Preliminary Task: Bang

Final Video: Preliminary Task

Storyboard

Before we shot the Preliminary Task, we created a story board to make editing easier, and to ensure that we used a wide range of camera angles and shots.This also helped us in shooting, as it kept things organised and allowed us to film things in non-chronological order.

Group Evaluation of Preliminary Task
 

How did you find the planning stage?

We found the planning stage of the filming production manageable once we had come up with a basic idea to base the storyboard and filming around. We found finding actors and an area was easy as we knew what type of actors and location we wanted and found the right ones for this to emphasis all the features of the filming that we needed to be emphasised. The storyboarding and figuring out what camera angles to put in each shot was challenging at first to think about but once we had laid out what we wanted in each shot we were able to put a camera angle to it to complement what we wanted the shot to look like and what affect we wanted it to have on the audience. On a whole we found the planning very successful as we were very organised with our storyboarding and all the clear points we needed to include to make the filming altogether successful and effective. (Megan)

Unexpected difficulties faced filming

Whilst in the process of production there were several difficulties faced. The first problem that was faced was with the camera shots and angles. In post-production, we came up with the basic storyline and outlined each shot in the storyboard however when it came to actually shooting the scene the camera shots and angles we planned to use weren't the best for capturing the scene. When it came to shooting we found alternative shots which captured the scene better but they didn't follow our plan. This lead onto another difficulty we faced was the lack of organisation. When shooting in production our plans started to change and develop from our original storyboard. This caused the group to be more confused about what was to be shot next and what they should be doing. However towards the end this was rectified. Overall when there were difficulties faced we managed to work together and sort them out in the end. (Charlotte)

Use of Equipment

When we were filming we used a digital video camera. When using the digital video camera we came across no issues or problems, making filming the scenes easy. As well as the video camera we used a tripod, a three-legged stand for supporting a camera, which was easy to set up and helped a lot in the process of filming giving us stable and steady shots. When using the tripod we experimented with different heights and panning the camera on the tripod pivot. (Charlotte)

What are you most proud of?

As a group, we were proud of our organisational skills. After completing our storyboard we were able to assemble our actors and equipment in our chosen area of filming in a short amount of time and so were able to begin the task quickly. We used our time efficiently so we were able to correct or retake any shots we thought were unsatisfactory to ensure we did the best work we were capable of. We were also proud of the very last shot we filmed, in which the ‘hero’ of our story raises a gun (to the off screen antagonist) at the camera lens, resulting in a shift of the camera focus from the character’s face to the gun (the actor’s interlocked fingers) in an extreme closeup. We felt this shot was very effective and would have a big impact on the audience watching. (Hana)

Evaluation of Editing Process

In the editing process we started off by setting out the clips on the storyboard in order of appearance. We then began to cut the clips down, getting rid of the unnecessary sections. In the sequence we only used straight cuts. Once we had the basic outline of the sequence we added the title 'Bang'.

We choose this as the title because it is short as well as snappy and provokes an audience to question what it is referring to, which in this clip is the ending when the 'gun' is held up to the camera. We also choose the font for a sleek and more professional look. Over the top of the title we added footsteps which could be interpreted as the killer walking away from the scene which is about to appear. Throughout the sequence we used several sound effects both diegetic and non-diegetic e.g. the atmospheric music at the beginning. Overall the preliminary task isn't of a very high standard due to clips being too long, background noises forgotten to have been muted and the overall quality of the camera which was very poor and out of focus. If this task was to be repeated we would have paid closer attention to the details on the soundtrack. These being both on the noises in the background and the sound effects which don't quite fit as well as having a higher quality picture. (Charlotte)

Practical Source of Inspiration

Inspiration

Here, I have chosen the opening from 'American Horror Story' as my inspiration in terms of editing and mise en scene. Kyle Cooper, the maker of the opening sequence has perfectly captured an unsettling and intimidating atmosphere. I think this opening sequence would be perfect to inspire our film opening if we opted for the genre of Psychological Horror.

Experimenting

Inspired by the 'American Horror Story' opening I created a response with a similar theme to the opening. I set the sequence in my garage as it fitted with the dark, eerie atmosphere of the one in which the opening was set. In the sequence I used a Canon digital SLR camera to record and tripod, I also used the torch on my iPhone to create a flashing effect just like the one in the 'American Horror Story' opening. In terms of mise en scene I used various props such as fake blood, a saw and a biblical hanging piece which I found to create a very chilling ambience as though something sinister had happened e.g. a murder. In the process of this task I experimented with different camera angles and movements such as panning, high angles, hand-held etc. I feel that the opening of 'American Horror Story' will be of great inspiration for giving a very mysterious and strange quality to our film opening if we were to make a psychological horror film. Overall in terms of the editing I used simplistic straight cuts as it was the predominant one used in the opening. I do feel that this response could have been improved due to it being slightly rushed.

My Strengths

My strengths that I can use to help with my media coursework is knowledge of using a camera and knowing angles would be best suited. As well as this I can provide creativity and imagination, for example to help create imaginative story lines and come up with different techniques to take something quite boring and turn it into something quite interesting. Another strength would be my basic knowledge of using editing software and music software.

Practical Source of Inspiration

I was inspired by the special effects makeup used on Edward Norton to create bloody cuts and bruises in this still image from the film Fight Club (1999):

After seeing this image I decided to create similar special effects (specifically a fresh black eye and a cut) with cosmetic makeup on a model.

 

For the black eye I layered purple and dark red lipstick over the eye area to make the wound look fresh and used black and dark brown eyeshadow on the outer edges to create a bruising effect.

For the cut I put a thick strip of eyelash glue on the model's cheek. When it started to dry, I used a toothpick to pick the centre apart. This made the edges of the glue raised like the edges of a cut.

 After the glue had dried fully, I filled the centre with a dark purple lipstick and a red lipstick. To make the wound look more realistic I applied a dark brown eyeshadow and a clear gloss on top to simulate a fresh cut just starting to heal.



My strengths:

• I have created special effects makeup before so I have experience
• I was able to work with limited supplies in a short amount of time

Difficulties I faced:

• Special effects makeup was not available to me so I had to use cosmetic makeup
• I had a limited amount of time to create this makeup

Practical Source of Inspiration

Location Inspiration.

Cabin in the Woods Inspiration.

When watching cabin in the woods I was inspired to image what it would be like to try and use a location similar to the one used in the film, e.g. a woodland area. I considered a few areas near to me to go and photograph in different ways and came up with a few different images to show how this location could be used when making a film opening.





I went to a wooded area in Eltham and walked around to get a feel for the area before deciding where and what to take pictures of which would be affective.

I took a few pictures of more open areas which I thought would be good if there was a chase scene happening or a long, establishing shot was needed to show the audience where the whole sequence was set.

I also took some pictures of area which were of paths and overgrown areas which I though could be used as hiding places and places where tension could be built for the audience.





















AdULTHOOD.



 I was also inspired by the film adulthood, which is an urban drama, because of the varied locations that were used in the film to portray the different types of areas the characters can live, work and play in during the film.

I tried to think of areas of the film that I could try to recreate in some way with the devices that I had available to myself. I managed to organise an evening to go out and photograph certain areas of interest such as underpasses, alley ways, bridges, flat buildings, etc.

I believe that these locations could be used in many different days and at any time during a day as in the day time or with sunlight these would be good to show the audience the area the characters are in. But they would also be appropriate for at night time or evening too as it gives the area a sense of tension and mystery.

 Alley Way       

Alley Way         

Office BuildingAlley Way           

Alley way/ bridge

Bridge              

Bridge/train tack

Bridge          

Block of Flats

Underpass

Office Building

Underneath flats

My Strengths

I believe that my strengths that could help us with our film opening are organisation and creativity as I can come up with ideas for the story or the film opening on a whole and I can also organise dates and people who are needed for each day so that everything runs to plan and we are able to meet the correct deadlines for all of our work, e.g. I can make sure we don't run overtime on certain parts of the project.



Film Opening Title Decontruction.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

I chose to do The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as my opening title deconstruction. To do this I had to screen shot every piece of writing that appeared on screen and note down the time.

This will be useful when we create our final piece as we will be able to see what should be included in the opening titles and how far apart they should be spaced.

The people involved in the film that appeared in the opening titles included people such as the director, leading actors, supporting actors, producers, editors and screen writers.

This will give our group a good understanding on our own film opening titles as it will also allow us to get ideas for the font and design of the writing and how it may be shown on screen.

Genre Investigation: Urban Drama

AdULTHOOD

How does it contribute to urban drama conventions?

Sam Peel, the Main character in 'AdULTHOOD' is a typical character of an urban drama film.

He is in a situation where is has just been released from prison after a six year sentence for killing another young, male with a baseball bat from trouble with gang violence.

The location in which the film is located at is also that of a typical urban drama. It is set in a run down London estate where the main character lives in a flat with his mother and brother. The surrounding area is also run down, including the train stations and shops that are shown in the film.

All the characters are also dressed in a hooded jacket, coat or hoodie, jeans or tracksuit bottoms and typically trainers. This is seen with every character who is involved in gang violence or one of the issues the film is showing throughout.

Title of the Film.

The title to the film is to me very interesting as because the characters in the film speak with a very colloquial dialogue and tend to shorten words like 'init' and 'ain't' it almost sound like the title is written in the way that the characters would say it because of the D in the title being small and all the other letter are in capitals.

The graphology of the title is very bold and strong with the white text on top of the dark colours of the background.





Use of Sound in the Film.

Throughout the film there is a constant sound of diegetic, colloquial dialogue between the characters and also non-diegetic music being played in the background of scenes to build tension for the audience.

There is also a part where non-diegetic music is playing in the background at the end of a scene and then continues as a sound being played as an under tone to a conversation between characters on a radio. This shows me that situations can flow from one scene to another and therefore does not only affect the people in one scene but it can affect other characters in the plot line of the story.

Editing Used in the Film.

Throughout the film split screens are used in AdULTHOOD to show two or more different scenes or characters to the audience. This allows the audience to see different emotions of the characters and how they may be affecting each other or how one situation may be affecting or enhancing another. It also allows he view to get two or more different perceptions of the film and the characters and breaks them down so that we can see them all at once and can link them together instead of having to watch two or more different sequences, one at a time.












Also Sam, the main character, has many flashbacks in the film to when he was in prison. When these happen the colour from the picture fades to an almost grey-scale look to show the difference between what is a memory and what is happening then. In some cases when the memory stops and when the present day begins again Sam is in the same position, allowing us to see how his memories are affecting him in the present day.

Genre Investigation: Urban Drama

Typical Conventions of an Urban Drama.

In every urban drama film there are always a collection of conventions that are shown through the films that fall under this genre.

General Conventions.
Urban dramas include, on a general note, situations that have a realistic outlook on life and society when the film was made. This may include issues such as gun and knife crime, gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse and relationships between characters.

The location in which the film is based in will be typically that of a run down, urban area, including London estates where most of the characters will live.

The main character in the film will typically be a young, male character (usually between the ages of fifteen to late twenties) who has a troubled background and a dysfunctional family. This character will also be put in situations which are displayed throughout the film like drugs, gang violence, relationships, crime and alcohol abuse.

Cinematography and Mise-en-scene.
Camera angles that are commonly used in urban dramas include tracking shots to follow a subject, a car or police chase or a chase on foot between two of the characters. There are also a lot of Point Of View (POV) shots and eye line shots used to immerse the audience and create tension.

Close up shots and medium shots are also typically used in urban dramas to convey the characters' emotions and evoke an emotional response from the audience.

The leading characters in urban dramas usually wear dark, outdoor clothing such as jeans, hoodies, trainers etc. and props such as guns and knives are typically used as weapons for the characters.

Sound and Editing.
Diegetic sounds in urban dramas are mainly colloquial dialect spoken by the characters to one another and non-diegetic sounds that are included music played in the background with genres such as rap and hip hop music genres.

Editing techniques in urban dramas use mainly transitions of fade used as memories or flashback either with or without character voice overs. Cross cutting and jump cuts are also used to vary the flow of the scene and editing sound in a scene is used to enhance the tension.