Preliminary Task

Self evaluation 

1) Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?

I worked with Beth, Max and Katie in a group. We all split up and managed every task in smaller groups so that we could finish everything quicker and have more time to film the short film and edit more effectively. we all worked on the story board together on the first day, then we agreed on characters and then Katie and Max organised props and costumes whilst me and Beth sorted the script. this organisation worked really well because we finished all our planning by the end of the week and had a whole week for filming and editing.

2) How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? 

We decided as a group that we would use storyboards to plan our sequences because they are easy to read and understand. storyboards enabled us to clearly figure out where we add in our camera shots, music and different types of lighting. this was useful because when it came to editing the short film, we instantly knew which order to put the clips into. on the other hand, when we split into smaller groups to take on different tasks, when me and Beth started planning out the script, all we had to do was decide what they were saying in each clip, which made the whole process even more quicker.

3) What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?

To complete this particular task, we used Beth's phone to complete the task because we found it more comfortable to use and it meant we could even film out of school. As a result, we also used Beth's phone for voice over recordings and the sound had very good quality. We also used pro premier to edit the footage, having more experience with this programme, I didn't have any problems adding transitions or any other features. 

4) What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?

when planning the storyboard, i had to take into account where we were going to shoot these scenes. Admittedly when filming, we used one classroom but the next day when we needed to film back in that classroom, it was being used and we need to organise filming all the scenes again in a different classroom. So from then, we booked one to film in and got all the shots we needed. later on the week, another factor we had to take into account was editing the music and speech into the same clips without being confused on what you're supposed to be listening to, so i had to take into account that the background sound might need to be taken out because sometimes there's unnecessary noises that wont make the film run smoothly. 

5) How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently? What did others say about your production?

In my opinion, i thought that our short production went well due to the fact that we worked very well as a group, everyone contributed the same amount of work and because our communication was skills were good, we could all do our set tasks without worry. Some highlights in our clip are that we used a variety of filming shot. For example the tracking shot. What worked well was the graphic match, we used a picture of the drugs and then that picture led onto the flashback where you see the real drugs. However, to improve I would make the costumes more noticeable, for example the officer could wear a police badge to show her status. Also when in the interrogation room, I would use low key lighting to make the scene more dramatic. On the other hand, overall other thought that we made our genre clear and mysterious which is good feedback, considering our genre is crime and mystery.

6) What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework, do you think? 

From completing this task, I have learnt how to use prezi and seen how effective presentations look when using them, this will help me when presenting further short films. I have also learnt more about using pro premier, I now know how to solve the problem of zoomed in clips. This will help me in the future when editing more clips. I've also took into account that in future film production even though phones are easier to use when filming, they're a lot less smooth and using a camera with a tripod would be a better option because the footage wont be wobbly. When planning any production, I should always use storyboards because they're the most effective way in planning out a video because it guides you with the rest of the tasks, such as the script.

Film Language

 Film Language

Film language is made up of four different aspects:

1.) Camera
Frame
-6 possible shots (extreme close up, close up, mid shot, medium long shot, long shot and extreme long shot).
Angle
- Birdseye, low, level, high, wormseye.
Movement
- Pan left/right.
- Tilt up/down.
- Tracking
- Static shot
- Zoom in and out
- Crane shot.

2.) Sound
- Music
- Contrapuntal (when the mustic doesn't go with the images, e.g. a childrens nusery rhyme in a horror film) and Parallel (when the music matches the images).
- Diegetic (all the stuff we hear when being filmed) and Non-Diegetic (all the stuff put on later during editing, e.g. sound effects).
- On Screen (can see what's making sound) and Off Screen (can't see what's making sound).
- Voiceover
- Dialogue (the way people speak).

3.) Mise en Scene
- Costume
- Lighting (low-key and high-key)
- Actors
- Make up
- Props
- Setting

4.) Editing
- Transition (how it cuts, a movement from one scene to another, e.g. straight cut, wipe/slide).
- Order of Narrative (is the order skipped, traditional or does it include flashbacks).
- Pace (how quickly things cut, e.g. action films would be fast paced.
- Special effects
- Graphic Matches (e.g. one door closing and another one opens. One image to another but the same object

 Examples of Analysis of Film Language...

The camera starts off in the eyes of the camera man, its the couples wedding and you can clearly see them posing at the camera. Then it quickly slides off to the eyes off Carl and Ellie, so you can only see the camera positioned at them. This had a medium long shot when it hit the transition. Later on the quick clip, you can see a tracking shot of them walking home newly married. In this clip you notice the couple stop off to lay on a grassy hill on many occasions, There's a low angle on the grass and the camera tilts up to look at the clouds. The couple gaze at the clouds a lot to see the different shapes. On day they climb up the hill to see a cloud shaped as a baby, this is a sign of them moving forward in their relationship. They use a pan shot from right to left to see the different rooms and sadly Ellie cant have children. Moving on with their lives, they set themselves a goal to go on holiday. There's a static shot of them walking past putting money into their holiday fund, the lighting shows the change of time and the outfits change to show the seasons go past.

The only sound in the whole clip is the non-diegetic music being edited onto the video. They haven't used any dialogue to set an effective mood, so when its sad, the music gets slower and quieter and when the scenes are happy, it's more upbeat. Having no music makes you focus on what's going on more intensively. At the beginning, when they're young its very happy and exciting and as they get older, the music gets slower but still cheerful.

Right at the start of the video, they're wearing the traditional religious wedding outfits which gives you a clear understanding of their relationship. throughout the clip, Carl, the main character, he struggles with putting his tie on and his wife Ellie would help him and she puts his tie on several occasion. This is important because it shows time has past and they're getting older because she begins to put it on slower as time goes by.

Props that are highlighted in UP are the jar for 'paradise falls' which is a money jar for their holiday goal. however this jar kept being smashed due to money problems and they never reach their ambition of going to 'paradise falls'.

The high key lighting suggests its a very happy film overall, due to it children audience, you wouldn't expect any scary scenes. however when there's a sad moment in the clip, where Ellie loses a baby, low key lighting is being introduced to set an emotional mood. The main setting of the film is the couple living their happy lives at home or on their hill watching the clouds. 

The overall editing of this clip has been used with straight cut to show time has passed quickly. However on the other hand, another editing feature that has been used is a graphic match, in the video you can see Carl look at a drawing of a house and then you see the real house after it.

Mise En Scene

Mise En Scene

Mise en scene-A French term meaning 'what is in the scene'. Essentially it is information in front of the camera for the audience to help them to work out what is going on. Each aspect of Mise en Scene has hidden meanings within a film and sends signals to the audience about how we are supposed to feel at a certain point.

It is made up of 5 elements:

- Settings and props:

Settings an locations play an important part in film making and are not just 'backgrounds'. Sets are either built from scratch or a great deal of time spent to find settings which already exists. Settings.Settings can manipulate an audience by building certain expectations and then taking a different turn.

- Costume, hair and make-up:

Costume, hair and make-up act as an instant indicator to us of the characters personality, status and job. It tells us immediately whether the films set in the present and what society/ or culture it will centre around. Certain costumes can signify certain individuals(e.g black cloak from a vampire, a cowboys Stetson or James Bond tuxedo)

- Facial expressions and body language:

Facial expressions provide a clear indicator of how someone is feeling. If someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy but we may get a different feeling if this is a accompanied by scary music. Body language may also indicate how a character feels towards another character or reflect the state of their relationship.

- Lighting and colour;
Lighting and colour can be used to achieve a variety of effects:
-to highlight important characters or objects within the frame
-to make characters look mysterious by shading sections of the face and body
-to reflect a characters mental state/hidden emotions
types of lighting:
-low key lighting (created by using only the key and back lights, produces sharp contrast of light and dark areas, deep distinct shadows)
-High key lighting (more filter lights are used, lighting is natural and realistic to eyes)

- Positioning of characters and objects within the frame:
Positioning within the frame can draw our attention to an important character/object. A film maker can use positioning to indicate relationships between people.

In this picture of Batman, you can see him facing the camera, you can probably say he's standing on a roof because you can see the buildings below him quite small so that you just focus on him. Batman is wearing his famous super hero costume and you instantly know who he is and that the film he represents is science fiction. His black outfit and serious pose, makes him look mysterious but dangerous. The photo has been taken from a low angle to make his body look bigger and stronger, which makes him have a greater status. This positioning of the frame draws your attention to him and indicates the film is obviously based around this character. The low key lighting surrounding the sides sets a terrifying mood to the scene and doesn't make the film look at all happy. The bright white light that highlights Batman has been used to make him look even more important and stand out, however the low key lighting around him could hide hidden danger or reflect the characters emotions. to summarise, the serious expression on his face gives a clear indicator of hidden hate and seeks revenge.

Representation

Representation

Definitions:

Stereotypes – Media institutions use stereotypes because the audience will instantly understand them. Think of stereotypes as a ‘visual shortcut’. They’re repeated so often that we assume they are normal or ‘true’.

Archetypes - This is the ‘ultimate’ stereotype. 

Countertype -A representation that challenges traditional stereotypical associations of groups, people or places.

Representation – the way in which people, events and ideas are presented to the audience. To break it down, the media takes something that is already there and re-presents it to us in the way that they choose.

These representations are created by the producers (anyone who makes a media text) of media texts. What they choose to present to us is controlled by Gatekeepers…

Gatekeepers-A media ‘gatekeeper’ is a person involved in a media production with the power to make a decision about something the audience are allowed to read, hear or see – and, of course, not get to see; for instance, a newspaper editor has the final say on what goes into his or her newspaper, where it goes within the pages, next to what other piece, with which pictures, strap-lines and headlines, etc.

E.g. in a newspaper the reporter would be the producer and the editor would be the gatekeeper. However the owner of the company would have the final say.

Moguls-But in the example of the newspaper editor’s decision, this will not be made freely: it will have been affected by technical issues, by the kind of person who owns the newspaper, for example (i.e. the so-called media moguls, such as Rupert Mudorch), and by many other things.

Who, What, Why, Where?

When you’re analysing representation, think about the following questions:

-          WHO or what is being representing? Who is the preferred audience for this representation?

-          WHAT are they doing? Is their activity presented as typical or atypical? Are they conforming to genre expectations or other conventions?

-          WHY are they present? What purpose do they serve? What are they communicating by their presence? What’s preferred reading?

-          WHERE are they? How are they framed? Are they represented as natural or artificial? What surrounds them? What is in the foreground and what is in the background?

Representation Theory

The Male Gaze (Laura Mulvey)

The cinema apparatus of Hollywood cinema puts the audience in a masculine subject position with the woman on the screen seen as an object of desire. Film and cinematography are structures upon ideas.

Protagonists tended to be men. Mulvey suggests two distinct modes of male gaze – “voyeuristic (women as whores) and fetishistic – women as unreachable Madonna’s”. (Also narcissistic – women watching the film see themselves reflected on the screen).

How we treat people (Richard Dyer)

Dyer argues that how we are seen determines how we are treated and how we treat other people is based on how we see them. This comes from our understanding of representation.

He believes that stereotypes come down to power. Those who have power stereotype those who don’t. 

Myths (Roland Barthes)                                                                                                    
Barthes theory looks quite closely at the idea of mythology, usually in regards to people and places. He suggested that the media often gives us mythic representation or a fairy tale like portrayal or a particular place