Thursday 10 March 2016
Tuesday 9 February 2016
Thursday 4 February 2016
Question 7 - Evaluation - Miss Georgiou
Question 7 - Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
The preliminary task was created in order to allow for the gaining of knowledge about how the camera works as well as the tripod to learn how to film different shots which is essential when filming for our final thriller piece. The task consisted of recording a short clip of a conversation taking place in which one person could be seen walking toward the other and had to be between 30 seconds and 1 minute. Five different shots had to be present which included: Panning, zoom in, close up, midshot and over the shoulder.
One strength I had with this was being able to set up the tripod and film some of the shots required, my partner and I were especially successful with both over the shoulder and panning shots. As I knew to set up the tripod appropriately, many of the shots achieved were in focus and looked very professional which was a positive outcome from the task.
However, as there were only two of us in the group, we found it difficult to press the record button and ensure that the camera was in the right position as we couldn't see, we believe it would have been easier if we had a third person in our group therefore we would not have had this problem. Because of this, it was especially difficult to film the over the shoulder shot as if we had mounted the camera in the correct position, the shots would then be slightly out of angle due to the camera showing the shoulder instead of having the camera directly behind the shoulder and therefore not being able to see the shoulder.
During the task, we learned how to properly set up the tripod in order to achieve shots that were in focus and looked professional. For my partner and I, this was difficult to do at first due to not knowing how to extend the tripod so that it was equal on all four legs therefore the camera was sometimes tilted which we then had to rectify. After this, we learnt how to extend the tripod properly and were able to film shots that were of the height level that we wanted as well as the smaller parts on the tripod which helped us in knowing how to angle the camera and achieve shots that would be especially hard to perform on a tripod, such as a canted angle.
We also learnt how to operate the camera in the correct way. In itself, the camera was hard to work at first due to my partner and I being completely unfamiliar with it due to not having any previous experience with filming therefore we had to figure out a way to work the camera by pressing several buttons on the camera and discover what they do until we understood how to use different features of the camera such as zooming in and out which aided us in achieving shots and be able to film with more ease. Another thing we learned from the preliminary task was how to play back footage that had already been filmed previously which helped us in being able to immediately identify what had gone wrong or right with the shot and allow for this to be redone if needs be. This saved us time as we wouldn't have had to keep going back to Final Cut watching back the footage, deciding whether or not it was good enough and then having to go back to the filming location and re shoot.
We also gained a profound knowledge in the process of editing and including sound in our piece. By using the software, Final Cut Pro X, we were able to edit the many clips that we had filmed together to achieve a professional looking final piece, which aided my partner and I significantly in knowing how to use the software correctly when we had to edit our thriller opening sequence. We also learnt how to add several sound to our productions without the sound skipping or freezing at certain points which fitted the images perfectly, something that helped us considerable when planning for our final thriller due to having to add in a lot of sound effects to make the opening as realistic for the audience as possible.
Overall, we learned several different things when partaking in the preliminary task involving the production stage and how to do this properly in an efficient manner. We learned how to properly set up and use a tripod in order to gain better stability for the camera when filming. We knew how the camera functioned and although we continued to struggle with the tripod, we managed to persevere and in the end, produced shots that were in focus and looked professional. We also learnt how to manoeuvre the camera in order to gain specific shots essential for filming the final thriller such as a canted angle and over the shoulder shot. Looking back on this now, I am glad we were given the opportunity to carry out this task as it helped me a lot in developing my technique with the camera. If I was to do this task any differently, I would have improved my skills with using the tripod by asking for help of how it is operated as well as ensuring both Kate and I were in shot most of the time.
When carrying out the final filming process, we ensured that we were able to fix the camera onto the tripod correctly as well as setting the tripod up at appropriate heights for the specific shots we were trying to achieve. For example, for the canted angle shot, I made sure that the tripod's legs were only extended a little bit to allow for the tripod to be set up on the floor nearly at the same level as Harry who was playing the role of the hit man. I then tilted the camera sideways using the navigator pole situated at the front of the tripod before starting to film. Also, for the POV shot, we allowed Harry (hit man) to hold the camera and film it himself and ensured that the camera was not shaken about too much however there was some movement which showed a realistic use of this shot.
The preliminary task was created in order to allow for the gaining of knowledge about how the camera works as well as the tripod to learn how to film different shots which is essential when filming for our final thriller piece. The task consisted of recording a short clip of a conversation taking place in which one person could be seen walking toward the other and had to be between 30 seconds and 1 minute. Five different shots had to be present which included: Panning, zoom in, close up, midshot and over the shoulder.
One strength I had with this was being able to set up the tripod and film some of the shots required, my partner and I were especially successful with both over the shoulder and panning shots. As I knew to set up the tripod appropriately, many of the shots achieved were in focus and looked very professional which was a positive outcome from the task.
However, as there were only two of us in the group, we found it difficult to press the record button and ensure that the camera was in the right position as we couldn't see, we believe it would have been easier if we had a third person in our group therefore we would not have had this problem. Because of this, it was especially difficult to film the over the shoulder shot as if we had mounted the camera in the correct position, the shots would then be slightly out of angle due to the camera showing the shoulder instead of having the camera directly behind the shoulder and therefore not being able to see the shoulder.
During the task, we learned how to properly set up the tripod in order to achieve shots that were in focus and looked professional. For my partner and I, this was difficult to do at first due to not knowing how to extend the tripod so that it was equal on all four legs therefore the camera was sometimes tilted which we then had to rectify. After this, we learnt how to extend the tripod properly and were able to film shots that were of the height level that we wanted as well as the smaller parts on the tripod which helped us in knowing how to angle the camera and achieve shots that would be especially hard to perform on a tripod, such as a canted angle.
We also learnt how to operate the camera in the correct way. In itself, the camera was hard to work at first due to my partner and I being completely unfamiliar with it due to not having any previous experience with filming therefore we had to figure out a way to work the camera by pressing several buttons on the camera and discover what they do until we understood how to use different features of the camera such as zooming in and out which aided us in achieving shots and be able to film with more ease. Another thing we learned from the preliminary task was how to play back footage that had already been filmed previously which helped us in being able to immediately identify what had gone wrong or right with the shot and allow for this to be redone if needs be. This saved us time as we wouldn't have had to keep going back to Final Cut watching back the footage, deciding whether or not it was good enough and then having to go back to the filming location and re shoot.
We also gained a profound knowledge in the process of editing and including sound in our piece. By using the software, Final Cut Pro X, we were able to edit the many clips that we had filmed together to achieve a professional looking final piece, which aided my partner and I significantly in knowing how to use the software correctly when we had to edit our thriller opening sequence. We also learnt how to add several sound to our productions without the sound skipping or freezing at certain points which fitted the images perfectly, something that helped us considerable when planning for our final thriller due to having to add in a lot of sound effects to make the opening as realistic for the audience as possible.
Overall, we learned several different things when partaking in the preliminary task involving the production stage and how to do this properly in an efficient manner. We learned how to properly set up and use a tripod in order to gain better stability for the camera when filming. We knew how the camera functioned and although we continued to struggle with the tripod, we managed to persevere and in the end, produced shots that were in focus and looked professional. We also learnt how to manoeuvre the camera in order to gain specific shots essential for filming the final thriller such as a canted angle and over the shoulder shot. Looking back on this now, I am glad we were given the opportunity to carry out this task as it helped me a lot in developing my technique with the camera. If I was to do this task any differently, I would have improved my skills with using the tripod by asking for help of how it is operated as well as ensuring both Kate and I were in shot most of the time.
When carrying out the final filming process, we ensured that we were able to fix the camera onto the tripod correctly as well as setting the tripod up at appropriate heights for the specific shots we were trying to achieve. For example, for the canted angle shot, I made sure that the tripod's legs were only extended a little bit to allow for the tripod to be set up on the floor nearly at the same level as Harry who was playing the role of the hit man. I then tilted the camera sideways using the navigator pole situated at the front of the tripod before starting to film. Also, for the POV shot, we allowed Harry (hit man) to hold the camera and film it himself and ensured that the camera was not shaken about too much however there was some movement which showed a realistic use of this shot.
Question 6 - Evaluation - Miss Georgiou
What have you learnt about technologies from the
process of constructing this product?
Question 3 - Evaluation - Miss Georgiou
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
Question 2 - Evaluation - Miss Georgiou
Question 2 - How does your media product represent particular social groups?
There are two main characters within my thriller which are the hit man and female victim.
Starting with the hit man, my partner and I decided that his name was going to be Mark and he would have an age of roughly 21 years old. He is a white male and is the most significant character within the sequence as he is the sole character that is featured throughout. Within the film, the audience will be able to identify him through his costume being a white t-shirt that is scruffy and messy, a pair of black trousers and shoes. Along with the costume, the hit man is also seen with a cut on the side of his forehead with blood to give him an overall scruffy appearance to suggest that a struggle had taken place prior to the beginning of the sequence relating to the fact that this particular character has woken from an unconscious state in an unknown location unaware of who and where he is. This character can be used to create an element of confusion due to the state in which he wakes up from as well as leaving all details of his background in addition to his possible link to the antagonist which would explain why he has been held ransom. Furthermore, the hit man is seen to be like a victim at the beginning because of the way he is kidnapped and placed in an unknown location covered in blood and with a dirty appearance suggesting a possible struggle or fight beforehand. After this, the audience will be shocked to find out that this character isn't as innocent as what first met the eye because of the change he goes through that sees him turn into a murderer where he non hesitantly kills his kidnapper's wife purely because he was told to. Because of this action, the audience may ask themselves questions relating to this character's state of mentality due to him mercilessly killing someone for no apparent reason whatsoever. The audience can build a relationship with this particular character as he is of quite a young age therefore those that are the same age are able to relate with this as well as people who may have experienced crime at some point in their lives and the fact that a hit man murder has taken place is somewhat relatable to the target audience.
The other main character is the female victim. Although her name, age and background are left completely unclear to the audience, they will be made aware that she is a female and wife of the antagonist, C. She is seen to be wearing a normal, everyday outfit consisting of a pair of skinny jeans, a white and cream top with a white cardigan over the top. Her hair is straightened and she is wearing some natural makeup connoting that her appearance is neat and pretty and that she takes care of herself helping to portray her as vulnerable and inferior. She would appeal to the audience as she is used to evoke sympathy from viewers due to being murdered out of cold blood which would therefore create a relationship as the audience would automatically, especially females, feel emotionally connected to the character. This is because gender is equal and therefore, in some cases, relatable and it would come as a shock for her to be murdered in such a horrific way. This character can also be used to build a relationship with the audience as the empathy felt during the murder scene can be heightened and viewers begin to question whether or not the character is okay due to only seeing an image of the victim being dragged away by the hit man. The audience then know that she was unable to get away as another image is briefly shown after the female has been dragged away showing her motionless on the floor with a cut throat which could evoke anger as the audience may question why such an innocent person going about her everyday activities has now lost her life to a murder that had been entirely set up by her husband. Justice may then crop up as some viewers may wonder if the hit man will now be caught by the police and arrested therefore paying for what he has just done. However, because the antagonist is responsible for blackmailing the hit man into carrying out the murder, the audience would want the antagonist to also get caught in some way evoking a sense of anger again as well as confusion as to why he would want his wife to be dead.
Gender is clearly stereotypical within my thriller as although the hit man is first portrayed as weak due to being held hostage, he then goes on to kill the female victim, who is weak and unable to fight back against him. This would therefore have a direct impact on the audience as the role reversal would evoke an element of shock as they are led to believe that the hit man is a victim at first but then goes on to become a murderer for the sake of a form of 'reward' from a person unknown to him. This would establish a definitive relationship with the audience as by them witnessing the roles being switched at the beginning, they would be led to feel sympathy towards the victim as he is seen to be injured and in a place that is completely unknown but then evoke shock when they realise that he has to kill an innocent woman.
There are two main characters within my thriller which are the hit man and female victim.
Starting with the hit man, my partner and I decided that his name was going to be Mark and he would have an age of roughly 21 years old. He is a white male and is the most significant character within the sequence as he is the sole character that is featured throughout. Within the film, the audience will be able to identify him through his costume being a white t-shirt that is scruffy and messy, a pair of black trousers and shoes. Along with the costume, the hit man is also seen with a cut on the side of his forehead with blood to give him an overall scruffy appearance to suggest that a struggle had taken place prior to the beginning of the sequence relating to the fact that this particular character has woken from an unconscious state in an unknown location unaware of who and where he is. This character can be used to create an element of confusion due to the state in which he wakes up from as well as leaving all details of his background in addition to his possible link to the antagonist which would explain why he has been held ransom. Furthermore, the hit man is seen to be like a victim at the beginning because of the way he is kidnapped and placed in an unknown location covered in blood and with a dirty appearance suggesting a possible struggle or fight beforehand. After this, the audience will be shocked to find out that this character isn't as innocent as what first met the eye because of the change he goes through that sees him turn into a murderer where he non hesitantly kills his kidnapper's wife purely because he was told to. Because of this action, the audience may ask themselves questions relating to this character's state of mentality due to him mercilessly killing someone for no apparent reason whatsoever. The audience can build a relationship with this particular character as he is of quite a young age therefore those that are the same age are able to relate with this as well as people who may have experienced crime at some point in their lives and the fact that a hit man murder has taken place is somewhat relatable to the target audience.
The other main character is the female victim. Although her name, age and background are left completely unclear to the audience, they will be made aware that she is a female and wife of the antagonist, C. She is seen to be wearing a normal, everyday outfit consisting of a pair of skinny jeans, a white and cream top with a white cardigan over the top. Her hair is straightened and she is wearing some natural makeup connoting that her appearance is neat and pretty and that she takes care of herself helping to portray her as vulnerable and inferior. She would appeal to the audience as she is used to evoke sympathy from viewers due to being murdered out of cold blood which would therefore create a relationship as the audience would automatically, especially females, feel emotionally connected to the character. This is because gender is equal and therefore, in some cases, relatable and it would come as a shock for her to be murdered in such a horrific way. This character can also be used to build a relationship with the audience as the empathy felt during the murder scene can be heightened and viewers begin to question whether or not the character is okay due to only seeing an image of the victim being dragged away by the hit man. The audience then know that she was unable to get away as another image is briefly shown after the female has been dragged away showing her motionless on the floor with a cut throat which could evoke anger as the audience may question why such an innocent person going about her everyday activities has now lost her life to a murder that had been entirely set up by her husband. Justice may then crop up as some viewers may wonder if the hit man will now be caught by the police and arrested therefore paying for what he has just done. However, because the antagonist is responsible for blackmailing the hit man into carrying out the murder, the audience would want the antagonist to also get caught in some way evoking a sense of anger again as well as confusion as to why he would want his wife to be dead.Gender is clearly stereotypical within my thriller as although the hit man is first portrayed as weak due to being held hostage, he then goes on to kill the female victim, who is weak and unable to fight back against him. This would therefore have a direct impact on the audience as the role reversal would evoke an element of shock as they are led to believe that the hit man is a victim at first but then goes on to become a murderer for the sake of a form of 'reward' from a person unknown to him. This would establish a definitive relationship with the audience as by them witnessing the roles being switched at the beginning, they would be led to feel sympathy towards the victim as he is seen to be injured and in a place that is completely unknown but then evoke shock when they realise that he has to kill an innocent woman.
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