Preliminary task- Post Production

This week we began the procces of post production for our preliminary task. This was done by using Final Cut Pro, a video editing program. - below is a screenshot of the final cut editing timeline.

The first part of this program that we were familiarised with is how to access the raw footage from the final cut server. With this procces we had to 'check out' the edit proxy from the server due to the fact that this means we still have the raw footage in the server to fall back on if the editing does not initially go to plan. As well as this, storing the information in a server prevents us having to store it on the computer which we are using for editing saving both time and memory. Also we do not have to locate the footage on which we are working on from all of the raw footage due to the fact that we only check out what we need for post production specifically.

The most challenging aspect of this procces was the organisation of shots. This is due to the fact that many aspects of the task had to be taken into account, for example the continuity of the editing aswell as paying appropriate attention to the initial storyboard. The establishing external shot was chosen primarily in order to show that this scene is based around the presence of the entering character and the victimised characters reaction to this. We specifically chose wider framed shots over close ups in order to emphasise that fact that our victimised character is sat down and therefore looked down upon by the accusing figure.

Shots were mainly foccused on the victimised figure to establish the fact that the scene is about him more so than the other character, he is given the majority of the screen time.

Preliminary task Evaluation

Last week we shot the camera work for our preliminary task. I took on the role of camera man, meaning that it was my position to set up the camera and tripod as well as to operate the camera during the shoot, taking into consideration, the primary features of the camera such as zoom level, white balance, focus, light filters, exposure etc.

Our group of four based our shoot in the film studio which proved useful as we were able to adjust certain variables such as lighting and shadows, set design and due to the fact that the majority of the set was painted in the same shade of white, the process of white balancing was quick and easy. We did however take some footage in an exterior location in order to get a long shot of a character walking towards a door from the outside and opening it, we also did this as a point of view shot (POV).

The Primary issues that we faced when filming in the exterior location were due to light and shadows. Because we were not in a controlled environment, we found ourselves having to adapt to the natural conditions that we were presented with; in this case the fact that it was a very bright day at the time of filming. We overcame the excessive light through use of both light filters and the exposure setting on camera. The second issue we did not entirely manage to overcome was inconvenient shadows. This was an issue when attempting to film the POV shot because we could not avoid the shadow of the cameraman (myself) when opening the door from the outside. As a result of this, we will most likely find ourselves not using that particular shot in the final cut of the preliminary task when we come to editing.    

While in the studio, lighting was an easy feature of the shoot as this could be easily adjusted. Personally I feel as if it was the correct decision to have strong lighting on the characters and set all the way through in order to give the idea that we are conveying a very high-stress situation and creating a tense and overpowering demeanor to the situation which would not have been possible with soft lighting as this would have given the scene a completely different tone, perhaps scary which is not what we, as a group were aiming for.

Throughout the task, i took great care in ensuring that the camera was set up correctly and that all relevant checks were made before the actual filming commenced. We did however, find that we had to re-take one studio shot for the soul reason that once we had cut, i realized that i had not balanced the tripod level, we then had to repeat the scene. After this incident, i made sure to check the tripod level before each individual shot was taken.

I faced difficulty in framing the shot correctly when a character was instructed to walk into the frame and continue the script. This is because, at risk of leaving too much head space in the shot, i wanted to keep the frame tight over the actors head, this meant that a few shots had to be taken as a result of the fact that the top of his head was continually being cut out of the frame as we could not accurately anticipate what level he would come to when he stopped to present his lines. We overcame this difficulty by giving the actor a marker on which to stand, then before the shot was filmed i tested the frame to ensure the perfect amount of head space was given when he stood on the marker. When we filmed the scene, the actor would walk to the exact same point, therefore perfectly framed in the shot and eliminating the issue.

We specifically made sure that we conformed to the 180 degree angle so as not to give the illusion that the characters had swapped sides of the set. This was successfully done and no mistakes were made in this area.

      While filming, correct terminology was used to ensure effective communication amoungst everyone present on set. Before filming a shot, the director would shout "Stand by", everyone on set must then reply "standing by", followed by the director insturcting the camera man to "roll it", replied with "rolling" at which point the camera man will press the record button, the director will wait a moment for the sake of post-production editing and then shout "action" at which point the diegetic action will comence.

      Each shot consisted of the entire scene, for example we would film all of the dialouge in wide and repeat the procces in close up and then mid shot and so on. Different parts of the scene will be cut up and interwieved in the editing procces so that we may choose the most appropriate shot for any one part of the scene at any given time. This methodical procces would not be possible if it were not for the fact that we had a storyboard to conform to, which gave us an clear idea of what shots we needed to take for the overall scene as well as the storyline. A copy of the storyboard can be seen below.

Introduction to Video Camera

This week we have been primarily focusing on video camera work. Throughout our lessons we have been studying and understanding the key features of a video camera and the ways in which to use them. Yesterday we ran a practice shoot for our preliminary  task in which we must effectively shoot a short, pre-scripted scene. This was our first example of putting what we have learned about camera positioning, angles and use of on camera settings  into practice while actually in the process of filming.  


We have covered 5 main areas on the topic this week:


1) Camera operation and functions:
It was important when starting to use the cameras that we learnt about each operation and function that we would soon need to use and know about. First of all was the time code- displayed in the top right hand corner of the screen, informing you how long you have been filming for in hours, minutes, seconds and frames ( 24 frames being the heighest).
 White balancing was a function that allows you to capture the correct colours that are in the frame. This is done by zooming the camera into a white space or object, pressing down the white balance button and zooming out again. This needs to be done because if not the lighting conditions that your filming in will take an effect on your footage- for example if your filming inside the artificial lighting may cause a yellow tinge on your footage, whereas if your outside a blue tinge may appear on your footage.
 Aperature and shutter speed are as important on the filming cameras as they are on stills cameras. The aperature function controls how much light is let into the lense, which as a result controls the exposure of your footage. The shutter speed on the other hand is the function that controls how fast the frames are being captured. A fast shutter speed means that the frames will flow smoothly when being watched, whereas a slow shutter speed will cause a more delayed reaction when filming.
2) Using the camera:
When it came to actually using the camera we had to start with setting up the tri-pod. This piece of equipment is neccessary if you are wanting to keep the camera still whilst filming instead of using it hand-held, which in some cases may be the preffered method for a particular effect, however most of the time the tri-pod is used. It also allows you to tilt the camera up and down whilst filming in a steady pace so that the footage looks more proffessional.
 We learnt that, when setting up the tripod you needed to use the bubbling function on the top of the tri-pod. Bubbling acts as a spirit level which basically allows you to make sure your tri-pod is level to the ground when you have set it up. If you don't bubble the tri-pod you could accidently result in filming some wonky footage.
 After you have bubbled the tri-pod it is then time to slide the camera ontop of it and lock it into place which then means you are ready to start filming. From then on it was pretty basic to learn how to use the camera. After coming to grips with the different functions and setting up the levels to be right all you had to do was hit record and start to film.
3) Use of industry terminology:
 When we started to film we thought that you hit record, film the scene and cut when you feel you have achieved the shot you wanted. However we wewre taught that there was specific terminology that is used in the media industry that we would know have to learn to start using. This terminology is primarily used bu the director and the camera man. In order for all the cast and crew to be aware that filming is about to commence the director will yell 'Stand by". In return the camera man will become aware of this and reply with the phrase 'standing by' to agree that he is ready to start filming. The director will then say 'roll film' which is when the camera man hits the record button which commences filming and says 'rolling' to make the director aware that the filming has begun. The director will then shout 'Action' to start the action of the sequence which is then terminated by the saying 'cut'. The camera man will wait a few seconds after the director has yelled cut as to make sure no footage is cut off the end.
 The process of starting to film is called the 'lead in', whereas the process of ending the footage is called the 'lead out'. 
4) Evaluation of practice shoot:
After learning about all of this new technology and terminology we were then put to the test by being told to take part in a practice shoot. Each group was sent off with a camera, tri-pod and script. Given a time limit we were told that two of us had to act and the others had to film. Even though the actors weren't filming we all got a chance to test out the camera and help each other out.
 Seeing as this was our first shoot I wasn't expecting to produce footage of high quality standard, but more of a satisfactory first attempt, which as a result is what we did. However, now that we are aware of the basics of filming we should be more prepared for our preliminary task.
5) The move between still and video cameras
Before we had started to use the video camera we were told to use still cameras in a task to create our own film poster. Personally I was aware of how to use the still camera, however some others weren't as informed. This meant the transition from the still camera to the video camera may have been more of a challenge to some than others. I think that I much prefer the video camera as appossed to the still camera because you are able to capture footage instead of a single frame.

Introduction to Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a graphic and picture editing tool. It enables the user to alter, manipulate and create images either from existing photos or found images. Photoshop CS2 is the package we use here.

This week we learned the basics of the program, including how to upload raw images and use the tools available in order to manipulate them for a particular purpose or effect.
Particular tools which we learned how to use include the marquee tool which is used in order to cut a box out of the raw image, usually so that it may be copied and later pasted elsewhere. This brings us to the lasso tool which is highly similar by definition, however this tool is far more accurate as it allows the user to outline specific shapes and areas of the image freehand, allowing for more adventurous opportunities in terms of the overall editing of the image.
 One tool which i found that i could make particular use of is the clone stamp tool, which creates a perfect copy of a particular highlighted part of the image, this proves useful when attempting to capture a sense of the background matching the foreground.
 I had previously worked on Photoshop before I started my media course. This gave me a brief knowledge on the basic foundations of the programme which allowed me to be more confident in using it in the task we were set in class. The task was to combine two images together to create a film poster, each of us set the challenge to produce the best result we could. I found it difficult at first, not knowing how to use some of the more experienced tools but after we had been briefed on how to use them we were all able to achieve a fairly substancial finished product.
 I think that our growing knowledge on Photoshop will help later on in the term when we are set our task to start producing a film sequence that may need some graphic additions which we can produce on this programme.

Basic stills camera work & composition

Composition:

Photography brings a visual language that is universal in understanding. We must then understand its vocabulary which consists of shapes, textures, patterns, lines, colours, shade of light to dark and sharp to blurry images. Just as we must learn to arrange words in a coherent order in order to make sense when we write or speak, so too must we put visual elements together in an organized manner if our photographs are to convey their meaning clearly and vividly.

Composition means arrangement: the orderly putting together of parts to make a unified whole; composition through a personal, intuitive act. However, there are basic principles that govern the way visual elements behave and interact when you combine them inside the four borders of a photograph. Once we have sharpened our vision and grasped these basic ideas of principles, then we will have the potential for making our photographs more exciting and effective than ever before.

Rule of thirds: This is a 'rule' in photography in which images are mentally divided into both verticall and horizontal thirds in order to form a kind of theoretical grid over the image. The four points on the 'grid' on which the points intersect one another are known as hot spots. These are the points at which the eye is instinctivley drawn to and therefore become the initial primary focus of any image.