Evaluation of Prelim Shoot

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of Prelim Shoot

  

 

• We filmed in a classroom, in the attempt to create a natural light and the use of ordinary scenery.

• To set up the tripod, you spread the legs out so that the support is equal on all sides. Then we had to attach the handle, which just screws in place (this is use to position all the shots to the right angle). You can then adjust the height of the tripod if desired by clicking three knobs on each leg and shortening or lengthening the legs, then replacing them back into locked position. We then have to assure that the tripod is central. We do this by bubble angling it- make sure that the bubble is in the centre of the circle, insuring its facing straight on.

• The camera is placed onto the tripod by twisting and unlocking the camera hold, pressing a button on the left side of the tripod and sliding the camera into place. Once this is done, we can then open the shutter on the lens. Then we have to insert the memory card and the battery. The battery slides in, into the gap at the back of the camera- we push it down till there is a 'satisfying click'.
  
  We began with a wide shot as this is always advised- if something were to happen to the actors, or a shortage of money, we will always have that wide screen shot. We then had a medium shot of each character (from the waist upwards), getting them to repeat the whole scene twice again. Using the zoom, we then captured a close up of each (shoulders upwards) to get that focus on the facial expressions. Then we aimed for an over the shoulder shot in which we got a eye line match (a follow to capture what one character is witnessing).With a use of low camera angles it creates the idea that one character looks more powering than the other or higher camera angles forming a more feeble and weak figure in the other. Then we focussed on the close up's of objects such as the shoe kicking open the door and the USB stick entering.

• Filming went very well. There were a few moments in which we had to redo scenes, for reasons such as the figure would move out of the shot. Continuity was a slight problem, as we're not experienced enough to have the eye to spot what's wrong. But we managed well enough. The scene was partly improvised around a small amount of text, therefore it was different slightly each time, which was a weakness.

• I thought the task went well for me, and it really helped put confidence into what I was doing when filming. Getting the chance to direct was really interesting as well, as you got to put forward your own personal views as to how you wanted something shot.

• I think I'd perhaps like to improve on the communication with my fellow peers. We didn't discuss a lot on what we all wanted and we would generally follow the crowd.

• I think we generally did perform well as group, as we all get on fine. The lack of communication perhaps kept us back a little. We all rotated roles in filming, giving everyone a chance at constituency, camera man and director. Therefore I got equal amount of chance on each of the roles. However, I preferred to just watch my peers, take notes and learn from them.

•  I'd like to learn how to do a tilt up and down full body shot- perhaps presenting a significant character.

Poster Analysis: The Devil Wears Prada

Poster Analysis: The Devil Wears Prada

 

• Immediately the audience's eyes are drawn to the central object on the page which is obviously the heeled shoe.
• We know quickly, that whoever owns this shoe has ultimate power.
• The use of the triton at the end of the heel links to the title 'Devil' and also indicates danger and power.
• The red is a very crucial colour on the poster. It represents again danger, sex and passion. It's a very bold colour and is used to attract onlookers.
• We know this film now is going to involve power, love and perhaps money.
• The characters are presented in top boxes on the page.
• The two in the middle (Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway) are presented as the same size symbolizing that they're perhaps head to head in battle and have equal power.
• We know distinctly whose the baddy from this poster, as she (Streep) is wearing black, and has that look of slyness on her face.
• Hathaway's character is seen as the nicer and brighter character, merely because of her smiling facial expression; we've already distinguished good and evil.
• We then see there are two additional characters, who seem to be stereotyped moody assistant and camp designer.
• The background design is very simple which directs the audience's focus on the triton heel.

 

 

 

 



Poster Analysis: Tyrannosaur

 

 

Poster Analysis: Tyrannosaur

 

• In the centre of the page, a silhouette of someone stands and we assume this is main character of the film.
• The fact we don't know anything about this character or what he looks like, makes us think his identity isn't important yet to be shown in the poster.
• The figure is holding an object, but it's not at all clear what which is creating a very mysterious setting so far.
• We can see above and below the earth, and below, are the bones of tyrannosaurus rex. This creates a sense of mystery and perhaps there is something to discover- although it isn't clear why the skeleton is there initially.
• The scenery is set amongst nature outside showing this may be quite an open film- no intimacy.
• The tint of the poster is a greyish mist colour, making it look gloomy and miserable- show's it may have sadness and upsetting scenes in it.
• The poster doesn't give a lot away, making it more intriguing. It's not a typical poster- very original and different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Poster Analysis: Children of Men

 

Poser Analysis: Children of Men

 

• Immediately spotted- 2027. Illustrates it'll be a futuristic, sci fi film.
• Glass breaks and cracks demonstrates that the film will be violent and will include some dangerous scenes.
• The man, in this case Clive Owen, has a strong glare and frown on him, indicates the theme is intense.
• He shot from a low camera angle, signifying his importance and that perhaps he's the action hero of the story.
• The red symbol within the title is a bleeding earth. This shows that it could possibly be a dystopian futuristic movie, in which destruction will come about.

 



Poster Analysis: Trance

 

 

Poster Analysis: Trance

• The women, in this case Rosario Dawson, is placed full central and in the front which signifies perhaps she empowers both men.
• All the characters are looking in various directions. We as an audience can tell there is some sort of secret or mystery hidden between them.
• The gun clearly demonstrates the film is a thriller and about violence.
• The background creates a hypnotic state for the audience
• The colours are specifically picked, and are placed in an order that forms scenery or landscape.
• The pattern of the background, is very distinctly a fingerprint design. Fingerprint traces lead to the idea of being hunted down, security, crime.
• We know now this is a psychological thriller.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analysis of The Awakening Presentation

 

Analysis of The Awakening Presentation

For prep, we had to create a presentation which demonstrated 'mise en scene' in the beginning of a horror film. I have picked The Awakening starring Dominic West, Rebecca Hall and Imelda Staunton. I completed my presentation on Prezi.

Click here: The Awakening Presentation

Introduction to camera's

Media's introduction to camera's

 

CAMERA AND TRIPOD

 

We used Sony NX 5 camera's to capture our film, as they are easily portable and are light to carry. The camera's are semi professional, and therefore give us good quality film, show us the detail of professional camera's- as close as it's going to get.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bubble angling

 

 To assure the camera is exactly in centre, you must use the handle to position the angle of the bubble and ensure it is in the centre of the circle provided.

 

 

 

 

Zoom and focus and white balance

 

We adjust the zoom with the second lens twist. Frequently we have to zoom close up onto objects, to focus on the detail on the object, therefore leading it to be constantly in focus, whatever the zoom we choose. The white balance is the 2nd most crucial lens on the camera. It is the process of removing unrealistic colour's and correcting it to the realistic colour of the picture you are capturing.

 

 

The first lens:

 

 Focus

 

The second lens:

 

Zoom

 

The third lens:

White balance

 

 

 

 

 

Battery

 

The battery must be inserted at the back of the camera, with arrow pointing down. Push into the gap, and pull down until a satisfying click occurs.

 

 

 

 

SHOTS

 

 

180 degree rule

 

The 180 degree rule is a crucial and important aspect to film and media. The 'line of vision' is a halfway line in which the camera cannot cross. If this does happen, the result is that the actor's will look as if they're both standing on the same side. To get the right portrayal, we must keep them on opposite sides, to distinguish they're having a conversation.

 

 

Constituency

 

Constituency is crucial for the actors as it assures they return to the exact spot they were at before. If this is not completed, the shot's will look jolted and out of place, as if the character has moved. Usually on a professional film, someone will have the job of constituency- it's key they have a good eye and memory for the job.

 

 

Step by step of shots

•  A simple wide shot of the scene, capturing both characters and the actions
• Then a medium shot of each character (from the waist upwards), getting them to repeat the whole scene twice again
• Using the zoom, we then captured a close up of each (shoulders upwards) to get that focus on the facial expressions
• Then aimed for an over the shoulder shot in which we got a eye line match (we follow to capture what one character is witnessing).
• Use of lower camera angles helped the characters look more powering or higher camera angles forming a more feeble and weak quality.
• Focussing on the close up's of objects such as the shoe kicking open the door and the USB stick entering
• The closer you zoom in for the different shots, the harder it is to keep the figure in the picture, however we soon realised that once it comes to the editing, we can edit mistakes out like that easily. 



Analysis of Zirgi

 

 

 

 

Analysis of Hurtwood Thriller: Zirgi

 

 

The video begins in creating that idea of huge suspense building up already, as the audience are not clear on what's about to happen- there we are straight in and aware of the genre, which is thriller. The first section is filmed from the back seat of the car, clearly presenting the realistic lighting and diegetic sound e.g. the engine, the car door. The lack of music and pure diegetic sounds followers through that horror/thriller theme.

 

Flashback is then used at a fast pace, catching the audience unexpected therefore forming the effect of shock. The use of held camera forms a shaky result making it look as if we're watching from the perspective of an onlooker. All of this added with the deadly silence makes the audience question thoroughly into what's going on. The light is always cleverly natural, usefully having emphasis on shadows and dark spots, keeping it continuously realistic.

 

A hand raises upon the wall, which is enhanced by lighting. This light then reflects of the blood on the hand, emphasizing the danger in the scene. Also remind us of the fact it's a thriller and perhaps it involves a killer/murderer.

 

We can understand what the narrative is about because the character within in the scene use communication and discussion, presenting us with a vague idea of the plot in the film. This together with the flashbacks, and cutting back to past situations, gives us a additional information on what the films based around. The characters are distinctly evil and dangerous; we can tell this from the use of darkness and shadow creating that creepy, ghostly and deadly result. This together with the close up shots of their faces (head shot) and suspicious movement, forms a negative character representation.             

 



Analysis of Mise En Scene in Hana

 

 

 

 

How sound and Mise En Scene are used to

convey a meaning in the film Hanna

 

Hanna is a thriller which is evident to the audience immediately in this scene, demonstrated by the use sound and lighting. We assume just down to effects, that the majority of this film, will be in the style and genre of a thriller.

The beginning use of sound initially in this scene is simple, however not silent. It creates a feeling of anticipation- we know something is about to happen. A faint humming sound of a ventilator is all that can be heard (apart from the conversation between Hanna and the agent). The use of this diegetic sound also forms the idea of isolation and a claustrophobic feel. These both add to the attempt of growing suspense, helping the audience to question what are the next moves of Hanna in this scene. All of this sense of anticipation relates us back to the fact that this film is a thriller, and we should feel nervous- which we do! The action begins at the distinct diegetic snapping of the neck- like a trigger we've been awaiting. The non-diegetic music that follows has a techno, electric feel to it, as if the action is happening within  a video game- the fast beat links together with the fast pace of the scene. This excitement built in the scene all helps in the audience's support and likeability towards Hanna as we want her to succeed.

 

 

About myself

Hello,
I'm Elizabeth and I'm studying in my first year at Hurtwood House.
I take Media, English Literature, Theatre and Psychology.

I took media because it follows closely together with my passion for theatre, film and performance.

Favourite films:

-The bridges of Madison County
-To kill a mocking Bird
-Much ado about nothing
-Enid

  Favourite musicals:

• Sweeney Todd
• Les Miserable
• Anything goes
• Thoroughly Modern Millie

Favourite actor- Johnny Depp

Favourite actress- Meryl Streep