Introduction to editing

From the previous lesson, we had to edit our sequences together therefore we went into the editing sweet and opened up 'Adobe Premiere Pro'. In our groups, we opened up all of our shots and began to decide roughly what order we could put them in. Then we opened the sequence up with our establishing shot, cropping the sections out with 'I' then 'O' to cut the bit we want. Then we dragged the shot to the main board where our shots fit in together. We carried this on with all of our shots and made a good sequence.

We learnt that the simpler the idea and actions, the easier it was to create a good continuity in the piece. Also, we found the over head shot of my watch was really effective as it was done hand held. This task developed our editing skills in Adobe Premiere Pro and helped us with the uses and skills of the different cameras.

Introduction to Camera 2

In the lesson we had to compose a short scene with different shots and with the cameras we had learnt about before. At the start, we watched an example being done where Richard was acting and I filmed. He only moved a bit - walked up to a toy bike, played with it and walked away. The simple movements allowed the task to be simple and not to complicated to begin with. After we had filmed him doing the movement over and over again from angles creating close-ups etc, as a class we used adobe premiere pro to put the scenes together. We had to think about the fluidity of the movement and the continuity. We used over the shoulder shots, close ups and establishing shots.

We then created groups where we created our own piece. I went with Haydon and Richard and we used the Sony FX5 to shoot. I wanted to use this camera as I find it the simplest to use and it shoots in a high standard. We began with Richard sitting on the couch and Haydon walking in, shaking his hands and walking out. However, as we went on we realised the continuity wasn't going to be great as Richard was standing at different points, Haydon was walking in from different angles etc. Therefore we decided to go with a new idea. I then became the actor and I simply lay down, sat up, looked at my watch and lay down again. This was a much easier sequence to piece together with solid continuity. I had to repeat this action multiple times so that when we got round to editing it will be easier to takes sections from each shoot. We ended up creating, over the shoulder shots hand held, close-ups, establishing shots and moving shots, following my body.

Introduction To Cameras

In the lesson we were introduced to 3 different cameras:

Sony FS 100 

We learnt that the Sony FS 100 camera is an amazing camera to film with as it captures great quality footage, it's great in low light and its a modular design. However it lacks sturdiness,  there is no auto zoom and it would be a bit of a pain to carry around in a shoot that involves a lot of action; it is pretty heavy. Although there are negatives, it doesn't take away from the fact it is a fairly easy camera to use and does the job very well.

Sony NX5

The sony NX5 seemed to be an easy camera to use as well as being extremely maneuverable and easy to use on a physical shoot and shoots that go on for a long time; not too tiring holding it up. It films in an amazing standard and is extremely easy to use. Out of the three I preferred this camera for filming and would like to use it for my work.

Canon E05

The canon 5D is probably a better camera for photos however shoots in great quality. It is the lighter option of the three and allows you to carry it with no problem if you ever needed instead of using the tripods all the time. It is easy to use and has good zoom and focus. We learnt how to focus on this camera. We had to measure the distance between the object or person being focused and then twist the lens to the right length and then it will focus.

WHITE BALANCE: White balance removes unrealistic colour casts, so that objects which appear white in person are rendered white in your photo. We learnt how to check the white balance with a piece of paper, just zooming in on it and then they colour altered to match the white in the photo.


We also learnt how to set up a tripod and how to place the camera on the tripod. I found this extremely simple. Moreover, we looked at bubbling the camera meaning we had to level out the angle in which the camera sits on the tripod. This makes sure the whole shot isn't wonky and levels out.

"The Shining" Opening

Director: Stanley Kubrick

The editing side in the beginning allows the viewer to establish the setting and where the character are however it doesn't say much about the film. It shows an isolated, small car driving through the mountains in a very isolated but beautiful area. There is an eerie, sinister and non-diegetic sound track playing in the background which completely twists the atmosphere.
 If a happier song was playing It would make the viewer feel a whole lot different about the film. Therefore the sound track highly juxtaposes the setting and as a result the I felt very on edge about the film and realised that it would be a horror film maybe or something strange. Throughout the opening, the camera moves through the scenery and always has the car in the shot. The movement through the trees and sky increases the focus in the film and makes you want to keep watching to see where it goes.

Introduction to Film Language & Shot Composition Effects

"Pleasantville"



- Very Long Shot (VLS) is used for the establishing shot at the beginning to create the meaning of the choreographed actors in a busy American high school- Medium Close Up (MCU) shows the main characters' conversation. It also shows their emotions, facial expressions and blurs the background so the actor can be the focal point In the shot- Close Up (CU) shows peoples characters e.g. tongued pierced girl with confidence and she doesn't care- Stereo typical yellow buses reinforcing the idea of an American school- main character looks into the camera showing that he is the main character and is in the middle of the frame with the background being blurred out- 'Shot reverse shot' shows the conversation and can be used for interviews. It is when the camera goes back and fourth from character to character while they are just in different sides of the frame and looking in the other characters direction.

Analysis of the opening title of ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’

At the beginning the title of the film is displayed in a large font that catches the viewers eyes. The editor and producers names are in slightly smaller text. The transitions in this opening are non-linear and don’t seem to have any sort of specific structure to them. There is some use of slow motion allowing the viewer to engage more in that particular shot and there is also a rough effect over the past shots to demonstrate a past time. It shows that it was filmed quite a while ago meaning the characters would have been a lot younger. Also, the flashbacks fade in showing the contrast between their happy child hood and now a days when they are all grown up.

In every part of the beginning there is a clear establishing shot to let the viewer know exactly what is going on and to show the scene around. There are many hand held shots in the opening suggestion someone in the past filmed the footage themselves. There are also a lot of planning shots when the two characters, perhaps brothers, are walking in the distance together through the fields. There is zooming in and out perhaps showing how the parents cared and loved them and suggestion a previous happiness. The camera flickers between the flashback with the happy family and the present with the two brothers alone walking on a never ending journey.

The non-diegetic sound track playing the background is slow and brings nostalgia into the opening and creates a sadness. The song is more on the western side therefore there would be American influences.

The lighting is gloomy so this could suggest the film to be a drama. There are also no bright colours that attract the attention so the atmosphere would be slightly down. However, at the beginning there is a bright light which opens up the past section and this could suggest new life. The old footage is generally bright so maybe the characters’ lives use to be more optimistic than their present times. The props were childish when they were younger and they were fun therefore it shows the family cared and loved them and they had a good upbringing. The men in the present day are carrying big sacks as bags which could contain something they stole, food or maybe even a dead body. The costume in the flashbacks were similar for both of the characters suggesting they were brothers which included old fashioned country clothing. In the present day they wear big dark jackets and hats suggesting insecurities or that they are hiding something. It is mostly set in a loving home In a festive season demonstrating happiness.

The different Editing, Camera, Sound and Mise en Scene techniques draw together a good opening that leaves the viewer wondering what is going to happen next and the reason for the past to be brought up. This would be generally what the producer would want to happen in the viewers mind.

Introduction:

Hey, my name is Vogue and I am currently studying Media at Hurtwood House in Dorking. I live near to Reigate but my parents are South African so visit there a lot. I love to travel and see new places as well as meeting new people. As well as media I also study English, Psychology and Theatre. These subjects interest me particularly because they all involve thinking about new ideas and creativity but most importantly they all are genuinely interesting subjects that I like. I am really interested in media because I can be creative and add my own ideas as well as listening to what everyone else has to say and their opinions. I have a brother who is strongly involved in film making and the TV industry and his interest has made me more aware of the subject and my interests in it. I love theatre and performing arts and would therefore maybe like to go down the route of TV and acting as a career.

My favourite TV series include things like Gossip Girl and Desperate Housewives as well as series like Prison Break and Breaking Bad. I like a lot of different kind of programs like reality shows also. I am extremely in to music and enjoy many different artists and I also love to watch films such as 'Kingsman' and chick flicks. Cameron Diaz has to be one of my favourite female actors!

I hope you enjoy reading my Blog!

Thanks,

Vogue