Saturday, 6 September 2014
Friday, 5 September 2014
Film Marketing and Distribution.
Do your own research. Who are the key companies that market films? Which company would relate to your product the most and why?Consider this post alongside the following post before you write anything.
Film marketing is very expensive, as this is where the film goes into the market to be sold to an audience. Prices can increase if the product has a limited shelf life. Its more likely that the movie has to be a big hit when first brought out or at least a big hit on a weekend, otherwise it's unsuccessful for the company as they have a loss on their investment.
Most block buster movies already have an audience. The studio has a greenlit a huge budget for the movie coming out because they already know people who will go and see it. This often happens because it is based on a media text that already has a wide audience.
Studios have a huge operating overhead, and put out a lot of flops that make no money at all, so they need a guarantee that a blockbuster movie is going to be make not just a small profit, but a comfortable one. After spending $100 million dollars on a movie they can spend 50% as much again (or more) on marketing.
Distribution is the process of launching a movie to the public or into the public place and then sustaining the publics views and opinions. For a movie to be financially successful, the film will need to be marketed, positioned and publicised.
Film marketing is very expensive, as this is where the film goes into the market to be sold to an audience. Prices can increase if the product has a limited shelf life. Its more likely that the movie has to be a big hit when first brought out or at least a big hit on a weekend, otherwise it's unsuccessful for the company as they have a loss on their investment.
Most block buster movies already have an audience. The studio has a greenlit a huge budget for the movie coming out because they already know people who will go and see it. This often happens because it is based on a media text that already has a wide audience.
Studios have a huge operating overhead, and put out a lot of flops that make no money at all, so they need a guarantee that a blockbuster movie is going to be make not just a small profit, but a comfortable one. After spending $100 million dollars on a movie they can spend 50% as much again (or more) on marketing.
Distribution is the process of launching a movie to the public or into the public place and then sustaining the publics views and opinions. For a movie to be financially successful, the film will need to be marketed, positioned and publicised.
Convergence
Convergence:
Technological convergence refers to the process where new technology is moving towards single platforms delivering multiple media outputs that can be used to reach audiences, for example, a PS3′s primary function is video gaming but you can download and watch movies from Lovefilm.com on it and also watch catch up TV and music videos.
Convergent technology is technology that allows an audience to consume more than one type of media from a single platform.
Lots of aspects of the internet e.g. social networking, YouTube, online editions of newspapers and magazines are convergent but candidates cannot quote the internet as the sole aspect of their answer. Their answer needs to be linked into the media area they are talking about (Film, Music, Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Video Games). E.g if they were talking about newspapers you could link in to their online editions and talk about how this differs from the traditional paper version and the opportunities it presents or if talking about film, candidates could, for example, point to facebook campaigns advertising a film or viral marketing spread via the internet.
Digital projection is convergent technology because films that are produced digitally have moved away from the physical film medium and can be supplied to theatres in digital format (lower costs for distribution versus higher start up costs for theatres switching to digital technology). As the film is in digital format there are also cost savings as potentially less work needs to be done on the film to get it onto Blu-Ray, DVD, internet trailers etc as no physical conversion needs to take place because the film is already in digital format.
Cross Media Convergence is really a Business Studies term and refers to companies coming together vertically or horizontally (or both). The example often cited in exams is of Working Title making use of its parent company(s) to gain access to bigger stars and a better distribution network for their films.
Technological convergence refers to the process where new technology is moving towards single platforms delivering multiple media outputs that can be used to reach audiences, for example, a PS3′s primary function is video gaming but you can download and watch movies from Lovefilm.com on it and also watch catch up TV and music videos.
Convergent technology is technology that allows an audience to consume more than one type of media from a single platform.
Lots of aspects of the internet e.g. social networking, YouTube, online editions of newspapers and magazines are convergent but candidates cannot quote the internet as the sole aspect of their answer. Their answer needs to be linked into the media area they are talking about (Film, Music, Magazines, Newspapers, Radio, Video Games). E.g if they were talking about newspapers you could link in to their online editions and talk about how this differs from the traditional paper version and the opportunities it presents or if talking about film, candidates could, for example, point to facebook campaigns advertising a film or viral marketing spread via the internet.
Digital projection is convergent technology because films that are produced digitally have moved away from the physical film medium and can be supplied to theatres in digital format (lower costs for distribution versus higher start up costs for theatres switching to digital technology). As the film is in digital format there are also cost savings as potentially less work needs to be done on the film to get it onto Blu-Ray, DVD, internet trailers etc as no physical conversion needs to take place because the film is already in digital format.
Cross Media Convergence is really a Business Studies term and refers to companies coming together vertically or horizontally (or both). The example often cited in exams is of Working Title making use of its parent company(s) to gain access to bigger stars and a better distribution network for their films.
Film institutions
Media Ownership- When an organization owns more than one type of media company, for example a newspaper and a television station.
Media Conglomerate- A media conglomerate, media group or media institution is a company that owns large numbers of companies in various mass media such as television, radio, publishing, movies, and the Internet.
Media convergence - Two or more types of media coming together.
Synergy - Different elements of a company working together to promote related products.
Concentration of Media Ownership - the process by which an increasingly smaller number of companies own most media outlets.
Subsidiary - Smaller companies owned by a parent company.
Oligopoly - When the market is dominated by a smaller number of companies.
What is a Log Line?
Log Lines.
A logline is a one (or occasionally two) sentence description that boils the script down to its essential dramatic narrative in as succinct a manner as possible.
Crucially, a logline contains all the elements necessary for the telling of a good story. It is written for industry professionals to show them that you can create a viable story for the script – a marketing hook alone won’t cut it.
One further note that you won’t like: A logline is the DNA of your script. If you can’t make the logline work, it’s probably because the story in your script doesn’t work. This is why some people suggest writing a logline for your idea before embarking on the script.
Flash Card Deck created by CaseyAmber with ExamTime
My Log line.
A young man suffering from short term memory loss caused by injuries in the army, uses photos and letters to track down his loved one who's kept in hostage. However the journey doesn't go to plan.
The Silence of the Lambs.
A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
Rated 18 118 min - Crime | Drama | Thriller - 31 May 1991 (UK)
Director - Jonathan Deme
Psycho.A Phoenix secretary steals $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.
109 min - Horror | Mystery | Thriller - 8 September 1960 (USA)
Director - Alfred Hitchcock
The Imitation GameEnglish mathematician and logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the Enigma code during World War II.
- Biography | Drama | Thriller - 14 November 2014 (UK)
Director - Morten Tyldum.
A logline is a one (or occasionally two) sentence description that boils the script down to its essential dramatic narrative in as succinct a manner as possible.
Crucially, a logline contains all the elements necessary for the telling of a good story. It is written for industry professionals to show them that you can create a viable story for the script – a marketing hook alone won’t cut it.
One further note that you won’t like: A logline is the DNA of your script. If you can’t make the logline work, it’s probably because the story in your script doesn’t work. This is why some people suggest writing a logline for your idea before embarking on the script.
Flash Card Deck created by CaseyAmber with ExamTime
My Log line.
A young man suffering from short term memory loss caused by injuries in the army, uses photos and letters to track down his loved one who's kept in hostage. However the journey doesn't go to plan.
The Silence of the Lambs.
A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.
Rated 18 118 min - Crime | Drama | Thriller - 31 May 1991 (UK)
Director - Jonathan Deme
Psycho.A Phoenix secretary steals $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.
109 min - Horror | Mystery | Thriller - 8 September 1960 (USA)
Director - Alfred Hitchcock
The Imitation GameEnglish mathematician and logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the Enigma code during World War II.
- Biography | Drama | Thriller - 14 November 2014 (UK)
Director - Morten Tyldum.
Analysing Previous AS students OTS.
This title sequence called 'Torn' is very well done. Immediately they have a wide ranges of camera shots and has used a great amount of edits for example the fuzzy image of the doll when he walks into his shed. They have used soundtrack which fits perfectly to the video as it creates a tense and freaky vibe. However they have placed their title at the end of the clip which makes it out to be like a trailer rather than opening title sequence. On the good side, they have used the right amount of credits. I would rate this as a level 3 because though it has followed the right rules, I would say its not intense enough and doesn't give us a clue of what kind of story we're about to watch.
The Vengenace opening sequence is good but I would rate it around a level 1/2 as i think it hasn't got the best quality in filming or editing. They have also left the title to the end of the opening sequence, which come across as a trailer. However there is some good points to this opening sequence, they have used a good amount of camera work and sound track plus the idea of someone creeping across though it does reveal a bit too much before the film would actually start.
This video hasn't got a title to it however a title 'Bloody Tears' stood out in capitals letter coloured red so I'm only thinking that was the title of this opening sequence. Unlike the other videos, they have actually placed the title near to the beginning, this is a advantage as it doesn't look like a trailer. This OTS also has the right amount of credits too. They have used a good range of camera movement and shots however they aren't the best quality. This feels as if it will be hard to carry out a movie after this opening sequence as we wouldn't really know where to begin, it gives away too much. At the end they have done really well with the overlapped speaking which comes across more tense and emotional.
I would rate this title sequence a level 2 because I think it needs better and higher quality. They have used a good range of shot sizes and only some good edits however they haven't experimented enough with different edits. This doesn't seem like an opening sequence as its given away too much already, normally it wouldn't reveal so much however this has already introduced the two main characters after one another. They have also placed the title at the end of the title sequence, giving the effect of an trailer.
Credits – Length of / Number of / Placement of and Top Billing and Single Cards for Main Actors and timelines
It is common that an Opening Title Sequence will at least contain 24 titles within the credits. With no doubt the main characters would generally come first and the director last. With in credits, it is important that all the titles are the same length of time, same font and usually same font size unless it is a heading.
When having popular actors in a film, it is more likely they will be introduced on their own single card. So for example if Julia Roberts was starring in a romance, her name would be introduce on screen on its own, without any other titles on the screen. For example; Jennifer Aniston has a contract for her name to be on her own card, to show the significance of their roles.
Credits can be shown on any background. There are some opening titles that have just a blank board behind it, or just a static image from the movie or it could even be a scene of action. When having static images and blank boards it comes across like a slide show and it works quite similar.
For my opening sequence I will use this rule of having 24 titles, doesn't matter whether I have 24 people to include. Using 24 titles will make it look more professional and well presented. I would like my background to be pain backgrounds but also action involved in the background as I think it makes it more interesting and viewers get attracted easily.
When having popular actors in a film, it is more likely they will be introduced on their own single card. So for example if Julia Roberts was starring in a romance, her name would be introduce on screen on its own, without any other titles on the screen. For example; Jennifer Aniston has a contract for her name to be on her own card, to show the significance of their roles.
Credits can be shown on any background. There are some opening titles that have just a blank board behind it, or just a static image from the movie or it could even be a scene of action. When having static images and blank boards it comes across like a slide show and it works quite similar.
For my opening sequence I will use this rule of having 24 titles, doesn't matter whether I have 24 people to include. Using 24 titles will make it look more professional and well presented. I would like my background to be pain backgrounds but also action involved in the background as I think it makes it more interesting and viewers get attracted easily.
Analysis of TypeFaces/Positioning and Movement
If I define the word typography, Typography is the arrangement of words to create a sense of good design that will be appealing to the target audience. The arrangement of types involves selecting the point size, the style of type face, the line length, line spacing, letter spacing and adjustment of the spacing between lettering this is called kerning. Sans serif type faces have the connotation of being bold, balanced and traditional.
A Sans Serif is a category of typefaces which don't use serifs. Serifs is small lines at the end of each letter character. There are popular sans serif fonts which include Helvetica, Avant Garde, Ariel and Geneva. Serif fonts include Time Roman, Courier, Palatino and New Century Schoolbook.
Serif is the opposite to Sans Serif. The typeface has a decorative line added as embellishment to the basic font. The most common serif typeface is Times Roman. Here is an example of Serif font and Sans Serif.
A Sans Serif is a category of typefaces which don't use serifs. Serifs is small lines at the end of each letter character. There are popular sans serif fonts which include Helvetica, Avant Garde, Ariel and Geneva. Serif fonts include Time Roman, Courier, Palatino and New Century Schoolbook.
Serif is the opposite to Sans Serif. The typeface has a decorative line added as embellishment to the basic font. The most common serif typeface is Times Roman. Here is an example of Serif font and Sans Serif.
Conventions of OTS
A opening title sequence is the method which film programs present their key title and credit productions. They would also show the cast members with in the title sequence. Opening credits of motion are mostly shown at the beginning and list the most important characters with in the film or program. These are either shown on a blank canvas or placed over a static image, sometimes they are also shown over the action which is sometimes accompanied by music.
Credits - last around 2 minutes.
Theme tune
Title
Sense of film
Enigma
Credits - last around 2 minutes.
Theme tune
Title
Sense of film
Enigma
History of Opening Sequences.
A History Of The Title Sequence from From Form on Vimeo.
This was designed as a possible title sequence which was for
fictitious documentary. In this film it shows a history of the title sequence
which includes all the names of famous title designers who had a revolutionary
impact on the history and evolution of the title sequence. These names refer to
specific characteristics of the revolutionary titles that they had designed.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/10/04/the-art-of-the-film-title-throughout-cinema-history/
What are OTS?
A title sequence is the method by which films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/19/30-unforgettable-movie-title-sequences/
A job of a opening sequence is to represent the film, trying to make a good first impression on the audience watching. A title sequence which has been well-crafted introduces the audience to the tone and theme of the film, not only crew and the cast.
However some film sequences aren't well made up, some have budgetary constraints which limits them to a simple, white text on black background however make it as good as possible. Some people prefer to take the minimalist road and omit the titles together which takes us straight to the action/story.
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/12/19/30-unforgettable-movie-title-sequences/
A job of a opening sequence is to represent the film, trying to make a good first impression on the audience watching. A title sequence which has been well-crafted introduces the audience to the tone and theme of the film, not only crew and the cast.
However some film sequences aren't well made up, some have budgetary constraints which limits them to a simple, white text on black background however make it as good as possible. Some people prefer to take the minimalist road and omit the titles together which takes us straight to the action/story.
Explanation of Pre-Production / Production / Post-Production
In media, Pre-production refers to the tasks which needs to be completed or executed before filming. These tasks include a many things such as hiring actors or models, building sets, budgeting, planning, scheduling, renting for equipment and tests.
Production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed during the filming. Production includes the tasks of setting up scenes, the capture of raw footage and the usage of set designs so that a few of the many pre-production tasks can be named. In film creation, production is the second step as it follows the pre-production phase and then evolves into the next which is post production stage.
Post-production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed after the filming ends. Post production includes editing the raw footage to cut scenes, inserting effects of transitions and sounds, working with voice actors and dubbing. This is the third and final step in film creation as it follows after pre-production and production stage.
Production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed during the filming. Production includes the tasks of setting up scenes, the capture of raw footage and the usage of set designs so that a few of the many pre-production tasks can be named. In film creation, production is the second step as it follows the pre-production phase and then evolves into the next which is post production stage.
Post-production refers to the tasks that must be completed or executed after the filming ends. Post production includes editing the raw footage to cut scenes, inserting effects of transitions and sounds, working with voice actors and dubbing. This is the third and final step in film creation as it follows after pre-production and production stage.
Pre-Production
Our Story.
Our opening title sequence will be about a Soldier with amnesia who has lost his loved ones and is determined to track them down. He receives a box of photos and love letters which will give him a clue to where they could be and who might have taken them.
Log Line.
· Tripod
· Lights
· Back drop
· Computer
· Capable leads
· Extension leads
· Batteries and memory card for camera
· Actors
Prop List.
· Wooden Box
· Photo’s
· Love letters
· Army Cadet outfit
· Candles – lighter
· Drama students/students
· Table
· Table cover
· Cupboard
Our opening title sequence will be about a Soldier with amnesia who has lost his loved ones and is determined to track them down. He receives a box of photos and love letters which will give him a clue to where they could be and who might have taken them.
Equipment
List.
·
Camera· Tripod
· Lights
· Back drop
· Computer
· Capable leads
· Extension leads
· Batteries and memory card for camera
· Actors
Prop List.
· Wooden Box
· Photo’s
· Love letters
· Army Cadet outfit
· Candles – lighter
· Drama students/students
· Table
· Table cover
· Cupboard
Encoding and Decoding
The first Encoding and Decoding model of communication was developed by cultural studies scholar Stuart Hall. Stuart Hall is a cultural professor and theorist of Sociology who studied at the Open university. Hall has had a major influence on media studies. He claims that television and other audiences in media are presented with decoded messages, or either interpreted in different ways depending on the individuals cultural background, economic standing and personal experiences.
Stuart Hall looked at the role of audience positioning. Which was interpreted of mass media texts by different social groups. From this Hall came up with a model and suggested three ways that we may read media texts. These are the suggested three -
- Dominant reading - this is where the reader fully accepts the preferred reading. Meaning audiences will read the text the way the author wanted them to. This would make the code seem natural and transparent.
- The negotiated reading - This is when the reader believes the code and accepts the preferred reading, however it sometime modifies it so that it reflects their own position, experiences and also interests.
- The oppositional reading - Readers which reject the reading. This is their social position which places them in an oppositional relation to the dominant code.
Audience Research Methods
How do we measure media audiences?
We measure media audiences in various ways, some methods can be to analyse sales, subscriptions, rating and figures.
Who measures audiences?
National Readership Study: The National Readership Study (NRS) was established in 1956 and today provides the most authoritative and valued audience research in use for print advertising in the UK. The survey itself covers 250 of Britain's major newspapers and magazines, showing the size and nature of the audiences they achieve.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board: The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) is the organisation responsible for providing the official measurement of UK television audiences. BARB is responsible for providing estimates of the number of people watching television. This includes which channels and programmes are being watched, when they are watched and the type of people who are watching at any one times.
http://www.nrs.co.uk/
http://abc.go.com/
http://www.barb.co.uk/
Film Rating
The categories of film rating
U: Suitable for all
PG: Parental guidance
12: Video release suitable for 12 years and over
12A: Cinema release suitable for 12 years and over
15: Suitable for only 15 years and over
18: Suitable for only adults
R18: Adult works for licensed premises only.
Comprehending Time
When you watch a movie, the timing is always faster than actual time. Well screening isn't actually taken in real time. Films usually present whole lives presented in a short period of time and this is usually 90 minutes long however if it is a 60 minute long TV series or documentary it would normally take around 8 months. In some cases there are conventions which denote time passing, from the time/date information.
There are other devices which manipulates time such as;
Other time manipulation in films include:
Flash forward.
There are other devices which manipulates time such as;
- Flashbacks. - Flashbacks are when a person thinks back to an event which may hold a memory or could solve into it.
- Dream sequences - Dream sequences is a technique used in storytelling. It is mainly used to set a brief interlude from the main story.
- Flash forwards - A flash forward takes the narrative forward in time from the current point in time. Flash-forwards are often used to represent events expected, projected, or imagined to occur in the future
Other time manipulation in films include:
- Repetition
- Pre-figuring of events that have not yet taken place
- Reverse motion
- Freeze frame
- Ambiguous time
Flashback.
Flash forward.
Audience Positioning
New Media Terminology to Use in Blog and Essays:
Audience Engagement This describes how an audience interacts with a media text. Different people react in different ways to the same text.
Audience Expectations
These are the ideas the audience have in advance of seeing a media text. This particularly applies to genre pieces. Don't forget producers continually play with or shatter audiences expectations.
Point of View.
Bird eyes view is a view which is directly overhead or could say over the top of the subject which is unusual angle. Objects from this angle is more likely not to be recognised for example umbrellas in a crowd. However this shot puts the audience in a god-like positioned and looking down onto the action. Through this shot people can be made to look insignificant, ant-like, part of a wider scheme of things.
Shot reverse shot.
Shot reverse shot is a editing of dialogue sequences. It relates with 180 degree rule and the eye line match. Shot reverse shot is a film technique where the 1st character is shown looking at another character (2nd) and then the 2nd character is then shown to be looking back at the 1st character. Once this is repeated viewed a few times, the viewer’s unconsciously assumes that they are looking at each other.
Audience Engagement This describes how an audience interacts with a media text. Different people react in different ways to the same text.
Audience Expectations
These are the ideas the audience have in advance of seeing a media text. This particularly applies to genre pieces. Don't forget producers continually play with or shatter audiences expectations.
Point of View.
A point of view shot is a short film scene where it shows what
a character or subject is looking at or what is represented through the camera.
It is usually established by being positioned between a shot of a character
looking at another object and also showing the characters reaction (here they
would use a shot reverse shot). The technique of point of view is of the
foundations of film editing.
The point of view shot doesn’t need to be strict straight front on a single character in film but can also be taken over the shoulder of the character, who remains visible on the screen. Sometimes the point of view shot is shared with other characters and represents the joint view of how many characters.
Bird's eye. The point of view shot doesn’t need to be strict straight front on a single character in film but can also be taken over the shoulder of the character, who remains visible on the screen. Sometimes the point of view shot is shared with other characters and represents the joint view of how many characters.
Bird eyes view is a view which is directly overhead or could say over the top of the subject which is unusual angle. Objects from this angle is more likely not to be recognised for example umbrellas in a crowd. However this shot puts the audience in a god-like positioned and looking down onto the action. Through this shot people can be made to look insignificant, ant-like, part of a wider scheme of things.
Shot reverse shot.
Shot reverse shot is a editing of dialogue sequences. It relates with 180 degree rule and the eye line match. Shot reverse shot is a film technique where the 1st character is shown looking at another character (2nd) and then the 2nd character is then shown to be looking back at the 1st character. Once this is repeated viewed a few times, the viewer’s unconsciously assumes that they are looking at each other.
Audience Classification
Audience and groups:
Group A:
- Doctors
- Scientists
- Lawyers
- Well paid professionals
Group B:
- Teachers
- Middle management
- Fairly well paid professionals
Group C1:
- Junior management
- Bank clerks
- Nurses
- 'White collar' professions
Group C2:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- 'Blue collar' professionals
Group D:
- Manual workers such as;
- Drivers
- Post sorters
Group E:
- Students
- Unemployed
- Pensioners
Quantitative Research is used to quantify the problem by generating numerical data or either the data can be transformed into useable statistics. This is used to quantify attitudes, opinions, behaviours, and other defined variable. This will also generalize results from a larger sample population. This method uses measurable resources and data to formulate facts and uncover patterns in research. These methods are a much stronger and better method than Qualitative method. This is evident where as quantitative data collection methods include various forms of surveys – online surveys, paper surveys, mobile surveys and kiosk surveys, face-to-face interviews, telephone interviews, longitudinal studies, website interceptors, online polls, and systematic observations.
Impact on audiences
How do we measure media audiences?
We measure media audiences in various ways, some methods can be to analyse sales, subscriptions, rating and figures.
Who measures audiences?
National Readership Study: The National Readership Study (NRS) was established in 1956 and today provides the most authoritative and valued audience research in use for print advertising in the UK. The survey itself covers 250 of Britain's major newspapers and magazines, showing the size and nature of the audiences they achieve.
We measure media audiences in various ways, some methods can be to analyse sales, subscriptions, rating and figures.
Who measures audiences?
National Readership Study: The National Readership Study (NRS) was established in 1956 and today provides the most authoritative and valued audience research in use for print advertising in the UK. The survey itself covers 250 of Britain's major newspapers and magazines, showing the size and nature of the audiences they achieve.
Broadcasters' Audience Research Board: The Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) is the organisation responsible for providing the official measurement of UK television audiences. BARB is responsible for providing estimates of the number of people watching television. This includes which channels and programmes are being watched, when they are watched and the type of people who are watching at any one times.
Narrative - Three act structure.
Act I - The first act (Act I), compromises the first quarter of the screenplay. (For a two hour movie, Act I would be approximately 30 minutes)
What happens in Act I? (Setup)
Exposition: The part of the story that gives the characters an introduction, this basically gives the audience an insight of the characters and what type of characters they are; it shows some of their interrelationships and place them within a time and place.
This part of the story introduces three separate aspects; the main character, the dramatic premise and the dramatic situation.
Main Character: The person in the story who has a need/object to achieve and whose actions determine the drive of the story.
Dramatic Premise: What the story itself is about
Dramatic Situation: The circumstances which is surrounding the action.
Inciting Incident - An event that sets the plot of the film in motion. It occurs about halfway through Act I.
The ''Plot Point'' - According to field, the three acts are separated by two plot points. A plot point (which is sometimes referred to a reversal) is an event that thrusts the plot in a new direction, leading into a new act of the screenplay. Later screenplay gurus have built on Field's theory by stating that plot point #1, which leads into Act II, is the moment when the hero takes on the problem.Act Two
Act II - The second act (Act II), compromises the next two quarters of the film. (For a two hour movie, Act II would approximately be 60 minutes)
What happens in Act II? (Confrontation)
Obstacles - In the second act, the main character encounters obstacle after obstacle that prevent him from achieving his dramatic need.
First Culmination - This is the point just before the hallway mark of the film where the main character seems close to achieving his or her main goal/objective. Shortly afterwards, everything falls apart which then leads to the midpoint.
Midpoint - This is the point approximately halfway through the film where the main character reaches his/her lowest point (weakness) and seems very far away from fulfilling the dramatic need/objective.Act Three
Act III - The third and final act (Act III) comprises the final quarter of the film. (For a two hour movie, Act III would approximately be the final 30 minutes)
What happens in Act III? (Resolution)
Climax (Second Culmination) - This is the point at which the plot reaches its maximum tension and the forces in the opposition confront each other at a peak (highest/tension point) of emotional or physical action.
Denouement - The brief period of calm at the end of the film where a state of equilibrium (which was seen at the start of the film) returns.
Three Act Structure on The Dark Knight.
Narrative and Its 6 Codes.
Narratives 6 codes.
The story of this film is Clarice is put in charge of finding a woman who has gone missing, from a serial killer. This is represented in the opening title sequence as it starts off with an establishing shot of a dark, misty forest which suggests an mysterious but gloomy effect and this may put the audience into a uncomfortable but wondering mood. The camera tilts down towards the woman and turns into a extreme long shot of the woman (Clarice). She is running through a forest and has an overall messy appearance and when running she is running through an obstacle course which looks pretty intense and hard to do, this shows her hard working and determination. This determination then relates back to the story as she is the finding the killer, she is determined to find them and get revenge. The protagonist of this film is an FBI Agent, Clarice Starling. The antagonist of this film is a psychopath Hannibal Lecter.
- Technical Code - anything 'technical' that goes into a narrative, e.g. camera, sound, design and editing.
- Verbal Code - how language is used, written and spoken.
- Symbolic Code - clues within the narrative
- Structure - Todrov's theory. Equilibrium
- Character - protagonist, antagonist, side helper, donor, mentor and father.
- Narrative conflict - Levi-Strauss' theory that all narratives are moved forward by a conflict caused by opposing forces
The story of this film is Clarice is put in charge of finding a woman who has gone missing, from a serial killer. This is represented in the opening title sequence as it starts off with an establishing shot of a dark, misty forest which suggests an mysterious but gloomy effect and this may put the audience into a uncomfortable but wondering mood. The camera tilts down towards the woman and turns into a extreme long shot of the woman (Clarice). She is running through a forest and has an overall messy appearance and when running she is running through an obstacle course which looks pretty intense and hard to do, this shows her hard working and determination. This determination then relates back to the story as she is the finding the killer, she is determined to find them and get revenge. The protagonist of this film is an FBI Agent, Clarice Starling. The antagonist of this film is a psychopath Hannibal Lecter.
Narrative - Enigma, Story and Plot
Narrative - Narrative is the order in which film is told. In terms of Media, narrative is the organisation of media texts which means story. A human uses narrative in its head to make sense of thing. Therefore we all connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. Narrative is correlated with genre as same genres have typically known story line.
Narrative Enigma - the purpose of narrative enigma is that it engages audiences attention, which keeps them curious and interested with the narrative. This is essential to when a programme creates their own title sequence.
Difference between narrative story and plot.
A narrative story is what happens in the film which includes a backstory however a narrative plot is the order in which the story is told throughout the film.
If I was to put the series of crime events from a narrative story, it would more than likely go like this:
Narrative Enigma - the purpose of narrative enigma is that it engages audiences attention, which keeps them curious and interested with the narrative. This is essential to when a programme creates their own title sequence.
Difference between narrative story and plot.
A narrative story is what happens in the film which includes a backstory however a narrative plot is the order in which the story is told throughout the film.
If I was to put the series of crime events from a narrative story, it would more than likely go like this:
- Crime conceive > Crime planned > Crime committed > Crime discovered > Detective investigates > Identifies criminal.
- Crime discovered > Detective investigates > Identifies crime > Crime conceived > Planned crime > Committed crime.
Hybrid Genres and Sub Genres.
Film genres are identifiable types, categories, classifications or groups of films that have similar techniques or conventions such as:
I didn't produce this slide share, I found it. I chose this to go on my blog because I think this is helpful to me as it gives me facts and information about genres.
Neale (2003) points out that generic norms and conventions may be recognized and understood by audiences, readers and viewers. Genre frames audience expectations, whereby viewers bring a set of assumptions with them and anticipate that these will somehow be met in the viewing experience. This brings audience pleasure. The demands of commercial practices necessitate that generic forms must somehow ‘guarantee meaning and pleasure’ in order to locate and retain a sizeable audience to justify a return on substantial investment.
Hybrid Genres.
A cross-genre (or hybrid genre) is a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres. As opposed to the (literary and political) conservatism of most genre fiction, cross-genre writing offers opportunities for opening up debates and stimulating discussion.
Subgenre.
Subgenres are identifiable subclasses almost like a sub-heading however within a larger genre. They have their own subject matter, style, formulas and iconography.
- Content
- Subject matter
- Themes
- Mood
- Period
- Plot
- Settings
- Recurring icons
- Narrative events
- Motifs
- Styles
- Stars
- Props
- Stock characters
I didn't produce this slide share, I found it. I chose this to go on my blog because I think this is helpful to me as it gives me facts and information about genres.
Neale (2003) points out that generic norms and conventions may be recognized and understood by audiences, readers and viewers. Genre frames audience expectations, whereby viewers bring a set of assumptions with them and anticipate that these will somehow be met in the viewing experience. This brings audience pleasure. The demands of commercial practices necessitate that generic forms must somehow ‘guarantee meaning and pleasure’ in order to locate and retain a sizeable audience to justify a return on substantial investment.
A cross-genre (or hybrid genre) is a genre in fiction that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres. As opposed to the (literary and political) conservatism of most genre fiction, cross-genre writing offers opportunities for opening up debates and stimulating discussion.
Subgenre.
Subgenres are identifiable subclasses almost like a sub-heading however within a larger genre. They have their own subject matter, style, formulas and iconography.
What is a Thriller? Thriller Genre
A Thriller is a genre of films or television, which creates suspense, tension and excitement as their main elements. Thrillers stimulate the viewer's mood also giving them a high anticipation and maybe uncertainty, anxiety and terror. These types of films normally tend to be adrenaline-rushing and fast pace to create the tension and suspense. Its more than likely a Thriller will provide the viewer a rush of emotions and excitement which brings them to the edge of their seats. Thrillers tend to be psychological, threatening, mysterious. Cliff hangers, plot twist and red herrings are used quite a lot in Thrillers to keep the viewers intrigued and kept wondering. Most Thrillers will include protagonists and antagonists to create the excitement story of battling against one another. 
Here is a link of Old fashioned Thriller films; http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/444810/index.htmlList of recent Thrillers;
- Left behind
- A Walk Among the Tombstones
- As Above, So Below
- The Maze Runner
- The Equalizer
- The November Man
- Divergent
I have chosen the trailer The Equalizer to present the genre of thriller. I have done this because I think it creates tension, suspicion with action beside it. This also uses a lot of excitement, cliff hangers and plot twists.
Representation Of Men and Women
This is a opening sequence of a thriller movie called Seven ( Se7en). Looking through this sequence it seems to only have one guy. This tells us that this man could be the dominant role, who is mostly important in this movie. As he is an important part, he could be the antagonist to the movie or either the protagonist. However from this sequence he has a lot of equipment and evidence of being the antagonist to the movie, we know this from the amount of information, photos and equipment he has used throughout this sequence.
We can vaguely guess who old this man is. I have a faint idea that the man is middle aged. As we don't actually see his face, we could get an idea from his hands, as they look worn out, old and wrinkly. By noticing this we can tell that he's been a long time, hardworking man and they don't exactly look fresh and young. If you notice all the equipment he has and what he has done, it comes across quite professional and smart therefore it shows his experience.
This mans ethnicity would be English/American as we know from the skin colour from his hands and knowing this an American movie, we'd be sure they were American. Their class and status seems to be quite upper class as we can see the equipment and technology they use. Plus seeing the plans and ideas through his book give us a hint of the man being intelligent and smart. We can't quite tell his ability but when looking at his intelligence we might have a clue that he is able however with his plans and intelligence some may say he has a mental ability, as the plans aren't natural to do.
Watching through this sequence there isn't a female role involved however if there was, she would of been the same ethnicity and ability However the class and age could be different as the man could be attracted to the younger generation and some which either have a high class or lower class than him depending on what his aim to do.
What is Representation?
Representation is how people, an idea or events are represented in a film or programme to set a character.
Representation includes these titles:
Representation includes these titles:
- Gender
- Age
- Sexuality
- Disability/ability
- Regional
- Stereotypes
- Class and status
Evaluation of Preliminary Task
Evaluation-
My group were Jamie, Heather, Josh and Henry. I personally think my group worked well together as we had our own jobs to do and worked as a team. We had an extra person join throughout our filming therefore we had to redo our filming however it didn't slow us down and we done much better team work than previously. Three of us made the filming, I was one of them and two people were in our clip. I think the people who were in our clip worked well however there were times when they messed around but when it came to filming they would do really well and not be stupid. As they were messing around, it was hard for the film people to concentrate and get work done as quick as possible, plus the accurate position and shot size. However I think we worked really well together as we each had a turn on different angles and shots and as Jamie hasn't done media before he experienced new directions and shots with the camera. After filming we worked really well together as a group going through our film and editing each camera scene. Josh, Jamie and Heather hasn't experienced editing before there me and Henry would guide them through, helping them so that they will understand next time they use editing. However the boys would go a little over board and mess around with ideas that weren't even relevant to our topic.
If I were to do it again I would rethink about the shots and camera position, as I look back through the videos and think they are slightly off target and positioning. I would also think about the story line of the task and think of something differently and more intense. The task was to use a different but certain angle shots and camera size shots in the scene of a boy walking into a room and basically sitting down with another person. I do believe the task we done met the brief and our task was done accurately and also sensibly.
This task was quite easy when I come to think of it, although it was hard with a few people in the group. The only time it was hard, is when we had to think about our positioning in the room and how we can make the film flow nicely.
Throughout this task I have learnt different angles and filming shots that I haven't experienced or done before. I have enjoyed learning this as I can now learn and improve the opening sequence which I will be filming next.
My group were Jamie, Heather, Josh and Henry. I personally think my group worked well together as we had our own jobs to do and worked as a team. We had an extra person join throughout our filming therefore we had to redo our filming however it didn't slow us down and we done much better team work than previously. Three of us made the filming, I was one of them and two people were in our clip. I think the people who were in our clip worked well however there were times when they messed around but when it came to filming they would do really well and not be stupid. As they were messing around, it was hard for the film people to concentrate and get work done as quick as possible, plus the accurate position and shot size. However I think we worked really well together as we each had a turn on different angles and shots and as Jamie hasn't done media before he experienced new directions and shots with the camera. After filming we worked really well together as a group going through our film and editing each camera scene. Josh, Jamie and Heather hasn't experienced editing before there me and Henry would guide them through, helping them so that they will understand next time they use editing. However the boys would go a little over board and mess around with ideas that weren't even relevant to our topic.
If I were to do it again I would rethink about the shots and camera position, as I look back through the videos and think they are slightly off target and positioning. I would also think about the story line of the task and think of something differently and more intense. The task was to use a different but certain angle shots and camera size shots in the scene of a boy walking into a room and basically sitting down with another person. I do believe the task we done met the brief and our task was done accurately and also sensibly.
This task was quite easy when I come to think of it, although it was hard with a few people in the group. The only time it was hard, is when we had to think about our positioning in the room and how we can make the film flow nicely.
Throughout this task I have learnt different angles and filming shots that I haven't experienced or done before. I have enjoyed learning this as I can now learn and improve the opening sequence which I will be filming next.
The Prelim Task
The Prelim Task.
In groups of no more than four this is a task involving filming and editing a ''Character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom he or she exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue". This task must demonstrate match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
In groups of no more than four this is a task involving filming and editing a ''Character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom he or she exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue". This task must demonstrate match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.
Textual Analysis of the OTS....
Art of the Title
In this opening title sequence of James Bond Skyfall, they have used the song "Skyfall" by Adele which is played over the top of the cinematography. This song was specifically made for the movie as it connotes Bond's mission called Skyfall which is what the movie is about therefore this choice in soundtrack works perfectly against the scene.
Firstly, as we see James bond fall into the water the camera stays still however follows his body floating down into deep waters and this would be called a tilting shot. Few scenes after we have an angle which looks down towards his feet, which he is being sucked into a plug hole. This gives an effect to the audience as they may feel that they're James Bond floating down because it seems as if he is looking towards this feet.
When the gun drops to the bottom of the water, a cemetery has been built with gun headstones. They have used fast tracking edit to go through the scene, so as if the audience is walking through it and this carries on going through the woods until we end up at a crack with Bonds eye showing.
There is more tracking when we go through the building and bond shooting towards the screen.
This opening shows a lot about the one dominant person as it only involves him. It involves enemies however they are only showed as a shadow because if they were to show the faces they would ruin the movie so this holds suspicion for the audience to wonder until they get introduced to the enemy.
Mise-en-scene; Bond outfits and looks reveals that he is ready to do business, he's always smarted and tarted up showing he is high class and typically his job is very important. Bonds body language shows a lot about himself as its quite tense and alerted for when the enemies come therefore showing he is brave and ready for whatever comes at him.
Throughout the whole opening sequence they have used shapes of objects such as guns, knifes and objects. This effect connotes the theme of the movie and what the movie is about
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) — Art of the Title
Through Superman/Batman: Public Enemies we can immediately tell what ethnicity this comes from, which is America and we can tell as the second screen is an American flag. There is also the Statue of Liberty which also appears after the american flag.
Mad Men (2007) — Art of the Title
In this opening title sequence of James Bond Skyfall, they have used the song "Skyfall" by Adele which is played over the top of the cinematography. This song was specifically made for the movie as it connotes Bond's mission called Skyfall which is what the movie is about therefore this choice in soundtrack works perfectly against the scene.
Firstly, as we see James bond fall into the water the camera stays still however follows his body floating down into deep waters and this would be called a tilting shot. Few scenes after we have an angle which looks down towards his feet, which he is being sucked into a plug hole. This gives an effect to the audience as they may feel that they're James Bond floating down because it seems as if he is looking towards this feet.
When the gun drops to the bottom of the water, a cemetery has been built with gun headstones. They have used fast tracking edit to go through the scene, so as if the audience is walking through it and this carries on going through the woods until we end up at a crack with Bonds eye showing.
There is more tracking when we go through the building and bond shooting towards the screen.
This opening shows a lot about the one dominant person as it only involves him. It involves enemies however they are only showed as a shadow because if they were to show the faces they would ruin the movie so this holds suspicion for the audience to wonder until they get introduced to the enemy.
Mise-en-scene; Bond outfits and looks reveals that he is ready to do business, he's always smarted and tarted up showing he is high class and typically his job is very important. Bonds body language shows a lot about himself as its quite tense and alerted for when the enemies come therefore showing he is brave and ready for whatever comes at him.
Throughout the whole opening sequence they have used shapes of objects such as guns, knifes and objects. This effect connotes the theme of the movie and what the movie is about
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) — Art of the Title
Through Superman/Batman: Public Enemies we can immediately tell what ethnicity this comes from, which is America and we can tell as the second screen is an American flag. There is also the Statue of Liberty which also appears after the american flag.
Mad Men (2007) — Art of the Title
Textual Analysis - What is it?
Textual Analysis - methodology in film for studying the content of communication.
For TV Drama, which is section A of the exam, you will be expected watch a 4 minute extract of a TV Drama 4 times and then textually analyse it in terms of:
Establishing shots - help to establish the scene by showing the audience the location they are in.
Master shot - The main shot of the scene that is often returned to. Directors often film these as wide shots so the audience can get their bearings as to who is in the scene. The director then uses other shot sizes, such as close ups or medium shots to cut into the master shot so that the audience can get a closer look at the actors.
two-shot - A shot of two people together.
aerial shot - An aerial shot is where the shot is taken from high up facing down or across a view. For example the photo being taken from a helicopter.
point of view shot - A shot as if the viewer were looking directly through the eyes of a specific character. This helps the viewers feel involved with in the scene and story.
over the shoulder shot - This is where two people are having a conversation and the camera is positioned on one talkers shoulder and is filming the opposite talker. This camera opposition helps the viewers feel involved with in the conversation as if they are talking to the viewers.
Tilt - This is where the camera tilts up and down.
Track & Dolly - A track is like a railway track that the dolly sits on. A dolly is like a shopping trolley, that the camera man sits on in order to create smooth shots that move in or out from or to a subject and enables the camera to pan, tilt or rise up and down.
Track & Dolly movement.
Steadicam - Steadicam shots are where the camera man wears a body armour with the camera attached on the end of the arm. Steadicam shots are used for maximum freedom and movement as well as creating shots that are steady and flow nicely. The downside of steadicam is that it involves a specialist and can be expensive to use compared with a track and dolly.
Handheld shot - Where the camera man holds the camera for maximum flexibility of the type of shots he wants to use. This is a very specialised skill and is often used to documentaries and news items. It is used in dramas and feature films often to create a feeling of rawness/of being present in the film or for making the film feel like a news or documentary item.
Zoom - Zooming means altering the focal length of the lens to give the illusion of moving closer to or further away from the action. Zooms are less popular now due to the more sophisticated shots supplied by a track and dolly, but they are used on documentaries and for visual effects.
Reverse Zoom - This is where the camera is moving away from the particular image and is used to show a wider picture or context of an image.
Crane - The camera is placed on the arm and allows it to be lifted into the air, often for high angle shots.
o Includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems.
o Cutting: shot/reverse shot, eye line match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway; insert.
o Other transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion, ellipsis and expansion of time, post-production, visual effects.
Shot/Reverse Shot - is an editing technique that defined as multiple shots edited together in a way that alternates characters, typically to show both sides of a conversation situation.
eye-line match - a shot of a character looking at something cuts to another shot showing exactly what the character sees. Essentially, the camera temporarily becomes the character’s eyes with this editing technique.
Jump-Cut - is an example of the style of editing where one shot seems to be abruptly interrupted. Typically the background will change while the individuals stay the same, or vice versa. Jump-cuts stray from the more contemporary style of continuity editing where the plot flows seamlessly to a more ambiguous story line.
Graphic matches, or match cuts - are useful in relating two otherwise disconnected scenes, or in helping to establish a relationship between two scenes. By ending one shot with a frame containing the same compositional elements (shape, colour, size, etc.) as the beginning frame of the next shot, a connection is drawn between the two shots with a smooth transition.
Match on Action - is an editing technique used in continuity editing that cuts two alternate views of the same action together at the same moment in the move in order to make it seem uninterrupted. This allows the same action to be seen from multiple angles without breaking its continuous nature.
Cross cutting - Cross cutting is where the camera cuts from scene to scene. Editing that alternates between shots occurring simultaneously in two or more different location.
180 degree rule - The angle between two consecutive shots should not exceed 180 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationship between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.
30 degree rule - The angle between any two consecutive shots should not be less than 30 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationships between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.
Re-establishing shot - A shot that returns to a view of a space or location after a series of closes up.
Cutaway shot - In film and video, a cutaway shot is the interruption of a continuously filmed action by inserting a view of something else. Cutaway often helps get you out of Jail if you don't have all the required footage.
Insert - In film an insert is a shot of part of scene as filmed from a different angle and/or focal length from the master shot.
Short take -
Long take - A long take or one is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes.
Ellipsis and expansion of time - Ellipsis presents an action in a way that it consumes less time on screen than in the story. Expansion of time is created through overlapping editing. This is opposite to ellipsis as it presents an action that it consumes more time on the screen than it does in the story. This contains cuts in which have been repeated in previous action.
Slow motion effect - This is where times appear to be slowed down with in the scene. This creates tension and atmosphere.
Post production - These offer a large selection of digital transitions with various effects. These effects include colour replacement, focus drops, lighting effects, animated effects, pixilation and more.
Types of Camera cuts and shots.
Transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe.
> Editing Techniques <
Sound
sound effects; sound motif, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing, sound perspective.
Sound track - score, incidental music, themes, stings, ambient.
Diegetic sound - Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film:
Non-diegetic sound - Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action:
Synchronous sound - sound that is matched to certain movements occurring in the scene. This can sometimes be recorded on a film tape or magnetic tape. The sound and movement must match and be very precise on the timing.
Asynchronous sound - Match the sound to whatever is in the scene however it's not precise synchronised with the action with in the scene.
Sound perspective - Creates an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. This is achieved by using two or more audio channels that are independent through a configuration. Normally of two or more loudspeakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound that is heard from various directions. The audio track can be mixed in a variety of ways.
Voice over - This is pre-recorded and placed over the top of a film or either a video and this is commonly used in documentaries or news reports to explain and give information. Voice overs are also used to provide narrative in film or help create a back story to a certain character.
Direct address - This is when an actor or either presenter look directly into the video lens as though they are addressing the audience. This makes the audience feel more included and engaged into the program.
Leitmotif - This is a recurring piece of music or sound associated with a particular person, place or idea.
Sound bridges - Adding to continuity through sound, by running sound from one shot across to the other. This makes the actions seem uninterrupted.
Contrapuntal sound - This is the opposite type of music. This is the type of music you would expect to hear in the scene and it sounds like a contradiction and can either have highly disturbing or comic effect.
Hyperbolic sound - This is when the music or sound effects are exaggerated to try and make it sound more dramatic and exciting. Action movies usually use this effect to create tension in a scene where there is a lot of action breaking out.
Soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound.
Mise-en-Scène
French term from the theatre that literally means "what's put in the scene". In the cinema it refers to the elements of a shot - the set, the props, the actors, the use of colour and light - and the way these elements are composed or choreographed.
Production design: location, studio, set design, costume and make-up, properties. Lighting; colour design, body language and facial expressions.
For TV Drama, which is section A of the exam, you will be expected watch a 4 minute extract of a TV Drama 4 times and then textually analyse it in terms of:
Camera Shots, Angle, Movement and Composition
Shots
Establishing shots - help to establish the scene by showing the audience the location they are in.
Master shot - The main shot of the scene that is often returned to. Directors often film these as wide shots so the audience can get their bearings as to who is in the scene. The director then uses other shot sizes, such as close ups or medium shots to cut into the master shot so that the audience can get a closer look at the actors.
Close up - This is where the camera is close drawn into the
subject and is focused squaredly. This is used to show facial expressions,
close up action and actions which could be very important later in the film.
Mid-shot - This is a shot which is taken at a medium distance. On a person the bottom of the screen of the camera would be between knee and hip height and then the top of the camera to be a foot higher than the head.
long shot - This is a shot of the character and what is based around them, this tells the audience the scene and what's going on.
wide shot - A wide shot is where it shows a lot of the area or environment around the subject. Wide shots allow the audience to clearly see the surroundings and area to make more sense of the scene.
Mid-shot - This is a shot which is taken at a medium distance. On a person the bottom of the screen of the camera would be between knee and hip height and then the top of the camera to be a foot higher than the head.
long shot - This is a shot of the character and what is based around them, this tells the audience the scene and what's going on.
wide shot - A wide shot is where it shows a lot of the area or environment around the subject. Wide shots allow the audience to clearly see the surroundings and area to make more sense of the scene.
two-shot - A shot of two people together.
aerial shot - An aerial shot is where the shot is taken from high up facing down or across a view. For example the photo being taken from a helicopter.
point of view shot - A shot as if the viewer were looking directly through the eyes of a specific character. This helps the viewers feel involved with in the scene and story.
over the shoulder shot - This is where two people are having a conversation and the camera is positioned on one talkers shoulder and is filming the opposite talker. This camera opposition helps the viewers feel involved with in the conversation as if they are talking to the viewers.
Angle
High angle shot - High angle shot is a shot where the camera is placed up high looking down on a person view or object. High angle creates a sense of vulnerable, inferior and weakness.
Low angle shot - low angle shot is where a camera is placed down low to look up at a view, object or person. This is to create the effect of superiority, strength, being in charge and bravery.
Canted angle shot - When the camera is filmed at a angle. This is to give a sense that the view or object, or person has something wrong with them or something bad is about to happen.
Canted angle shot - When the camera is filmed at a angle. This is to give a sense that the view or object, or person has something wrong with them or something bad is about to happen.
Birds eye view - This shot is taken from directly from above. This type of shot can be disorienting, and the people photographed seem insignificant.
Eye level shot - this has the clearest view of the object or character and sets a dramatic sense to the scene.
Oblique angle - This angle, the camera is tilted laterally, giving the image a slanted appearance. This angle suggests tension, transition and also impending movement.
Eye level shot - this has the clearest view of the object or character and sets a dramatic sense to the scene.
Oblique angle - This angle, the camera is tilted laterally, giving the image a slanted appearance. This angle suggests tension, transition and also impending movement.
Movements
Pan - A camera move both left and right.
Steadicam - Steadicam shots are where the camera man wears a body armour with the camera attached on the end of the arm. Steadicam shots are used for maximum freedom and movement as well as creating shots that are steady and flow nicely. The downside of steadicam is that it involves a specialist and can be expensive to use compared with a track and dolly.
Handheld shot - Where the camera man holds the camera for maximum flexibility of the type of shots he wants to use. This is a very specialised skill and is often used to documentaries and news items. It is used in dramas and feature films often to create a feeling of rawness/of being present in the film or for making the film feel like a news or documentary item.
Zoom - Zooming means altering the focal length of the lens to give the illusion of moving closer to or further away from the action. Zooms are less popular now due to the more sophisticated shots supplied by a track and dolly, but they are used on documentaries and for visual effects.
Reverse Zoom - This is where the camera is moving away from the particular image and is used to show a wider picture or context of an image.
Crane - The camera is placed on the arm and allows it to be lifted into the air, often for high angle shots.
Composition:
Rule of thirds - The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.
Rule of thirds - The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.
depth of field - Is about the depth of focus in any given shot. It is a focus pullers sob to alter the camera lens (on a drama or feature film) to the correct focal distance so the object or actor concerned is in focus. Sometimes shallow depth of field is used so that only important people or objects are in focus to help the audience understand what is important to look at in each frame shot.
Deep and shallow focus - Deep focus is a photographic and cinematographic technique using a large depth of field. Depth of field is the front-to-back range of focus in an image — that is, how much of it appears sharp and clear. Shallow focus is a photographic and cinematographic technique incorporating a small depth of field. In shallow focus one plane of the image is in focus while the rest is out of focus. Shallow focus is typically used to emphasize one part of the image over another.
focus pulls - The focus pull is useful for directing the viewer's attention. For example, if there are two people in shot but only one is in focus, that person is the subject of attention. If the focus changes to the other person, they become the subject. This is often used in drama dialogues — the focus shifts backwards and forwards between the people speaking.
Editing
o Includes transition of image and sound – continuity and non-continuity systems.
o Cutting: shot/reverse shot, eye line match, graphic match, action match, jump cut, crosscutting, parallel editing, cutaway; insert.
o Other transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe, superimposition, long take, short take, slow motion, ellipsis and expansion of time, post-production, visual effects.
Shot/Reverse Shot - is an editing technique that defined as multiple shots edited together in a way that alternates characters, typically to show both sides of a conversation situation.
eye-line match - a shot of a character looking at something cuts to another shot showing exactly what the character sees. Essentially, the camera temporarily becomes the character’s eyes with this editing technique.
Jump-Cut - is an example of the style of editing where one shot seems to be abruptly interrupted. Typically the background will change while the individuals stay the same, or vice versa. Jump-cuts stray from the more contemporary style of continuity editing where the plot flows seamlessly to a more ambiguous story line.
Graphic matches, or match cuts - are useful in relating two otherwise disconnected scenes, or in helping to establish a relationship between two scenes. By ending one shot with a frame containing the same compositional elements (shape, colour, size, etc.) as the beginning frame of the next shot, a connection is drawn between the two shots with a smooth transition.
Match on Action - is an editing technique used in continuity editing that cuts two alternate views of the same action together at the same moment in the move in order to make it seem uninterrupted. This allows the same action to be seen from multiple angles without breaking its continuous nature.
Cross cutting - Cross cutting is where the camera cuts from scene to scene. Editing that alternates between shots occurring simultaneously in two or more different location.
180 degree rule - The angle between two consecutive shots should not exceed 180 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationship between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.
30 degree rule - The angle between any two consecutive shots should not be less than 30 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationships between people and objects in any given sequence of shots.
Re-establishing shot - A shot that returns to a view of a space or location after a series of closes up.
Insert - In film an insert is a shot of part of scene as filmed from a different angle and/or focal length from the master shot.
Short take -
Long take - A long take or one is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes.
Ellipsis and expansion of time - Ellipsis presents an action in a way that it consumes less time on screen than in the story. Expansion of time is created through overlapping editing. This is opposite to ellipsis as it presents an action that it consumes more time on the screen than it does in the story. This contains cuts in which have been repeated in previous action.
Slow motion effect - This is where times appear to be slowed down with in the scene. This creates tension and atmosphere.
Post production - These offer a large selection of digital transitions with various effects. These effects include colour replacement, focus drops, lighting effects, animated effects, pixilation and more.
Types of Camera cuts and shots.
Transitions, dissolve, fade-in, fade-out, wipe.
> Editing Techniques <
Sound
sound effects; sound motif, sound bridge, dialogue, voiceover, mode of address/direct address, sound mixing, sound perspective.
Sound track - score, incidental music, themes, stings, ambient.
Diegetic sound - Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film:
- voices of characters
- sounds made by objects in the story
- music represented as coming from instruments in the story space ( = source music)
Non-diegetic sound - Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action:
- narrator's commentary
- sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
- mood music
Synchronous sound - sound that is matched to certain movements occurring in the scene. This can sometimes be recorded on a film tape or magnetic tape. The sound and movement must match and be very precise on the timing.
Asynchronous sound - Match the sound to whatever is in the scene however it's not precise synchronised with the action with in the scene.
Sound perspective - Creates an illusion of directionality and audible perspective. This is achieved by using two or more audio channels that are independent through a configuration. Normally of two or more loudspeakers in such a way as to create the impression of sound that is heard from various directions. The audio track can be mixed in a variety of ways.
Voice over - This is pre-recorded and placed over the top of a film or either a video and this is commonly used in documentaries or news reports to explain and give information. Voice overs are also used to provide narrative in film or help create a back story to a certain character.
Direct address - This is when an actor or either presenter look directly into the video lens as though they are addressing the audience. This makes the audience feel more included and engaged into the program.
Leitmotif - This is a recurring piece of music or sound associated with a particular person, place or idea.
Sound bridges - Adding to continuity through sound, by running sound from one shot across to the other. This makes the actions seem uninterrupted.
Contrapuntal sound - This is the opposite type of music. This is the type of music you would expect to hear in the scene and it sounds like a contradiction and can either have highly disturbing or comic effect.
Hyperbolic sound - This is when the music or sound effects are exaggerated to try and make it sound more dramatic and exciting. Action movies usually use this effect to create tension in a scene where there is a lot of action breaking out.
Soundtrack: score, incidental music, themes and stings, ambient sound.
Mise-en-Scène
Production design: location, studio, set design, costume and make-up, properties. Lighting; colour design, body language and facial expressions.
setting/location: Setting creates both a sense of place and a mood and it may also reflect a character’s emotional state of mind.
Costume, make up and hair: Indicator to us of a character's personality, status and job. This will also tell us what era the film is based in whether its modern or old fashion style and also gives the audience a clue of what culture and society it will centre around.
Facial expressions and body languages: Facial expressions gives a clear indicator of how the character is feeling. Body language can indicate how one character is feeling towards another character and this can indicate the relationship between them.
Lighting and colour: To highlight the important characters or object with in the frame. There is two types of lighting, one is low key lighting which brings a effect of sharp contrast and dark areas. Another is high key lighting, which makes the extract look more realistic and bright, this will be used to present a sunny day. Colour can reflect on the characters state and emotion. This creates a meaning to the scene and causes a dramatic effect in some cases.
Representation
This is how people are represented in the scene or extract.
You will then relate these technical and visual codes to one of the following aspects of representation:
Costume, make up and hair: Indicator to us of a character's personality, status and job. This will also tell us what era the film is based in whether its modern or old fashion style and also gives the audience a clue of what culture and society it will centre around.
Facial expressions and body languages: Facial expressions gives a clear indicator of how the character is feeling. Body language can indicate how one character is feeling towards another character and this can indicate the relationship between them.
Lighting and colour: To highlight the important characters or object with in the frame. There is two types of lighting, one is low key lighting which brings a effect of sharp contrast and dark areas. Another is high key lighting, which makes the extract look more realistic and bright, this will be used to present a sunny day. Colour can reflect on the characters state and emotion. This creates a meaning to the scene and causes a dramatic effect in some cases.
Representation
This is how people are represented in the scene or extract.
You will then relate these technical and visual codes to one of the following aspects of representation:
· Age
· Ethnicity
· Sexuality
· Class and status – including star status
· Physical ability/disability
· Regional identity
· Gender
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