Preliminary video & Evaluation

Evaluation-
Overall, I was pleased with our final preliminary piece and think it went really well
We used a variety of shots and editing techniques to make our piece and i personally feel they all fitted together greatly. I would consier out preliminary piece an acheivement, as this was the first time in our group we had done any filing or editing, and for a first attempt i believe it was very successful.

Personally, my favourite shot in the preliminary would be the low angle shot resembling a camera overlooking the drug dealing at school. I think the editing and transitions surroundinfg this part of the sequence flows superbly together, and when edited the shot very much resembled a security camera.
When shooting the long shot of Toby walking into the classroom we titled the camera on its side to get a longer shot effect. From this we ended up getting two black lines down the side of the screen which we didnt know how to get rid of. This i would consider is an area that needs improvement and i feel soon enough we will know how to resolve a situation like this if it happens again; from gaining more knowledge of how to use a camera and editing skills. Another thing we would do differently would be to use a tripod when filming. This enables a steadier more stable picture whilst filming, and can lead to the video being better qualtity. However, in our preliminary we didnt see the nonuse of a tripod as a problem, as i still think our preliminary piece was a success but when it comes to our opening film sequence, i think a tripod will be neccessary.

When making our opening sequence we could add other sound and music which would improve it and help create a semantic field and make a more interesting film to watch. In our preliminary our sound changes as its filming in different areas where some are busier and noisier and some much quieter - this make the transition less smooth and effective so we need to work on our sound and add non diagetic sound to our final piece.

Planning Preliminary-

Our first assignment is to 'Produce a short sequence which features a character entering a room, meeting another character, and exchanging words.' This short sequence has to include a person opening a door, a short piece of dialogue between two characters and a range of camera angles and techniques. We must also include the 180° rule and match-on action;-

OPENING SEQUENCES-
Firstly, to introduce us to our upcoming media coursework task and help us establish media production , we looked at two opening sequences of well-known films. We looked at how camera angles, editing, sound, lighting and mise-en-scene all contribute to how an opening sequence helps structureand present the rest of the film.

DIRTY HARRY-
The opening sequence of Dirty Harry is effective, as it introduces the ideology of the film and sets the scene for the movie. Camera angles, shots and movement are used well in a way that introduces the characters, their status, and their regional class. Tracking is used, following the main protagonist, Clive Owen around the town as he rushes places. We understand that Clive Owen is the main protagonist is due to the fact that not only does the title of the film include his screen name "Harry", but he also has more screen time than all the other characters. The use of low angled shots on Harry also shows us he’s powerful, important and superior and alos that he’s good at his job, a detective.
In contrast, the high angle shot used when showing the woman swimming makes her look vulnerable. Even though we don’t know this woman or the storyline at this point, we automatically sympathise with her and feel angry towards the killer as a few seconds later we watch him shoot her from a distant building. Then, when Harry comes on screen, scoping out the crime scene, he is seen as a hero which creates the ideology that whatever Harry does is right. Crane shots and panning build up tension throughout the scene and when the camera zooms out away from the pool you see a wider picture of the city – this shows us that it is a penthouse pool and suggests the woman is of a high class. Close ups are used regularly to show importance. This is especially effective when the camera zooms into an extreme close up on the bullet on the roof – this dominates the screen and signifies importance.
After this shot non-diegetic sounds of bells starts. Bells are known to signify either death or marriage, but combined screen shots of tombstones and names we instantly understand people have died. From the very start the non-digetic sound tells us to sympathize with the cops. Leading up to the shooting there is a very high pitched non- digetic sound, but as soon as Harry appears on screen it changes to a more happy upbeat tune – adding to his aura of greatness and good. the only digetic sounds through the opening sequence is the hustle and bustle of the established location, New York City.
The sequence is also made effective by the use of no dialogue right up until the end of the opening sequence when "Harry" speaks. This builds up tension and also adds mystery to the establishment of the film.
There is a lot of editing used in the opening sequence. At the start, a slow dissolve and two images shown together tells us there is a link between the two shots. The images show names, scrawling down and a star shaped badge - similar to a sheriff's badge which almost suggests the film is western. Fading is used frequently throughout as it helps to make flow and link all shots together. Using this is also very effective. Cutting is also used to make it more interesting and keep it moving fast which also works well.

THE USUAL SUSPECTS-
The opening sequence to the Usual Suspects is very effective as it establishes setting, characters and the genre of the film, and leaves the audience in suspence. The first few minutes appear to be made up of a lot of editing and shots not anything to do with the actual film. This is very effective as it creates tension and leaves the audience confused and in suspence.
The setting is shown by different camera shots and lighting. The establishing shot of the boat reflecting on the water shows us the timezone of the film and the location; on a boat at dusk. If you look more closely at the location setting, you also see dead bodies, which also adds mystery and suspence to the sequence.
Throughout the opening sequence, the lighting is very dim and gloomy which not only adds to the mystery of the film, but it also emphasises the mise-en-scene. The only natural lighting in the opening sequence is fire, which in the sequence creates symbolism and ideology of danger.
We only see one of the protagonists faces when the light from the fire shines on him, suggesting he is dangerous and possibly the bad protagonist in the film. The shadowed and dimmed lighting automatically sets a dark atmosphere and aura to the films opening sequence, and you can also feel the suspence of something bad going to occur shortly.
A range of different camera shots and angles are used throughout this sequence which makes it more interesting to watch. Establishing shots of the boat are used to set the scene which contrast with sudden close ups of protagonist's bodies. Angles are also used to show status. Low angle shots are used when showing the protagonist in the dark coat as if he is superior. The way the camera is also looking up and tracking him suggest he is powerful and in charge. Throughout the sequence we never see his face which means we don’t connect with this protagonist, making the audience lead to the assumption he is the "bad character" and also emphasising more mystery. There are many close ups of the first protagonist, so we see his emotions more, which leads to us connecting slightly with him and sympathising with him. Camera angle shots show the first protagonist looking up towards the second, which again adds to the second protagonists mystery but also creates a staus between the two characters.
The zoom in and close up on the ropes and barrels is very effective as it builds up even more tension and signifies importance. Likewise, the panning of the fire lighting in straight lines also builds tension and suspence and is very dramatic, particularly the establishing shot of the bigger, explosive flames.
Non-diagetic music is used through the whole of the sequence. The non-digetic music is a very depressing, low, creepy sound which helps to build tension, genre and mise-en-scene of the film. The use of builing up the music and is progressively getting higher in volume again helps build up tension and add drama.There is very little dialogue used in the opening sequence, which is interesting. When the second protagonist does speak its very low, slow and mumbled which makes him appear more dominant and important, as he is the only character who really talks.





180° RULE-
The 180° rule shows the audience where the character is during the clip and keeps certain characters on the same side of the screen throughout the sequence. If we weren't to use the 180° rule, it can lead to messyness in the sequence and also confuse the audience. A more visual explanation of this is shown through this link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdyyuqmCW14



MATCH-ON ACTION-
This is when you cut during an action shot to another camera angle showing the action shot from the same point in time that you left it from the previous shot. This is used to show two different points of view so that the audience gets an understanding of both characters.

In our group, we discussed all thoughts and possibilties that our preliminary piece could include.

Plot-
After contemplating in our group about plots for our preliminary, we came up with many possibilites for our piece. Our initiails ideas were to do a typical teacher/student disipline sequence or someone being bullied, but after further discussion we decided to do a drug sequence of dealings between students.


Setting-
We decided as a group it would be easier and more helpful if we filmed the preliminary at school. We observed all possible locations around school, looking around the back of buildings and dark corners. We decided to go with an open, yet closed corner space outside the canteen. This was due to the fact it had a wide window above the space below, making it the perfect setting for a low angle shot over-looking the students dealing.


This is the storyboard of our preliminary piece. We took screen grabs from our filiming to give a clear outline of what our idea was. Although we never changed the out storyboard, the shots we used changed in places because when we were filming,we found out that some of the first selection of shots we used were't suitable or didnt give off the right effect we wanted.

Filming-
We experimented with many different shots and angles for our preliminary. Before starting our actual preliminary piece we tested and practiced mnay different shot types and angles. This helped us firstly get used to using a camera and also helped us on deciding what shots would be most effective and useful in our preliminary. The camera andlges and shots we decided on were establishing shots, long/mid/close/extreme close shots, over the shoulder, ground shot, handicam, low/high angled shots.



EXPLAIN CAMERA/ANGLES DESCRIPTION



Editing-
Whilst filming we made sure the characters were in the same places to not confuse the audience and make the editing smoother. We used editing to make the transition from shots smoother and more varied and interesting. We again experimented with

We used a jump cut of Toby and Luke walking towards us as it makes the pace faster and builds tension, we also fade out from the first scene to the second so the audience know its a new day and location. In the second scene, there is a mid shot of Toby in the toilet - using a mid shot means you cant see anyone else in the shot so after the close up of the door opening the high angled shot of the teacher is a shock. We then cut straight to a different room where you see the same characters sat at a desk - the over the shoulder shot shows it from the teachers point of view and it then pans round to show them both sat at the desk. We applied the 180° rule to not confuse the audience. The shot then zooms out, through the window.