in the scene.
Establishing shot: This will allow the audience to understand where the following scene will be taking place and can also allow the audience to get a rough idea of what may occur or what to expect within the scene if they survey the surroundings ontop of the point of focus which will be the location used. This can be linked with mise en scene as any iconography and settings that are in place (backdrops, etc) can ethier help the audience identify the general setting of the following scene, or can hinder them. Which can also be reffered to as misleading them into making them believe it is a completely different setting to what the following scene will include. A certain scene in the film "Kill Bill" has a perfect example of this;
Reference footage (Kill Bill)
Long shots and Mid-Shots: These types of shots will allow the audience to get a wide and good field of vision in terms of both seeing the character and certain aspects of mise en scene within the scene. (Iconography such as a weapon just in the distance behind the character, etc)
Long shots involve a greater distance than mid-shots, and these offer a greater field of vision, generally used to display a character walking around a room with the camera fixed in a certain postion that allows the audience to see both the entire room and the character exploring within it.
A mid-shot however zooms in closer on the character in general, allowing the audience to pick up more details of the character rather than the setting of the scene, but at the same time it is still included within the shot. The audience at this point may start to notice certain features or elements of the character, such as clothing used and body language.
Editing Planning
Editing is important in films because it can set the pace of a movie, for example; fast paced editing usually consists of a lot of cuts within a short period of time making the movie seem more fast paced, usually used in chase scenes in a thriller.
Some conventional uses of editing within thrillers usually include of;
- Fade to black; Usually consisting of a scene which then fades slowly to black, mostly after a main part of a scene has taken place, or to show the transistion from one day to the next, most likely included to be with a subtitle (On the next day...)
- Slow paced editing; Used within moments to build up slow suspense by using only a small amount of cuts, with mostly a longer time focusing on certain shots, for example, close up shots to display the characters emotion during the high suspensive moments within a thriller film scene before it then cuts and changes the shot.
- Fast paced editing; This is used within certain moments within a scene that act as a "quick burst" of events, consisting of many straight cuts and possible cross cuts if it involves two seperate characters in different scenes.
One example of using a cross cut with fast paced editing can be an employer is late for work, the camera cross cuts from the employer looking at his watch, to then the boss in his office looking at his clock, then back to the employer rushing out of the house.
While on the other hand, an example of fast paced editing consisting of straight cuts can include a use of an off-screen sound, where someone appears to be knocking on the door late at night, the camera focuses on the door as the noise of the knocking is played. Once the noise has finished, it then cuts to a close up of the character inside the house, displaying his/her expressions to the audience, which then cuts back to a mid shot where the characters back is facing the camera but the door is also in focus infront of the character, giving us; the audience, that the character is nervous on what to do in terms of answering the door or to ignore it.
Sound Planning
Sound is an important use in films because it is a mirco element that both adds and provides an atmosphere to a scene.
An example of using sound while following a generic thriller conention can include adding non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack which has a slow, tension building pace to it which is being used within a scene where a killer is slowly approaching to where the victim is hiding.
Another example of sound in use of a generic thriller can include using off-screen in a scene where a killer is approaching a victim. This can be heard in the form of footsteps being heard in the distance outside the current room the victim is in. Where the character (victim) stares at the door, in which the camera also cuts to a first person perspective view of a close up of the door in which the footsteps are played and increases in volume gradually, giving the impression that the possible killer is approaching the door and coming ever more closer to his victim. thus building slow tension in the process as it leaves the audience to question if the killer is toying with his victim, if the killer may approach the door but then turn away, or if the killer will go from a very slow paced walk to a run and rush straight into the room.
Cinematography is important within films because it in a sense, sets the mood and prepares for what action ahead may take place within the scene, or can be used to mislead the audience into thinking what may happen next, does not actually happen.
One example of such a situation can include where a close up is used and focused on a door after a off-screen sound of someone knocking on the door is heard.
This then makes us believe that someone is at the door or is about to enter through the door, this is one way cinematography can present a narrative to us as well as allow us to see what is happening within a scene.
An example demonstrating where a long shot can be used can be where it allows the audience to see both the character and the room he is within, while still maintaining a fixed/static position.
Some of the conventional uses of cinematography in thrillers and what will also be included within our cinematography plans consists of the following;
Close ups: To help capture the facial expressions of the characters reaction to a certain point in a scene and to help display it more clearer to the audience to allow them to greater understand what the character is feeling as they experience the current moment unfolding in the scene.
Establishing shot: This will allow the audience to understand where the following scene will be taking place and can also allow the audience to get a rough idea of what may occur or what to expect within the scene if they survey the surroundings ontop of the point of focus which will be the location used. This can be linked with mise en scene as any iconography and settings that are in place (backdrops, etc) can ethier help the audience identify the general setting of the following scene, or can hinder them. Which can also be reffered to as misleading them into making them believe it is a completely different setting to what the following scene will include. A certain scene in the film "Kill Bill" has a perfect example of this;
Reference footage (Kill Bill)
Long shots and Mid-Shots: These types of shots will allow the audience to get a wide and good field of vision in terms of both seeing the character and certain aspects of mise en scene within the scene. (Iconography such as a weapon just in the distance behind the character, etc)
Long shots involve a greater distance than mid-shots, and these offer a greater field of vision, generally used to display a character walking around a room with the camera fixed in a certain postion that allows the audience to see both the entire room and the character exploring within it.
A mid-shot however zooms in closer on the character in general, allowing the audience to pick up more details of the character rather than the setting of the scene, but at the same time it is still included within the shot. The audience at this point may start to notice certain features or elements of the character, such as clothing used and body language.
Editing Planning
Editing is important in films because it can set the pace of a movie, for example; fast paced editing usually consists of a lot of cuts within a short period of time making the movie seem more fast paced, usually used in chase scenes in a thriller.
Some conventional uses of editing within thrillers usually include of;
- Fade to black; Usually consisting of a scene which then fades slowly to black, mostly after a main part of a scene has taken place, or to show the transistion from one day to the next, most likely included to be with a subtitle (On the next day...)
- Slow paced editing; Used within moments to build up slow suspense by using only a small amount of cuts, with mostly a longer time focusing on certain shots, for example, close up shots to display the characters emotion during the high suspensive moments within a thriller film scene before it then cuts and changes the shot.
- Fast paced editing; This is used within certain moments within a scene that act as a "quick burst" of events, consisting of many straight cuts and possible cross cuts if it involves two seperate characters in different scenes.
One example of using a cross cut with fast paced editing can be an employer is late for work, the camera cross cuts from the employer looking at his watch, to then the boss in his office looking at his clock, then back to the employer rushing out of the house.
While on the other hand, an example of fast paced editing consisting of straight cuts can include a use of an off-screen sound, where someone appears to be knocking on the door late at night, the camera focuses on the door as the noise of the knocking is played. Once the noise has finished, it then cuts to a close up of the character inside the house, displaying his/her expressions to the audience, which then cuts back to a mid shot where the characters back is facing the camera but the door is also in focus infront of the character, giving us; the audience, that the character is nervous on what to do in terms of answering the door or to ignore it.
Sound Planning
Sound is an important use in films because it is a mirco element that both adds and provides an atmosphere to a scene.
An example of using sound while following a generic thriller conention can include adding non-digetic sound in the form of a soundtrack which has a slow, tension building pace to it which is being used within a scene where a killer is slowly approaching to where the victim is hiding.
Another example of sound in use of a generic thriller can include using off-screen in a scene where a killer is approaching a victim. This can be heard in the form of footsteps being heard in the distance outside the current room the victim is in. Where the character (victim) stares at the door, in which the camera also cuts to a first person perspective view of a close up of the door in which the footsteps are played and increases in volume gradually, giving the impression that the possible killer is approaching the door and coming ever more closer to his victim. thus building slow tension in the process as it leaves the audience to question if the killer is toying with his victim, if the killer may approach the door but then turn away, or if the killer will go from a very slow paced walk to a run and rush straight into the room.
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Opening credits and Typography - Miss Begum
What are opening credits?
Opening credits are a series of text, usually presented at the start and widely used in video games, television programs, but the one we are mostly focusing on is the movie industry or motion picture (movies/films).
The opening credits include members of the production, crew and cast. Usually they present the most important roles at the start of the opening credits, mostly well known actors, and then the producers, then director, etc, opening credits are sometimes included with music added in.
Their impact on the audience is varied, depending on both the genre of the movie, and the use of typography (Which i will explain further down). Typography both effects the use and way to represent the text to the audience, and in turn, should achieve a certain effect from the audience as well.
An example of how opening credits are used within motion pictures, Here is an example from "Se7en"'s opening credits:
- As mentioned earlier, the opening credits mostly follow a sequence of importance in terms of who is presented first from the production crew, For example; Once the production group name has been presented, It shows first the storyline writer's name, and a well known actor "Brad Pitt"
- The opening credits in Se7en are mixed in terms of both using a black screen with text, and then some parts where the opening credits are shown while the clip is still going, IE where the person is turning the pages of a book, the credits appear on clip showing more names of the cast while the scene is still moving.
Typography
Now we come to the topic of Typography, Typography is the art and usage of different ways to present text; which is then in turn used as opening credits within in example, our thriller movie we are producing.
By mentioning "different ways to present text", this is reffering to using for example;
- Different colours
- Size
- Font style
- Other variables
All of these different styles and ways to present them are not just used to generally make the opening credits look nicer and more suited towards the film it is being used in, but also to try to get certain effects from the audience.
An example of how opening credits may be used within a conventional thriller, within our thriller we are producing; here is an example of one of our scenes with opening credits included onto the clip.
Within this example, We are trying to achieve the effects of causing curiosity and slow-building suspense by presenting the opening credits one by one and by using the colour white, making the opening credits stand out from the dark edges/parts of the scene.
We have also used the font style of "Chiller", which suits the genre of thrillers, typically used with the colour red, it can be seen like the text has been written out or made from blood. But instead in this example, we have used white to give it a sort of ghostly appearance.
In terms of its size, we have made it just so that it is too large to cover up important view points of the scene (blocking out certain iconography within the scenes) and not too small that it cannot be seen.
Opening credits are a series of text, usually presented at the start and widely used in video games, television programs, but the one we are mostly focusing on is the movie industry or motion picture (movies/films).
The opening credits include members of the production, crew and cast. Usually they present the most important roles at the start of the opening credits, mostly well known actors, and then the producers, then director, etc, opening credits are sometimes included with music added in.
Their impact on the audience is varied, depending on both the genre of the movie, and the use of typography (Which i will explain further down). Typography both effects the use and way to represent the text to the audience, and in turn, should achieve a certain effect from the audience as well.
An example of how opening credits are used within motion pictures, Here is an example from "Se7en"'s opening credits:
- As mentioned earlier, the opening credits mostly follow a sequence of importance in terms of who is presented first from the production crew, For example; Once the production group name has been presented, It shows first the storyline writer's name, and a well known actor "Brad Pitt"
- The opening credits in Se7en are mixed in terms of both using a black screen with text, and then some parts where the opening credits are shown while the clip is still going, IE where the person is turning the pages of a book, the credits appear on clip showing more names of the cast while the scene is still moving.
Typography
Now we come to the topic of Typography, Typography is the art and usage of different ways to present text; which is then in turn used as opening credits within in example, our thriller movie we are producing.
By mentioning "different ways to present text", this is reffering to using for example;
- Different colours
- Size
- Font style
- Other variables
All of these different styles and ways to present them are not just used to generally make the opening credits look nicer and more suited towards the film it is being used in, but also to try to get certain effects from the audience.
An example of how opening credits may be used within a conventional thriller, within our thriller we are producing; here is an example of one of our scenes with opening credits included onto the clip.
We have also used the font style of "Chiller", which suits the genre of thrillers, typically used with the colour red, it can be seen like the text has been written out or made from blood. But instead in this example, we have used white to give it a sort of ghostly appearance.
In terms of its size, we have made it just so that it is too large to cover up important view points of the scene (blocking out certain iconography within the scenes) and not too small that it cannot be seen.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Pre-Production Paperwork - Miss Begum
Pre-production paperwork is a set of documents, and guidelines which must be both produced, created, and handed out accordingly to the production team and cast. Not only providing set guidelines to follow for the production crew, they also provide both information and accessother factors such as possible risks and dangers prior to the location of filming (which is also a seperate document in pre-production paperwork, or more precisely; Location recce form and Location release agreement).
Production Schedule
A production schedule, which is part of pre-production paperwork. The production scheduel is in short; a summary of what is going to take place within the filming scheduel, which can be both helpful and very important if a production wishes to keep organised. The production schedule also lists any cast (actors) and specific crew members (such as for example cameramen who are required to be on site to shoot the film) who are required to be on that certain site of shooting. Which in turn, it also lists the location of where this will take place, and the time they will need to arrive.
Below is a rough copy of our current production scheduel (Subject to change at anytime)
Location Recce form
The location recce is another document that makes up the pre-production paperwork, which displays and informs all crew and cast about how to arrive to the location through the use of a visual map and directions and also contains specific reasons for the use of the location as well.
Location Release Agreement
A location release agreement is a contract or signed agreement which is given to an owner of property to acknowledge both their concent, in terms of them approving the use of their property within a production, and also certain terms and regulations that can come into effect if both agreed upon and what will be taking place within the property; for example a resident of a house, if the film takes place inside a home and they find a suitable house, they will give a location release form to the residents who both live and own the home. This is because the regulations within the contract state multiple bonds and rules if agreed upon; these always include the right to allow the producers and production team to actually use the property, both exterior and interior (outside of property or inside). And as mentioned, certain bonds such as the allowed use to ethier refer to the property in the production by its real name or a fictional name. Also including to pay for any damages and replacements if any damages occur during the production caused by ethier cast or/and crew.
It is important to note that locations such as forests and fields, that the location release form is sent to the council to allow the use of both filming equipment on scene as well as actual use of the location, also including simliar regulations as stated above. (ie; having to repair any damages that may be caused by the production)
Below is an example of an empty form that would usually be filled out. (and then usually handed out when the production have found a location)
Risk Assesment Form
A Risk Assesment Form is yet another document included within pre-production paperwork, which the producer must fill in and complete to show any risks and safety issues that may need a safety routine/programme for action if anything happens to go wrong or cause harm. The risk assesment form contains many set situations already entered into the form, all the producer has to do is write within the boxes that both show the severity (how harmful this can be), and if it will be present at the scene of recording.Here is an example of this below;
After the producer has completed filling in the boxes and details of the severity and present factor. If a risk, such as for example the use of weapons within the scene has a high risk factor (which is determined by how likely it will happen/appear on the scene (present or not)and the severity of the risk). It may require a programme of action. Below is a table of measurement used within the Risk assessment form to aid in working out the risk factor:
Once the producer has worked out the risk factor and if it states it requires a programme of action, The producer will then need to fill in a certain table which is also provided within the risk assessment form, mostly stated who is exposed to these risks within the scene and if they have been informed of these risks, and accept the programme of action to counter the risk if something bad ever happens:
Production Schedule
A production schedule, which is part of pre-production paperwork. The production scheduel is in short; a summary of what is going to take place within the filming scheduel, which can be both helpful and very important if a production wishes to keep organised. The production schedule also lists any cast (actors) and specific crew members (such as for example cameramen who are required to be on site to shoot the film) who are required to be on that certain site of shooting. Which in turn, it also lists the location of where this will take place, and the time they will need to arrive.
Below is a rough copy of our current production scheduel (Subject to change at anytime)
Location Recce form
The location recce is another document that makes up the pre-production paperwork, which displays and informs all crew and cast about how to arrive to the location through the use of a visual map and directions and also contains specific reasons for the use of the location as well.
Location Release Agreement
A location release agreement is a contract or signed agreement which is given to an owner of property to acknowledge both their concent, in terms of them approving the use of their property within a production, and also certain terms and regulations that can come into effect if both agreed upon and what will be taking place within the property; for example a resident of a house, if the film takes place inside a home and they find a suitable house, they will give a location release form to the residents who both live and own the home. This is because the regulations within the contract state multiple bonds and rules if agreed upon; these always include the right to allow the producers and production team to actually use the property, both exterior and interior (outside of property or inside). And as mentioned, certain bonds such as the allowed use to ethier refer to the property in the production by its real name or a fictional name. Also including to pay for any damages and replacements if any damages occur during the production caused by ethier cast or/and crew.
It is important to note that locations such as forests and fields, that the location release form is sent to the council to allow the use of both filming equipment on scene as well as actual use of the location, also including simliar regulations as stated above. (ie; having to repair any damages that may be caused by the production)
Below is an example of an empty form that would usually be filled out. (and then usually handed out when the production have found a location)
Risk Assesment Form
A Risk Assesment Form is yet another document included within pre-production paperwork, which the producer must fill in and complete to show any risks and safety issues that may need a safety routine/programme for action if anything happens to go wrong or cause harm. The risk assesment form contains many set situations already entered into the form, all the producer has to do is write within the boxes that both show the severity (how harmful this can be), and if it will be present at the scene of recording.Here is an example of this below;
After the producer has completed filling in the boxes and details of the severity and present factor. If a risk, such as for example the use of weapons within the scene has a high risk factor (which is determined by how likely it will happen/appear on the scene (present or not)and the severity of the risk). It may require a programme of action. Below is a table of measurement used within the Risk assessment form to aid in working out the risk factor:
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