Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?
For the preliminary I worked with Raef Commissar and Jeng Au. In the sequence both myself and Raef were acting, and so the shots that we were both in were filmed by Jeng. I then filmed Raefs' individual shots and he did the same for me.
raef nico jeng group scan1
raef nico jeng scan2
How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use? What theories did you try and take into account?
We first thought of the plot we wanted our sequence to follow, and knowing we had to incorporate match on action, shot/reverse shot/and the 180-degree rule into the sequence, made a shot list, a storyboard and a script. We tried to make sure that our sequence would achieved continuity so each shot followed chronologically.
What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?
To complete the task we used a canon legria HV40 with a tripod so we could adjust the framing and positioning of our shots and a boom microphone to capture our sound. In post production we used Adobe premiere pro CS3 to capture our footage and then edit our sequences using the razor and select tools.
What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?
When planning our sequence we had to take into account that we had to keep our sequence simple in order to achieve continuity. We had an hour to film all of our shots and so we needed to plan when we could use certain areas of the department for filming before production so that we could use our time effectively. While shooting our sequence we also made sure we made pre-roll and roll-on time so that it was easier to capture our footage when we edited.
How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?
I believe that our sequence was successful to the extent that it did achieve continuity and was easy to follow the plot outline. I believe that we worked together as a team by continuously co-operating between one another, which then helped us film the entire sequence within the time we had. Our dialogue shots followed the 180-degree rule, we included a match on action shot with the fist hitting the table and the sliding of the photo, and also a shot/reverse shot with the character entering the room. However, next time I would allow more time toproduce the sequence to ensure we are not as rushed when filming. I also believe that our lighting was quite dull and dark, and next time I would try to improve this by making it brighter and stronger, whilst still achieving the dark contrasting lighting in order for the sequence to have a sense of mystery.
What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your coursework?
From the task, I have learnt the importance of thorough planning to ensure that our production ran smoothly and everybody knew what and how things were meant to be done. This understanding that good planning leads to an easier production will definately help us for our first project and we'll ensure that we plan every detail as much as possible. I have learnt that the rules of continuity are essential to produce a flawless and engaging sequence, and for our upcoming project we will take shots such as match on action into account if we are to create a continuity sequence.
When planning our accident, we immediately thought that we should choose a genre so that we could use techniques and conventions from that genre for our accident. In total we used 8 shots:
LS of boy looking in window
Eyeline LS shot of boy looking where the reflection he saw was
MCU reverse shot of boy looking confused, gradual zoom out to Long Shot of boy walking, followed closely by his stalker.
Handheld camera, tracking MS of boy running through door
CU Match On Action shot of pressing lift button
MS Over The Shoulder shot of killer in lift door, frame within a frame
LS of boy walking out of lift and killer attacking
Zoom out, titlting shot of dead boy on floor CU to LS
To ensure our shots achieved continuity,we ensured that they followed one another chronologically, and also made sure that it was obvious that these shots were following eachother almost instantly. It was forunate therefore that the settings of each individual shot looked as though they were all in the same location, so the sequence did achieve continuity. The major part in the sequence we failed continuity was when we attempted to do a Match on Action shot of the the character pressing the lift button. It looked as though he paused first for a period of time before he pressed it, which didn't make any sense.
My specific contributiuon to the sequence was filming the shots whilst the other two in my group were acting. As we were only able to edit in camera, It was essential tht every shot was done first time effectively, and overall they were, however some shots, such as the MCU reverse shot of the boy, I was visible fairly visible through the window. However filming the shots gave me the freedom to choose how the shots should be filmed, and I hope that the variety of different shots used made the sequence work well.
I do believe that our seqquence works, even though there are some continuity flaws, as each shot follows chronologically with a clear outline of the plot/idea. However, next time I would like to focus more on the accident itself rather than building a story/genre around it. I would also try and put more thought into the shots before we take them to avoid any continuity errors.
I am Legend sequence
Enigma Code and Action Code
The contrast between the two scenarios of the news interview and the deserted streets of New York suggests to the audience that the cancer cure has caused this, however we are no yet introduced to the zombies, which leaves the question as to who else is there apart from Robert Neville. In this opening we are given no insight into the history of Robert Neville, and makes the audience want to know more about who he is and why he is the only person left. There is a contrast between the mood of the two different scenes. One would expect a scene with the cure for cancer to be followed by an upbeat sequence, and the derlict scenes of New York emphasise the clear contrast. What the opening sequence doesn't do is explain what happened in between the two situations, and the audience would expect this to be explained as the film continues.
My shot was captured outside and is a low angle tilt LS of Raef Commissar in a mid air jump. It is timed so that it is in the middle of the jump, which gives the shot a sense of it being in action. Their is natural light as the shot is outside; the light also brings out the different range of colours in the image, which makes it more interesting. The composition of the photo is deliberately off centre and asymmetrical which has the effect of disorientating and confusing the viewer. Raef is wearing a hoodie which covers his eyes, which brings a sense of mystery to the image.
Therefore the image could represent the action genre as it involves a dynamic action with bright colours, rather than a static close up of a fearful looking face that you may see in a horror/thriller.
In order to achieve the effect I chose a location that was open to the natural light of the sun, yet ensure that it was in an area surrounded with building to ensure the light wasn't too bright in the image and also so it gave the image light contrast. For the low angle tilt I had to position the camera near the ground whilst holdig it in a slanted position. I then had to time the capture to the exact moment so I would get the best aspect of the jump, which although took several attempts, gave the shot a sense of it being in action.
The things that are successful about my shot were the timing of the capture, the range of colours in the image and the positioning of the camera. However, in hindsight I would have possibly tightened the framing so that the building in the backgroung wasn't so prominent, or even changed to a location where it is more open, yet still benefits from the contrast of light. I also believe I could have thought more about how my shot is going to represent a genre, rather than just capturing a good image.
Analysis
There is a variety of different camera shots in the sequence. In order to achieve continuity the 180° rule is prominent, which clearly presents the dialogue between Captain Jack and Will Turner. It also brings greater focus to both characters, which is effective as there is an element of surprise at the end of the clip as the audience forget Wills' uncle is still in the scene. This is then supported by the 30° rule, which is also used so that the change of perspective makes the shots different enough to avoid a jump cut, and so the continuity of the clip is not compromised.
The shot reverse shot therefore is also used in the dialogue sequence. It gives us the impression of Will and Captain Jack looking at eachother offscreen. Since they are both shown looking in opposite directions, the audience always assume that they are looking at eachother, which helps the dialogue flow seemlessly.
Match on action is used in the scene effectively to achieve continuity. Will reaches for the pirates hat on the table and we change to a close up shot of the acrion itself. It gives the impression of continuous time when watching the edited sequence. By having Will begin an action in one shot and carry it through to completion in the next, through the editing it creates a visual bridge which distracts the viewer from noticing the cut between two different shots.
Visual use of the shot reverse shot, 180° and 30° rules and match on action technique.
Genre: Thriller/espionage
The main character, Leon, is introduced very mysteriously in the opening sequence. He is gradually picking off the guards placed around the hotel his target is in, however we only see glimpses of him, which heightens our estimations of how powerful and skilled he is, being able to take out so many henchmen without the slightest of difficulty. Only towards the end of the sequence do we recieve confirmation that he is a paid assassin, as he takes a phone call from his informant and agrees to his orders.
The audiences expectations of a highly skilled assassin are clearly met. The sequence idolises Leon, making him seem omnipresent and invincilble by the way he effortly picks off a security team. The fear shown by his target also illustates the power he has and to the audience is incontrovertible.
An establishing shot of a high angled pan of New York City plays to the genre well as large cities with many builings is a convention of the espionage genre. The builing where the action happens in the sequence is never confirmed, which gives even the audience a feeling of being disorientated and creates an unfamiliar environment which makes the audience uncomfortable, which fits the genre well. This is then backed up by the use of tight framing of shots, and the fact that the exits to the builing have been blocked off, which brings a sense of enclosure and anxiety, which also heightens the power of our hero Leon.
What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?
