Evaluation question 7

Evaluation Question 7

By Christopher James Barlow

Continuity

Continuity is important in films as it keeps the flow of the

story, and makes the film seem as though it’s happening in real

time. A continuity error can be something as simple as

someone being dressed differently between shots, or having

something ‘appear’ in frame when there is a cut. This can

confuse audiences as they may not know whether the

continuity error is part of the film and it holds importance, or

the error is simply an error. This can show lack of effort and

attention to detail on the director or editors behalf.

180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule keeps two sided conversations on

the same side. Left and right. This keeps the two

characters in the same place when there are cuts as

they each take turns in talking, when the camera shots

both characters at the same time, they should always

be on the same side, if the camera shots from the other

side of the characters then it appears as though they’ve

swapped sides, which can confuse audiences as they

won’t know what has happened. Ant and Dec follow this

rule, Ant is always on the left and Dec is always on the

right, this is so people don’t get confused with working

out who is who.

(Ant and Dec)

Preliminary Task 180 Degree Rule

There are two people in this shot, one

left one right. The camera is filming them

straight on. Whilst filming the

conversation the camera should stay on

this side of the characters. This will keep

to the 180 degree rule and keep

continuity.

Match on Action

Is an editing technique where the editor cuts from one

shot to another shot which matches the actions

displayed in the first shot. This is done so the audience

can get a different view of the action and it also keeps

continuity.

(scream)

Preliminary Task, Match on

Action In this scene we opted to film a simple ‘door opening’

sequence. We filmed Bruna’s hand on the door handle

and then we filmed her walking through the door on the

other side of it. It’s very basic portrayal of match on

action and it isn’t that smooth.

Trauma, Match on Action This is our match on action for our opening sequence,

this time we decided to film someone walking up some

stairs, we show the audience a back shot and a side on

shot. We’ve made the sequence much better as it flows

more smoothly and the action fits together much better.

Shot/Reverse Shot This is a filming technique usually used in two people

conversations. One character is shown looking at

another character, often off-screen, and then the other

character is shown looking back. The characters are

shown facing in opposite directions, to keep to the 180

degree rule (continuity) and so the viewer assumes that

the characters are looking at each other.

(Inglourious

Basterds)

Prelim Shot/Reverse Shot This is an example of a shot/reverse shot from our

preliminary task.

it is clear that the two characters are in conversation with each other, since they are both looking off screen. As the audience we assume they are looking at each other. To emphasise the fact that they are talking to each other, one of the shots is over the shoulder. This indicates that the male character is still there. However we haven’t done this for the female character, this isn’t a big problem though, as the audience can guess that she is still there.

In terms of cinematography though, it helps if angles are similar, so there is a sense of balance.

Cinematography

When filming anything, it is important to understand

the meaning of different shot types and angles, as well

as camera movement.

Shot Types:

Long shots are used to establish a scene or to allow the

audience to see the big picture or to make something

look very small, (can be insignificant or unknown!!)

Medium shots focus on a person, this can be to emphasis

there importance in the scene or the show the audience

what sort of person they are (Mise en Scene; costume,

props, ect).

Close Ups and Extreme Close Ups are used to show a

persons emotions as the camera can focus on their face

and in an ECU a part of their face (mouth, eyes). Also

these shot types can be used to focus on a prop of

importance, such as a letter or a piece of evidence

(crime).

(Inglourious Basterds)

Cinematography Continued

Shot Angles:

High Angle is when the camera looks down upon something, this can be used on characters to show their insignificance or how society views them. It can also emphasis height, if someone is really high up and looking down on the world.

Low Angle is when the camera looks up at something. It is used to show a characters importance or their class stature. It can also be used to show height as it will look up at someone really high or a very tall structure.

Movement:

Panning is used to incorporate a lot of mise en scene into one shot, the camera will move up, down, side-to-side in and out, in order to incorporate everything. Panning is also used to show movement, for example a fast car going round on a race track.

Zoom is when the camera focuses onto a specific section of the scene, the image of that item will get bigger without the camera moving towards it. Zoom can be used in the other way, to go from focusing on something specific to focusing on a bigger picture.

(Jurassic Park)

Cinematography in Preliminary

Task and Opening Sequence In the preliminary task (left) we have gone for a basic ‘two shot’ –

this is used when two or more people are in the scene. The angle is straight on and there isn’t much creativity with the shot, it is still and has no real significances, other than to show two people talking.

In the opening sequence (right) we have used a high angle medium close up. The high angle is used to demonstrate the mothers view of the child (insignificant) and the medium shot is so the audience can read his body as well as his face. His body language indicates that is scared since he is making himself quite small and pushing himself into a corner.

We understand shot types more and how they are used, this is evident in out opening sequence as we have used multiple shot types to convey what we want to the audience.

Editing

Editing is used to put various clips together and make

subtle adjustments to them as well as making the

film/sequence flow.

We have used editing in our opening sequence to

emphasis sombre and dark themes, we have done this

by using neo-noir filters and by making the scene

changes soft and slow, rather than fast and jumpy.

(Kill Bill)

Editing in Preliminary Task and

Opening Sequence

In our preliminary task (Left) we used slow motion as an

editing technique. We used it to show the calmness of

the scene and to set up the ‘coolness’ of the sequence.

Since there is no action or suspense the slow-mo simply

gives the impression of relaxation.

We have developed our editing techniques since the

preliminary task, in our opening sequence (right) we

have used a neo-noir filter to emphasis the sadness and

loneliness of the child. We have used a fade to cut to

the next scene, this indicates the interlink between the

child and the books as well as keeping the sequence

slow and steady.

Mes En Scene

Mes En Scene is everything that can be scene in a

frame, this includes; costume, props, acting, makeup,

ect.

Mes En Scene is used to develop an image and a

concept, a few examples are; when a criminal has a

knife he is more threatening than if he didn’t have one.

A king is recognised because of what he wears, (crown

and gold/red robes).

In our opening sequence we have used various props and

costumes to convey our ideas and to give clues to the

plot to our audience, the use of toys indicates that a

child is involved, even is that child wasn’t shown.

(Inglourious Basterds)

Mes En Scene in Preliminary Task

and Opening Sequence

In our preliminary task (left) we didn’t use many props, we used a computer to show that the scene was set in a school. Other than that the scene doesn’t contain much. The costumes are what we were wearing the day we filmed. You could say that the costumes show that we are comfortable as our clothes are quite casual.

In our opening sequence (right) we used a lot of props to give clues of the story to the audience. This can be seen with the teddy bear, this tells the audience a child is involved in the story, and the position of the bear indicates that is has been dropped or discarded. This could be because the child no longer needs it or the child has been forced to drop it...

Titles

Titles contain written information, be it the name of

the film or the names of those involved.

In our opening sequence we decided to put emphasis on

some of the credits as the title takes up the screen,

we’ve done this to split up the sequence. We did this as

we wanted to show how the characters in the story are

split as well as keeping the audience in the dark,

creating mystery about the plot. The main title fades

in, keeping to the soft/calm theme. This adds suspense

as it doesn’t jump and people are intrigued into finding

out what’s going to happen. (Reservoir Dogs)

Titles in Preliminary Task and

Opening Sequence

In our preliminary task (left) we have used a simple red

title. This is because we were introducing the scene,

and telling the audience what is was before it began.

The title isn’t very exiting and by comparing it to our

opening sequence you can see how we’ve progressed.

In our opening sequence (right) we have used a more

elaborate title. Out title is bold and fades in, also the

text is white which contrasts with the black background

so it stands out more. The title its self is a clue to the

narrative as it tells the audience that ‘Trauma’ is

involved and the story revolves around that theme.

Conclusion

Over the course of this project, I have learnt many techniques. Prior to this course I didn’t have much knowledge in shot types or what they connoted. For example; I didn’t know that angled shots were used as a means of character development.

I’ve also learnt the importance of good editing, as it can change a films theme drastically. A fast paced action can become quite boring if the editing is slow and fades are used to cut between shots. Also adding in filters can change the mood of a film, sepia can make a film seem quite sombre.

I have learnt how to use props and other aspects of ‘Mes En Scene’ in order to convey messages to the audience and to develop a characters personality and status. This is evident in opening sequence as the mum is shown wearing a plain blue dress, this is used to demonstrate humility and the virgin Mary is often depicted in blue. This contrasts to our characters background and so it is a indication of regret and a wanting to forget, go back in time.

Conclusion Continued

A main thing I have learnt, is the 180 degree rule. This

is an important rule as it keeps continuity and flow

through out a film. Prior to doing this task I was

unaware of the rule.

Overall I believe that I have improved my knowledge of

film since doing the preliminary task. The evidence is in

the opening sequence as it displays a more professional

touch to the editing and cinematography. Also my story

telling has developed as i now can apply various forms

of ‘Mes En Scene’ to give narrative clues and to

emphasis a characters importance and the person that

they represent/are.