Reflections

1.    Describe any problems or difficulties your group encountered during the planning. These may include; organizational problems, group related issues, etc.

A few problems we encountered were related to our time clashes and when we would be able to join altogether to film all the shots. At first, a few of us could not find time to meet up so Steph and Abbey joined together and filmed a scene in which only Abbey was needed. 

2.    Clarify any time-management issues your group encountered during the planning process and describe the steps you implemented to improve in this area;

As stated above, we had trouble meeting up together on the first shooting day, so we decided that we would film a scene in which not all of us were needed, and Abbey was the only character in the shots, and Steph filmed. 

3.    Discuss whether your group made effective use of the provided templates to assist the film-making process;

Yes, we made effective use of the shot list in particular, but we could have related back to the script a little more accurately. Sometimes during shooting we made up some lines instead of looking back to the script and sticking to what we planned originally.

4.    Explain whether the planning process helped your group during filming. In particular, discuss whether the use of devices such as storyboards, shot-lists, and rough edits assisted throughout the filming process;

The shot lists helped us in filming, as often we would forget which shots were left to film, and how they were supposed to be filmed. The shot lists helped us to keep on track and also manage our time more effectively so we weren't filming any unwanted scenes.

5.    Describe any problems or difficulties your group encountered during the filming process. These may include; organization problems, unreliable cast members, group related issues, equipment problems, etc. 

There weren't any problems of difficulties during the filming process. Maybe the only slight problem would be that sometimes the sun would cast a shadow and the shot not be bright enough, as we didn't have any screens or equipment to keep fro the sun glaring too much in the shots.

6.    After reviewing your footage and completing the rough cut of your film, describe any aspects of your film, which need to be addressed. i.e does your group need to reshoot any scenes; are any additional shots required; are there any scenes which worked better than expected.

I think that some of the scenes we might have had to make longer. For example, for the shot of the phone ringing, we could have kept the camera still for a while so that the camera had time to adjust to lighting, or so that the audience has more time to see what was popping up on the phone screen. I think the scene where Abbey was walking down the stairs was effective, especially since we had both a low and high shot.

7.    List any skills, techniques or tricks you have discovered during the project.

When Nate falls off the hill and falls to his death, we discovered that shaking the camera around as if it was in Nate's point of view was pretty effective and made it more realistic.

8.    Discuss whether you undertook adequate and detailed reflection to throughout your project. Have you provided enough evidence to support your work? (Look back at your blogs/journals and think about whether it looks like 6 weeks worth of work).

I don't think I had enough reflections in my blog. I never really recorded what we did each lesson or how our film was doing progress wise. Maybe if I had written reflections for each lesson, I would be able to evaluate better on how we managed our time and what we could do better in future filming. 

Discuss your feelings about the production task:
9.    Are you satisfied with your groups final result?

Yes, I am pretty satisfied, and I think we did a good job, taking into account that it was the first movie each of us made and actually filmed outside of school hours. 

10.    Would like to change any aspects of your film?

Maybe we could have added a few more scenes to make the film flow more, and look less disconnected in some ways. I think that sometimes the scenes look a bit rushed and that too much is implied instead of being displayed.

11.    If you could start the project again what would you do differently?

I would start the filming earlier, so that if any of the shots turned out differently than expected, we would have time to reshoot some of the scenes.

Converting Kodak Zi8 Files

1. Select the icon from your applications folder or the Dock that looks like a slate and has the words MPEG Streamclip written. 

2. Drag the video file to the centre of the window. 

3. Select File and then select 'Export to Quicktime' 

4. Save with these settings: 

• Apple Intermediate Codec

• Frame Size: 1280x720

• Select Make Movie

• Rename the file

• Save the new file on your

• USB stick or Hard Drive 

Reflection on mise-en-scene etc.

Mise-en-scene	-       For setting, an actual house was used for scenes to make it more realistic. -       All scenes were shot in the same setting for continuality. -       Flashback scenes were black and white to make it more clear and easy for the audience to differentiate the flashbacks and normal scenes.
Cinematography	-       In one of the shots in the scene when Nate falls to his death, the camera movement is very blurry and as if the being rolled around, to create a shot made in Nate’s perspective when rolling down the hill. -       In the same scene, there is a shot where the camera is at a low angle to Blaire, to make her look more powerful. -       Several over-the-shoulder shots were used to make the audience feel as if they were actually in the situation.
Editing	-       Certain transitions were used repetitively for the scenes from where Blaire has flashbacks and then back to the real world. -       Shots from different angles were used in scenes so that it wasn’t too boring and continuous.
Sound	-       There is not too much dialogue in some of the flashback scenes, to show that Blaire has trouble remembering. -       Splashing sounds were kept in Nate’s death scene to make it clearer to the audience that Nate fell in the water. -       Dialogue was mostly used in the scenes to show progress in the storyline.

Timecode

A general timecode would look something like this: 

00:00:00:00 - H:M:S:F

- When every shot is taken, the starting time code and ending time code will be recorded. 
- The recorded time codes can be put into a logged list, which shows how long each of the footage goes for, and also how much of the shot can be used. 

Final Cut Pro

If the footage gets split:


- Go to Window, Arrange and then click standard.

TIPS: 


- Create folders for more organised footage.
- Final Cut Pro > Easy Setup > Apple Intermediate Codec > HDV > Rate 29.97 > Setup
- Final Cut Pro > System Settings > Scratch Disks > Set to Hard Drive

Notes on Lighting

Three point lighting setup:


- The three point lighting set up is a setup that you can use for lighting in creating a film.
- A key light is placed diagonally to the object, and a fill light is placed on the other diagonal side.
- A back light can then be placed behind the object.
- A reflector may also be used to bounce light.

Film Synopsis (vampire scene)

The screen shows the priest, heavily panting as he steps backwards to hit against the railing of the second floor. Shown from the priest's point of view, scary, suspenseful music starts playing as the vampire, pale and tall, slowly paces forward towards the priest. The scene cuts to show the priest running to the left as he tries to run away from the vampire. However, the priest is too slow, and the scene cuts to show the vampire leaping to the priest in slow motion. During this slow motion, the only sound heard is the heavy breathing of the priest as the vampire gets closer. Sad, slow music plays as the screen cuts to show the vampire on top of the priest at bird's eye view. The camera slowly zooms out, revealing the priest being killed on top of the alter in the church. Once the camera shows the cross above the alter, the screen fades to black. The music also slowly fades to total silence.

Plot Recipe

Ingredients:


- 1 confused teenage girl in love with her boyfriend.
- Several suspicious high school students.
- High School setting.
- 2 extremely protective parents
- 1 missing boyfriend.
- 1 dangerous cliff

Method: 
1. Firstly, take a beautiful teenage girl and make her unconscious.
2. Make her wake up and to have lost all memory of what has happened in the past week.
3. Then, let it be revealed to her that her boyfriend has disappeared, and then found dead at the bottom of a cliff.
4. Now, in the midst of her confusion, insert some suspicious friends into the situation. They will confuse her more and make the friends accuse one another.
5. As she goes searching for the answer of her boyfriend's death, make her realise something extremely important to the situation. This important point needs to be related to someone who did not have a big role  until now.
6. Let the girl question and confront those accused, and finally she will be able to remember what happened the very night her boyfriend disappeared.
7. Be sure to make this a twist, and to end the film with a shot of her big realisation.

Developing the Plot Notes

- A plot is the pattern or order of events that make up a story.
- Most ordinary plots are made up of 5 parts; a exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.

Exposition:
- The exposition is usually the beginning of the story.
- The characters and setting are introduced. 
- The main conflict of the story is introduced.

Rising Action: 
- The rising action is the part in which the conflict starts to develop, creating suspense and interest.

Climax: 
- The climax is usually the turning point of the story.
- The main character may face the conflict and they may change in some way or form.

Falling Action: 
- The questions that are left unanswered are answered and the conflict or climax is resolved.


Resolution: 
- The story comes to an end.
- The conclusion.

Famous Protagonists and Antagonists

Protagonists and Antagonists:

- Batman and the Joker
- Harry Potter and Voldemort
- Alice and the Red Queen

Protagonist & Antagonist

Protagonist: 


- Presents out motivation to change the way things are.
- Without a protagonist, there would be no drive in the story.
- Does not have to be the most powerful personality.
- Never gives up

Antagonist:


- Represents the resistance in changing the status quo.
- Tries everything to prevent the 'goal' being reached.
- Without an antagonist, no obstacles, and even if there is one, they are not as effective.

Storyboard notes.

What to include in a storyboard:

- Shot type.
- Camera position / movement
 (using arrows in drawing and proper terms given)
- Camera action / dialogue / detail
- Other notes.

Camera positions:
- High camera angle.
- Low camera angle.
- Level camera angle.
- Long shot.
- Pan.
- Point of view shot
- Reaction shot
- Tilt
- Zoom
- Closeup shot
- Dissolve
- Fade
- Jump Cut
(using arrows to show camera movement/action)

- include dialogue.
- panel annotations

Definitions

DEFINITION:

Protagonist: A protagonist is the character that helps keep the story moving. They usually have a goal or mission to achieve, in which the movie is based about their journey to achieve that goal. In modern times they may also be sometimes called the 'good guy'.

Antagonist: The antagonist is the one that tries to stop the protagonist. As opposed to the protagonist, he is the 'baddie', an obstacle trying to stop from the story progressing.

Cinematography: Moulin Rouge

The movie that I am going to be analyzing is Moulin Rouge, which was made in 2001. It is a musical film and is extremely popular and famous to this day.

The aspect of film that I am going to be analyzing in this movie is Cinematography. I believe that this movie is a good example of cinematography.

The start of the movie begins by showing a movie scene. It also then zooms in on the movie so that the frame is now inside the movie.

The director has used what is called a 'match cut' to connect the movie and the audience.

The whole scene is in black and white, and many of the character are wearing scary make-up. These together create the feeling that the location in which the scene is placed is somewhat dark, sinister and creepy.

Another example of cinematography is when the scene is slowed down in some parts, and are also blurred. These parts are shown in the Moulin Rouge club-type location in the movie. The blurry shots and the slow motion make it look as if the person in perspective is drunk. These scenes contrast from the previous black and white ones.

Another example of cinematography in this movie is the use of zooming in and out. In the movie, 'Moulin Rouge', the director has used the camera zooming out to signify the time passing back, in other words going back in time. Similar to this, the camera zooming in signifies going into that scene in that time period.

Sahara Intro

The original music for the intro in the movie 'Saraha' has a funky style and implies a happy beginning for the movie. However, when the music for the movie changes, the mood of the film immediately changes with it, creating a feel that there has been a sad happening before the time in which the film starts. The intro shows various pictures and items that represents memories for the two men which are shown. In the original intro, it seems that the movie is just showing the times in which the two men have been together, and the happy memories they had. However, when changing the music to a sad ballad, it seems as if one of the men has died, or a tragic moment has happened to the two men.

Diegetic and non-diegetic Sounds

Diegetic Sounds:

- Diegetic Sounds are sounds that come from something that is visible in the frame. For example, sounds that come from the people inside the movie, sounds made by objects in the movie or anything that is sound relating to something in the frame.

Non-diegetic Sounds:

- Non diegetic sounds are sounds which are implyed to be from something not inside the film. For example, sounds that are non diegetic include narration or soundtracks for the movie.

Jeep Commercial Analysis

1. In this commercial, the editor has edited so that the rhythm of the commercial matches with the song that comes with it.

2. The editing manipulates the passing of time by showing shots that show daylight and the night time. There are also shots of a sunset. Another way the editing shows the passing of time is by using match cuts in several different spots in the commercial.

3. One of the graphic matches is again the match cuts. This creates a sense that the person watching the commercial is the owner of the car and will be able to fulfill all the activities that the commercial sells. The match cut also shows the relevance between the car and the activities that are shown in the commercial.

6 storyboard shots (from end to start)

Recipe for a Horror Movie

Ingredients:

1. Suspenseful music
2. Dark lighting
3. Items of violence (knife, axe, etc.)
4. A big and empty house
5. Creaky doors and stairs
6. Blood and gore
7. A scared young women
8. Whispering sounds.

Instructions:

1. Firstly, introduce the big and empty house with not much lighting, mostly moonlight.
2. Enter the scared young women, curious about the house.
3. As she enters the house, create creaky door sound effects and creaking sounds when she climbs up the stairs.
4. Start suspenseful music.
5. Stop music and start whispering sound effects.
6. Women finds bloody knife on table.
7. Women turns around suddenly
8. Surprising sound effects
9. Women dies of knife stabbing.

Analysis of shot

The angle used in this shot is an low angle shot. This angle may have been used to create a feeling that the man on top of the drawers is powerful and big. However, in this case I believe that it has done the opposite. By positioning the man and the drawer in the centre, and also by having the man on the drawer in a difficult position can also make him look like he is in a difficult situation which he is having trouble getting out of. Therefore, this is creating a very contrasted look to what a low angle shot usually would create. Another way that this shot has created this feel is the lighting. By having a mostly dark shot with the light mainly on the man, again this creates a shot that looks as if everything is concentrated on the man. It can also be seen that this light is not from an electric light in the room, but that it is coming from the window on the roof, implying that it is the moonlight.

Thriller - 5 points

1. Dark lighting/ Shadows

2. Suspenseful music

3. Sudden transitions

4. Over the shoulder shots (these may be used to show something that the audience may see but the character cannot.)

5. Camera techniques so that the movie is shown in the character's point of view. This makes the movie more exciting as it creates the feeling that the audience is in the actual situation.