Camera technique evaluation

In our camera technique exercise, we had to show that we could use a variety of camera shots and angles. These where:

• Long shot
• Close up
• Medium shot
• High angle 
• Pan 
• Rolling shot 
• Low angle
• Tilt 
• point of view

In the exercise we tried to use all of these camera shots and angles however we failed to use a close up and a low angle. this is because for the context of the idea we did not know how to fit these shots in. This does not mean we do not know how to use these but we struggled to fit them in. All other shots and angles we did use and the most effective and better ones are the point of view, rolling shot and high angle.

Firstly a point of view shot is when the camera is showing you a view from a characters eyes; so the audience see what they see. This shot was effective as it shows the journey that our characters are taking and how much they are trying to find their friend. This is further effective as the audience can follow along with the character and feel apart of the clip, this means the audience are more likely to feel the emotions of the characters.

Secondly a rolling shot is when the camera is fixed in a position but rotates so the images is either upside down or on its side. We effectively used a rolling shot when shelby is walking through a gate outside. The reason this is effective is because it shows that she is confide as where she is join and because she doesn't know where her friend is. Therefore the audience can easily see the emotions of this character just by the career shot.

Lastly a high angle is when the camera is positioned high up so any character or item looks smaller so essentially weaker and more vulnerable. We used this effectively as the two high angles we used make the character look smaller so she did seem weak. This was done so it shows the character is weak with our her friend so that is why she is desperately searching for her.

Graphic match

This post is about the use of a graphic match. This is an editing technique and is where two objects in different scenes are used to connect the two. The can be a straight cut, dissolve or fade over into the next scene. The two similar object ether look alike or similar in shape. This means two completely different scene can be strongly linked together effectively and this is done so the film may run more smoothly (continuity) and could show relationship between the scenes. Furthermore this is done so continuity is no effected.

A good example of this is in the movie "Space odyssey"; this example shows how a graphic match can link two scenes where one is in the past while the other in the future:

Another example is from Breaking Bad, the graphic match here is from a leaking pipe with droplets on to a teabag dripping tea. This is very effective as it could show the connection between the scenes, meaning that no matter what job you have (fixing a pipe or in an office) we all are the same.

Another good example could be from Psycho. Once Marion was killed we see a extreme close up of the blood going down the drain then there is a graphic match to an extreme close up of her eye. This is a great example as we see in both shots her life is "draining" away 

One last example is the graphic match me and my group did in our preliminary task, we linked one pen to another which could show the friendship between the two girls who had them. the watch my preliminary task, it will be in a different blog post specifically for it.

camera technique exersise

Here is our camera technique exercise. we did this to show that we could use different camera shots and angles. The shots and angles that we tried to use was

• long shot
• close up
• medium shot
• high angle
• low angle
• pan
• tilt
• rolling shot
• point of view

preliminary task evaluation

In the beginning we already see the use of match on action. This is when the character starts an action and then in the next one they finish it. My use of this is Sarah walking through the door; firstly we see her walk to the door then we see her on the other side. This is a good accurate example of match on action as it reduces time but also effectively shows the character do the action. Furthermore the use of match on action means the camera can effectively be place. What this means is that we can use a good angle for the character but also so the camera does not look through the door just incase the setting is different; this would break continuity.

Secondly we see an eye line match. This is when we get to see a glimpse of what the character is looking at. In my case this is when Sarah has just come through the door and looks over to Shelby. I think we did not effectively use this as at first we don't really see Sarah look over. This therefore means we did not accurately do this and to do this better maybe we could have came up with a better idea. However we did use one showing we know what it is and how to do it. We an eye line match is effect it means the audience can see the object/person effectively and helps present a feeling depending on the film. Here is a screen shot showing the use of an eye line match. 

Next we used shot/reverse shot. This is when we see a conversation between two characters and the camera cuts too and fro between characters. Our use of shot/reverse shot is the over the shoulder shot when our two characters are talking. There are a few cuts to different shots showing each character speak. I feel we effectively used this as the audience see both characters talking and can fully understand there conversation. This means that the shot/reverse shot was used accurately as we know who is talking and what there expressions are.

In addition, we used a graphic match at the end with the two pens. This was not compulsory but we still included it in. A graphic match is when there is a cut to another scene where there are similar objects present in both. We accurately and effectively done this as there was a dissolve to the next scene, this means the graphic match was subtle and gradual. 

Lastly, we was told to stick to the 180 degree. This is when the camera does not cross over the imaginary axis so the character stay on the same side. We did not break this rule as our characters always stayed in the same place and the camera did not cross over to the other sides. The only time when the character may have appear to be in different places would be the over the shoulder shot but they did not and the rule was not broken. This was accurately done as we did not cross the line. This means the scene did not loo confusion and went smoothly.

In conclusion, some of the best parts of our preliminary task was when we used Match on action, shot/reverse shot and the graphic match. I feel these were the best parts as we accurately done these so they were correctly used and did not look stupid and silly. The parts in which i feel we could do better was when we used eye line match. This is because we did not have a good idea on how to present this so it was rush in at the moment we filmed. This means it does not look as good as it would if we could plan it out well. 

preliminary task exercise

Here is the preliminary task that i have completed. The purpose of this was to show we can use:

• Match on Action
• Eye line Match
• Shot, Reverse Shot
• 180 Degree rule

The story behind our clip is two friends talking, one of them (Sarah) is giving the other (Shelby) her DVD back and they have a little conversation around it.

The art of the title

"The art of the title" is a website dedicated to title sequences and how they are made. They have many sequences to watch and there is a little description on how the sequence was made and what the series/film is about. This would help us with our thriller as we need to make a title sequence for it. Here is a screen shot showing what title sequences they do and the options you have. Also they have a little list showing what sequences they think are very good and effective.

As this site has many sequences, here are some that i fought effective for there type (TV) or genre:

Firstly i looked at Marvel's "Jessica Jones" TV series. It felt like it was from a comic as it was colourful and animated. This was a good title sequence as it really fit the theme of what the show is about and therefore it mess that the title sequence isn't just random but it contributes to the feel of the series.

I also then looked at "The forbidden room" that seems to be a thriller/horror/psychological film. The sequence made me think of this genre as it seemed creepy and like it had a heavy meaning. This means that this sequence is effective as it gives the correct/accurate feel to the film and does not ruin the mood to come in the film.

Then i looked at a wacky sequence that is for "man seeking woman". It is an opening with lots of black and white animations pieced together which makes people already think that this is a comedy. this is also effective as the series is a comedy and feels a little childish. Therefore the sequence has portrayed the dries very well.

Here is the list for the three above mentioned with them being 4th, 3rd and 1st - Top sequence list.

Title sequence analyses

On the website The Art of the title i have found some title sequences. I have reviewed 3 different movies to see how they have effectively made their title sequence and how they stuck to the genres.

Firstly i watched "Se7en" and the first impression of this titles sequence is that its very suspenseful, sinister and creepy. This means that straight away the title sequence fits in with the genre of the crime and mystery thriller. Suspense is effective for a title sequence like this as the audience get a general idea of what the film could be about but also they may be more inclined to carry on watching as they are hooked to the creepy suspense. The conventions that makes the title creepy and suspenseful is mainly the music; its a screechy horrific sound and without is the character would seem eccentric. Furthermore the editing also presents suspense as it seems like the audience or character is dizzy and this effects distorts objects into a more creepy form but it also works along side the music to make the audience feel like we are watching a psychopath. Overall this is a great title sequence as it really does present suspense and conventions of a thriller.
here is the link to watch Se7en -
http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/

I then watched "Splice" and this titles sequence is very confusing as the audience don't know what is happening and get only a few ideas of what we are watching. This confusion create a lot of suspense as the audience don't know if something will be revealed so there is this constant fear of the inevitable to come. The music also creates suspense as its violin music that slowly builds up. This further adds to the confusion and fear so the audience feel like someone is defiantly going to be revealed that is displeasing or horrific. However there was no editing once the titles started and this greatly influenced how the audience feel as it made the whole titles seem to run even more slower than they actually do. This resulted in a huge build up in suspense and tension. Overall the titles did fit into the genres of the film making it successful, the genre is a horror/sci-fi thriller.
here is the link to watch Splice -
http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/splice/

Lastly i watched "The Game" which seemed to a very different type of titles. It was nostalgic as happy memories were being played. However this seems to be suspenseful as the audience are thinking this can't end well and there is never a happily ever after. Therefore this builds up suspense as this happy titles is portraying the opposite feeling as it could all come crashing down. The music also seems happy and calm as it is just a piano. But this further creates suspense as it can also be seen that the piano represents sadness so this could be foreshadowing a bad memory to come. Overall the music and content of this titles sequence a first seems happy and nostalgic but it quickly creates a sense of suspense as the memories at the end seem dark and mysterious and this therefore complies with the genre of the thriller which is mystery thriller.
here is the link to watch  -
http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/the-game/

Audience feedback

After we presented our ideas to the class they gave us some feedback to help make our opening better. They gave us feedback on all three ideas and here is what they had to say:

Romance thriller- firstly they said that this could potentially be hard to film because how will we be able to make the setting look like a prison as we cant just go film in one. Therefore this was a main problem we faced. As well as the filming being difficult they also said that the film seems very complicated. This could mean that we may get confused while filming but also the viewers may not understand what is happening. 

However the audience did say that if we could pull this off then it would be a thriller as it would have lots of suspense and make people on edge. 

Action thriller- the audience seemed very positive about this idea and thought that it was easy to film but still could be really good. They further went on to say that this opening has more suspense than the first idea so this would make a better thriller. Lastly they said that the thriller opening is very good as it has the conventions that we need to include, like a cliffhanger and mcguffin. They said that we used these convention well and will make the thriller really good. So overall the audience thought this idea was great and couldn't point out anything majorly wrong with it. 

Horror thriller- this idea had mixed feelings as some people thought that this idea would have loads of suspense and would be a great thriller while some people thought that this idea was weak and it needed something added to make it better/tidy it up. As the audience were divided they had different opinions however they all agreed that this idea was really good and if it was edited and changed around it could possible be a great idea and just like a real thriller. But the idea is complicated and could be hard to film as we need to film in a bank and a luxury house which could be hard to find.

Here is an image of two members of our group present our ideas while I was recording down what the audience said (a scribe).

Studio Idents

Idents (studio animations) are what we first see when a film starts; it is the little animation or logo that a production company uses so viewers know who they are and recognise them. These animations are usually very unique so we straight away know who have made the film we are watching. The reason why these indents change is because they represent the company so they may be trying to change their image or the ident is following the theme of the films.

There are two types of production companies that make these idents. They can be considered as a "major" or an "indie". Major means that this company is one who has been around for a long time and and is one of the leading film production companies; these companies work in hollywood making huge box office films. On the other hand indie means an independent production company that creates films outside the majors studio system. They are just one company who is owned by a single person and only use there own resources. The type of film could be own that are not involve in a certain topic and just a "random" film. this means the movies are usually low budget.

Below are some videos of the ident changes that major companies Universal, Pixar and Metro Goldwyn Mayer productions have made. These production companies have been around for a long time so we see a rough 100 years of change they have done. Pixar has changed there ident as they now want to be associated with children animations therefore they changed from a boring grey square to a fun lamp whereas universal seems to change its theme tune occasionally to fit the film itself.  MGM has the same style of ident with the lion but has only changed as they are making the companies image more modern, this is why the last in the video is compatible with 3-D movies. Furthermore the writing they have translates to "art for art's sake" and this could suggest they are classic, classic and make good films.

Below are some videos of indie film production companies idents. These companies are Lionsgate and Entertainment One. Lionsgate ident has changed as they want to see more technical and high tech as their new indents have gears and mechanics. Entertainment one ident has changed but for unknown reasons but we assume it is because they are just making it better so viewers think the business is up to date and modern.