Tuesday, 20 October 2009

Proposal to Horror sequence

In preperation for the initial stage of our coursework production we induvidualy pitched ideas for potential horror/thriller opening sequences.

This is a proposal that i gave to the rest of my class on an idea for the begginning sequence for a horror movie.


For my Horror I wanted to do a psychological style film. It involved a young boy who is deprived by his mother and so develops a condition. The sequence starts with a close up of a TV and a home movie of a boy trying to get attention from his mother but is failing. The scene then cuts to a professor who is giving a lecture to some university students. Every time the professor gives an example of the symptom the scene then cuts back to the video of the little boy and this then gives an example of the symptom. This then happens for about 1 minute then the camera tracks back from the tv so a clear view of the room is now in the mise en scene. The room is messed up and gives a scary effect, the video tape is then paused and then a man walks out holding the same teddy that the little boy is holding. Implying that the little boy is the man.

Friday, 16 October 2009

Filming and Editing The Preliminary Task




In filming the scene i took on the roles of sound and lighting. when doining the sound i used an a2 mic which was a directional mic so i had to point it at the people talking. in between scenes i help set up the lighting as well to get the right affect. we used cues like 'standby' to ready the actors fot the scene and overall i felt the whole thing was organised

When editing the priliminary task we used final cut pro. we soughted out the diffent shots into bins and then started editing. We placed the sound on the timeline so that everything was in sync and used a variety of different shots to make the sequence more interesting.

Introduction to Final Cut Pro


I had used final cut once before to edit some video material during work experience in the summer. in the lesson however i learned how to check in and check out along with logging and creating a bin. i found final cut to be a simple layout and fairly easy to use.When our group edited our preliminary task we each had a go and discussed all the shots we put in to try and make it effective.

Monday, 12 October 2009

Account of shooting preliminary task

In out preliminary task we shot the scene in out classroom.The whole group felt this was a good location as it had a door and a table which was very useful for shoting the scene. My job was to help set up the lighting and camera, but during the filming i was holding the mic. The mic i used was a directional mic so i had to point it at the mouths of the actors whenever the talked.


Lighting:

Are lighting was focused on the subject sitting at the table to draw the audiences attention. it was hard on the subject and it gave shades of darkness.
It gave a sense of ergancy and focused on the subject.
Yes it was as it gave a sense of Urgancy.

Filming:

In filming we made sure that the tripod was level and set up porperly. We then changed some of the settings on the camera itself to fit the task. For example the light setting was for outdoors when we were filming indoors. We also made sure that there were 0 db's and that the camera was in focus.

Conclusion:

I have learned how to set up a camerea and tripod and aliined the air bubble so it is steady. i learned how to adjust the camerea settings so they suit the lighting conditions. I have also learned how to use a directional mic so this will come in handy for A2.

Friday, 2 October 2009

Intro to the Studio, Video Camera and Tripod and Photoshop

Practical Assessment Ben Norris

Introduction to Photoshop:

When I was introduced to Photoshop I only knew how to do very basic skills like cutting and pasting. Since then I have picked up skills such as cloning, warping, liquidizing, lassoing and burning. I can now cut my head out and stick it onto someone else. I found photoshops layout to be easy and practical. The cloning effect is one of the most useful tools in my opinion as you are able to reconstruct a face if part of it is missing (I did this in my Obama picture). The liquidizing effect is also helpful as you are able to change the appearance of anything in the photo. For example you could make a nose longer of eyes bigger. The burning effect is really good for changing the colour of something and can be useful when you’re trying to Photoshop your face onto someone else. I have used it on work like me as Amy Winehouse and me as a sumo as well as me shaking hands with Obama.

Introduction to the camera and tripod:

During the camera and tripod session I learned how to set up a tripod properly and connect a camera to it. I learned how to balance the tripod and set it to the right level. When connecting the camera to the tripod I know that you need to push the button on the left hand side to let it slide in. I also know how to turn a camera on and change the settings to get the right light. For example change the light setting to either natural of fake light. I also learnt how to record. In recording I tried to use minimal headspace to get the lighting as natural as possible.


Introduction to studio:

In the studio I was interviewed by Charlie. I had to sit really close to him so that it looked right through the camera and I could barley see as the lights were shining from awkward positions to bring out my facial features. The camera was closer than I expected as well but aging that was to make the best effect. When I was interviewed I was asked questions like ‘what is my favourite film’ and ‘what sort of music am I into’.
Introduction to Blog:

I have never used a blog before Hurtwood, but now I have been introduced to them I find there a really good way to present yourself digitally. I know how to customize my profile. For example posting pictures of myself and posting documents that I have written. Blogging is also a great way for other people to see your work as you are able to post movies pictures and documents. Blogs are useful as you can put work on but also take it off in case you make a mistake.

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Movie Analysis

Casino Royale Analysis: BenNorris

In the opening scene of the movie ‘Casino Royale’ a young boy is running through a tropical location. The viewer can tell it’s in a tropical location due to the surrounding buildings and the heavy rain. The Camera technique used is a mid long shot of the boy running using the panning movement. The young boy is wearing an army outfit which suggests that he is being used as a recruit for the army. This tells us that the scene is set in a third world country. The young boy is running through a series of huts and the camera is following him. The scene then cuts to a extra long shot of the boy running past more people dressed in army outfits. This now tells the viewer that it is in a army camp in a third world country which is in a tropical location. The shot then pans round to a mid close up of another man dressed in army attire, with a white man dressed in a suite in the background. There is only the sound of heavy rain, background talk and a pin ball machine to this point. The young boy then runs into the hut that the two men are in and gives him two drinks. This suggests to the viewer that the man playing the pin ball machine is of a high authority. The man playing the pinball machine then proceeds toward a sofa. The scene those jump cuts to the man dressed in army attire sitting down on the sofa. The camera is now filming an over the shoulder shot. The two men then engage in a conversation using mid shots.
After the two men exchange a few words the scene them jump cuts to a car driving towards the hut that the two men are in. A ground shot is taken of the hut form a distance with the two cars then driving past. To the left of the cars are more young boys in army outfits carrying weapons of war. The scene then cuts to a mid close up of two more white men getting out of the cars. The scene then cuts to a shot of large brief cases (full of money) being opened. The camera pans the brief cases and then swing to a shot of the white man who got out the car. The white man who got out the car then proceeds towards two black men sitting down comfortably at their table. They engage in a conversation. The white man who got out the car then says Mr White referring to the white man we see earlier. The camera then cuts to a close up of Mr White and then cuts back to the two men talking again. The camera uses a mid shot over the shoulder technique while the two men talk. After the men have finished talking mid shots of different men who are in the room are shown and some quite music is playing in the background which builds up the suspense. The scene them jump cuts to the inside of the car and shows two soldiers putting in the large brief cases. The scene then cuts to a close up of the white man who got out the car, talking on the phone. The scene then cuts to a luxury office with another white man on the other end of the phone. The camera uses the tracking technique as it slowly proceeds towards the man on the phone who goes from looking out his window to sitting down at his desk. A close up is then shown of the man sitting at his desk. The scene then cuts back to the white man in Uganda. The scene then cuts again to a long shot of the cars leaving the army camp. The shot then tracks backwards over Mr Whites shoulder and then the scene jump cuts to a Madagascar.

There are big crowds of people gathered around a mongoose fighting a cobra. Camera movement techniques such as panning and tracking are used to quickly cut on and off. This gives a busy and chaotic effect. The sound at the moment is the crowds shouting and cheering for their animal to win. The scene then cuts to a white man with an English accent talking through a head piece. The camera then pan’s to a shot of the man who he is talking to. This is the main character. The scene then cuts to a mid shot of a man who gets a text. The camera technique then shows an over the shoulder view of the phone so the viewer can read the message. Then man who receives the message then leaves in a state of emergency. The shot then cuts to a wide shot of the white man in the crowd who places his hand on his ear, the man talks and then the scene cuts to the main character again.