Wordbanks

Wordbanks are a bundle of word all related to one topic, in this instants I have chosen one to do with movies. This can help me plan what to use in film as it is related in some way.

Preliminary Task

For our final task where we will film a 2 minute opening sequence with our own idents, we have been instructed to film a short 2 minute clip of a scene involving an exchange of dialogue, a character moving across a room and an opening of a door. This is our preliminary task which is essentially preparation for the final task where we work with shots and techniques where we will be assessed on for our final task.

Here is a storyboard example of what our film for the preliminary will be. I will explain the shown scenes in this storyboard, however do bare in mind this storyboard will only be about 50-75% of the overall film we will take.

Storyboard pic 1: A low angle shot of a smartly dressed character walks across a corridor in which only the legs and a briefcase prop are seen. This will be the opening shot.

Storyboard 2: We see our second protagonist but not fully, only the shoulders and below can be seen and the shot focuses on the mans hand to create an effect of mystery, there will also be cigarettes on the table to show the characters position in the film.

Storyboard 3: Several shots of our main character, one shot taken high angle from a security camera view to give the sequence genre. The camera will then flicker to give the effect of the security camera, this shot will be followed up by a tracking over the shoulder shot, where the character can be made out where their identity is still unknown.

Storyboard 4: The shot still focusing on the table and what our second character is doing. The dark room will then be lit form the door as it opens and a silhouette of our other character will be scene in this shot reflected on the table.

Storyboard 5: We follow our character walking across the room where the briefcase is forcefully put on the table and opened to reveal a whole load of money to give away an idea of what the film is about causing viewing minds to denote the scene and use the several signs.

This will then be followed by a chain of dialogue in which is covered by an arc shot (still hiding character identity) where after 30 seconds our shot blacks out.

Storyboard 6: One protagonist walks out of a door covered by an establishing-long shot. The character coming out is unknown but we learn that the building belongs ot one of these men as its protected by a man stood outside the door who will be given strength and power by a low angle, long shot.

Aspects of Composition in Media

Composition is a very hard term to define, but there are many aspects to the term hence why, Composition is seen as a set of rules to be followed or ingredients to cinematic success. It's similar to a chef and his/her preparation to a meal, here are 5 key elements of composition that I feel are most important.

PATTERN

In todays world there are patterns all around us if we can learn to see them that is. When the pattern is emphasised or highlighted breathtaking shots can be achieved, as can high lighting if the pattern were to be broke.

SYMMETRY

Depending on the scene or presentation of the image, symmetry can be a must or an absolute no go.       

Symmetrical shots with strong composition and a good point of interest can lead to a fascinating image. However, without the strong point of interest the shot can be predictable. Its better to experiment in these circumstances to see which shot works for you best. These shots only work if both sides of the image are exactly the same.      

TEXTURE

Images can be divided into two dimensional thing when texture is used, as the shot then looks like its come to life and is basically three dimensional.

Texture only works when light hits the given object at a interesting angle.

                                             

DEPTH OF FIELD

The depth of field shot is very similar to Bokeh. However this shot depends on the depth of shot as the composition is drastically impacted by the depth.

The shot can isolate a subject from the back and foreground (if a shallow field of depth is used), or it can put the subject in context by revealing its surrounds in a larger field of depth. 

Take horror movies for example when our main protaganist is facing the camera with a blurry image of our "killer" in the background shot.

LINES

Lines can be very powerful elements in an image, simply because they have the power to draw the eye to key focal points of the shot and impact the 'feel' of an image greatly.

Diagonal, Horizontal, Vertical and Converging lines all have different impacts on images which should be spotted and utilised to strengthen and impact the image.






This is important for me to learn, because it therefore means that when filming or taking a picture, for my media, I can refer back to this to enable the most effective piece I can do.

Aspects of Photography in Media

Rule Of Thirds

Rule of thirds is one of the most well known rule of photographic composition.
Rule of thirds is a very basic principle, it breaks the photo down to 9 small rectangles and what is does is pinpoints important parts of the image the lines are also very useful for positions in your photos.
There is a theory that if you were to have the subject of interest along the intersections your photo becomes more balanced and the viewing audience will interact with it more naturally.

Bokeh

Bokeh is a type of camera shot where all focus is removed from the background image to enhance focus on the main subject of the image the image blur is dependant on the length or the focus of the lens used in your device. It creates a spectacular image in where the viewing audience is only able to denote a small proportion of the image. 

Bokeh is important as it takes all focus off of the background image and focus' you on the main object, this will be important when taking snapshots of actors so we can focus on the actor and nothing else. it could also be an effective way of filming which will be important for filming.

Art of the title

Art if the title is a website full of thousands of movie opening sequences, we research this because it is helpful planning for our overall final piece which happens to be an opening sequence. It can help us find similar genre film openings so we can evaluate, and take key ideas to improve our opening.

It can help us with our planning, especially if we watch similar genre openings, just like you before me etc. I can use this site to now increase my deconstruction of openings.

Photograhy aspects in media

Film Cover Analysis

For Media Studies we have been set the task of evaluating and analysing film covers using a variety of techniques. These include semiotics, denotations and conotations.
Semiotics: Sign = Signifier
                           Signified

Sign: Anything that conveys meaning.
Signifier: Things that give meaning. I.e Word/image
Signified: What is evoked in the mind - mental concept.
Denotation: What you/the audience sees.
Connotation: Meaning that the audience brings to the image.

The GAMEPLAN
(Analysis)

Match on Action

Match on Action is a type of film where the camera shot switches between two views but stay in tact so the follow up shot keeps in play with the subjects actions. For example, a man walking up to a door and turning the handle. This type of shot is used to enhance the actors actions and what and where they are. The shot is effective because it allows various amounts of shots without the viewing audience loose track of whats going on.

Here is an example of Match on Action. And one of our own filmed by Liam and Dylan