This week we are focusing on a few elements to get ready for filming next week.
You need to:
1. Finish all planning for your project by FRIDAY (all uploaded to your blog AND your contributions uploaded to your group blog)
2. Plan + confirm filming dates for NEXT WEEK (preferably a double lesson day). This needs to be planned well and in advance so no double bookings for cameras and gear.
3. Confirm where you're filming and get relevant permissions
4. Check full plan off w/ T-Bianca
5. Camera tutorial (Tuesday)
6. Lighting tutorial (Wed)
6. Practise getting some shots and uploading footage to your computers (Thurs / Fri)
7. Watch the DaVinci editing tutorial post if you have time this week
–Research a modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film of your choice to use as examples, as well s the James Bond, Skyfall clip, above.
–Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.
Here is an updated version of the powerpoint explaining some of the differences between opening sequences and title sequences. It has a few more leading questions to assist you in the assignment.
Take a look at this movie opening, 'A Quiet Place' - the 1st 6 minutes only.
Write an essay explaining how the 4 technical elements create meaning in terms of TENSION and SUSPENSE which are the main goal of a thriller movie.
Try and use as many terminology words as possible and make sure you work through all 4 technical elements.
This essay will be out of 15 and marked in the following way;
Terminology - 5 (using correct media terminology in the correct context)
Analysis - 5 - (interpreting the question and providing relevent insights, ability to deconstruct the text and derive intended meaning, dependant on how accurately you demonstrate that you understand the codes and conventions of the thriller genre and how the conventions have either been challenged or conformed to)
Explanation - 5 (this is the level of detail included, the depth of analysis and the skill you use to commuinicate your points as well as how well you use actual examples from the text, to back up your points)
e.g. 'the sad-sounding music in the background makes the audience sad'
as opposed to
'the non-diegetic score is effective in evoking feelings of sympathy for the family. The violins and stringed instruments provide an eery tone that highlights both the danger that the family are in as well as the twinge of sadness at the careful life they have to live, just to survive. This is paired with shots of everyday life activities, now changed to be silent, for example the mother cooks the family food in the floor boards and serves it on leaf plates."
Today for class we are meeting to discuss your Preliminary Task! You are going to work in groups to create an opening sequence.
Today's work is to brainstorm an idea. Scribble it on paper but create a neat version that will be uploaded to your blog. Then you are going to make your way through the list below for next week's classwork.
Your Preliminary Task brief is as follows;
BRIEF:
Create a short scene (around 1.30mins) in an action-thriller that has the following elements;
- 180' Rule
- Shot-reverse-shot
- Match-on-action
- continuity editing
- at least 2 characters
- at least 2 lines of dialogue
- a chase scene of some sort
- a character opening a door and coming into a room/ building to demonstrate your understanding of match-on-action.
- iconography, codes and conventions that make your media text recognisable to the viewer as belonging to the genre you're creating.
Here's what you need to use as a checklist:
TASK PLANNING:
For now you should have started completing the following and have a list of these incorporated into your planning entry on your blog.
Brainstorm
Storyboard
Script
Location
Props & Costumes - list them, source them, bring them in
Possible Talent - choose and approach for willingness and availability on the day
Filming day options - finalise and CONFIRM WITH TALENT
Conventions you intend to employ, and rationale
Callsheet for talent - make it simple for them so they know what they need to bring
Shot list for yourselves - this helps you plan out how you will manage your time
Group roles - who will do what on the day? Who will act as timekeeper? Director? Cam-op?
Equipment list - plan NOW what you'll need; don't be scrambling on the day
Principles of continuity plan (180' Rule/ match on action and shot-reverse-shot) (p.33 coursebook)
Here is a good example of a previous student's planning work (this doesn't contain all that we require for planning but the content is definitely what you should be aiming for).
Everyone needs to upload their delegated tasks to a post on the Group Blog. Work out who is responsible for what and this list also needs to be in your planning post on your blog and on your group blog.
All of this will feed your Creative Critical Reflection, which we will discuss more fully at a later time. For now, get your planning ready and get filming! :)
