Evaluation of Preliminary - Developed

For our Preliminary Task we used a range of camera angles to add different perspectives. For example we used Shot Reverse Shot during the conversation which provided different angles so the audience could easily understand who is speaking and familiarise themselves with the characters.
An Over The Shoulder Shot was also used during the conversation so as to imply that there are two people involved in the scene and that they are talking to one another. Our group also felt that an Extreme Close Up Shot was essential throughout the clip as it told the audience a story visually. It was effectively used at the end of our video so it clearly expressed frustration in our character without the use of dialogue by using an extreme close up of the face.

The locations we chose were also key in our video as it was meant to show how our character (the cheater) was frantically looking for the reviser. Our video begins with the Cheater waiting outside the Arc for the Reviser who never shows up. This use of an open space means the audience can see more than the main character as they have a different perspective which then hints that nobody is actually coming. The Canteen was then used in the next scene in which too is an open space. This meant that the Cheater could run through whilst we use a Tracking Shot so we are following her movements for the audience to see. Because the Canteen is full of people sitting down, it then emphasises how stressed the cheater is because they are running in contrast to others in the shot which then makes it visually interesting as nobody is moving but the character, who is running.

Our group always considered continuity but there was an accidental error in which certain details were noticeably changed - such as shoes. To avoid confusion with the audience we had to re-shoot some of the footage as it was key to our plot. For example at the end we noticed that the shoes had changed - yet it was the main focus of the shot so we had to film it again so that it did not break the continuity rule. However in some circumstances we simply didn't use the footage with noticeable changes as it wasn't essential to the plot and therefore didn't ruin it.

Thriller Research - The Hunger Games!

The Hunger Games - Adventure/Sci-Fi Thriller

Director - Gary Ross

Release Date - 23rd March 2012 (UK)

Starring - Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutchinson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson.

Awards Won:

1.  BAFTA Children's Award - Best Feature Film
2. Saturn Award - Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
3. ASCAP Award - Top Box Office Films
4. Critics Choice Award - Best Actress in an Action Movie (Jennifer Lawrence)
5. Empire Award - Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence)
6. People's Choice Award - Favorite Action Movie

Synopsis - The Hunger Games takes place annually in which two children - a boy and a girl - are selected randomly from each district - there are twelve in total - to compete in a brutal competition in which you have to literally fight for survival. When Prim Everdeen, Katniss Everdeen's sister, is chosen, Katniss volunteers to take her place and eventually wins the Hunger Games for her, much to the dismay of the President of the Capitol who hosts the competition. This is because only one person is supposed to win, but Katniss and her district partner - Peeta - rebel against the rules, threatening to kill themselves to result in no winner. The whole competition is televised, showing the barbaric side of society.

The aspect of the film that I find so enjoyable is the originality of it and the use of mise-en-scene. For example the use of futuristic props and clothing tell the audience the genre of the film and is suggestive of the time in which it is set. It demonstrates the poor and richer people who, like us, have to live in a society of judgement and this contrast is clearly evident through the use of colour choice. For example in the scene provided, you notice the drab and colourless clothing of the people in the audience which are purely functional. Then in contrast, the lady on the stage who represents the Capitol, wears excessively bright and colourful clothing which signifies that she comes from a much wealthier part of society.

The generic conventions of this film include innocent victims (those who are chosen to fight in the competition unwillingly), psychotic individuals (as there are some who volunteer to fight others because they consider it a challenge), and the theme is linked to politics as the games result in a war between the Capitol and Katniss who each represent and symbolise a class/status. The use of locations are key in this film as it begins with an unglamourous setting of Katniss' home which represents how poor she is. Flashbacks are then used - which are common in thrillers - and the use of nature is used to represent emotion for us as an audience to understand. For example rain. This was used to represent how weak Katniss was and how that time was a depressing, bleak and dull time. The flashback also informs the audience about the time before the events that happen which help familiarise the audience with the characters.

 

Roger Ebert:

'One thing I missed, however, was more self-awareness on the part of the tributes. As their names are being drawn from a fish bowl (!) at the Reaping, the reactions of the chosen seem rather subdued, considering the odds are 23-to-1 that they'll end up dead. Katniss volunteers to take place of her 12-year-old kid sister, Prim (Willow Shields), but no one explicitly discusses the fairness of deadly combat between girl children and 18-year-old men. Apparently the jaded TV audiences of Panem have developed an appetite for barbarity. Nor do Katniss and Peeta reveal much thoughtfulness about their own peculiar position.'

 

I disagree with the comment as I find the reactions exact. It is representative of the vulnerability of these people who have no power because they are owned by the Capitol and are not free. The Hunger Games have been going on for 74 years and therefore you can't expect people to react any other way. They understand what is compulsory - though they may despise it - but they are powerless and therefore cannot change what is Law. This is why people are more surprised when Katniss rebels against the Capitol at the end, because it is unseen and unheard of. The extreme close-ups of faces are not meant to show disgust and hatred, it is meant to show empathy for the competitors because it is horrific, but nothing can be done to change that.

 

This can be shown through this screen shot of the scene being referred to in the review. Prim is taking up a third of the shot so that we can see her reaction, and the reaction of others.

 

Thriller Research - Person of Interest!

Person of Interest:Action/Drama Thriller

Creator - Jonathan Nolan

Starring - Jim Caviezel, Michael Emerson, Taraji P. Henson, Kevin Chapman

Awards Won:

1. ASCAP Award - Top Television Series
2. People's Choice Award - Favorite New TV Drama

Synopsis - A billionaire, Harold Finch, creates a machine which predicts crimes before it happens and it gives him the social security numbers of either those who provoke the attack, or those who are the victim of it. He needed a partner who would be able to prevent this so he hired an ex-CIA Agent, John Reese. Together they secretly work to prevent these crimes in order to create a safer world.

This show used generic conventions of a thriller which made it so gripping such as flashbacks. This then arouses suspicion from the audience so as to make them feel that we don't know something that is of importance. This then only makes you want to watch it even further because we know it is relevant and could change the plot but little bits of information are only revealed at certain times throughout the series so as to keep us hooked. This aspect of the show is why I enjoy it so much because I feel as if I have to keep watching it because the show makes me ask questions that would be revealed, but later in the series.

This was the first episode of the third series which briefly gives an overview of what the plot is currently so that the audience remember. They also add extra information - with the use of flashbacks - such as the first day in which the machine was built which then adds to the information we already know. The use of long shots implies that the information that we are finding out is meant to be a secret and is therefore of importance suggesting that it could change the plot drastically. The use of dark and dull colours sets the mood so that we can understand visually the plot which is suggestive of danger and risk.

IMDb User Review:

'Person of Interest is a smart, taught, action thriller with substance that is brimming with excitement and dangerous, tense intrigue, and nail-biting suspense'

I agree with this comment as I always find myself absorbed in the unpredictable storyline. The unpredictably of it is then what makes it so tense and gripping and the plot is original and clever making it enjoyable to watch.

Thriller Research - Fast and Furious!

Fast and Furious - Action/Crime Thriller

Director - Rob Cohen

Release Date - 14th September 2001 (UK)

Starring - Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster

Awards Won:

1. MTV Movie Award - Best On-Screen Team
2. Taurus Award - Best Work With a Vehicle
3. Hollywood Breakthrough Award - Breakthrough Male Performance (Paul Walker)

Synopsis - A police officer - Brian O'Connor - is chosen to find and arrest Dominic Toretto and his crew who are illegal street racers and have committed various theft crimes involving valuable cars. He has been sent undercover and falls in love with Toretto's Sister and finds himself involved with the racing, wanting to help the crew as oppose to bringing them down, thereby testing his loyalties.

The generic conventions of this film include convicts/criminals with the main characters breaking the law. However this film is based on their perspective as a group thus showing it from their side. This means that we as an audience favour them as oppose to the law - despite knowing that what they are doing is wrong.

Another generic convention is escaped cons which shows the pursuit of freedom particularly in the later films of the Fast and Furious film series. For example in the end of Fast and Furious 4 (Video above). This scene implies that Toretto is going escape through the help of his crew but because it cuts before we know, it then provides a cliffhanger making it a perfect beginning for the next film. The use of diegetic sound with the cars shows us the power of these vehicles and makes the film seem more fast paced and eventful with the help of quick and tense music. The location is also key as it is isolated informing the audience that this place has no boundaries and no one can stop what we assume is about to happen.

This particular screen shot from the clip is an example of the rule of thirds which is significant. The subject and object takes up roughly 2/3 of the shot and is representative of Toretto - the man they are about to help escape. It is significant because the necklace on the first third of the shot has been included throughout the film series and is recognisably Toretto's item and therefore having it included shows the power and influence he has. It represents who is crew are saving and how they will always help him because that is what they do.

Roger Ebert Review :

'"The Fast and the Furious" is not a great movie, but it delivers what it promises to deliver, and knows that a chase scene is supposed to be about something more than special effects. It has some of that grandiose self-pitying dialogue we've treasured in movies like this ever since "Rebel Without a Cause." "I live my life a quarter-mile at a time," Toretto tells Brian. "For those 10 seconds, I'm free." And, hey, even for the next 30 seconds, he's decelerating.'

I do agree with this comment as it isn't a blockbuster film but it does provide us with the nail-biting, edge of your seat kind of entertainment. The use of cliffhangers are so effective as the script isn't pre-written like a book so the whole plot could change making it unpredictable. It promises to deliver in which it most definitely does!

Evaluation of Preliminary!

Evaluation of Preliminary:

1. For my Preliminary task, I did a shot list to clearly show what shots (camera angles) our group were going to do and where it was going to be done and who was going to be in the shot. This meant that me, my group and others could easily follow and understand what it is our group is trying to do. I also constructed a storyboard so I can visually show what shot I am going to do by doing drawings of different objects and subjects. This then helps myself and others to further understand the plot of our Preliminary Task.

In order to improve my camera skills, I practised camera angles using a subject and analysed what effect or impact it has, such as high angle can suggest vulnerability due to the perspective being higher than the subject. I also analysed a film in order to understand what camera angles are used - that are not still - in order to create the desired effect. This meant that when I was filming the conversation, I was able to consider shot reverse shot, 180 degree rule and continuity. Our group was careful as to not wear different clothes when filming to suggest that the story all happened at the same time - though it was filmed over numerous days - so as to not confuse our audience. If there was a day when small details were accidentally changed or forgotten, such as shoes, then we considered how to alter our shots in order to cover the difference so that it is unnoticeable and would not cause confusion but as a result, did not effect the filming.

2. The 180 degree rule - This rule means you are shooting on one side to show continuity and to not change the side in which the subject is on. For example, if a person was on the right side of another person, this must stay the same and you must not cross the line in which is past the 180 degree mark.

The 180 degree rule must be considered when filming my Preliminary Task, as otherwise it will cause confusion for the audience. This diagram shows that the person in the blue shirt, is on one side and must stay on that side in order to appear as if he is in the same position. You have to consider an imaginary axis and not cross it so it appears that the person is on the same side and has not switched. This is important as otherwise it will confuse the audience and make the plot less easy to follow and then they won't be able to 'visually connect with the unseen movement' as their viewpoint has changed. For example, if you were watching a football match and someone was running with the ball, then you are following that character and can understand the direction in which they are running. If the cameras switched to the opposite side then it would cause confusion as the audience would see the player running in the opposite direction, though it is heading for the same goal.

3. Our group ensured that we varied our camera angles in order to make it more interesting and show different emotions so as to have a different effect. For example, we used close up shots because this shows emotion clearly in which tells the story to the audience. The audience need to understand the emotion because it is a part of the plot as it suggests the tone of the storyline such as happy, angry or sad. In our case it was anger and frustration and we felt a close up shot told this.

We also used tracking shots in order to follow the subject, so the audience can follow the plot. We used one of these shots towards the end of the filming and because we had to follow the character, it meant that the camera was shaky and not smooth. However when looking at it, we felt that this had a good effect as the character is meant to be walking away angrily and the shaking of the camera, we felt, represented this as it expressed it more clearly and would tell the emotion to the audience.

For the conversation, we used a range of camera angles in order to give a different perspective. For example, we used shot reverse shot, extreme close up, over the shoulder, and close up. This variation meant that it makes the plot more interesting and helps the audience understand the story better as different view points are given. Our group ensured that we considered the 180 degree rule and when we first filmed the conversation, we did some filming and then came to the realisation that we had crossed the 'imaginary axis' and therefore broke this rule. We then fixed it by re-filming certain parts and then the problem was overcome.

4. I have not edited before and therefore doing this Preliminary Task helped me greatly. Though I am still unsure about certain things in the editing programme, I am now able to shorten clips and set a point so it can start and stop at a certain time. I was also able to drag the clips and sound that I needed so each clip connected, and when played, it was a continuous clip. Our group decided that including video effects and transitions would help our story - especially 'dissolve' so when alternating between two different clips at two different places, the video flowed more and it wasn't a sharp definition between each individual clip. We also experimented with colour, particularly black and white as this can be effective, and we felt it suited the emotion we are trying to express to our audience. Along with it, we used slow motion, particularly at the end of our video, because it would emphasise the frustration and anger of our character and make it much more dramatic. This is something I will consider when thinking ahead for my Thriller Task as it indicates emotion so the audience can understand clearly and the use of mono-colour fits with the conventions of a noir thriller. However, I am still not overly confident with the editing programme as I have not experimented with every tool, due to it being irrelevant and unnecessary to our Preliminary Task. Something I would like to experiment with is audio effects, as although we included a clip of music in our video, we did not use certain effects that may help dramatise the plot such as the music fading in and out. 

Storyboard of Preliminary Task!

Our story for the Preliminary Task is about a cheater looking for her friend, who is revising, trying to get the answers from her for a test from but she then refuses to give it to the cheater and they have an argument and in the end the cheater storms out of the Study Hall without the answers.

Scene 1: Start at the Arc - worms eye view of the main person and then a birds eye view of her phone to show that the person (cheater) is clearly expecting a call or waiting for somebody.

Scene 2: Cheater runs from Arc to Canteen looking for her friend (reviser) who never showed up at the Arc.We then switch to the reviser so audience can understand how many characters are involved and know where she is situated so we know where the cheater needs to go to find her.

Scene 3: Cheater runs into the Canteen looking for the reviser who has the answers to the test but doesn't find her there so she carries on running.

Scene 4: Cheater runs into Study Hall and finds the reviser there and goes into the pod.

Scene 5: Cheater and reviser have an argument, with the cheater demanding answers for the test that the reviser won't give her. Different angles used to show different perspectives and emotions. Cheater runs out of the pod without the answers.

Scene 6: Cheater runs to her bike to get away.

Camera Angles Analysis from a Film!

This clip is from the ending of the film the Da Vinci Code - one of my favourite films - and I was analysing the use and effect of different camera angles to help with my Media AS Course for when I shoot my Preliminary Task and my Thriller. In the first ten seconds of the clip, a high angle shot of Paris is used to show where the character is situated and then they change to a long shot to be more specific as to where he actually is such as What building? What street?. The effect of this is that the audience can familiarise themselves with the setting and scene and then can understand the story because the impact of the scene is significant due to the relevance of the plot. It can also say a lot about the character by showing the place using a long shot as in this scene, it appears posh and of a higher class therefore suggesting a lot about the main character - giving the impression that he is wealthy and of importance.

 They then focus to the main character, after finding out his whereabouts, and use an over the shoulder shot, focusing on his reflection in the mirror. This is effective as it shows us multiple angles of the main subject which can show gesture and emotion. An extreme close-up is also used on an object to signify importance as close attention is given meaning the audience can get a perspective of the main character and gain further understanding. I must consider this when doing my Media AS Course so I can express the emotion to the audience so it is believable and tells a story without words.

The director also uses a lot of shots without the main character in and instead a high angle shot is used to give the impression that it is from the perspective of the subject. This is effective because as long as we can understand from whose viewpoint it is, we can then empathise and follow the characters situation. This is useful to consider for my Preliminary Task and my Thriller as the focus could be on the setting to gain further understanding as oppose to the scene being taken up or blocked by a person when it is not necessary or essential.