Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Revisions And Editing
We also filmed a closing shot of myself against a interactive whiteboard. We turned up the highlights on this shot so that it looks like a large white room. This gives a sense of mystery and unknown, so that people dont know where i am.
We also went back to our local road to refilm some of the driving shots as the previous ones were too shaky, so we used a tripod inside the car.
When it came down to editing the peice we had alot of issues because of the camera we used and the software. The camera is HD and thus recorded in H.264 but within an avi container, however Final Cut Express doesnt support this so we had to convert it to a mov at 1500kbs 856 x 480 (so its no longer HD) and then had to render each clip in the timelime before even being able to edit it.
We used a range of effects, such as blur, highlights, motion streaks. We also used transitions on the titles such as fades. The sshots are cut together with cuts, and fades to white for the flashbacks.
Sound track
Our sound track is Seperateways By Journey, however it has been brought to our attention that we are no longer allowed to use copyrighted music.
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Editing
When editing, Adrian had a good idea to use the sound of him shouting and reverse it so it sounded eerie for when our character falls over due to him having a shocking flashback. We all agreed that it sounded better once we added a type of whoosh noise over the top of the track.
Sunday, 15 March 2009
editing
as it would not have been worth trying to go back to the farm to redo the shot we tried to find a local shutter we could use these ideas varied from a local shops shutters this idea was not possible as we couldn't get behind the shot and therefore we couldn't use it as there would have been a tinge from the glass
we also contemplated using a shutter in the school but we could not use this until then end of the week which would mean little time for editing and could drastically effect the over all visual effect of the piece we could also not rely on the weather as on the day of the filming at the farm it was a nice sunny day where on Friday it was over cast and rain was predicted
so me and Adrian decided to simple cut the bad bits out of the shot therefore the background would simple not charge there would be a small change in the light of the shot due to the cameras balacing system
Monday, 9 March 2009
Meeting 16
All present
today we plan to get footage of the shutters closing as when we filmed this at the farm it was too jolty and when sped up it did not close evenly enough.
Outcome:
We could not get access to the shutters as we could not find the key to open them we will plan to get these shots next time.
Monday 9/3/09
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Filming
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Filming 2/3/09
We were also able to use parts of the farm to our advantage such as tractors for lighting and loud shutters to create tension.
we collected mainly all of the shots that we needed although we may need to go back to the farm to get some spooky shots of the protagonist.
Filming 2/3/09
Then, once we have all our footage we can edit it together and use techniques like cutting and fading. Then we should be able to combine our two selected songs with the footage to create the tension and mystery that we plan to have at specific points.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
filming two 2/3/09
along side with this the location was good as there were lots of lighting features and other adjustable feaatures like shutters and large swing doors these are good as due to the editing features we can use these to our advantage theree is also a privtae road leading up the the farm so we can do alot of shots down there as it will not be busy and distuberd by other cars and the general public
filming one 28/2/09
but there was a probelm when the road turned out to be very bmpby and to have alot of pot holes this therefore directly effected the filming due to the fact that the camera could not be held steady within the car so the shots was ti jittery to use as it would have made the audience feel ill and unsteady ina apart of the film that isnt ment to have that effect
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Filming
We decided to film on the monday during our double media lesson as it seems to be more convenient.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Meeting 15
All Present
Today we plan to put our footage onto the computer (from yesterday) and have a look at it.
We need to make sure the lighting conditions were suitable, and the shots were properly framed.
Outcome:
A lot of what we filmed is not useable, its either badly lit or has crew members in the shot.
The shot where its pointing at the road the shot is too shaky. (over the sholder)
These will have to be reshot.
Meeting 14
All Present
Today we plan to go film the first 4 – 6 shots from our storyboards.
Friday, 13 February 2009
Comments 13 Feb
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Meeting 11/12
All Present
Starting doing story boards.
Started Prelimary scores
12
All Present
Continuing Story Boards
Showed preliminay scores to rest of group (provided by emiel)
Monday, 9 February 2009
Final Plot Plot
After looking for people, he susses noone is there, and then begins to have flashbacks. These flashbacks are of an experience he has forgotten about. The flashbacks are of children screaming, and shocking stuff, whilst looking at a room.
A shutter, which he walked through shuts on him, and traps him in the barn, he must now get out.
As he explores the area as a way to escape. Credits roll.
This plot challenges conventions, because a male character, is out of his depth, and very scared, which is usually portrayed by a female character.
One actor throughout sequence, however you are aware of a antagonist. This is created by a negative atmostphere
Meeting 10
All Present
Divy up jobs for storyboarding.
Sam Costumes
Adrian photos – story boarding
Emeil sounds – creating music 1 min approximately
Karen lighting – further research
Lighting
costume
A Grand Day Out
The purpose was to get an idea of the location and all the possible shots it had to offer. Not all of the shots are useable but some are.
The seccond image is of a river and some trees. It has a sense of mystery, and 'earyness' to it. This would make some interesting shots in the surrounding areas, however it may be a bit too 'Silence of the lambs'
The third image is the first location, but the doors from a different angle.
The Fourth image, is in the old barn, the wall has holes in it, which, when the lights are out creates an 'eary' feeling. However, this would be difficult to light, so we can actually see the actors. We would need to light this from other angles.
The 5th image, is of the surrounding feilds, this is another area where we can do outdoor shots. However, the scene will look very different on any other day, since it was snowy and rainy.
The 6th image, is of an opening in one of the barns. The fan in the top, could be spinning, and can create an industial feel to it. The door doesnt slam shut, but there is another door that does slam shot, which with some clever editing wil appear to be the same door.
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Feedback, 31 January
Friday, 30 January 2009
Feedback
- Costume
- Makeup
A trip to the area would be advised since only sam has been there before.
Bad Boys 2 analysis
In the film Bad Boys 2 it starts with fast cuts that creates a frantic feeling to the situation at the beginning. Bad Boys 2 shows the ‘baddies’ from the beginning that creates dramatic irony, this is due to the audience knows something that the ‘goodies’ don’t so it makes the audience feel more knowledgeable than the heroes. The colour balance in is red and blue and the low key lighting both show the division in the good and bad sides. The camera tracks the coffin and it also gives the audience the feeling of looking in to create a sense of mystery for the situation.
Then when the police are looking at the Klu Klux Klan activities they are slowly moving forward with a beat, this shows how silent and serious the scenario is. Then, the two main characters suddenly reveal themselves and starts singing, this creates a dramatic effect of revealing them when in this dangerous and serious scenario but yet when they’re singing it is almost as if they are mocking them, this has a slight comic effect on this section of the film. When one of the characters is standing in the middle with the Klu Klux Klan around him a quick beat is put in over the top as the situation is so serious, this replicates the audience’s heartbeat and creates a feeling of suspense as you don’t know what he’s going to do next. When one the same character shoots to save his friend, the shot is done in slow motion and the camera follows the bullet as it emphasizes what is happening in the scene.
Meeting 9
All Present
Lighting and Sound
Sound - Why?
Atmosphere – Sound fx, voice overs, soundtrack, tone of voice.
Realism – Diegetic, Movement, Use of equipment, Mise-en-scene
Dialogue – Clarity (directing and recording) External mic/camera mic
Our Plan
• Any dialogue between multiple characters, would be better for an external mic
• Personal speaking would be good as overdubbing, to get a close up sound, as well as any flashback speaking, since that would sound better if isolated and in your face.
Lighting – Plan
• Any outdoor shots we will be key and fill lighting by a tractor and or a teleporter. They have huge lights, which would be good for lighting people correctly.
• Indoor shots, (eg broken barn) would be low key lighting, will be lit by workman lights out of frame, to create the illusion, all light is natural coming through the cracks, and open doors.
plot idea extension
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Feedback Wed 28 Jan
yet another idea
the person could be lost in a wood one a walk he does every day but instead of following Hess normal route he goes a different way which would have a catastrophic change on the end result as the new path leads him to a dark gloomy wood instead of hes normal happy walk
meeting 8
All Present
Tasks since last
ï Sam researched thrillers that have been released in the past year. And is analyzing the results.
ï JCB health and safety.
ï Discussed possible shots.
Character Motifs
Protagonist
Antagonist
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Meetings 6/7
Wrote analysis’s of films onto blog
Created own plot ideas
Meeting 7
Updated the blog logo (Adrian’s Photoshop Skills)
Discussed ideas
Pulled together those ideas and evaluated on feasibility.
a second idea
the idea is someone steal something form a shop and then the shop keeper proceeds to hurt them and leave them for dead will relate slightly to the parable of the good samaritan
Ideas For A Good Thriller
Secondly where a wide open scene is used I believe this adds a certain atmosphere as nothing can happen which when something does unsettles the audience as it makes them feel unsettled and nervous about the forth coming sequence as it means the film –clip is very unpredictable
The used of loud one of noses I believe works well as well for example gun shots or falling objects this is no0nce again because it is very unsettling and if followed by a silence very effective when trying to introduce a scene as it makes the audience have a sudden period of excitement followed by a sudden period of silence makes the audiences adrenalin start o pump which is one of the main aims of a thriller
The use of low angle shots and high angle shots are all very effective as it makes the audience feel that they are in control and dominating the subject or with a low angle shot that they are being dominated and being used by the films character or object
Also using very simple clothing and simple stereotypes I believe is effective
Plot idea
Plot Idea
Monday, 26 January 2009
Get Carter analysis
davinci code
Plot ideas
The DaVinci code
Possible Plot Scenario
meeting 5
plot motive possibilities
- killing
- unstable environment
- no go area
- blood/viscera
- crime
- loss/kidnap
- science
- theft
- quest
Sam preliminary idea
Sunday, 25 January 2009
The Silence of the lambs
the silence of the lambs used many techniques to build suspense and build a sense of eeriness. the film starts with a woman wearing an fbi jumper running and she is covered in sweat and dirt and you wonder whether she is being chased by someone. the mood at the start is very eery as it is very foggy and the music is quite creepy.it then carries on with her running until she gets to a point where she climbs over some kind of obstacle the you realise she is on some kind of training course this is use of false suspense .you then hear a man calling he but you cant see him for a while this adds to the tension.the woman then gets to some sort of special building in the middl of the woods which looks quite modern and built up but this is still quite mysterious as you wonder why there is a huge building in the middle of nowhere. the camera then follows her as she goes through the building and you notice that thee is not many woman there. it then moves onto a scene in a lift where is looks very overpowered and out of place as she is surrounded by very tall men. It then moves onto a scene where she goes into a room and a man appears in view but he is blurred which adds tension.
sams questionaire
How old are you
<16
16-18
19-25
26-40
40+
do you like thriller films?
What qualities do you look for in the lead protagonists (goodies)/antagonists(badies)
What do you look for in a thriller film?
german film
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Demonstrating textual analysis research skills
Film Analasis
The opening scene is fast paced, and full of tention. You start off observing illicit drugs being manufactured on a large scale, this gives a sense of a big operation. The camera follows these drugs being packaged, slammed inside a coffin with the camera shooting out (something we can easily do, and is very effective), the camera then passing by a character in the phonebox who we do not know if he is important or not. And then the 'head of operations' guy in florida taking the orders in is imediatly established, by his white suit, and large house.
a great moment which i thourouly thought was enjoyable, and effective, was when the police officers jump out of the kkk costumes. It is slowed down, and there is a sound fx added to it. This is also a simple process, and would be effective if used correctly in our peice too.
The title credits were very digital, and had digital typing sounds on them, this was also very effective, and set the time frame of the film.
Silence of the Lambs
The opening shots are false suspense, because the scene is dark, dull grey, misty, and has bad conitations to it, and the music has an eary sensation to it, with synth pads and full of minor thirds. We see the woman emerge from the distance, and it appears she is in great distress, but in reality (as we find out in a few shots) she is doing an obsticle course for the fbi. But in the first shot we see that she is wearing an FBI shirt, but are not sure weather she is escaping or just training. She is directed later to go to the main building which appears very modernised, but hidden away within a forrest. It is very clear when she gets into the building which social group she belogs to. On the floor she walks in on, eveyone is dressed similar to her, and she interacts well, but after she goes upstairs, or even in the elevator, she is surrounded by tall well dressed men, and women are almost nowhere to be found. There is a sign which points to (i think it was something to do with mental health) which again you ask, has she got something wrong with her or is she work there or what? The camera follows her with a stedicam, which gives the impression of long halls, and other people walking around following her. It creates a very interesting shot when she sees the wall in the office. instead of shot, reaction shot, its reaction shot, shot which creates suspense, making the audience want to know whats shes seeing.
This again is very effective and would be good to use in our production.
28 Days Later
The film starts with a jolt, a exclose up on an eye awakeing, and a sudden inhalation of air. There is no other sound then him, which makes the audience wonder whats happening, and creates suspense. The LACK of sound is very effective. He gets up walks around the hospital and finds some clothes. He gets some soda from the floor, and things are strewn around, and the building is abandoned. you hear his footsteps, and music starts to bulid. He walks outside, and its central london, and noones there. They filmed early in the day with the aperature wide open. This is something we can do too, although, we may find closing off roads not within our power (haha).
there is a false suspense when he aproaches the car, and the alarm gets set off, although it may cause people to jump, it doesnt change his imediate danger.
The way suspense builds is, he finds things, the cameras get closer, the cuts are faster and musical tention builds and gets louder, until it creshendos.
this is something well within our ability to do.
I Think there are alot of good techniques available in these films, and we should really take a close look and pick and choose the ones we think would work best in our peice.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Update 1
- Added dates & Times when all memebers are free together (inc weekends)
- Printed those off for all members (hard copy)
- Added link to meetings post to relate the relevant infomation
- Edited settings on blog, (descriptions ect)
- Added Introductory post about us and blog
- Added THIS POST! (how ironic)
Free Time Togther?
Afterschool
Tues: Adrian, Karen
Wed: All
Thur: All
Fri: N/A
Sat: All
Sun: All (afternoon only)
PPAs:
Mon1 : Period 2 (all except Adrian)
Tues1: N/A
Wed1: Period 2,5 (all except Adrian)
Thrus1: Period 2 (all except Emiel)
Fri1: Period 3 (all except Emiel)
Mon2: Period 5 (Karen and Sam ONLY)
Tues2: Period 2 (all except Adrian)
Wed2: Period 4,5 (all except Adrian)
Thrus2: Period 1 (Adrian, Emiel ONLY) Period 2,4 (all except Emiel)
Fri2: Period 2 (Adrian, Emiel ONLY) Period 1,3 (Sam, Karen ONLY)
We can refer to this at anypoint to see when we can get together to arrange meetings about production. This can also include filming, editing ect. A Hard copy of this has been been printed and handed to all group memebers by Adrian.
Further Research
- action
- pace
- suspense-links you to the film
- explosions to make the film more exiting and also adds to the visual ascetics
- hero
- care chase
- fake danger
Meeting 4
questionnaire analysis
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
1.Do you like thrillers?
yes,yes,yes,yes,yes,yes,
2.what do you look for in a thriller?
Suspense
Suspense
Action
edge of your seat feeling
realism
Action
3.what do look for in a lead role?
ruggedness
suave
cool
clever
clever
cool
4.is the soundtrack an imporatnat part for you?
yes,no,yes,yes,yes,no,yes
5. do you prefer a plot driven thriller or a passive thriller?
plot
plot
plot
passive
plot
plot
Meeting 1 - 3
See post Free Time Together for further infomation.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Introduction
This is our blog about our AS Media Coursework.
Our Group consists of four memebers.
Karen Hibbitt, Sam Herbert, Adrian Horner, Emeil Pronk
We have set out to make a 2 Minute Video. The title, sequence, music, location and all other aspects are yet to be decided. Follow us through our creative process with our blog! We will take you from this post (the start) to the very end (the final production). So Keep checking back, theres gunna be alot to read.
