The Filming Process

Blog Post EIGHT

Organisation of filming

As shown in our location post click here to see in detail of where we filmed, we planned to film a shoot our film by the PE department, taking full adantage of the stairs and lift for our film.  We planned to film on 14/12/15 with an actor named Chelsea Clarke however due to lack of time we only managed to film half our footage with the aspiration to film the following day.

Due to our actor not being within College we could not continue filming, to solve this problem we found another willing volunteer to act for us, Katie Vella. As we had already filmed with Chelsea, re-filming our sequence was a lot easier in terms of knowing and preparation of what we were going to do therefore I think that our film will end up coming out a lot better quality in comparison to the one we had done before. 

Here is Imogen trying to clear the space for us to be able to film without anybody getting into spot and spoiling our prelim. As we used such big, local areas, we didn't need to have permission in order to film in that specific location. Therefore we do not have a permission video in order to show you. As Imogen and I both shared the control of the camera organisation, we both decided what shots would look better in each location, we even added a few shots in order to give our prelim more character. 

What went well during filming?

Despite not having a video of a discussion on what we thought we did/didn't do well, we did have a discussion about it whilst editing on what we did/didn't do well. I think we shall start with the more positive side, things we did to well.

I think the first thing we did do well is organisation. Since there is only two of us within the group, rather than 3/4/5 students, the work load forced upon us is a lot more to handle. I think that we personally tackled it really well, sticking to blogpost deadlines, managing to get everything filmed (despite the slight mishaps within our main characters). I think that we shared the amounts of work load completely in order to keep Imogen and I both happy with what we were doing but also making sure we are allocating roles to what we are strongest at (e.g. mine for example, is writing)

As both Imogen and I are lucky enough to have the exact timetable (literally apart from Form and Maths), within our process of organising time to film and edit, we made a timetable that clearly showed us when we were available to be flexible so we could meet the the deadlines, the colour key below is followed:

Green- Free time
Red- Same lessons
Dark Red- any time one of us is free and the other isn't

Secondly, the management for our different areas were superb. The camera was easily set up and ready to be used for filming by mostly me (Amy) . I made sure to call actors in exactly when we needed them to ensure that our filming went smoothly by not having to take numerous amounts of the same shot to perfect it. As well as this, directing the movement of the actors made it easier to make Match On Action more fluid. As well as finding the perfect shot and lighting angle in order to fit the theme that we were originally aiming for. 

Imogen sorted out the locations of the filming quickly and efficiently. We both gathered the props that we needed by effectively doing somewhat of a market research approach to what antagonists within horrors and/or thrillers wear. This is when we came up with the idea with a black cloak, which evidently matches with our 'hiding of the identity' idea and we had the props ready for when we needed them. (Quick thank you to the performing arts department for letting us borrow the cloak)

I think we both did did a great job with the storyboard, making it easier to get the filming done as we knew exactly what we needed to shoot (Angle, shot distance, what props were needed in that shot etc.). I think the main part of storyboarding that helped us the most was the visual-picture storyboard, this helped us as we knew what sort of outcome we could have straight away and it was much easier to understand and look out. 

Although one of our strongest points was in fact organisation. I also think that this was one of our weakest. I think that the main problem we had was finding the free time between the actors, and both Imogen and I. Due to this, we had to switch characters (from Chelsea to Katie) and re-film our whole sequence. However, this wasn't necessarily something we could have helped, Chelsea became ill on the last 2-3 days of college therefore we found it extremely hard in order to carry on with our original idea. Despite this, we still battled through and carried on like we aimed for.

Overall, the filming went great and due to the fact we both helped each other out in every situation we had to face, it made doing our prelim as a two so much more easier than we thought it would be. We managed to stick to our time frame and film all the shots we needed for the editing process to start. I think because of how well Imogen and I work as a team, we managed to film and edit way more than we ever excepted to originally and therefore I think we should give ourselves a bit of credit in choosing good groups to work with.

Extra Research

Thriller Research

Throughout our research and build up to the Prelim task, we have carried out some research in which has gave us basic ideas in order to produce, edit and film our sequence. All of the following infomation we have gathered on the Top 3 best thriller films can be found on imDb here. You can see where we got some of our individual shot ideas in our Storyboard and Planning blogpost, click here  

The Incredible Doktor Markesan

 
Storyline

Anthology series hosted by Boris Karloff that originally told ordinary tales of crime and mystery, but later became a showcase for gothic horror stories, many of which were based on works by authors such as Cornell Woolrich, Robert Bloch and Charlotte Armstrong.

Details

Country: USA

Language: English

Release Date: 13 September 1960 (USA) 

Also Known As: Boris Karloff's Thriller

Filming Locations: CBS Studio Center - 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA 

 

 

 

 

RangiTaranga (2015)

 

Storyline

Gautam, a novelist leads a reclusive life in Ooty. Gautam's latest novel is titled RangiTaranga, a word which might hold the key to his past. Indu, a soft natured girl, paints the cover pages of all Gautam's novels. Sandhya, a self proclaimed journalist, is in search of an anonymous writer who goes by the pen name "ANASHKU". Unforeseen circumstances lead Gautam to Indu's ancestral home in the village of Kamarottu. Upon his arrival in Kamarottu, he befriends the post master, Kalinga, and the elderly school head master, Shankara. Gautam experiences a lot of strange occurrences and his investigation into these incidents irks the powerful men in the village. Meanwhile, Sandhya's trail leads her to Kamarottu. And then, the unexpected happens!!! 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Wednesday

Storyline

A man calls up the Mumbai police, and tells them he has placed five different bombs in the city -- all set to go off in some time. He wants four terrorists in exchange. Does he get them? Who is behind it all? What's his motive? Is there more than meets the eye?

Details  

Country: India

Language: Hindi | English

Release Date: 5 September 2008 (India) 

Also Known As: A Common Man

Filming Locations: Mumbai, India

Location

Blog Post SEVEN

The stairway throughout our sequence is one location that we switch too throughout, since we have based our location fully within a 'work place' set, we thought the use of a stairway was vital, especially if the Protagonist is running away, the use of close ups, mid shots and long shots on a stairway will attract the audience a lot more. Again, as the flight of stairs has many levels, we thought that we can film from higher angles in order to have connotations of 'The Black Shaddow' having higher status. We thought that within the lighting of this specific sequence, the red walls within it symbolises death and evil which is the type of theme we are aiming our Prelim off. 

 

Cross Reference- To see storyboard in depth (visual and written) - click here

Also, another location that we have chosen is a variety of different hall ways, this is so that we can use high and low angles, as well as using close ups to show the pace that the Protagonist is running at. The hall way adds to the gist of the Thriller Prelim as it is plain. Through the use of mise-en-scene (lighting espeically), we are going to try and make the location a lot more 'scary' as it is. Also, as we have been doing our research on certian thriller scenes (click here for an extra research blogpost), there are a variety of sequences that has the victim running through hallways, therefore this is the main idea that we are basing our Prelim off of. 






Risk Assessment- redone!
In order to prevent anybody getting hurt throughout the prelim, a risk assessment is vital. Here is our YouTube link to one we did to fit our location below:

Storyboard and Planning

Blog Post SIX

Overall idea of the sequence

Our sequence for our prelim all evolves around a girl character, that is seen to be innocent and walking around a work place. Her identity isn't revealed till the 7th shot, this has connotations on the audience as mysterious and draws them into knowing what the character is there for. Within the 11th shot, the antagonist that is following the girl appears, this is where the overall theme of thriller is first introduced. The mise-en-scene of the stalker consists of a dark, cloak that is used for hiding the identity so that the audience again are withdrawn into the situation. Everytime the antagonist is within shot, our mise-en-scene of lighting will be darkened so that it has connotations of evil aswell as mystery. The women that is being followed is sure that she hears footsteps behind her but everytime it cuts to a close up, she cannot see the mysterious black shadowed character, which again creates suspence and tention for the character and audience. She soon realises that somebody is following her therefore she picks up the pace that she is walking in, but trips which slows her down. A great unadvantage to her, but an advantage to the antagonist. She starts running away due to her knowing she is being followed and starts to find everyway that she can get out of the location. She slams her keycard down, a non-diegetic sound effect will be added to create atmosphere. The end of the sequence ends on a cliff hanger which the antagonist stops the doorway and through the productional editing piece, we will add a fade-through-black to end the sequence. The name of our sequence that we have chosen for our Prelim is 'The Black Shaddow'.

The Storyboard

Ripping the storyboard apart

Mise-En-Scene


Outfits

• Large, black cloak to hide antagonist identity

• Protagonist- girly, stereotypical outfit

Cross Reference- see blog post five for pictures (click here)

Make up

• Protagonist- red lipstick (adding a sense of evil and danger)
• Antagonist- As black cloak covers face, no make up needed

Setting

• Stairway
• Doorway
• Hallway
• Front enterance

Cross Reference- click here

Lighting

• Unsaturated lighting when Antagonist appears
•  Normal lighting used when Protagonist is in shot

Cross Reference- click here

  

 Facial Expression

• Protagonist- Worried and Scared
• Antagonist- Idenity not seen as costume covers

Cross Reference- See Visual Storyboard below

Props

• Outfits are our only props used

Cross Reference- click here

Camera

Throughout the sequence, we use a variety of shots to fit the theme of Thriller that we are aiming for.

The main three types of shots we use is 

• Close Up
• Mid Shot
• Extreme Longshot & Longshot

 These are used for a variety of different reasons, you will able to see the basic visual storyboard below to give you a clue of what we are aiming for, shot by shot. Our longshot's are being used to show the location as well as the density of the problem within the film (e.g. when the Protagonist is running through the location, you are able to see location as well as the action of the character)

Sound

In terms of sound, we aren't really having much dialogue due to the fact that it builds more tention as well as giving the audience suspence. In terms of post production, we are going to add music ontop of the filming, this will be along the terms of music like this aswell as deep breathing that we are going to record seperately using the Zoom Microphone.

 

Visual Storyboard

Allicational Roles

Prelim Task 

Blog Post FIVE

The group only consists of two members, so both will be taking up many extra roles, usually taken by the other members. We will be sharing the roles evenly amongst the two of us. 

• Camera operator- Amy
• Sound Recorder- Imogen
•  Filming- Both (Imo and Amy)
• Storyboard Artists- Amy (Plan), Imogen (Design and draw)
• Location Scouts- Both (decor- Amy)
• Prop Manager- Both
• Casting Director- Both (co-oridating characters)
• Director of filming- Amy

Actors

"Protagonist" - Katie Vella

 Antagonist- Imogen Evans ..02.

(Identity will be covered)

Props

Outfits- 






-A large black cloak to hide the antagonists identity.

A girly, sterotypical outfit, perfect for an protagonist. 

Cross reference- see blog post 6 for basic mise- en-scene and visual story board.
(Click here)

Filming Equipment

Canon EOS Digital SLR 1100D 















Tripod

-External micorphone
-Voice recorder




















Battery powered LED light   with filters
















Lighting Kits







Cross Reference- see the media technician's blog for more information on equipment
(Click here)

Shot Reverse Shot

Continuity Editing

What is it?

The shot, reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is looking back at the character. As the characters are shown facing opposite directions, the viewer assumes they are looking at each other. The shot, reverse shot is used to add intensity to the scene because it focuses on facial expressions and the way they position themselves which can be captured by a mid shot. Shot reverse shot is a feature of the "classical" Hollywood style of continuity editing, which deemphasizes transitions between shots such that the spectator perceives one continuous action that develops linearly, chronologically, and logically. It is an example of an eyeline match- wikipedia

The shot, reverse shot uses the 180 degree role (You can see this on Amy's Blog Post), the eye line match rule and the rule of change among others. The standard elements for the shot, reverse shot is a three camera set up. The shots you should have for a basic shot reverse shot are: a two-shot of the characters usually in wide or medium shot; an over the shoulder shot on character A; and an over the shoulder shot on character B.

Click here to see how we used Shot-Reverse-Shot in our storyboard and planning for our Prelim task


Below you will be able to see a visual image of how the technique is used:

Here is a short explanation clip of how SRS is used and the affects it has on a viewer and/or what type of sequence it appears in:

The 180 Degrees Rule

Continuity Editing

What is it?

The 180 degree rule states that the camera(s) should remain the same side of an imaginary line/ The line is drawn perpendicular to the camera's viewpoint in the establishing shot of the scene. The rule enforces continuity of the film. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. The camera passing over the axis is called jumping the line or crossing the line; breaking the 180-degree rule by shooting on all sides is known as shooting in the round.

An example is that in a car chase, if the car is travelling from right to left, the next shot must also be shot from the same side, meaning the car has to enter the frame right to left again. The same applies for football matches and other sport. The image below portrays this and its basic example of how the line on action works:

Do not break the rule

The main aspect of the rule is to not break it. The only defense for breaking the rule is if it is used for effect. Otherwise, breaking the rule will only confuse the audience, especially if it is scenes within a chase, conversation or sport. 

The camera must always be on one side of the line.

The results of breaking the rule:

• Confusion
• Audience lose focus
• Become disorientated
• Miss vital parts of the film 

Eyeline match
Crossing the line when filming over the shoulder shots sifts the person's eye line, meaning that the actor's eye line's do not match. The two people should always be on the same side of frame in each shot.

As seen below, crossing the line makes it look like the actor is looking in the opposite direction and also a YouTube video that explains the basics of the eye line match rule:

Common usage, pitfalls and solutions

Screenshot of The Shining

Usage

The 180-degree rule enables the audience to visually connect with unseen movement happening around and behind the immediate subject and is important in the narration of battle scenes.

Pitfalls

The imaginary line allows viewers to orient themselves with the position and direction of action in a scene. If a shot following an earlier shot in a sequence is located on the opposite side of the 180-degree line, then it is called a "reverse cut." Reverse cuts disorient the viewer by presenting an opposing viewpoint of the action in a scene and consequently altering the perspective of the action and the spatial orientation established in the original shot.

Solutions

There are a variety of ways to avoid confusion related to crossing the line due to particular situations caused by actions or situations in a scene that would necessitate breaking the 180-degree line.

Screenshot of reverse angle from The Shining

Prevention

Either alter the movement in a scene, or set up the cameras on one side of the scene so that all the shots reflect the view from that side of the 180-degree line

Camera Arch move

One way to allow for crossing the line is to have several shots with the camera arching from one side of the line to the other during the scene. That shot can be used to orient the audience to the fact that we are looking at the scene from another angle. In the case of movement, if a character is seen walking into frame from behind on the left side walking towards a building corner on the right, as they walk around the corner of the building, the camera can catch them coming towards the camera on the other side of the building entering the frame from the left side and then walk straight at the camera and then exit the left side of the frame.

Can you get round the rule?

The only way around the rule without disorientating the audience is to show the camera movement. One the line has been crossed, and the movement shown, you have to stay on that particular side of the line, unless you show the movement back over it or are using the switch of this for a certain effect.

Here is a short example of it being used.

Match On Action

Continuity Editing

What is it?

Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot, portraying the action of the subject within the first shot. This creates the impression of a sense of continuity- the action carrying through creates a 'visual bridge' which draws the viewer's attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues. This is not a graphic match or match cut, it portrays a continuous sense of the same action rather than matching two separate things.

Here is a photo example of match on action being used:

And here is a visual example. The YouTube video below shows a short sequence from the famous American TV show, Friends.

Preliminary Task Sheet

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio

Dec – Jan 2015-16

Preliminary Exercise in Continuity Editing

AS Media coursework - COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL

	What	When	Worth
Main Task	Opening to thriller film	Jan – April 2014	50%
Prelim Task	Continuity editing task	Dec 2013 – Jan 2014	You have to Complete and PASS
	Group task	Group Task

The Preliminary Task.The specification states that this must be:

A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.


This task should demonstrate:

• Match on Action

• Shot/Reverse Shot

• The 180 degree Rule

You will also have to incorporate Music, dialogue and sound effects into your filmAll filming and editing must take place on campus, using College equipment. 
You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of Thriller Film).

Deadline

You will work on this in all of your Media Studies lessons between now and Friday January 10th 2013. The final deadline for final edited film and completed blog will be one week after on Friday January 17^th. 

Stage One


You will decide upon your groups. Groups must be a maximum of fourstudents, and a minimum of two. 

Stage Two

In your groups, you will revise the continuity terms referred to above, and ensure that everyone in the group understands what you are required to demonstrate in the finished product.  You will set up your group’s blog, and begin to make entries on it.  The first 4 posts will be :-Post 1) The TaskPost 2) The 180 degreePost 3) Shot/Reverse shotPost 4) Match on Action.Post 5) You need to allocate all members of the group to particular tasks and blog these decisions..  The tasks that need to be done:-§  Camera operator - assign the person most skilled at this to this task. §  At least two people should take responsibility for filming. §  Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)§  Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)§  Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)§  Casting Director (organises actors where needed)§  Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)It is likely that most tasks will be undertaken quite collaboratively.  However, if someone has particular skills, then utilise these.  This will be your 5 th post.

Stage Three  - Planning the sequence

Match the brief to a simple storyline – a lover’s tiff, teacher and pupil, job interview etc or you can do it in a thriller format.    Location – Where will you film? Is it available? Photograph it for the blog.Costume – be ambitious and dress characters appropriatelyProps – again be ambitious.Lighting – do you want to create a particular atmosphere?Then start to storyboard the 1 minute sequence.  You will need to consider shot distance, angle and movement, transitions, and ensure that you cover the 3 continuity techniques mentioned.  Your storyboard must use the correct format, and include all of the information shown on page 25 of your booklet on Moving Image Language. It should also include timing in seconds for each shot, and exact lines of dialogue, sound effects and or music alongside the shot/s that it would be heard.  
All this needs to be uploaded to your Blog – divide the posts up between the group.



Stage Four – before your film

Organise a time to do your filming.  Remember that everything has to “come together” – props, locations, costumes, make up.  
Make sure you have organised your all equipment (camera, lighting, tripod)
Remind yourselves of  – WHITE BALANCE, FRAMING OF SUBJECT, MAKING A SANDWICH, 
Conduct a Health and Safety check – do a risk assessment for your shoot and record this on your blog. 

Stage Five -Start filming - You will be given only THREE lessons to film

Shoot each shot several times, as well as from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully – a shortage of footage usually results in poor productions!! 
Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use.  Create a “Sandwich”.
Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network and saved in the appropriate file.  Check with Ollie or Sophie before saving your work!!  You have to Log and save footage immediately after filming – cameras memories will be wiped on return to the technician.
Record EVIDENCE of your filming process on the Blog – this is to prove that you made your film and that all members of the group were present!


Stage Six

Edit your sequence. On completion, place your finished product in the “Completed Work” directory for your particular AS block


MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES
EVERY MEMBER OF THE GROUP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINES SET. FAILURE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES BY THE GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.

DEADLINE ONE: By the end of your second lesson. Posts 1 – 5 completed on Blog Storyboard Uploaded to blog – explanations provided Risk assessments completed All planning processes blogged – Props, Locations, Make up, Hair, Costume, Actors, Lighting, Filming Schedule. “Key things to remember about filming” - Post on your blog (WB, Sandwich, Framing)

DEADLINE TWO:  By the end of term Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder. Evidence of the filming process on your blog. An evaluation of your filming – what went well, what didn’t and why?

DEADLINE THREE: By the end of the first week back after Christmas Holidays Friday 10thJan. Image and Sound editing should be completed. Blog evidence of your editing decisions and discussions. This will be your last lesson allocated to editing.  Any further editing will need to be completed in your own time and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest.

FINAL DEADLINE – FRIDAY 17th January.   FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE SAVED TO THE COMPLETED WORK FOLDER – AS Prelim 2015-14/AS BLOCK ?/ Your full names. GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES

NB AS THIS IS AN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE PRELIMINARY EXERCISE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO THE MAIN TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEREFORE, ANY STUDENT NOT ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABOVE PROCESS TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE WILL BE ASKED TO INDIVIDUALLY COMPLETE OR SEPARATELY UNDERTAKE THE TASK AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY ON THEIR RETURN TO COLLEGE.

Key things to remember

• Always reset your white balance when repositioning your camera

• Consider the framing

• Give yourself time to capture and log footage before returning camera.  Follow the tutorials saved to the desk tops of the i-Macs.  Camera memories are wiped immediately on return to a technician.

• To log onto network – CONTROL K, Media AS as both username and password

• Never take out equipment without booking out

• Always return equipment to a technician.

• Always create a film sandwich “Camera Rolling”: “Speed”: “Action”: “Cut”: leave running for few seconds.

Health and safety 

Don’t put yourself or others at risk:  No Hoodie’s or stalkers:  No weapons.  If using lighting, follow necessary precautions.  Don’t leave the campus.  Please be mindful that other students will be in lessons.  Leave any settings that you use, as you found them.

Your Blog – blogs have a particular format.  Rather than walls of text, you should adopt a multi media approach.  Use lots of embedded video, import images, hyperlinks, write text as bullet points, use sub titles, etc.  Be creative!