Monday 15 December 2008
Susie's summary of media work so far
Okay dokay...
Its been roughly two weeks since we have started the Thriller project.
From my Practice filming session I learned:
- How to use a storyboard to plan out shots. And how useful the storyboard is because it can be used when you forget what your doing
- How to handle a tripod
- How to use a camera and how to film shots like: long shots, extreme close ups and a zoom
I am reasonably happy with my camera work. The shots that worked well were:
- Shouts of the card dealing
- Nirmol's Close up
We regret that we were unable to finish the editing because our clip would have been good with some transitions. Also we would have liked it to be in black and white and had to Jazzy music which would have create more tension.
Conventions from real thriller films that our are Dramatic Silence and Extreme close ups. Like the film we watched, 'The shining' there is not much dialogue therefore there is a concentration on camera work to create tension, beside a awkward silence
The Film Practice Practical was focused on camera work but are group paid attention to Mise en Scene. The clothes we wore made us
Today we uploaded the film up on to the log so you can see what I've been on about. I feel that the practice filming we have done so far has been successful in the sense my group and I have learned allot of things that will help us in our final the thriller.
For this task we were given the challenge of filming our own game of cards. We were told to focus particularly on camera angles and editing.We decided to film a poker game where one person won and the other two lost their money.We focussed on close ups of facial expressions and the cards that the people had.
I feel that overall we did the camera work well. We did this by filming many times to ensure a good quality as we did many takes. The close up on the players faces were our most successful. One thing we should have done differently is panning the cards to the players face as it would have looked good and built up suspense.
The editing went well overall. The continuity editing was also successful. Our film made sense due to our careful editing.
i learned that mise en scene is very important to the credibility of a film and to the feelings of an audience and how much they enjoy it. By including good props and having a good setting you can make your film more professional and believable for audiences.
We did create some suspends as we dealt out two hands of cards then a third one was dealt. The two platers wondered who the third hand was for and then the camera showed the third player. He then walked over very slowly which added to the suspends and his voice was interesting and suspenseful.
We remembered to do the extra 5 seconds before each shot. However we forgot to do it afterwards. This meant that it was harder for us to do the editing later.
One of the conventions that we had from a real thriller is a dramatic silence in certain parts. Also we showed nerves on people's faces and other facial expressions that they had.
The feedback is that it was good overall but there were some changes we could have made. The editing could have been better and more precise and one of our shots took too much time. This is where someone walks across the room and sits down. They felt that it took him too long and we filmed him too much. This was unnecessarily long.
I fell that overall we did well and this is a good introduction to filming and editing for me and the rest of the class. There were a few things I would change. One is the editing. At one point you can hear someone saying cut. Next time I would edit this out more carefully. Also I would find a setting quicker. Choosing a location to film was tricky. Also I would remember the 5 second rule for every shot as it would have made it easier later. BUt overall this went well.
I feel that overall we did the camera work well. We did this by filming many times to ensure a good quality as we did many takes. The close up on the players faces were our most successful. One thing we should have done differently is panning the cards to the players face as it would have looked good and built up suspense.
The editing went well overall. The continuity editing was also successful. Our film made sense due to our careful editing.
i learned that mise en scene is very important to the credibility of a film and to the feelings of an audience and how much they enjoy it. By including good props and having a good setting you can make your film more professional and believable for audiences.
We did create some suspends as we dealt out two hands of cards then a third one was dealt. The two platers wondered who the third hand was for and then the camera showed the third player. He then walked over very slowly which added to the suspends and his voice was interesting and suspenseful.
We remembered to do the extra 5 seconds before each shot. However we forgot to do it afterwards. This meant that it was harder for us to do the editing later.
One of the conventions that we had from a real thriller is a dramatic silence in certain parts. Also we showed nerves on people's faces and other facial expressions that they had.
The feedback is that it was good overall but there were some changes we could have made. The editing could have been better and more precise and one of our shots took too much time. This is where someone walks across the room and sits down. They felt that it took him too long and we filmed him too much. This was unnecessarily long.
I fell that overall we did well and this is a good introduction to filming and editing for me and the rest of the class. There were a few things I would change. One is the editing. At one point you can hear someone saying cut. Next time I would edit this out more carefully. Also I would find a setting quicker. Choosing a location to film was tricky. Also I would remember the 5 second rule for every shot as it would have made it easier later. BUt overall this went well.
the practical task
for this sample practical we were given the task to create a scene of a card game. this scene had to be full of tension and suspense. also it should entertain the audience.
we had to firstly plan out what our scene then use the video camera and shoot our clips with scenes from what we planned from our planning session. finally we edited them of the so that the clips made scene in sequence with each other.
i think that our camera work was very good as we had various and a variety of shot types ranging from long shots to extreme close ups and panning shots. i feel that our close ups worked well as it allowed the audience to see and feel the tension that the characters were experiencing in the scenes. our most unsuccessful camera work was the medium shot of when we were putting our bets down. i believe this because it did not create good suspense and tension as we put down the money really quick so it didn't provide shock as the bet increased.
our editing was more of a educational experience for our groups as we had made many blunders during shooting such as not leavening the 5 second gaps between our shots in some of the clips. also we did not label each clips once we produced it which wasted more time due to going back on them and renaming them. overall due to this we had little time to edit which can be seen on the clip. we were unable to fade in our shots and finish the remainder of the clip.
i learn that mise en scene Can play a crucial role in creating a suspension atmosphere. the white hat Daniel wore was the best piece of mise en scene we had as it created uncertainty due to hiding his identity.we had parts of our clip that created an element of suspense. the use of the hidden identity of the "phantom player" was a good way of creating suspense as no one would no who he and feel untrustworthy towards him. also i feel the use of silence created an suspenseful and tense atmosphere.
some of our clips we forgot to include the extra five minutes before and after each shot. also some of our clips were incomplete as we pressed pause to early.
i think that the use of the dramatic silence was a good convention we adapted from real thriller films as it makes the audience feel a sense of anticipation for something dramatic to occur. furthermore i believe the close ups and the facial expressions are those of a conventional thrill film.
our teacher (Andrew) gave us feed back that if we had more time we should of brushed up on our editing on the fades in between each shot. also we commented that when Daniel sits down the shots Carry's on too long at the beginning before the sits down as the couple of seconds gap breaks the suspense and also in unnecessary.
i feel that the practical on the whole went pretty well, although i believe we should of focused more in editing as this proved to be our downfall of our practical piece of work.
we had to firstly plan out what our scene then use the video camera and shoot our clips with scenes from what we planned from our planning session. finally we edited them of the so that the clips made scene in sequence with each other.
i think that our camera work was very good as we had various and a variety of shot types ranging from long shots to extreme close ups and panning shots. i feel that our close ups worked well as it allowed the audience to see and feel the tension that the characters were experiencing in the scenes. our most unsuccessful camera work was the medium shot of when we were putting our bets down. i believe this because it did not create good suspense and tension as we put down the money really quick so it didn't provide shock as the bet increased.
our editing was more of a educational experience for our groups as we had made many blunders during shooting such as not leavening the 5 second gaps between our shots in some of the clips. also we did not label each clips once we produced it which wasted more time due to going back on them and renaming them. overall due to this we had little time to edit which can be seen on the clip. we were unable to fade in our shots and finish the remainder of the clip.
i learn that mise en scene Can play a crucial role in creating a suspension atmosphere. the white hat Daniel wore was the best piece of mise en scene we had as it created uncertainty due to hiding his identity.we had parts of our clip that created an element of suspense. the use of the hidden identity of the "phantom player" was a good way of creating suspense as no one would no who he and feel untrustworthy towards him. also i feel the use of silence created an suspenseful and tense atmosphere.
some of our clips we forgot to include the extra five minutes before and after each shot. also some of our clips were incomplete as we pressed pause to early.
i think that the use of the dramatic silence was a good convention we adapted from real thriller films as it makes the audience feel a sense of anticipation for something dramatic to occur. furthermore i believe the close ups and the facial expressions are those of a conventional thrill film.
our teacher (Andrew) gave us feed back that if we had more time we should of brushed up on our editing on the fades in between each shot. also we commented that when Daniel sits down the shots Carry's on too long at the beginning before the sits down as the couple of seconds gap breaks the suspense and also in unnecessary.
i feel that the practical on the whole went pretty well, although i believe we should of focused more in editing as this proved to be our downfall of our practical piece of work.
Editing the Film and 'The Shinning'
A bit late with the blog, sorry :( technical difficulties .... any ways
Monday
Last Monday my group and I edited film. First I cut up footage on the computer into separate shot we could use. I did most of the editing work and it took a very long time, they got more involved towards the end though. I was glad that we we took lots of shots from different angles at the bit when Daniel enters the room because i was able to cut up and use all of it to make his entrance look interesting.The extreme close us and the cut In's were the most powerful shots. The close up show the expressions of the boy's who where playing the cards, faces, and the cut in like When Daniel gives me money, show the sly actions. Daniel's character wears a hat which is an important prop because there are lots of shot of his him from different angles but his face is never shown. This creates tension around his character. While editing I notice that we didn't leave enough time at the the end of the shots and I will remember this for next time. I also think that that next time we should make lots of point of view shouts. Unfortunately we didn't finish editing the film, however I believe that our film contain allot of tension.
Wednesday
Last Wednesday we watched a "The Shining", a thriller based on the Stephen King's novel of the same name. We was watching it to observe how Stanley Kubrick, the director, created tension. There were three main characters in the film who mainly separated and the scenes moved to each of there surrounding and also their point of views. When we were seeing from their point of view it was mainly long shot then slow zooms. The characters were meant to be suffering from isolation in a big hotel which is haunted. Tacking shots are used to follow the character movements. There some bit of the film when the sun is riding around in his tricycle and the camera is tracking behind him, The sound the tricycle makes and the fact t that we are following and creates tension. Lots of close up are used to view face reactions. Such as when Jack kills the Cook and after its shows his freakish smiling face expression. Stanley Kubrick also chose to use lots of classical music to create tension. My group and I thought that this was a good technique, however very annoying because the music was sometimes very annoying and the most noticeable thing. I dint think that outside music should be too noticeable. Overall I don't think it was a very good film because i found allot of it quite ambiguous especially because i couldn't trust none of the characters point of views and therefore couldn't make out who was seeing the truth, looking at past events or hallucinating. However it was good film to pick up techniques on tension. :)
Sunday 14 December 2008
The shining- 10/12/08
on Wednesday we firstly brained stormed our practical theme of thriller. this included details on: what a thriller is?; conventions of a thriller;different genres of a thriller; common directors/actors and examples of thrillers.
for the rest of the lesson we watched a horror thriller called 'The shining' this was a film about a man and his wife and son, being a caretaker of a hotel during its off peak season and the mental effects the isolation had on the father and a rare 'ability' that his son had.
This was an good example for as it showed us several techniques that brings suspense and tension to the scenes, which we can recreate and input into out own practical course work to make it as effective and profesional.
for the rest of the lesson we watched a horror thriller called 'The shining' this was a film about a man and his wife and son, being a caretaker of a hotel during its off peak season and the mental effects the isolation had on the father and a rare 'ability' that his son had.
This was an good example for as it showed us several techniques that brings suspense and tension to the scenes, which we can recreate and input into out own practical course work to make it as effective and profesional.
Tuesday 9 December 2008
Editing of poker game
In the lesson of 8/12/08 we had to edit what we shot for the poker game and make a final piece using the techniques we learnt in the film maker pro introduction. It was pretty easy. We just had to do the things i said we did in the introduction. The only difference this time was getting the footage off the camera onto the software, we had never done that before but it was easy enough you just played the footage and recorded the needed part off the camera on to the software and it would make a list of all your clips. We where advised to name the clips as we went along but the group fort it would be better to get all the clips then rename. We learnt the hard way as this took long and slowed us up. We organised all the clips and the piece looked how we wanted it to but we didn't have time to add transitions. I think the group came away with all the skills we needed to have for our course work and i feel the project was a success.
Introuction to Film maker pro and video cameras
This post covers the lessons of 1/12/08 and the 3/12/08. On the 1st we were in the editing suit and had an introduction to using film maker pro. We learnt how to cut footage, allowing us to gain the desired clip from footage that may have included the filming of things we didn't need. To do this we had to select the clip,from a selection of pre-recorded sample clips, and would have to create mark in and out point by using the 'I' key to mark in and the 'O' key to mark out. The full original clip would remain in the left screen and the now edited clip would appear on the screen on the right. We learnt that organising the clips was as easy as dragging and dropping them on to the track in the order we desired but the teacher made a point of saying that when dragging a clip on to the track the arrow icon of the mouse should point down which i made sure to do. After a couple practice clips we had to make the clips form an understandable story.
After editing clips and arranging them we moved on to the task of transitions. We where able to apply a range of shot transitions such as dissolves, wipes etc. Tony gave a pointer to the class saying however that the best type of transition are the more subtle ones, like dissolves.
Finally in that introduction we learnt to do a match shot. This is when you pair to clips to create one smooth clip. An example is of what we did. Their was a clip of a man entering a shop looking at something and bending down to take it. The other clip was just of his hand and what he was taking. Our aim was to pair the shot so as he bent down in the first clip it would cut to the close up of what he was picking up smoothly. This was pretty easy and just consisted of the marking in and out we learnt earlier but was slightly more challenging in that we had to time the cuts of each clip better.
In the lesson of 3/12/08 We where given the task of filming a card game with the objective of using camera shots and angles to create suspense. We started the lesson of with an introduction to how to use the video cameras. This covered loading the tape, recording, playback, focusing the shot, setting up and mounting the camera on a tri-pod, properly! Our whole group (Nymal, Cloudio, Susuana and myself) seemed to grasp all of it with ease.We had already planned to a scene of a poker game but with a mystery player who is feared by poker players world wide for his confidence charm and undefeated winning streak. I played this character. We created suspense through mes-un-scene as well. The characters were meant to look like old new york gangsters n the mystery players face was never seen because his 'pork pie' ( i think that's the name of the type of hat) covered his face. We used camera shots for suspense also. We use Ecu's to show the other characters reactions to the mystery player and to show t he tension in the game. We used pans, over the shoulder shots and tracking to do this as well. We encountered a few problems with thus project however. The first was finding somewhere to shoot. We did this relatively quick but where asked to leave the room we where filming in because a teacher had to use the class. We lost time relocating. Another was that out camera wouldn't let us manually focus our shits like we had been instructed in the introduction, even with the assistance of Andrew. The third was because we had lost so must time relocating we didn't finish recording but we had fun with the project and was still able to complete the task.
After editing clips and arranging them we moved on to the task of transitions. We where able to apply a range of shot transitions such as dissolves, wipes etc. Tony gave a pointer to the class saying however that the best type of transition are the more subtle ones, like dissolves.
Finally in that introduction we learnt to do a match shot. This is when you pair to clips to create one smooth clip. An example is of what we did. Their was a clip of a man entering a shop looking at something and bending down to take it. The other clip was just of his hand and what he was taking. Our aim was to pair the shot so as he bent down in the first clip it would cut to the close up of what he was picking up smoothly. This was pretty easy and just consisted of the marking in and out we learnt earlier but was slightly more challenging in that we had to time the cuts of each clip better.
In the lesson of 3/12/08 We where given the task of filming a card game with the objective of using camera shots and angles to create suspense. We started the lesson of with an introduction to how to use the video cameras. This covered loading the tape, recording, playback, focusing the shot, setting up and mounting the camera on a tri-pod, properly! Our whole group (Nymal, Cloudio, Susuana and myself) seemed to grasp all of it with ease.We had already planned to a scene of a poker game but with a mystery player who is feared by poker players world wide for his confidence charm and undefeated winning streak. I played this character. We created suspense through mes-un-scene as well. The characters were meant to look like old new york gangsters n the mystery players face was never seen because his 'pork pie' ( i think that's the name of the type of hat) covered his face. We used camera shots for suspense also. We use Ecu's to show the other characters reactions to the mystery player and to show t he tension in the game. We used pans, over the shoulder shots and tracking to do this as well. We encountered a few problems with thus project however. The first was finding somewhere to shoot. We did this relatively quick but where asked to leave the room we where filming in because a teacher had to use the class. We lost time relocating. Another was that out camera wouldn't let us manually focus our shits like we had been instructed in the introduction, even with the assistance of Andrew. The third was because we had lost so must time relocating we didn't finish recording but we had fun with the project and was still able to complete the task.
editing our sample filming
On mondays lesson on the 08/12/08 we were in the editing room. So that we can edit the sample clip we had produced in the previous lesson. When we started we were staright away hit with a problem as we had not completed our clip so our work that we had produced would not be a finished story.
We first had to up load our clips from the video camera onto the computer we had to cut up each section that we require from the clips we produced and put them onto the plylist. Once we had done this we then faced another problem. This was that we did not rename each clip which made it difficult to arange them in sequence when producing the clip. So we had to go throught each clip and rename them which was a time consuming concept.
Furthermore some of our clips did not have a 5 second clause at the beging and the end which did provide a bit of difficulties when it came to editing the clip lengths as the scenes would start straiht away makin it harded to shorten.
Due to these problems be had very little time to prduce our actual clip. We managed to gather the relevant clips and put them in a understandable sequence but, we never got around to adding effects such as fades inbetween scenec and slow motion effects to make the clips flow together and to create tension and suspence.
Overall this lesson provided me with a useful experience to carry into out actual practical course work.
These lessons include: planning the shootings to insure that it is completed; remane clips staright away after uploading them and includeing the 5 second intervals at the begining and end of scenes.
We first had to up load our clips from the video camera onto the computer we had to cut up each section that we require from the clips we produced and put them onto the plylist. Once we had done this we then faced another problem. This was that we did not rename each clip which made it difficult to arange them in sequence when producing the clip. So we had to go throught each clip and rename them which was a time consuming concept.
Furthermore some of our clips did not have a 5 second clause at the beging and the end which did provide a bit of difficulties when it came to editing the clip lengths as the scenes would start straiht away makin it harded to shorten.
Due to these problems be had very little time to prduce our actual clip. We managed to gather the relevant clips and put them in a understandable sequence but, we never got around to adding effects such as fades inbetween scenec and slow motion effects to make the clips flow together and to create tension and suspence.
Overall this lesson provided me with a useful experience to carry into out actual practical course work.
These lessons include: planning the shootings to insure that it is completed; remane clips staright away after uploading them and includeing the 5 second intervals at the begining and end of scenes.
Wednesday 3 December 2008
sample filming day
the first half of this lesson we were given a introduction into the use of the college video cameras and all its feature including how to put in and take out a tape. also we were given a demonstration of the college tri-pods by Mike as well.
then we set off planning what our group was going to film which did not go on very well due to the immaturity of myself and Daniel. all props that were listed to be bought in was there except for the poker chips which i unfortunately could not find at home. we then set about finding a location for out footage to be shot. this was found to be a problem for our group as we could not find a suitable and unpopulated room. we first went to the common room which was being used by another group. we then found a room on the lower ground and stated recording. but unfortunately after a couple of minutes we had to vacate the room due to it having to be used by a teacher for his tutorial session. fortunately thanks to out great teacher Andrew we found a new room which was empty to start our filming again due to a new location. we did not manage to finish off our filming as we where short on time via the incidents during our filming. but i do however feel that the filming that we have done a present was very good.
i left for my lunch break late as i had to take the camera and tri-pod back and also to label our groups tape.
then we set off planning what our group was going to film which did not go on very well due to the immaturity of myself and Daniel. all props that were listed to be bought in was there except for the poker chips which i unfortunately could not find at home. we then set about finding a location for out footage to be shot. this was found to be a problem for our group as we could not find a suitable and unpopulated room. we first went to the common room which was being used by another group. we then found a room on the lower ground and stated recording. but unfortunately after a couple of minutes we had to vacate the room due to it having to be used by a teacher for his tutorial session. fortunately thanks to out great teacher Andrew we found a new room which was empty to start our filming again due to a new location. we did not manage to finish off our filming as we where short on time via the incidents during our filming. but i do however feel that the filming that we have done a present was very good.
i left for my lunch break late as i had to take the camera and tri-pod back and also to label our groups tape.
introduction to video editing
on Mondays lesson we were in the computer room using the video editing software. we we given a demonstration on how to used various icons to edit scenes using examples from an abstract of a film called BAIT. after each demonstration we were able to practice and get to grips with the editing techniques such as cutting inbetween clips, adding slides in between each clip to fade the transition and also were made aware of match shots so that the footage looks more professional.
after we finished using the editing software we were told the groups that we would be in to do our practical assignment. i am in a group with Daniel, Claudio and Susuana.
once we got into our groups we told about a sample clip we had to produce of building suspense of a card game. we them went into discussion about what we were going to do and started listing things we needed to bring in. these were:
after we finished using the editing software we were told the groups that we would be in to do our practical assignment. i am in a group with Daniel, Claudio and Susuana.
once we got into our groups we told about a sample clip we had to produce of building suspense of a card game. we them went into discussion about what we were going to do and started listing things we needed to bring in. these were:
- formal clothing for all
- i had to bring a alcohol bottle which we are goin to fill with water and some pocker chips
We filmed today!
Hi again!
Today we filmed our card game. We first got a lesson from a teacher about how to the camera and Tripod.
We found it hard to find a good setting but fortunately our teacher found us a empty computer room. We took multiple shots which can be used to create tension.
I did most of the filming because i was only in the first bit. We brought all our props except for the poker chips.
Only Nirmol knew how to play the game so taught me how to set it out because i was the dealer. This was important because there is a part at the beginning which shows me dealing out cards for the secret player. Overall filming went good
I just hope I hope them lot put our names on the tape!! lol
Today we filmed our card game. We first got a lesson from a teacher about how to the camera and Tripod.
We found it hard to find a good setting but fortunately our teacher found us a empty computer room. We took multiple shots which can be used to create tension.
I did most of the filming because i was only in the first bit. We brought all our props except for the poker chips.
Only Nirmol knew how to play the game so taught me how to set it out because i was the dealer. This was important because there is a part at the beginning which shows me dealing out cards for the secret player. Overall filming went good
I just hope I hope them lot put our names on the tape!! lol
Tuesday 2 December 2008
Starting Thriller Work
Hello!
Yesterday in my media lesson we started the thriller work. I'm in a group with Daniel, Claudio and Nimrol.
Tomorrow we are filming a scene about a thrilling card game. I'm the only girl in the group and we decided that they are going to be sophisticated ( if that's the world :S)gangsters and I'm going to be the waitress/barmaid that helps Daniel cheat.
Props we are bringing in are:
- Shirts and smart clothing
- I'm bringing a waist coat
- A empty bottle that we are going to fill with water and pretend its alcohol
- A cigarette
I think that we she should do it in a really dark room. Also I wonder if we are allowed music in the video.
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