Lighting Exercise Evaluation.

During Mr. Johnson's class, we were all shown how to use different Lighting techniques and was shown how different lighting angles and lighting strengths gave off different effects to suit the scene of a video recording.

Key Light - The Key Lighting Technique is when one single lamp is used and it provides an intense look onto the character, it is normally placed at a three or four o'clock point from the character it is aimed at. When at this angle from the character, the lighting creates a shadow on the furthest half of the face.

Back Light - The Back Lighting Technique is when one single lamp is placed directly behind the character. This lighting techniques makes the character seem like a silhouette, therefore creating an eerie atmosphere in the video. This lighting technique is particularly effective in Thrillers and Mystery videos.

Filler Light, 3-Point Lighting - This Lighting Technique is achieved by using the Key light and Back Light, and then adding another lamp facing the character, which softens the effects of the key light and back light, creating an overall softness of the character in the frame.

Under lighting - The Under Lighting effect is created by placing a low lamp directly in front of the character. This technique is only used in Horrors and Thrillers in order to give people a scary looking edge.

Top Lighting - The Top Lighting Technique is achieved by using a high positioned lamp, and shining it down onto the character. It makes people look the most attractive they can look by smoothing the facial features and it seems as if it hides at blemishes or bad skin.

Low Key Lighting - 

High Key Lighting.

Risk Assessment

Animatic.

Preliminary Task Evaluation.

In our Preliminary task we tried to tell the story of a  student turning up late to a detention, and then being questioned as to why she is late by the teacher leading the detention. The student (played by Tyler Aldis) responded to the questions asked by the teacher (played by Lizzie Grant) in a rude and unacceptable manner, resulting in her being told to dismiss herself from the classroom. In the recording of this short video, every editing technique was used and to a good standard.

We used Match On Action when we see Tyler open the door from one side, and when we see her go through the door we see her on the inside of the classroom. In order to do this successfully we had to record her going in one side, then I had to go to the inside of the classroom (ensuring that she comes from the same side of the corridor, in order to not break the 180 degree rule) and record her coming through the door.

We used the Eye line Match when we see Lizzie and Tyler separately look at the clock. When recording this, I recorded Lizzie looking over in a direction and then we see the video cut straight into a clip of the clock on the wall. This process was repeated when recording Tyler looking at the clock.

The Shot, Reverse Shot technique was used when there was dialogue in the video. This was when Lizzie was questioning Tyler and when Tyler was inappropriately answering. Unfortunately during recording, I forgot to turn on the microphone, so when I was cutting and editing the video in Final Cut Express, I had to get Lizzie and Tyler to do a voiceover and match it onto the video. Before using the Shot, Reverse Shot technique I took a Master Shot of Tyler approaching Lizzie at her desk.

The most positive aspects of recording this short video was the use of Match On Action and the Shot, Reverse Shot techniques. I believe this because the Match On of Tyler walking through the door was edited accurately and looks very effective in the final edit of the short video.

In order to improve in our future videos, the recorder MUST ensure that the microphone is switched on and working before proceeding with the recording.

Treatment.

Sound Exercise Evaluation - Jeremy Kyle.

The sound exercise was very challenging at first. As the recorder, i was in charge of ensuring the microphone was always on and within a good distance of the acting cast (Lizzie, Bleona and myself) so that the audio was able to be picked up by the microphone. I forgot to turn the microphone on on several occasions, which in turn made the filming process much longer.

In the end, after all shots had been shot with the microphone. Lizzie edited the shots and composed them and Bleona was in charge of sound.

Below is the finished production;

Lighting Exercise

Lighting Exercise.

 

Sound Exercise - Jeremy Kyle

Mise-En-Scene

Mise-En-Scene is everything that is in the frame;

• The props,
• The characters,
• The makeup,
• The hair, 
• The Costumes and
• The facial features.

Mise-En-Scene is French for "Placing On Stage".
The Mise-En-Scene is how the characters and props are composed within the camera frame.
Without the use of Mise-En-Scene, there is essentially no film.

No Country For Old Men.

No Country For Old Men.

The trailer for No Country For Old Men is very effective in the way that it cuts from scene to scene. Most of the scenes in the trailer are full of fast-paced villain action and this entices the audience to view the full movie. The target audience is most probably adults because of the amount of violence involved in the film, seeing as it contains very gory and shocking violence scenes, for example;

The starting scene where the police officer is murdered by Anton (the Hitman). Anton manages to kill the police officer by chocking him with his handcuffs and he manages to cut his throat quite deeply. This scene has lots of blood involved and this is a prime example of why it isn't aimed at a younger audience, or to those with a particularly bad nervous disposition.

The film is set in Texas and the beginning scene shows lots of empty field with some wide open landscape scenery. this gives us the feeling that there is not going to be many people in the film, as the open and empty land makes it appear very isolated. Perhaps even deserted. The voice over from the Sheriff whilst looking at the empty scenery builds a lot of tension and makes you want to look away because you think something is going to pop out and scare you. This is from the deep voice of the Sheriff, and the way that he talks about the past. It is as if he is reflecting on what has happened and that we are going to watch his memories.

There is a continuous drum and rattle throughout the opening scene which itself is quite unnerving. Both the speaking from the Sheriff and the instruments being played are non-diagetic sounds.

The clothes worn make us assume that the taller man (Anton) is being arrested for not belonging to that particular part of America, and not being allowed to cross the border into that particular state. I am swayed to believe this because he is wearing completely different clothes to the police officer. The audience is made to believe that Anton is going to be put in a cell and that we are going to find out what he has done. He in fact murders the police officer and breaks free of the handcuffs and then escapes.

I believe that it is important that we see the villain in the first scene because we then know who we are looking for when later problems occur. The fact that we see Anton first is also important because we are constantly throughout the film on edge because we don't know if he is going to appear or if he is going to cause anymore trouble and murder more people. This differs from other Thriller movies because we normally don't see the villain until considerably later on in the film. The fact that Anton Chigurh barely speaks during the film creates more tension and builds more fear in the viewers because his lack of dialogue makes him seem more and more shady by the minute.

Introduction to Thrillers.

The genre Thriller normally consists of crime and often has other genres within it, such as 1999 hit film "Teaching Mrs. Tingle", being a Comedy Thriller.

Thrillers often have a villain driven plot with an innocent civilian being targeted. Thrillers contain many breath taking edge of the seat moments.
Paranormal Activity the first of four films released in the paranormal activity saga, was released in 2007 directed by Oren Peli. The story is about a couple who move into a new house, and become haunted by a nightly active demonic being or spirit. The film is recorded using a handheld camera, adding a realistic feeling to the movie. The fact that the film is set in the home of the couple adds more suspense and shock horror when something bad happens because the home is considered a safe place, and most comfortable, so the fact that the two are constantly being frightened and being left on edge gives the viewers the same feeling, meaning that when they go home they too are thinking of the fill, and become scared of things happening to them at home.
All in all i consider this be one of my favourite thriller films, because it introduced new elements into the genre of thriller films through the use of a documentary style thriller film which was filmed most via a home camera in the film.

Media Studies Short Video Review

In the short video we decided to use the element of dance. In the video it shows me entering an audition hall and being met by a very strict and cold adjudicator, who orders me to get ready for my performance. I am then told to perform a contemporary style routine with no preparation time. My performance is then stopped halfway through and i am harshly criticised and sent away.

The shots we use are;
Tracking shot,
vertical pan,
Long shot,
Close up,
Tilt.

We didn't manage to use all shot types because we didn't think it would be appropriate to our story. We used a variety of shots such as vertical pan, tracking shot, long shot, close up and tilt. We used theses different shots to show things such as emotion when I am told that I am not good enough to pass the audition.

When we finished our planning of the story we decided to think about what shots we should use to suit each part. We started off with a tracking shot as I entered the hall, which followed me along to try and add distance onto my walk. We then used a a vertical pan, which started at my feet and slowly panned up to my face. This was used after Ruby told me to take my shoes off and told me to prepare to perform. The video was then shot at a long range for my routine in order to prevent a shaky tracking cam with me moving fast around the "stage". There was then a close up used to show the disappointment on Ruby's face and the shock on Georgia's. This was particularly effective in showing precise facial expressions. We then used a tilt shot on my face to show that I am beside myself in embarrassment and pain to think that I have put in a lot of effort and still aren't quite up to scratch. Sophie was the only recorder, but I think she could have been a bit steadier with the camera, but I think that she, along with other members of the group will improve as we practice more throughout the course of the year.

I think that the best aspect of our video was the planning and acting. In our next film. I would focus on using more shots, and better ones that have been used in this one, and perhaps getting more practice in.

Cliffhangers and Red Herrings.

Cliffhanger.

A cliffhanger is often used to add a sense of suspense and to lure the viewer(s) into watching either the next series of a TV show or into buying the sequel to a movie. A cliffhanger is the practice of ending a story or novel (or chapter!) that leaves the character in what seems like an impossible situation, such as hanging off the side of a cliff. The purpose is to make the story so interesting that the viewer tunes in to the next episode or waits to buy the next film when it is released.

 
Red Herring.

A red herring is when you think something is going to happen, but there is a sudden plot twist and something unexpected and different happens. For example, a burgular goes into a room to try to kill the home owners but is killed himself.

 

Media Short Video.

Genre and Narrative.

Genre and narrative are part of the macro elements.
The term genre refers to a category of media products that are classified as being similar in form or type.  Different genres can include horrors, musicals, science fiction or romantic comedies.

The term narrative refers to a chain of events in the story and plot that overlap. The narrative is never any random string of events. The effect of the narrative of a film is to cause characters in the film to react to this events, giving an unexpected plot twist and change in the storyline. The narrative is usually what keeps the viewers enticed in the film.

Welcome Post.

Hey! My name is Andrew Faulkner and i'm a dance teacher and dancer from Essex :)

I will be updating posts onto this blog including all of the work I have been doing in Media Studies at AS Level. 

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope these posts are of some use to you all :) Adios!