The video we made:
Prelminary Post Production
Finally, we learnt how to use Final Cut Server in our lessons. Final Cut Server is . Final Cut Server is a computer programme created by Apple Mac to put together shots to produce a film Final Cut Server is a computer programme created by Apple Mac to put together shots to produce a film.
The process starts with uploading our clips onto Final Cut, then watching them to find the ones with mistakes or tthe clips which fitted our sequence best. all the best clips were put into a log bin, the log bin helps to separate the clips as well as on an organisation level, as having this folder makes the clips easily acessible. it was important that we chose the better shots, as because it was our first trial of filming, there was obviously going to be lots of mistakes. So we tried to cut down some clips with background noise or extra talking, to make the scene lookk more professional. this helped us to find the best fitting cuts to build a scene which really worked.
continuity editing. I had to ensure that the scene made sense and flowed well. I also had to remember to fit the sound over the clips in the correct moment otherwise it didnt fit. Then I had to choose the most relevant shots, to build a scene and to help the film flow smoothly. This was to manipulate time and space in the narrative. I then had to put together the most appropriate shots to help the audience to side with the protagonist and the antagonist. The shots have to appear in a particular order, so that the audience can have some background understanding of the scene. My film showed this, by showing the antagonist walking along into the room, opening the door then closing it behind him. Then the protagonist was sat in the same room, which the antagonist later enters, holding a gun. Just having this simple 30 second clip, tells the audience that the man is the antagonist, as he looks threatening. Then the audience understands that he is dangerous. Just as the woman is sat holding a gun, this gets the audience to think, whether she is the antagonist as she is going to shoot the other subject, or she is perhaps the protagonist because she is protecting herself with a gun.
After this, each of the special chosen shots were put onto the storyboard. the storyboard worked as a timeline which would fit each of the clips together. Once we had dragged them onto the story board in the correct positions, we had to make sure the background sound was in time with the movement of the shots. In my sequence we had more screen time on the protagonist as we wanted to highlight how she is good and how her reactions are important. Then the antagonist had less screen time. Although, in the editing, we made the cuts between each of them fast paced to show tension between the charcters. With a few single screen shots of the revolver, highlighting again the danger within this scene.
The overall editing turned out very well. The scene looked great in the end. But I noticed as we were watching it through that I had left a flashframe. This means there was a second where the scene goes black inbetween scenes.This means that the clips are not directly next to each other. Therefore I had to go back and pull the clips closer together. It is very hard to notice, but through the eyes of an expert its very obvious. If I had just left it, it would have looked like very poor editing.
Overall I really enjoyed using the programme and now that I have learnt from my mistakes it will be a lot easier to use. But it is a very useful prgramme and I will definitly be using it in the future.
One last thing to remember was to APPLE SAVE so that we would not loose any data or any editing which we did.
Preliminary task
After learning how to set up the camera and learning different types of shots in theory , we were divided into groups to use it. It was a good experience for us because we now have a little knowledge in handling the equipments.
There are 4 in my group: Holly, Immie, Miran and myself (Honey). We were then given given a scenario where someone walks through a door, says some dialogue to the person in the room and then walks out again.
This is the scenario we were given:
However, we could use this idea as our basic idea and we were asked to develop on it. So we used my idea with some changes. So the storyline was that the main character was possessed by demons and he was killiing and destroying. So he came rushing through the room where his girlfriend ( who was holing the gun for protection) was and asked her to shoot him but she was frightened and did not want to shoot him. He would kill her if she does not kill him, so she does not have a choice. At the end, he was shot dead.
Before we start to shoot, we had to do several things first:
- Find two actors
- Adjusted the tripod to the right height
- Bubbling the tripod to make it level
- Attatched the camera to the tripod
- Open the shutter on the camera and turn it on
- White balance the camera by facing it towards a white surface
- Adjust the shutter speed
- Focus the camera
Aside from Holly who had to control the video camera, Miran, Immie and I helped around to move objects to ensure that it will be a continuity editing and be more realistic. I learnt that it is important to be in detail when filming, otherwise it could ruin the film as it is not in continuity editing. During the shooting, we used the terminology such as 'Cut', ' Action' , and 'Stand By'.
Overall, I enjoyed being on the set helping and directing as I understood better about 180 degree rules and how important it is to have 'white balance' before shoots as it could ruin the colour in film. I really enjoyed working with my group because we were all working together as a unit and it makes our shooting much easier and faster.
This month I learnt how to set up and how to operate the camera the correct way. I use Sony DSR PD-100A to learn how to use it.
First of all, we learnt how to set up the tripod and we had to ensure that there is bubbling. This shows that it is ready to use. It is important to have the bubble in the centre. It is important to have tripod as it helps to take shots smoothly and not shakey at all times. It allows to use different type of continuity shooting such tracking shot, tilting and pan shot.
We are told not to record video tape at any speed other than Standard Play as MiniDV digital tapes hold either 63 or 83 minutes in Standard Play. A standard "T-120" or two hour VHS tape holds 120 minutes of video -- two hours recorded in the Standard Play mode. I learnt that there is an imprint of date/time on the camera. Once this information has been imprinted on your tape, it cannot be removed.
The date and time will be on during the shoot unless it is turn off before shooting! Most video cameras have a zoom lens, which enables you to go from a wide angle view to a close up at the push of a toggle.
If you intend to edit your video tape, using your zoom toggle is o.k. You'll need to use the zoom to change the apparent distance between you and your subject. Once you've zoomed in or out, video tape the scene for at least five to ten seconds before going on to your next shot.
If you don't plan on editing your video tape, zooming may be necessary to make a transition between shots. If you must zoom, zoom slowly. Start with about five seconds -- a slow "one one thousand, two one thousand" -- during which there is no movement, then zoom in or out at a speed which is virtually imperceptible. Many cameras have a combination of optical and digital zoom.
Here is the reference to different types of camera shots and camera movements
White balance
My group and I tried to zoom in and then out as it helps to focus on the object which we are shooting at. I learnt that white balance is really important because it ensures that the colours are reproduced accurately. To do 'white balancing', we must manually do a white balance every single time your change from one light source to another. Otherwise, the camera will think that white is what it saw under florescent lights when you are shooting in warm sunny summer sunlight.
Exterior -> Daylight –> cool, blue
Interior -> Tungsten –> warm, orange
Without white balance With white balance
I learnt that I have to becareful with 180 degree rule as I am often not careful about it and it will not be ilogical for the audience to see it. The 180° rule is a basic guideline in film making that states that two characters (or other elements) in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other.
This schematic shows the axis between two characters and the 180° arc on which cameras may be positioned (green). When cutting from the green arc to the red arc, the characters switch places on the screen.
It enables the audience to visually connect with unseen movement happening around and behind the immediate subject and is important in the narration of battle scenes. Avoiding crossing the line is a problem that those learning filmcraft will need to struggle with.
My teammates Holly and Amy were constantly aware of that during our first task of shooting the given basic storyline and shots such as two shots and over head shoulder.
Lastly, we use industry terminology whilst filming so that we don't waste time and helps everyone to comprehend what to do.
Stand by/ standing by-
Prepares everyone into position for the take. The AD calls Stand By and the response tells them that everyone is prepped.
Turn Over/Turning over-
The director tells the camera operator to start filming. A few seconds of film is then run as the camera gets up to speed and this is often referred to as Lead IN. Once it is done,the camera operator will respond Turning Over or rolling to indicate being up to speed.
Action! -
Cue the actors to perform the take, and the crew to do their jobs. It is a good practice for director to let the film run on a further few seconds after the take is completed before cutting. This is referred to as Lead Out
Cut-
Cue for the actors to stop running the film. Industry practice expects that the camera operator does not Cut being told.
In order to help us shoot with specific shots ('close ups', ' medium wide shots' and 'establishing shots'), we learn different types of camera shots in class first.
Proper framing
The first thing to learn is how to frame your subject. If you’re a still photographer you’ll already know about the rule of thirds. This works for filmmaking as well. Notice the website below.
The rule of thirds:
This is a general principle in photography, which is generally considered to make shots more appealing to the eye. One can easily visualize this rule by taking a frame and dividing the horizontal piece into three equal sections and dividing the vertical in three equal sections. This creates 9 equal sections. Where these sections meet are four points on the frame. By aligning the central object into these points of the frame (often called the power points), instead of centering the object, you get more aesthetically and professional-looking shots.
However, we should note that while we describe this as the RULE of thirds, it might better be used as a guideline.
Common uses of this rule in video are:
- Framing an interview: The eyes of your subject should fall in one of the upper powerpoints and the subject should be looking towards the empty space on the frame.
- Shooting a horizon: Rather than position the horizon on the center of the frame, align it along the upper or lower third depending on what you want to emphasize. For example, if you’re shooting a cloud time-lapse you will want two-thirds of the shot centered on the sky.
Basic Camera Shot types:
Extreme Wide Shots (EWS) act to establish the area.
Wide Shots (WS) show the entire person or area. They’re great for establishing the scene and allow for good action of the characters. Sometimes this is known as the long shot.
Medium Shots (MS) frame the subject from the waste up. This is the most common shot and allows for hand gestures and motion.
Medium Close Ups (MCU) shots show the subject in more detail and are often framed from just below the shoulders to the top of the head.
Close Ups (CU) show a particular part of your subject. For people this usually means the shot frames just the head!
Extreme Close Ups (ECU) are much tighter close-up shots in which you get detail greater than the human eye might be able to normally perceive. An example of this shot might be of the mouth and eyes together
Advanced Camera Shot Types
Two Shot: This is a shot of two peoples (or other individuals) together.
Cut Away (CA): Cutaways are used in the editing process to fill in footage which is different from the main action. B-roll is often used for cut-aways. An example might be a cut away of a bird singing if the shot is focused on a couple in the woods.
Over the Shoulder Shots (OSS) are shot from behind the person towards their subject. Generally the frame is cut off just behind the ear, although there are several variations. A good technique to use to get this shot is to frame the person facing the subject with about one third of the frame.
Point of View (POV): This is an effective shot that gives the audience the feel that you’re seeing it from the eyes of the performer. It is taken from near the eye-level of the actor and shows what he might see. It could be used to give the perspective of other animals too like a frog, a bird, or a fish.
Selective Focus: By using a large aperture value (f/1.4, f/2.0) you will be able to create a shallow depth of field. This effectively leaves one part of the frame in focus while blurring others, such as the foreground or background. When you change the focus in the shot from the foreground to the background you’re doing another advanced camera shot called a
rack focus.
What is a thriller?
In our lessons we looked at the film 'The Usual Suspects'. We studied the camera, lighting and mis-en-scne of the film. we also discussed what constitutes a thirller...
- There is usually a twist in the plot.
- A hidden identity within a charcter.
- Lots of violence
- Good verses Evil. A 'good' guy and a 'bad'guy.
- Flashbacks, to reveal previous information to the story, or to the crime.
- Added audience information.
- Dark lighting
- Murder/Corruption
- Deep, heavy drmatic music.
- Criminals and Police
- Death
- Mystery
- Lighting such as ambient - natural light, low and artificial, usually designed for the film.
- Low or high key lighting depending on what type of film your watching. (Film Noir)
Also in our lessons, we denotated and connotated the main promotional image.
we picked up on things such as
- 5 men in a police line up.
- All dressed differently
- One is in a cream suit
- They are all various heights
- No one is smiling
- Man on the end is grsping his arm
- Man dressed in leather has an agressive stance.
- Horizontal lines behind them
- Tallest man is in the middle (pyraid lik,e shape)
- Red font title
Connotations for the Denotations
- Police line up, signifies there in trouble.
- They are all in the same situation, as they are all stood together
- The cream suit guy, looks different to the others.
- Lighter coloured suit symbolises innocence.
- Red font represents danger
- Holding arm for discomfort.
- Pyramid of Power ... Hierachy between the charcters.
