New Topic - What I Learned Today.

In todays media lesson we have temporarily moved on from video games and looked at a number of things. Firstly, we were given our brief. It was: to create the title sequence and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes. We then reviewed the mark scheme as a whole class and looked at what we needed to do. We know that our coursework should all be up to a level 4 if we are to achieve good grades and that involves making sure our research and planning, practical work and evaluation all show excellent work and that we have incuded all of the nessisary conventions.

After this we started to look in depth at the conventions of a thriller film. SOme of the ones we came up with are: tension, a sense of eerie-ness, a protagonist and antagonist, a murder, a setting that usualy takes place at night, low key lighting, lots of action and a quick pace, quick jump cuts between shots, and atmospheric music to create tension. We also had to make sure that we clearly understood the difference of a thriller and a horror; that a thriller is not so "obvious" in the stroy line and lots of things are kept from the audience, making them ask lots of questions and have to think about it and try and work out the problem. Towards the end of the lesson we started watching 'Memento' so that we could try and spot the conventions in a typical thriller.

Starting Again ...

In today's lesson, we found that we had made a mistake whilst filming the 180 degree line. We thought that the 180 degree line was horizontally between the people in the shot rather than vertically between in the people. Because of this, and the fact that we had complicated matters with having three people in the shot, we decided the best thing to do would be to re-shoot the sequence again. We found this difficult, as we had already edited our old footage and we struggling to find the time to re-shoot, however, when we did we found if much quicker and easier, as we had already done it before, and we only had two people in the shot, that made it so much easier. After this, we were glad that we had re-shot everything because it looked so much better and we were happier with the work we had done.

Evaluation

WWW - Overall, i think our task turned out very well. We worked really well as a group and we managed to stick to all the rules of continuity editing. I think out most successful part as the match on action, as we timed these really well so they look professional and the cut between these shots flows well and looks natural.

Also, even though it was coincidental, the background noise we got fit in really well with the storyline we had going on, and made it seem all the more natural. Also, i thing we used a variety of camera shots and angles which made it look more effective and enhanced effect of the continuity editing.

This is a high angle shot that i thought worked very well as it established the spacial distance between the characters and also the setting.


EBI - I think we could have improved if we would have had more time for filming. However, if we could re-do it i think it would be better as we would have a better understanding of how the shots needed to be taken and what we needed to do. Also, we should have made sure that the room we were using for filming was free because, when we went to continue filming in there, there was a lesson going on meaning we had to start from the beginning. Another thing that could be improved was that we had to re-start some scenes because people kept walking through them (although this wasn't out fault).

Overall, i was very pleased with the general outcome of our preliminary task and thought it went very well.

Reflections on Editing

Before we started editing, we had to upload our footage onto iMovie. Once we had done this we first looked through all of our clips and, because we had taken two/three versions of each shot, we started by deleting the ones we didn't want. Once we had done this, we had to edit and cut out the bits of the shot we didn't want and put them all into the right order. After, we had to make sure it all made sense, the cuts between the shots appeared seamless and that we followed all the rules of continuity editing. We did this by cutting out gaps/pauses that we had during filming so that it all flowed properly and looked realistic.

Reflections on Filming

When planning, including continuity editing seemed easier that while filming. Although we never encountered too many difficulties, we had to make sure we were defiantly following all of the rules. Although the concept of it seems the easiest, i think the most difficult to follow was the 180 degree rule. This is because this rule has to apply throughout the whole sequence and, even though we stuck to it, i didn't think it looked clear. However, to make sure we did stick to it, we used a birds eye shot right at the beginning so that we could clearly establish the line, and also the spacial relationships between the characters. Also, because the majority of our sequence was filmed whilst sitting at a table (two tables pushed together) we could use the line between the two tables as the 180 degree line, which really helped when deciding where to place the camera.

The equipment we needed was pretty basic; we used a camera to record all of our shots, a tape on which to record it all and a tri-pod so that we could get a variety of difference shot types and angles and could also track the movement of people without having to hold it, else the shots look unprofessional. In terms of props, we didn't use much, only a tape recorder (as would be used in a police station) and paper and a pen.

Reflection on Planning the Sequence

When we first started planning, we found it quite difficult as we couldn't think of a suitable story line where we could easily include the continuity editing. However, when we finally did determine a plot, it was a matter of breaking down the scenes onto a storyboard and that made it much easier to decide where we could include continuity editing. When storyboarding, i mostly dictated the ideas, with input from Lucy and Laura, while Lucy drew the ideas out and Laura wrote out the details of the shots. We then checked over the storyboard and made sure that all of the shots that contained continuity editing followed the rules and changed anything that didn't.

The equipment we needed was pretty basic; for planning purposes we just needed our storyboards and our notes so we made sure we fully understood all of the requirements for continuity editing.

Explanation of the Task Set

For the preliminary task we had to produce a short filmed and edited sequence which contained the key areas of continuity editing. The sequence had to start with someone walking through a door and across a room. After this, it was up to us to decide what happened.

For the task, we were put into groups of no more than three and had to plan the sequence. To start this we discussed possible ideas of how we would include the key areas of continuity editing (mastershot, 180 degree rule, match on action, shot reverse shot and eyeline match) and made a story board, showing shot by shot how we would film the sequence and also giving details on sound, dialogue, lighting, camera shots, angles and movement and the length of each shot.

Definitions and Explanations of Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing - Is used to make edits between shots as unobtrusive as possible. This way, you wont notice the editing most of the time and the shot will look 'natural' as it appears to flow from one shot to another. Continuity editing has to ensure the continuity of time, space and action to help the viewer maintain an imagined space in their minds.

The Techniques of Continuity Editing -

• Master Shot - This shot sets up the spacial relationship between the characters.

• 180 Degree Rule - The rule starts with two characters facing each other. We then draw an imaginary line between the characters and decide where to place the camera. Once you have placed the camera, it MUST stay on the same side of the line. This is because, if the camera suddenly cuts across the line, the characters will have switched places without the audience seeing it and this will appear strange. The only time the camera can cross the line is if the camera is seen to be tracking across the line, not just a sudden cut.

• Match on Action - This comprises of a first shot, where one character is carrying out an action. This shot may be from one shot type/angle and during the second shot, it will cut to another shot type/angle. The edit can cut on this action to hide the cut, and make the edit seamless. We viewed two examples for this. In example one, the character is sitting around a table, surrounded by other characters and is dealing a deck of cards. The camera then changes position and ends up behind her. This looks seamless because the people hadn't moved and there was no break in the dealing of the cards. It all appeared very natural. In the second example, the match on action happens when a close up of a man playing the piano (only his hands can be seen) cuts to a long shot (where we can see the whole of the piano and his face). During this he is singing and the cut appears seamless because his singing doesn't stop and is in the same place as it was before the cut.

• Eyeline Match - This happens when there is a cut between a character looking off screen to the item they are looking at. This is used to hide the cut. For example, eyeline match can be used when someone knocks on a door, and the character looks towards the door. The effect is that spacial awareness is created so the audience can see the distance between one character in relation to another.

• Shot Reverse Shot - This is usually used to show conversations between characters. The camera will switch between MCU/CU of characters as they speak to each other, showing response to action. During shot reverse shot it is vital that the 180 degree rule is adhered to. Also, when looking over the shoulders of characters they must stay on the same side.