Media task 7
- 1. 180 degree rule In our opening sequence we used the 180 degree rule whist the three girls talked about the robbery. We also followed the 180 degree rule when filming the conversation between the two boys. In film making, the 180 degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. We ensured we followed this rule as it ensures we reinforce continuity in the scene. Our skills have improved since the preliminary task as we included a panning camera movement in our opening sequence and included more back and forth shots to show the conversation becoming tense as suspense builds. This shows our development not only of camera work but also when considering the audience and how involved they are in the conversation. We also improved how realistic the scene appeared since our preliminary task. As you can see the boys on the right in creating a two shot are looking directly at the camera and are not physically turned towards each other like most people are in real conversations. The boys appear more tense and robotic whilst the girls appear more relaxed and natural making the conversation appear ore realistic and believable, which makes the scene more effective.
- 2. In the prelim task we used the shot/reverse shot rule/technique to show the back and forth conversation. This enables the audience to feel part of the scene. We used close-ups in the prelim task to clearly show each character looking back a the other as they spoke. This allowed the audience to easily follow the conversation. However, in our opening sequence we used the same shot reverse shot rule but added more complex camera angles. In this case we used an over the shoulder shot which give the audience a sense perspective which we believed would allow them to follow the conversation easily and in a more professional and interesting way. By having the conversation between three people instead of two which made the scene more effective and fast pace as the conversation had multiple layers and speakers creating a constant fast pace rhythm to the scene. Shot/reverse shot
- 3. Match on action As the actor turned around the corner and continued to walk up the stairs we used a low angle shot whilst using a tracking shot of the actor to follow him whilst he walks towards the top of the stairs. Also with the use of handheld camera work. This ensured we maintained continuity and made the scene realistic and believable. We applied his rule to our opening sequence when Charles walks towards ten past the camera, his back s the shown walking away from the camera. This match on action demonstrates how our skills an knowledge had been demonstrated in a more professional way which added effect.
- 4. Over the shoulder shot An over the shoulder shot is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective or camera angle from the shoulder of another person. We used an over the shoulder shot in both our prelim task and our opening sequence as it gives the audience a sense of perspective, seeing what the characters see. It also adds realism to the shot as the audience adapt to the view as the character. We used multiple over the shoulder shots in our opening sequence during the conversation scene. We also used it when Charles steps in front of half of the camera showing he has been watching the girls rob his house. Although this shot appear easy and relatively simple it adds an eerie effect to the scene. However, we used the same shot type in or prelim task as one boy walks over the other. Although we aligned the perspective correctly and effectively, we have improved the alignment and arrangement around the camera shot in our opening sequence which demonstrates the understanding and skills e learnt to improve the audience’s perspective to make it more effective.
- 5. Costume In ou prelim task we had limited costumes that were worn throughput the video which was a casual teenage college costume. This is because there was only one scene and so only one costume was needed. However, we developed the costumes in our opening sequence by having four main groups of costumes throughout the opening sequence. Firstly Charles is seen in the mental hospital wearing a hospital gown with slippers. This costume is appropriate ad advanced when maintaining continuity and relevant aspects that make the film ore realistic and professional. Then when Charles escapes from the mental hospital and is in his lair he is wearing all black as if he is hiding from someone/something (maybe the police). Then the teenage girls were seen in college wearing casual clothing. Finally the girls are shown in all black with ski masks etc. This outfit shows the development from an amateur to professional perspective as to what the characters should wear to make the scene effective and contextually relevant.
- 6. Sound There are similar scenes that include diegetic sound, conversation/dialogue which is between two then three people. This makes the videos more realistic and believable allowing the audience to relate to what they are discussing. There is no non-diegetic sound in the prelim task video, for example music and sound effects. However, there is a large amount of music in our psychological thriller opening sequence. We used “Garage Band” to layer specific sounds creating a collection of eerie soundtracks which reinforce our thriller genre. We added more up beat music when the break in took place with heart beat sound effects. We leant the importance of sound in a film as it triggers specific emotions for the audience. The lack music and sound effects in our prelim task makes it appear less professional and realistic. We manipulated the pace and pitch of the music in our opening sequence to make the change of scene obvious.
- 7. Lighting Setting High-key lighting is used in the prelim task and low key lighting is used in our opening sequence. We leant the importance of lighting when conveying an emotion or genre of film. In this case we were following the typical low-key lighting with effects and manipulating light intensities to create a shadowed effect which creates a sense of mystery and secrecy. Both the prelim task and certain scenes in our opening sequence were filmed in college. However, for our opening sequence we used multiple settings/locations which made the film more realistic as not every situation is set in the same place. We chose to set one scene in the mental hospital (which was filmed in college), another in college as the girls discuss their robbery plan, outside Charles's house and inside his lair, and finally in his house where he captured and tied the girls up. By using more than one location to film in we learnt the effect it has on the audience and how a change in environment can trigger different emotions. For example when at college the audience felt safe and secure but the footage in Charles’s house when the girls are trapped makes the audience feel nervous and anxious for their safety.
- 8. Titles In the prelim task we used one simple font which had no unique or particularly interesting features which would entice/catch the audiences attention. However, in our opening sequence we used a gothic/sinister font which links to or thriller genre. We used all capitals to give the impression its an urgent warning. The titles that appeared throughout our opening sequence were flickering/glowing which caches the audiences attention ensuring they read the credits. Instead of placing the title across the centre of the screen, like the prelim ask, instead we adjusted and rearranged the layout/position of the text so it fitted in with the surroundings. As shown above the title of the film “Hide N’ Seek” has been rotated in line with the pattern on the hospital wall. These small details make the sequence appear more professional and to a higher quality. As we started editing our film opening we learnt the importance of title and their layout an order in which they are presented.
- 9. Extreme Long Shot In our Prelim task and our opening sequence we used multiple extreme long shots. In the prelim task we used an extreme long shot that showed Tony walking towards the camera from a distance. However, in our opening sequence we filmed a low angle shot of the outside of the mental hospital. Then later in the film when the girls were breaking into the house we used multiple high angle shots to give the impression of CCTV footage. We learnt an extreme long shot is used so the audience is informed that the characters are moving from one location to another. It allows the audience to acknowledge the layout and setting/surroundings of the scene which gives hem a clearer understanding of what is happening in the scene. After using this camera shot in our prelim task we decided to improve the footage when editing our opening sequence. We did this by adding filters over the footage to make it appear more effective and appropriate for the scene. We added a CCTV effect for the robbery scene and added a green tint with a raining effect over the establishing shot of the metal hospital.
- 10. High angle shot A high-angle shot is a cinematic technique where the camera looks down on the subject from a high angle. High-angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable, weak and powerless when applied with the correct mood, setting, and effects. We learnt that this type of camera shot can greatly enhance the emotional impact and entertainment value of our video for your audience. In the prelim task we used a birds eye view looking down at Tony walking up the stairs, then a low angle shot again of Tony walking up the stairs towards the camera. However, we added effects and dramatic lighting which created a dramatic effect for the audience. We used high angle shots for the CCTV footage to make it appear more realistic and so effective, also when the girls are trapped in Charles’s house. By the use of dramatic low-key lighting and the high angle shot the girl looks vulnerable, weak and powerless against Charles. She looks directly at the camera in one of the shots above which reinforces the idea of vulnerability and desperation as her facial expressions convey/communicates how frightened she is without actually saying anything.
- 11. Panning shot We used the tripod for this specific camera movements as it helped create a smooth left to right gliding movement. Panning movements allow the audience to see the scenes surroundings enabling them to understand hat is happening in the scene/storyline more clearly. In our opening sequence the low-key lighting makes the panning shot appear eerie and sinister as it slowly monitors the room suggesting someone is watching. However, in the prelim task the panning shot used creates a different atmospheric feel as the surroundings shown in the background show other people which gives the audience comfort and relief to know the characters are not alone making the chances of anything bad happen very unlikely.
- 12. Close ups These close ups show very little background, and concentrate on either a face, or a specific detail of mise en scène. This shot magnifies the object and shows the importance of things/the facial expression of the person. The close-up takes us into the mind of a character, a close up of a face is a very intimate and personal shot. This shot could either be used to make us feel really comfortable or extremely uncomfortable about a character, and usually uses a zoom lens in order to get the required framing. In this case we used a close up in the prelim task to allow the audience to see who each of the characters are and who's talking at wat time in the conversation. However, in our psychological thriller opening sequence the close ups used create an anxious, unnerving atmospheric feel to the scene. We learnt how to effectively manipulate the use of certain camera sots to make them reinforce the genre we are following, in this case the low-key lighting makes the audience assume something and is going to happen, and by the use of a close-up only makes them feel more on edge and panicked about what's about to happen. The audience can see from the close-up the emotions and reactions of the characters. This story as to what the characters are reacting to creates tension and suspense for the audience. We used a variety of complex close-ups n our opening sequence as we learnt their significance when making a successful psychological thriller as they effectively play with audiences emotions.
- 13. Transitions In the prelim task we used the fade out transition which smoothly transitioned fro the final scene into darkness. However, in our opening sequence we used a variety of complex transitions which created effect. We used a blur transition from the company Ident into darkness then into our first scene. This subtle transition is used a lot at the end of company Idents as it smoothly moves from the Ident without detracting from the Ident itself. Throughout the more tense scenes of the opening sequence we used flash transitions that make the sequence more fast pace making the audience feel anxious and panicked.