Work Experience

Over the christmas break, I had the chance to experience the film industry, this included going through the whole process of producing a film. (It's Confidential, so this is very brief)

Once having gone through the storyboard and overall summary of what's going to happen, I headed of to the studio where 'fitting' and trying the shot in which the director thought was most difficult, so on the actual filming day we would know the blocking (where to stand), and how it should be shot. This took MANY takes.

During the day of going through scenes, I got to observe the studio, and the items that were used in the filming process, one of the camera's used was called 'Weissman' , all the controls looked extremely complicated and the camera itself was very heavy, from day 1 of filming there were many terms that the director used that I was unfamiliar with.
From day 1 the crew have been friendly, and very professional, and I know that this has taught me many things about the life on set/film industry and has been very eye-opening. I think that this experience has opened up many opportunities for me, and has been very eye-opening.

Lesson 4 (10-12-15) Pitching Ideas Lesson

In this lesson each of the groups had to pitch ideas to another group, from this lesson Gigi and I got a lot of feedbacks on what ideas were good but also what could be improved or changed. 

Lesson 3 (08-12-15) Lesson Planning

During this lesson, we finalised the plot, and the different shots we wanted. After having done that, we brainstormed ideas in terms of where, when, and who we wanted to film, as well as list out the different symbolisation we can use. 

Lesson 2 (04-12-15) Planning

Editing:

I also thought about the different effects and editing that could be interesting, there's the idea of double exposure which I got from watching true detective opening, as well as Taylor Swifts 'Style' music video. 

Lesson 1 (1/12/15) Planning

In this first lesson we got into our groups (pairings) : Gigi and I, to plan and discuss the genre of thriller we wanted to do.
We went through many processes to find inspiration and a unique plot. We did this by watching a few movie openings we thought was interesting and seeing whether we can combine it/and twist it so that it fits in with the thriller genre.

These are some of the trailers/openings that we watched:

Skyfall: From this opening we liked the idea of having a slo-mo underwater shot, it also got us to think about the soundtrack used, and since Gigi and I both have a passion in creating music, it inspired us to perhaps compose our own.

The Imitation game: From this trailer it gave us more insight on 'spies' and from this we will develop ideas and make it, so that it fits the 'thriller' genre.

Our first brief plan

Children of Men

Children of men is a 2006 science fiction film. When infertility threatens mankind with extinction and the last child born has perished, Clive Owen becomes the unlikely champion in the fight for the survival of Earth's population; he must face down his own demons and protect the planet's last remaining hope from danger.

From this opening of Children of men,the director creates and reveals to us a cold and lonely tone to the setting. This is first conveyed to us through the protagonist whom is presented as a 'monochrome character' evidence is when he orders black coffee. The theme loneliness is revealed to us through a group shot of the hopeless faces of people who are gathered in the coffee shop looking up at the main focus, which is the tv screen, which can be seen as the 'source of sadness'by using a group shot,this emphasises the dullness and depressing atmosphere in the cafe. The tone of the opening is further shown through the use of diegetic sound of the heartbreaking news and small silent sobs and gasps can be heard in the background, this clearly suggests to the audience the mood that it is conveying(sadness). 

                                       

In terms of editing, there's very limited, only one or two cut scenes, there is a very continuous flow with no dramatic changes in camera angles,thus creating as well as this the camera is hand-held therefore making it seem like we are following the protagonist and the situation, as if we too are chasing for hope.

Credit-Structure

Order of the credits based on the movie 'Panic Room'

SuperNatural Research on Audience

We used a website call YOUGOV to find out more about the different traits of audiences who watch this genre, more specifically these movies.

Sub-gere Film Preparation

For the su-gere film. Ear,Gigi, ad I decided to do 'Psychological,Horror Thriller'

Dexter Credits

Dexter is an American television Crime/Drama series based on Darkly Dreaming Dexter. Main character Michael C. Hall. 

Dexter is a sociopath who doesn't feel things like normal people. He's also a serial killer. He was adopted and raised by a police officer who recognised what he was and, after having a serial killer escape to kill more innocent people, taught him to channel it by only killing other serial killers. He taught him extensively how not to get caught and how to behave like he's normal. He has his adoptive father's teachings or "The Code of Harry" that he follows. He works as a blood splatter analysis with the police department and has access to inside information and knows the techniques they use to catch people. A lot of the show focuses on how it feels to be him and how challenging it is just to appear normal. 

Denotation is the first level of analysis: What the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor. 

Connotation which is the second level of analysis, being what the denotation represents. 


Examples:



Denotation: A Rose

Connotation: Passion and Love






Connotation and Denotation from Dexter's Credit

Thriller Sub-Genre

What are Thrillers?

Thriller conventions

• Crime- people going missing (Gone Girl) 
• Secrets to be revealed: NARRATIVE
• Suspension 
• Enigma- mystery or puzzle: NARRATIVE
• Jump scares (Physical response to a sudden change in sound/images) : TECHNICAL ASPECT
• Emotional Stimulation - fear,anger,confusion: AUDIENCE RESPONSE
• sound effects- to create tension, combination of diegetic and non-diegetic: TECHNICAL ASPECT

when does THRILLER become a HORROR: 

• Gore,Blood 
• Supernatural (?) 
• Lack of mystery- little manipulation of information 

when does THRILLER become a ACTION:

• Little Story
• Excuse for action (set pieces) 

The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.

The narrative centres upon a crime e.g.. theft, murder 

The protagonist is fallible and has an achilles heal that is exploited 

Themes of identity are common mistaken identity, amnesia doubles/ gangsters 

Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring- manipulation of perspective 

A series of animus are set up- only to be solved at the end 

The audience is placed in the ambitious position of 'voyeur' 

Protagonist will be in peril/danger 

The narrative present extra-ordinary things in ordinary situations and settings.The micro-element are used to build suspense

Rear Window - Suspense and Meaning

Rear Window Opening:

What do we learn about the location and the main protagonist (Jeff) with this opening shot?

Dead Dog:

What do we learn about the world of Rear Window from this clip?

What have Se7en and Rear Window got in common?

• Killer
• Victims 
• Urban Suburban 
• Male protagonist, vulnerable/flawed (Mills anger issue, Jeff broken leg) 
• Killer X Protagonist interact for short time 
• Cynical,cold, uncaring world  
• Killer in control

Scary Films / Creating Tension [03.11.15]

Why do we watch scary films : 

• Test yourself
• We know it's not real
• To get a think
• To have physical response: Heart Rate, Adrenaline, Sweat
• Vent, anger,frustration 
• Everyone is a masochist 

Glen D Walters

What makes a film scary -

1) Tension,Suspense : created using narrative and filming techniques 

2) Relevance- The fears explored are relevant to the audience. They 'Believe' 

3) Unrealism- We know we are safe. We can experiment X explore

REAR WINDOW:

-1954
-Characters:
Jimmy Stewart- Jeff
Grace Kelly - Lisa
Raymond Burr - Lars Thorwal
Ethel Ritter - Stella

Creating Tension :
Jeffs (subjective camera)
1) When the killer is returning Jeff knows, we know, Lisa doesn't
2) We know+ Jeff knows - helpless (guilt)
3) Call the police- we know the police are coming- do they get there on time?
4) We don't know what they are talking about, we do not know how Lisa's handling it. How far is the killer going to go.
5) The killer realises he's being watched- what is he going to do?

FEAR [ 03-11-15]

Se7en: Character

Anger scene 1 + 2 :



MILLS:

• Restless full of energy - wants to make stuff happen 
• Agressive,Attitude - Manhandles photographer (Impulsive- kicks door)
• Arrogant- Thinks he knows better 
• Big toddler - no control over emotions, lost and confused 

SOMERSET:

• Wise - wants to understand the meaning of the crimes
• Avoids confrontation 
• Emotionally mature (professional, doing job) 
• Classy 
• Calm 

Bar Scene:

MILLS: try hard, has hope

SOMERSET: hypocrite, tired, worn out (desensitised)

JOHN DOE:
- In lead of his emotions 
-Insensitive
-Believes the world can be a better place through his actions 
-Judges others 
-Cynical
-Methodical 

Se7en: Location X Setting

Scene 1: Exterior Scene

Location: Place (geographical) -
City (Newyork?), 90's. Diegetic noise and traffic)

Setting-
Raining- Dark mood. Buildings look dirty, musty, "dirty green" "dank"
Crime (diegetic sounds) -> 'You actively sort to assigned here?'
The "real world" - "realistic" - not hiding anything
Rough area- Bars on all window, people walk past as body gets carried out (like it's all normal) , Mills gets bumped into- no one apologises. (Aggressive)

Scene 2:

Location: Detective Somerset's Flat

Setting: Classy - antiques, furniture, neat and lives alone (no - family)
Knife- representing violence - protection?, further emphasises that it is a dangerous place, conniption 'crime'
Diegetic sounds- People talking/shouting,siren and traffic- personal space being invaded.

Scene 3: Tracey and Detective Somerset :

Location: Restaurant in the city

Detective says that bringing in new life is a bad idea because the world is such a "terrible" place.
Suggests she goes through abortion-(destroying the new life)

Pathetic Fallacy- The world of se7en weeping for another lost of life

 

Sound Editing: Point Break

In this lesson we went into the ICT room to experiment with sounds (diegetic sounds) and adding it to the movie point break. 

We were shown the video with sounds that have already been added and then we were told to do the task ourselves.

First we had to unlink the sound that was attached to the video,then we had to put in our ow diegetic sounds such as sounds of, car rakes, dogs arkig, running sounds, explosions and doors opening and shutting.

To complete this task we had to use commonsense as to which sounds est fit which clip, for example the scene where the actor is running, I had to choose the running sound which seemed to fit the paste and location of where the actor was running (pavement) 

Western Credits Friday 9th-10-15

1) Aims for the lesson:
This lesson we had to create a western style credit from the movie 'The good, the bad, and the ugly' using premier.

2) What was given?
We used premier, and we had 2 periods to experiment with the different functions,and create a small section of the western credit.



3) The process I went through:

One of the things I learned was how to use the colour matte to make backgrounds appear in different colours. As well as this I also had the chance to better understand the use of keyframes, in this lesson I learned how to make the logos rotate and move across the screen.
Lastly we added in the Titles, here I used the pen tool to create a star shape and played around with the many options that were provided, including font, colour,size and different choices of transition.

4) What I learned and what I found difficult:
This lesson I had learned how to make better use of premier, and the different tools. Once aspect that I felt I got out the most from this lesson was how to edit the sounds(pitch,volume,pace) However an area that I found most difficult and would still like to have another chance to play with would be the keyframes and the use of it aswell as how to use it so that I feel comfortable and that my work comes out the best quality it can.

screenshot of the workspace



One Minute Film - The Interrogation - Final

Editing Process:
Most of the editing process was done by Smart in his free time. In our piece we included were all digits sound effects as they are all from the narrative world, these included ticking of a clock, pen, and walking in heels, we sped up the pace of  these sound effects, because we wanted to create tension and build up suspense which would lead to the climax. In terms of sound we wanted to add a backing track, but this did not happen due to it not fitting with the piece.

As for the visual editing and cutting process most of our transitions were images/scenes being wiped out by the next as well as the use of fade. In the process of filming this we took time to film as many shots so that the cutting process would be easier. This gave us the chance to take out parts that were unnecessary and perhaps add in parts from a different shot. For the climax part of the film (Gun) the whole scene was sped up, this was both to emphasise the tension/climax but also to confuse the audience and make a dramatic ending.


After combining the work of 2 days of filming and 1 day editing we had our final piece:

These are the Good comments as well as the 'What we can improve' comments that we recieved:

The main positive comments were that the sound effects were appropriate for the situation however extra backing track could've been used to help further build up the tension/suspense. Furthermore a few said that there was good use of the range of camera angles.

Most of the 'Improve' comments was about audio issues and how it was not clear due to background noises of the wind, as well as this there were a few comments on the exposure of the camera not being consistent throughout the scenes.

Overall I am proud of our first piece and how it has turned out, through this we got to know each other more and explore the different techniques in filming. There are definitely aspects that need improving and changing, but with more time and further experience I'm sure this won't be hard to achieve. My personal goal for the next tasks is to contribute more in the editing and getting to familiarise with premiere and learn more techniques on that. 

 <3
BLOOPERS: 

One Minute Film - The Interrogation - Lesson 4

This was the last official lesson we had to film and edit, and we still had a few important scenes to film. We spent this last lesson filming the second half of our 1 minute film, which is the climax and the scenes that reveal the most. Once again we took many retakes with different camera angles each time. We varied the shots as much as possible so that the audience can see the situation from many different perspectives, as well as this we also played with the levels. For the scene where we focused on the exchange of the gun we had the camera on the tripod set on the table and angled it so that it faced down onto the table (birds eye-view) personally I think that this was very effective, especially when Smart added in the sound effects.

Screenshots from the birds-eye view:

Furthermore this lesson we also added in flashbacks and scenarios of what happened, this was also another way of conveying to the audience what was going through the suspects mind, without the use of narratives, but having parts of it visually shown to them, this also makes the think more about the situation. We used the black and white effect for the flashbacks, as this makes it clear to the audience that it is from the past. I think that in this lesson we got the most done and learnt the most out of it. 

However although we have the first half filmed and edited, the editing of the second part Smart did in his own time, this is definitaly and aspect that we can improve one: Finishing on the deadline.  

One Minute Film - The Interrogation - Lesson 3

This lesson we focused merely on acting and filming half of the scenes, we filmed up to the part where the gun gets shown to the suspect. In this lesson we played with the camera angles and took many different shots, so that when it comes to editing we can choose the one that looks best. We repeated many scenes and tried doing them in different ways. One of the problems we faced this lesson was the distractions as the classrooms are all mirrored, as well as the sound around us from other people walking past. (As you can see from our reaction here)

I think what went well was that we got more done then we wanted to, close-ups, as well as extra sound effects that help create the suspense. The process of filming this was very exciting, and stressful due to the limited time.

One Minute Film - The Interrogation - Lesson 2

The original plan for lesson two was that we started filming, however this was not yet possible as we still had to make changes to the plot. Also on this day the room that we planned on using to film later was being used, so we spent this time planning out the different camera angles that we shoot from for each of the scenes.

Extreme Close-Up Shot of Gam tapping the pen

Wide-Shot

180 Rule

180 Rule

Close-up (Head and Shoulder)/ Pan Shot

Mid-Shot

180 Rule/Close Up

 Whilst waiting for the room, we also went on a mini adventure to find a clock that was working and filmed it, this was used as our opening scene, and the first sound that is heard is 'ticking', the start of the suspense.
By the end of the second lesson, no doubt we were beginning to feel the pressure of not having the main scenes filmed yet, but in this lesson we had finally summarised our plot and script.