Preliminary Task

Introduction

In this section of my assignment we have to perform a preliminary task which is to create a short media piece of someone entering a room, meeting another character and exchanging dialogue whilst demonstrating the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. The OCR stated these specific features and events we have to achieve, therefore we included this in our clip. Also doing this will help provide the group and myself new experience and understanding of how to use a video camera and will be able to become familiar with the wide range of shots and features.

Below is a picture that displays the 180 degree rule, as you can see your not able to cross the vertical line you also must keep the camera on a specific side so that it enables characters not to be shown on either sides (left or right) which therefore does not confuse the audience when who is exchanging dialogue. However if the camera passes through the line in the picture below this would be known as "crossing the line".

Also we were shown in class a video of this on the following link to be able to help us understand and how to use the 180 degree rule. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=HdyyuqmCW14&feature=player_embedded

To enable for us to produce our opening sequence effectively we have studied and evaluated a variety of films in class such as Dirty Harry, Usual Suspects and Seven. This has enabled me to study and gain knowledge of technical camera movements and shots which help portray the genre of the film, therefore this will help me produce more of a good quality opening sequence as i know how the key conventions will work.

Below are two storyboards which are used to show the developing stages of how the sequence would work, we wanted to make it simple and require all the elements the OCR exam board intended us to achieve. Therefore the sequence begins with someone waiting patiently outside a room, then being called in by someone whilst the camera following and demonstrating the understanding of the 180 degree rule when entering. Dialogue then will be exchanged whilst sat at the table, at least two lines or more. After that the person will then leave the room and the clip will finish.

Plan - what we need to consider

• Location
• Ideas for topic e.g. Break up, someone sharing good/bad news or a dramatic confession
• Ideas for dialogue Camera shots e.g. shot reverse shot
• Muse-en-scene
• Lighting
• Costumes and props
  

Chosen idea

We have chosen to film an interview of Shane Mayes who is playing the role of a banana man who is applying for a job in the fruit salad industry as banana chief wanting to follow in his fathers footsteps. However he can only accomplish this with the approval of Mr Sluds who is playing the role of fruit salad manager. Therefore this will be using the technique of someone coming in through the door and sitting down exchanging dialogue with someone at a table, similar to an interview. We would be able to use a vast majority of camera angles and techniques to help the scene look authentic and as serious as possible.

To the left is a picture of Shane, Mr Sluds and myself planning the script and preparing ourselves for the sequence. However we only managed to film only some of it in a day as it was time consuming. Therefore when returning to school on the Monday to continue our filming we had to make sure the characters were waring the same clothes and was taken place in the same setting to help create the clip look more authentic.

The banana was the main prop used when filming as this is significant to the film shown in the clip. Also the use of match on action is reflected in the shot of this particular bit. This is when cutting the middle of a scene and re-doing it from a different angle, therefore gives off the impression another camera is being used for that particular shot as its not immediately .

Another technical shot we have to included in our video is the shot reverse shot, this is cutting from one shot to another shot then going back to its original place. This can be represented in a various amount of ways, for example when the two people are excahanging dialogue. However doing this will provide new experience of how to use a video camera and will be able to become familiar with the wide range and variety of shots. An example of what the type of shot would look like is on the following link. http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gIdceyd1L8&NR=1

When looking back according to our plan everything went well and all the camera angles and shots were well thought through and were used. This ended up giving us our successful result accomplishing the range of camera angles and shows whilst following the 180 degree. Our preliminary task which is now able to access via YouTube and on the video below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3vHqxokdQ0

Evaluation

Overall I believe the preliminary task was successful and I'm pleased with the outcome of the video. The main reasons behind this is because we have met the needs and targets of the OCR exam board whilst covering a wide range of camera shots, focuses and angles. We edited all these together to create a whole video, we did this by cutting the clips at appropriate times to keep in in sync with the video enabling and it be more authentic to what is actually going on. Doing this also enabled me to learn how to edit the software on the computer using a programme which is installed, this has created knowledge and specific types of skills which can be helpful when creating out actual opening sequence.

When deciding the characters for our clip we made sure that they were able to complete it taking the situation seriously due to the roles that they had to play and also were appropriate for their role. We used one of our media teachers Mr Sludds to play the part of the interviewer as he was an middle aged adult so therefore the audience would take him more seriously than someone who is our age. In our group Shane Mayes was playing the interviewee, we chose him because he has more experience in drama and acting so therefore he would be able to play his character more seriously than the rest of us would of been able to. Also because of his age and being so young compared to Mr Sludds this also helps to reflect the characters behaviour. However with Shane playing this specific role it was time consuming as we had to keep cutting the clips and recording over them due to one of him laughing when eating the banana, which we then used for the outtakes. Your able to view these after having seen the clip, however there is more outtakes than the actual clip which signifies this therefore we have learnt to make sure we have the right person to play the right part when next recording.

For the location we had to make it relevant to the storyline, in this case as it was in interview we filmed it in a classroom and set table and chairs up to make it seem more realistic and authentic to the audience. We did this in one of our media class rooms to help portray this effect. Shane was firstly filmed outside in the corridor showing him waiting whilst eating the banana. As he came in the room the camera shots and angles were edited and we cut out bits we didn't need to help the clip look more effective. When Shane sat down dialogue was exchanged between the two of them, we filmed this all whilst following the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot.

If we had to film our opening sequence again I think we would have to choose a topic more serious and not as funny due to taking a while to film accurately. Also maybe more dialogue could of been exchanged when talking to each other across the table. However we wasn't able to do this without Mr Sludds or Shane having to laugh. Therefore if we chose a different topic or roles for them to play we would of been able to portray this more quicker and effectively.