Preliminary Task 2 Planning

 

Hi class

Here's the brief for Preliminary Task 2

NOTES FOR PRELIMINARY TASK 2

1. We're being more intentional about the creation of suspense / tension through use of specific filming techniques and conventions.

2. It's a good idea to get them to choose a specific thriller sub-genre you want to try to reproduce. You can reference your recent blog assignments on that to decide which conventions you want to use.  PT#2's mark will also take into account how good a job you did at making an accurate representation of this sub-genre.

3. We're switching up roles! Whatever job you had for PT #1

Second filming task brief-

·                Two characters

·                1.30 - 2 mins maximum length

Technical elements required:

·                Use at least one extreme-wide / establishing shot, one close-up (CU) andone extreme close-up (ECU).

·                Use 180-degree rule

·                Use shot-reverse-shot

·                Use match on action

·                Use Thriller conventions

·                Consider the Critical Reflection questions as you prepare for the main task!

·                After Effects! Explore this technology to decide what you will add into your version of the edit..

All the best! Remember to plan thoroughly, record all your decisions and changes. Work with the end in mind. Lastly, get creative!

Here is your checklist to work through. Some things you should ALL do, e.g. concept treatment & storyboard)  some things only you will be responsible for (e.g. storyboard/ script)

Pre-Production

1. Brainstorm (all include a version of this, show record of ideas developing into final idea)

2. Concept – HERE is the link for the template of how to do this
3.   Treatment - see link HERE for template for how to do this

4.  Storyboard (you can either print the template off our class blog, left side under ‘film templates’ or if you don’t have a printer, draw up your own template to use).
5.    Script & Talent

6. Shot List

7.     Location / Setting (do some research, find photos of the look you are after and places that could work for setting. Find some movies with setting / location that you want to replicate)

8.     Props & costumes (again, find examples of EVERY prop and costume you want to use. What other movies have they used them in? What look and feel are you going for? What colours are going to be symbolic? What props are going to be used in iconography? Include lots of photos/ screenshots of movies and write about the ‘why’ you would make this creative choice).

9. Film Schedules

10. Call Sheets

      PRODUCTION

11.     Lighting (you need a lighting plan. Show you have done some research to find lighting styles you like and want to replicate. Explain how you will get your desired effect).
10.     Camera (in this you include shot types and camera movement you want to explore and try out. Maybe it’s things like  dolly shot where you want the camera moving or a high establishing shot? Get examples of what you want to try replicate and look up/ plan creative ways to get this. For a dolly shot you can put your camera on a wheelie chair, a tracking shot can be on a skateboard etc. Get creative! Are you going to use lots of close-up’s? Are you going to use lots of obstruction of vision in what you include in your shot? Whose point of view is the story told from?
9.     Sound – who is going to do this on the day? Then you all need to start researching sound. What do you plan on including in your sound? Hat soundtracks have you found? What sound effects? What movies or short films achieve what you want to achieve in sound and how will you use them as inspiration?

      10. Director / time keeper

 

      POST-PRODUCTION

11.     Editing – look up some cool editing techniques like how to do a chase scene, how to do flashbacks, how to do fast paced edits, how to create a disorientated feel via editing. Do some research and have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with editing in this short film opening

12. Logo - design, placement/ animation (track all stages of designs, revision drafts, issues, decisions and finished product as well as treatment explanation for the above).

T-Bianca

Homework - CCR for PT 1

Hi guys

This homework is due Fri 1st APRIL 

Remember to be using blog tools to make your blogs more visually interesting!

Question 1
How does your product USE or CHALLENGE conventions?
(Think sound, lighting, narrative structure, editing, camera work, symbolism and iconography)
 - make a list of conventions used, are they conforming to the norm or challenging the normal thriller conventions?

Question 2
How does your product engage with audiences and how would you distribute your film as a real media text? (here's some info on film distribution for you to research)

https://www.rev.com/blog/indie-film-distribution

(What effect does it have on audiences? What emotions do you evoke in audience members?)
- Think about and comment on the following;
 - characters (what characters did you choose to use? Can audiences identify with any of them? Are they scary /  mysterious? Is there a vulnerable character that the audience sympathises with?
- narrative - what sort of story line does your film have? Think about narrative structure - are there certain aspects of the story that are revealed at the end? Is there enigma in your story? Is there a cliffhanger?
- point of view - is your film made from a certain point of view?
- How does the thriller genre in general 'hook' or engage audiences? (do a bit of research)
- What editing/ music choices have you used to build suspense and engage audiences?

Question 3
How have your PRODUCTION skills developed throughout the project? (pre-production, production and post-production. What have you learnt to do?
- comment on the learning process. What did you find hard? What did you enjoy doing? What was a challenge and
- what were peer revision/ comments on your rough edit? What did they suggest you change? What did you end up changing?
- what went well in the filming process that you'll do again? What will you do differently next time?

Question 4
How did you integrate technologies into this project?
(Software, hardware and online)
- Photos! List photos, screenshots, videos and explanations of every website, software, Youtube tutorial, camera, sound gear/ microphone etc, you used to plan, write scripts, look up info on sound effects, convert Youtube music to MP3's, edit, after effects etc

Have fun.

T-Bianca

Wednesday Classwork: Distribution - how it works?

 Hi class,

Today we are looking at distribution and how it works. Why is this relevant? Because you will need to know all about this for your end of year exams when we look at how the movie industry works. You will also need to have a distribution plan for when you do your CCR (next on the agenda), and need to comment on how you will distribute your film.

We will go into this in more depth but today, I want you to read through this handy article and decide, if your film was a real movie, how would you distribute it? On what platforms and why? Remember to think about your target audience, too. What platforms are they watching content on? This may need some research.

LINK HERE

ACTIVITY: 

Write a blog post including your findings and research on distribution, particularly independent film distribution (because this is what your film is). 

Include research from the link supplied as well as other information you've researched on your own, as to what distribution avenues you would use and why. 

You may also choose to include examples of other indi-films and how they were distributed as part of your rationale for your choices.

After Effects Tutorials

Hi guys,

Click below to find some tutorials to learn all about how to use After Effects and practise some of them in class today.

Make sure you include these practise tutorial videos (whether the actual videos or screenshots of your practise) in a blog post to document your up skilling in this area.

After Effects Tutorial Links

Friday - Representation Practise

 Hi class,

Check out this clip from Downtown Abbey.

I want you to watch it through from 1.36 mins to the end (please note, this will be longer than the average clip you'll get in an exam but for the purposes of practise, it's a great clip).

FRIDAY: 

Create a blog post with the title, "Downton Abbey Representation Practise" with your notes

Questions;

1. Who (out of the 7 core representation areas of society) are being represented in this clip? 

(you can choose more than 1 category if you feel it's relevant)

2. How are they represented to us? (what messages are we told about these groups? What are they like? What are their lives like? What are we encouraged / pursuaded to think about them?)

3. Split a planning page up into 4 squares and include your 4 technical elements. Go through the clip from 1.36 and collect EVIDENCE (or examples) of where each technical area created meaning. Use correct terminology AND details of the example you're referring to (you can't just say 'there's lots of close-up's") You will need to watch the clip through 3 - 4 times, like you would in an exam, to get the notes you need. 

MONDAY

Watch this video as it goes through each technical element and how you should be taking notes for your essay;

Tues 1st period - continue to make notes 

Tues 2nd period - 45 min essay writing 

Saul Bass - Art of the Title Sequence

Hi guys,

In looking at title sequences in more detail, we cannot go past Saul Bass and his incredible influence on the history of them. 

Take a look at this short clip and feel free to include his influence on your chosen title sequences if appropriate.

T-Bianca 

 

Week 6 Classwork - Tues / Wed and Thurs

Hi everyone,

Let's take a look at James Bond, Skyfall's opening credits;

Notice what techniques are used in this opening to the film. 

So here's the task for this week's classwork:

•On your blog create a post titled 'Opening Sequences' and explain the following: 

–What is the purpose of Opening Sequences?

–What is the difference between Opening Credits and a Title Sequence?

–What techniques can be employed in an opening sequence?

Here's some examples of what we mean when we say TECHNIQUES

https://www.creativebloq.com/audiovisual/top-techniques-title-sequences-10135013

–Research a modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film of your choice to use as examples.

–Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.

Here is an updated version of the powerpoint we saw in class.  It has a few more leading questions to assist you in the assignment.

https://www.artofthetitle.com

Let me know if you have any further questions!

- T. Bianca

Classwork - Wed / Thurs Fri (if you finish editing tutorial)

 Hi class

Here is your work for the week to be working on when you're done with your editing tutorial. Please do this homework under the RESEARCH tab.

PART 1

• Watch the following clips on creating suspense and you'll be answering the big question, "what are the key 'ingredients' in creating a suspense-filled clip?"

• Write a few key points from each of these videos

1.

2. 

3.