Preliminary Task Synopsis

Katie is suffering from depression as she has recently broken up with her boyfriend after 8 years. Her friend, Stella, has come to comfort her and has brought some news in the form of a letter. Katie argues not to take it, but realizes she wants to know what it holds. She eventually takes the letter and spends time thinking about what it says...

Dialog for Preliminary piece

Stella: hey, how you feeling Hun? (rub on back)

Katie: bit of a silly question

Stella: well you know I’m always here

Katie: hmmm

Stella: anyway I’ve got something for you! I know you don’t want to talk to him, but he made me give you this

Katie: I don’t want to know

Stella: just take it, trust me

Katie: 2 second pause (takes note)

Stella: i'll leave you too it, text  you later (walks off)

Katie: (reads note and begins to smile)

Stella's example of Match on action

Match on action is a cut that connects two different shots, which show different views of the same action, at the same moment in the movement, creating the effect that the action continues uninterrupted.

The correct way of a match on action should begin in the first shot and end in the second shot. A match on action is usually filmed in medium shot, medium close up or medium long shot, as its important that the action taking place can clearly be seen.

Katie's definition of 180 degree rule

In filmmaking, the 180-degree rule is a guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character will always be frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. If the camera passes over the axis, it is called crossing the line.

Abbie's definition of Shot reverse shot

Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other. We usually use over the shoulder shots and medium close up shots to portray this.

 

Preliminary task: brief and guidelines

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio Dec – Jan 2012-13

Preliminary Exercise in Continuity Editing

 

Your Task: THIS TASK CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR COURSEWORK GRADE: COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL The specification states that this must be: ‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.   This task should demonstrate:   Match on Action Shot/Reverse Shot The 180 degree Rule   All filming and editing must take place on Haywards Heath College campus, using College equipment. You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of Thriller Film).

 

Stages of the Work

 

You will work on this in all of your Media Studies lessons between approx. Friday December 7^th 2012, and Friday January 11th 2013. However, the final deadline for all parts of the work will be one week after on Friday January 18^th.

 

Stage One

 

You will decide upon your groups. Groups must be a maximum of four students, and a minimum of two.

 

Stage Two

 

In your groups, you will revise the continuity terms referred to above, and ensure that everyone in the group understands what you are required to demonstrate in the finished product.

 

Stage Three

 

You will set up your group’s blog, and begin to make entries on it.

Based on skills demonstrated in the practice work earlier, you will decide which group members are most skilled at camera operation, and assign them the task of filming. At least two people should take responsibility for filming. Assign tasks to everyone in the group from the list below:

§  Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)

§  Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)

§  Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)

§  Casting Director (organises actors where needed)

§  Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)

 

All members of the group must be involved and present for the editing.

 

 

 

 

Stage Four

 

You will all contribute to a planning discussion, in which you create initial ideas. These must include exact location/s to be used, props required, precise decisions about Camerawork (shot distances, angles and movement), Lighting, types of transitions to use, and continuity methods required.

 

You will then begin the storyboarding process: each shot must be the result of careful discussion and frequent checks that you are meeting the brief. Your storyboard must use the correct format, and include all of the information shown on page 25 of your booklet on Moving Image Language. However, it should also include timing in seconds for each shot, and exact lines of dialogue alongside the shot/s that it would be heard.

 

Remember – you must demonstrate all 3 aspects of continuity outlined in the brief!!

 

Stage Five

 

Check that your locations are available at the times you will be filming, and that no one else is using it at the same time.

Check that props are ready for filming.

Check that actors (either members of the group or others you have invited to take part) are available when you are shooting.

Revise the Health and Safety procedures for filming.

Consider lighting techniques to be used.

 

Stage Six

 

Remind yourselves of the necessary checks (especially white balance and health and safety) you need to do before and during filming, and gather your equipment together:

§  Camera

§  Tripod

§  Dolly?

§  Portable lights? (You will not be assessed on your use of lighting at this stage)

 

Start filming.

You will be given ONLY FOUR lessons to film.

 

Shoot each shot several times, as well as from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully – a shortage of footage usually results in poor productions!!

 

Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use.  Create a “Sandwich”.

 

Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network and saved in the appropriate file.  Check with Ollie or Sophie before saving your work!!  You have to Log and save footage immediately after filming – cameras memories will be wiped on return to the technician.

 

EVERY GROUP MEMBER MUST BE PRESENT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.

 

GROUPS MUST UPDATE THEIR BLOG AS SHOWN ON THE DEADLINE SHEET

 

Stage Seven

 

Edit the sequence using Final cut.  This must be done by the deadline you are given. On completion, place your finished product in the “Completed Work” directory for your particular AS block.

 

MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES

 

EVERY MEMBER OF THE GROUP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINES SET. FAILURE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES BY THE GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.

 

DEADLINE ONE: END OF YOUR  SECOND LESSON OF THE WEEK WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY 10th DECEMBER 2012 – YOUR DATE: Show a completed storyboard using storyboard conventions plus timing and dialogue to a teacher. Record the following on your group’s blog: Your discussion and decisions, explaining your reasons for elements of the sequence in storyboard form. Your cast, props you intend to use, and locations Your timetable for filming.

 

DEADLINE TWO: YOUR SIXTH LESSON IN TOTAL, DURING WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY DECEMBER 17th – YOUR DATE: Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder (consult technicians for advice on this). Update the blog with decisions, problems and solutions

 

DEADLINE THREE: Your second lesson week beginning 14th January  2013   This will be your last lesson allocated to editing. Any further editing will need to be completed in your own time and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest. Your group’s blog must be updated.

 

FINAL DEADLINE FOUR: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23RD 2013  AT 4.10PM FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE SAVED TO THE COMPLETED WORK FOLDER – AS Prelim 2012-13/AS BLOCK ?/ Your full names. GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES

 

NB AS THIS IS AN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE PRELIMINARY EXERCISE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO THE MAIN TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEREFORE, ANY STUDENT NOT ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABOVE PROCESS TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE WILL BE ASKED TO INDIVIDUALLY COMPLETE OR SEPARATELY UNDERTAKE THE TASK AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY ON THEIR RETURN TO COLLEGE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key things to remember

 

• Always reset your white balance when repositioning your camera
• If using a tape – label it
• If using HD cameras, give yourself time to capture and log footage before returning camera.  Follow the tutorials saved to the desk tops of the i-Macs.  Camera memories are wiped immediately on return to a technician.
• To log onto network – CONTROL K, Media AS as both username and password
• Never take out equipment without booking out
• Always return equipment to a technician.
• Always create a film sandwich “Camera Rolling”: “Speed”: “Action”: “Cut”: leave running for few seconds.
• Record each shot several times
• Label each shot with whiteboard (“Take one , take two” etc)
• Once you have logged and captured footage, SAVE into appropriate file – AS Preliminary Task 2012/Block ?/Your Names.
• Each time you edit your work, SAVE AS a new version, thus “Version two”.  That way you build up a record of the process that you undergone and you have a backup of your work should a file become corrupted.
• Save work every 5 minutes
• Use your Tripod unless you have reason not to.
• You need a £10 deposit for equipment

 

Health and safety – don’t put yourself or others at risk:  No Hoodie’s or stalkers:  No weapons.  If using lighting, follow necessary precautions.  Don’t leave the campus.  Please be mindful that other students will be in lessons.  Leave any settings that you use, as you found them.

 

Your Blog – blogs have a particular format.  Rather than walls of text, you should adopt a multi media approach.  Use lots of embedded video, import images, hyperlinks, write text as bullet points, use sub titles, etc.