Homework 28th Sept Part: 2

(I was unable to share or embed this video off youtube so if you click on the link below it will take you to the video I analysed for homework)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhblfL436wM&feature=related
FANTASTIC FOUR 2005 CONTINUITY SEQUENCE
(sound slightly out of time)
Up To 1 minute 35 seconds

The timings of this particular clip from Fantastic Four does not correspond with the actual start of the scene the directors intended. Thus, the first shot of the character Ben (Michael Chiklis) is not intended to be an establishing shot. However, I think the other three characters entering the empty hallway could be seen as an establishing shot, telling the audience that they are going to Ben's aid.
At the start of the clip there is limited camera movement and shots are cut into one another, signifying that there is little time to waste and that the characters are under pressure.
The shot types do not vary much at the beginning, consisting only of MCUs and CUs, making the shots flow into one another more easily and to prevent any sudden changes in angle and perspective.

The shot of Reed (Eoan Gruffudd) bending down to the bottom of the door is a LA. The fact that he bends down towards the camera makes it feel as if he is coming towards us, the audience, absorbing us into the flim without disruption. Also, the camera is focused on Reed's hand reaching up to the other side of the door- the CU of his face and hand make us every bit as informed of the situation as he is, and the cut to the other characters, Sue (Jessica Alba) and Johnny (Chris Evans) remind us that they are still part of the scene.
The cuts to the inside of the room where Ben is show us what the other characters can see from the outside of room. We are no more informed of the situation than they are. The mystery surrounding Ben's state makes us keen to find out what happens to him and engages us within the film

Fantastic Four follows all the continuity editing rule. The shots of the characters always follow the 180 and 30 degree rules, to make the scenes flow steadily and without glitches to confuse the audience. At the beginning of the clip, the conversation between Sue and Johnny show clearly the practice of the 180 degree rule- the over the shoulder shots always stay on Sue's right and Johnny's left. This conversation also shows shot-reverse-shot in use. This is so that the audience can follow both sides of the conversation without missing out on anything.
The shots at the start of the clipn are always on order, from MSs to MCUs to CUs. Ordering the shots takes the audience smoothly through the narrative steadily.

Match on action is an extremly important technique to use in continuity editing and it is shown to great effect when Reed opens the door into Ben's room. The shot when the door is opened from the outside of the room to the shot taking us inside the room, observing the three characters going in is perfectly matched with no jumps to interrupt the audience and their viewing pleasure.

Finally, the camera follows the characters into the room with a pan and also follows their line of sight to up the the hole in the wall with a tilt. These shots are used to show the audience what state the room is in and to also vary the shot type to make it more interesting to the audience. Smooth pans and tilts also make for better narrative flow.

Homework 28th Sept Part: 1

1) What did you think was the point to the activity?

I think the point to the activity was to teach us how to appreciate the neccessity of a storyboard and how important continuity is in filming. In this exercise we were told to create a short sequence compromised of six shots of an accident without editing it on the computer. From this exercise, we learnt how important narrative flow is in relation to the storyline.
We also learnt how each specific shot can help to contribute to the mood we try to create.

2) In regard to your finished sequence, what worked well?

This sequence has a wide variety of shots which I think were filmed well my myself and other members of my group. The first shot, an LS tracking shot is filmed quite steadily and the LA mid-shot is also framed very well. The pan around the subject is also done very well. All these different perspectives of the subject make the sequence on the whole more interesting to wach for the audience e.g. the tracking shots showing the subject alone in the field show just how immersed in his music he is.

3) What would you aim to improve about your sequence?

Firstly, the first shot, tracking the subject goes on too long. Later in the sequence, the second and third shot break the 180 degree rule. We unintentionally broke up the sequence by interrupting the continuity, and by doing this we end up confusing the audience's by shooting the subject from two completely contrasting angles.
There are also several glitches in the sequence from about 18 seconds onwards into the sequence from us trying to film over unsatisfactory shots.
We also unintentionally ended up including another person in the backgroud of the fourth shot.
Finally our accident looks too staged and unnatural and the ending is clumsy and messy as we had run out of time filming the sequence.

4) What did you learn from doing this activity?

I learnt that it is always essential to plan out the sequence on a storyboard before actually shooting it as not being organised caused us to rush the filming of the ending of our sequence. I also learnt how important continuity is when trying to achieve a realistic narrative flow. I also learnt certain important rules in filming, such as the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree, which help prevent confusion and disorientation for the audience.
This continuity exercise showed me how to create a continous flowing sequence by not only using a variety of shot types, but more importantly when to use them in order to create narrative flow.

BLK Homework Feedback

An excellent evaluation Winnie, in all respects. Well written using a high standard of terminology, including technical terms. Very thorough and reflective.

Don't forget to post your still to complete the task.

A great start!

BLK Horror Still Homework Group 3

1) Describe your shot and identify in what way it could be seen as representing "horror"
> Dark room with door in the background half open, letting in a shaft of light
> Female body lying on the floor, as if sleeping, or most probably injured or dead. She is obviously the victim. This is typical of a horror movie to have a woman/ girl as a victim
> Legs (not obviously male or female) standing over lifeless body in a dominating stance. Their hidden gender adds mystery.
> Light casting a sharp shadow of the legs across the floor. Heavy light and dark contrasts show us that this is a still from a horror movie about the fight between good and evil
> Body on floor is cast in light, as if innocent. Legs are in shadow, connoting evil/ horror
> Mid shot on the floor. Shot is cut off at the top of the legs, connoting a hidden agenda/ personality as we cannot see the person's face, adding mystery to the shot
> Girl is lying in front of the door, suggesting the other person had killed/ injured her there as she tried to escape
> Person's legs frame the shot and the girl. This connotes that they are dominating the scene and are clearly in control

2) What did you actually do to achieve the shot?
> The camera-man had lie on the floor to take the shot, so as to capture the legs, the body and the floor
> My group had to find a dark space to achieve the sharp contrasts between light and dark
> We used a padlight as the light source behind the door, to help create shadows

3) What is successful about your shot?
> The body on the floor is slightly out of focus, whilst the legs are very in focus. This connotes that the body on the floor is very much dead whilst the person standing over them is very much alive. In this sense the lighting is good
> There is a large shadow cast by the legs. This gives the shot an eerie, suspenseful feeling
> The darkened room with half open door and the beam of light create a spooky atmosphere
> The obvious contrasts between light and shadow help add to the mystery and spookiness usually associated with the horror genre

4) What would you do differently in hindsight?
> I would move the table behind the leg out of the shot, as this makes it look cluttered and messy
> I would zoom in, cutting out the wall on the left and excluding the socket on the wall on the right
> I would find make the light source behind the door less obvious and concentrated, possibly making it softer and more subtle to add to the eerie atmosphere
> I would get rid of the rubbish lying on the floor next to the body's hand