Cutaway scene evaluation

In this task, my main learning objective was to achieve how to use the camera promptly according to our storyboard sequence. This is because it was a different role than to my previous task. I did this by, for example, when I was given the storyboard, I set the camera to all the angles and shots of how we planned them.

Personally, I feel that this was one of the weakest tasks I have done so far. One weakness was our timing. For example, we were only given 10 minutes worth of planning and less than 30 minutes to film. To improve, I think we should sit together as a group and discuss the planning. This is because I was sent off to set up the camera and I was not aware of what to shoot, and as Antoinette had to explain the storyboard to me it wasted our filming time. As a team, I feel it was working quite slow. For example, if we planned well in the start then we wouldn't have wasted time while filming.

I also think our previous task was much better as it was planned well, and even though there were more obstacles in the previous task, I feel we still were able to execute our task well. For example, we planned well the day before we started filming which did not waste any lesson time. However, as we were filming we did not have to show many different techniques as the task was to simply show a cutaway scene. For example, as it was a shorter scene, it made it easier to film as there were just 6 shots.

However, I feel that when it came to filming, some of our storyboard sequence was not correct. For example, in shot 3 we were confused about what it really was. Then to solve this issue we shot the scene as we went along to make continuity. We did this so it made sense to our story. Our filming was also slowed down. For example, as we were filming outside we had to wait for silence and made sure people were not in the background. This task was quite hectic as well and at times. For example, towards the end we ran out of time and we had to rush the last shots. This made our task unsuccessful.

Now I have experienced the positive and negatives, in future short film tasks I will now know what exactly to expect and make sure we plan well. For example, I will make sure that as a group we ensure that everyone has a good understanding of what and how we are filming before we start. In my opinion I feel that I did achieve my learning objective and I feel that although there were many obstacles during filming, I was still able to execute my task well. For example, when I knew what angle the shot is taken from it was simple to set the camera there. I also felt comfortable to film and I gained confidence to use a camera well.

Digital and Analogue Film making

Analogue filming:

In the 20^th century analogue filming was mainly used as it was newly introduced. It hasn’t been long since this traditional method of filming became more advanced with new technologies. But as we are progressing into the 21^st century, we should not forget the realism and the real quality of watching classic films, all made from analogue filming. Hollywood’s all time classics such as “Marry Poppins” (1964) produced by Walt Disney, had the budget of $600 000. “Bugsy Malone” (1976) had the budget of $1 million US dollars. Although analogue filming can be expensive and a longer process, it is the time spent that makes quality in a good film. Analogue films also have a real factor which I believe engages the audience. It worked well in that time period and I feel it should always be remembered.

Digital V Analogue:

Digital filming is now the new way of creating and editing films. It is a shorter process than analogue and easily accessed. However, people argue that digital filming is very unrealistic and production costs too much money. Special effects can show unrealism and it may loose the connection between the film and the audience as they cannot relate to it. But sometimes special effects enable the audience to escape into a fantasy world which makes entertainment as the audience have not seen anything like it before. Although production and the special effects involve a lot of cost, it still makes good blockbuster movies. It is also the same for analogue films, money is also spent on the production and yet we still resulted in good all time classics that are even popular today.

Another argument is that digital filming equipment can be accessed by anyone and we can film whatever we please, as technology has become so advanced that we can do this even at home. This is because everyone especially young people can buy a small HD video camera and create their own movies in their own personal ways. Unlike analogue is too complex and hard to make changes, as in digital you can always add or delete elements such as background noise. Even though we may have digital technology to improve certain elements in film production, many years back directors were still able to create enjoyable blockbuster hits as back then, the audience had small expectations. However too many digital films are ruining the beauty of old films and are starting to manipulate the way today’s generation think about old movies. For example, on TV if a film is black and white, people automatically change the channel because now some of those types of films are frowned upon. This is only because digital technology has taken over Hollywood and as an audience we always expect to watch something new and interesting.

Today in the media industry, we have to always be ahead of the audience’s expectations. We have to move on into the 21^st century with more advanced technology on our side to enhance the feel of not only watching the movie, but making the audience feel that they are also involved. I believe it is important that the audience can relate to a movie’s storyline and also feel fantasy experiences. For example, now we have movies in 3D which really do put the audience in the film situation. I think this is real entertainment and as people are expecting more from films, the media industry will continue to find new techniques of keeping us as an audience entertained. Also it does not matter how much money is spent on a film whether it’s analogue or digital. If it relates to many audiences, and has a great storyline, with great quality captured on the camera and if it is executed in the correct way, any movie could be a worldwide blockbuster.

Here is a great video to explain further points on both digital and analogue film making :

Preliminary Task Evaluation

Preliminary Task Eval Presentation

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Preliminary Task - Planning

Storyboard

Script

Scene is set in a classroom and Person 2 is working. The door opens and Person 1 struggles in:

Shot 5/6: Person 1: “HELP!” (Limping and breathing heavily, leaning on the door while opening it)

Shot 7: Person 2: “Oh my God! What happened?” (Stops working immediately and runs to help)

Shot 8: Person 1: “I got hit and run by a car, where’s Miss Smith?!” (While taking him to a chair)

Shot 9: Person 2: “That’s terrible! I don’t know but I will find her for you”

Shot 11: Person 2: “Okay wait here and I will find Miss right away” (runs out and person 1 is sitting in pain)

Person 1: “Thanks”

Shooting Schedule

Camera Evaluation

Cannon XHA1

It's full name Canon HDV1080i XH A1 is a light and easy camcorder which is we will be using to make our film.
It's features are:

• 1/3" 1.67MP 3CCD for HDV1080i
• 20x optical zoom lens with OIS
• Instant AF and Focus Assist
• DIGIC DV II for HD
• Compact design
• Focus, zoom and iris rings
• Widescreen LCD and EVF
• Complete image control
• Cine gamma and custom presets
• Hot-shoe and XLR audio

How digital technology compared to analogue technology has changed the way films are being made:

As we progress into the 21^st Century, technology has helped to advance films we see today. As more techniques are being used more effectively, as an audience we expect to see a lot more from movies since film history has come a long way. Digital cinematography is the modern process of capturing motion pictures as easily accessible digital images, rather than on film. Many film-makers are now using this method a lot more as it is quick and easy to use and store. This media is stored on CD’s, cassettes, USB drives, floppy disks, etc…

Here is a clip explaining some techniques that are used in Digital Cinematography:

Walking to a door Photostoryboard

Walking to a door - Shot sequence

Shot 1
This is a long shot of me walking towards the camera. This is the beginning of our shot sequence when I am walking down a corridor to meet Rochelle. I think this shot is effective at conveying its meaning as it captures the action of the person walking down the corridor. But I also think that this shot could be improved by taking it from a further distance, and show more of the surroundings to create an eerie effect, as our theme in the sequence is “mystery”.

Shot 2
This is a long shot of Rochelle walking down the stairs. Rochelle and we have planned to meet up and therefore this shows she’s on her way. It is taken at a low angle which shows that Rochelle is at a high level in the photo. I think this shot is effective in showing the meaning as we can see the action of her moving. Personally I don’t think this photo needs any improvements and I am satisfied with how the image came out.

Shot 3
In this shot Rochelle is looking down the corridor as she saw me. This is a long shot but taken from a low angle as it shows that she is at a higher level. I think this shot is okay but to improve, I feel it should have been a mid shot to emphasise that she is really looking down as she could be looking anywhere. It would also show how the person is feeling.

Shot 4
Here, I am looking up at Rochelle as she is walking down the stairs. This is a mid shot taken from a high angle to show that Rochelle is looking down at me. This shows that I am at a lower level. I think this shot works very well because it suited our sequence and conveys that there is something I am looking at. As it is a mid shot, we can see my facial expressions which show that I have seen someone (Rochelle). I think this shot does not need any improvements.

Shot 5
Here, Rochelle and I have met up and we are now having a conversation. This is an over the shoulder shot showing my point of view. I think this is one of our best shots because it is taken from an effective angle and the shot shows Rochelle’s facial expressions, which conveys that we are having a good conversation. Once again I think this shot does not need any improvements.

Shot 6
This over the shoulder shot now shows Rochelle’s point of view and my facial expressions. These two shots convey the meaning of the photos that we are engaged in our conversation and look very realistic. To improve this image I think the angle should have been more to the right so we can see more of my body language like we could she Rochelle’s body language in the previous photo. That would make it more effective as we could understand the characters feelings much better.

Shot 7
This is an over the shoulder shot with both of us in the shot. The angle it is taken from is behind us and it shows what we can see. Here we walk into a classroom and surprisingly nobody is in there. I think this is another effective shot as it focuses on the empty classroom as it is in the centre of the image. I really like this image because I think it is the most effective, because although the main focus of this image is the classroom, Rochelle and I are still in the image. As it is taken from behind, it conveys our point of view.

Shot 8
Here, this shot focuses on our reaction to the empty classroom. This shot shows our feelings through our facial expressions. For example, Rochelle is thinking where everyone could have gone whereas I am confused and sense something very strange. I think this two shot has been used effectively as we can see what the people are thinking and feeling. I think the mid shot has been used effectively as we can see what to focus on when we see this image.

Shot 9
In the final shot, Rochelle and I decide to walk out. I think this two shot is an effective because it is more of an action shot and as we are facing away from the camera, it shows we are heading towards a direction. I think this image doesn’t need to be improved as we have conveyed its meaning.

Overall, I think there was a lot of sense of creativity in our shot sequence but I think if we had more shots then we could have made the sequence a lot more interesting. The photos were taken by Marika and as a group we decided which shots and angles were best suited according to our storyboard sequence. In my opinion I think our photos worked well according to our storyboard. I also learnt how to put different types of shots into practice and how to make photos look effective. Shot 7 is a good example of this as the empty classroom is the main focus of the shot and it gave it an eerie mood. As a group we worked quickly for example by story boarding each shot and then going out to take the shots. We knew what we were doing and as a group we decided which shots were good to keep.