On the 11th of Febuary we began our main editing task; creating the basic storyline set up ready to be cut. This was quite a complicated task because we had filmed so many shots from different angles and left the camera running while we disscused shots,. We believed it would be helpful when we came to choosing the best shots however it also caused us to have to look at every clip and then deleate the un-needed ones; which wasted time. Soon we over came that problem and edited as usual; spliting the clips and creating the sequence.
Today we finalised the editing however we had to over come the problem with the software we were using, as it crashed causing our clips to be placed in the trash. Eventually we solved the problem and got our clips back into place, finishing the sequence.
Finially we changed the colours on the film to make it black and white, in the style of film noir. Also the sound was completed and we are ready to present our triller to the class tomorrow.
-Charlotte Matthews
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Monday, 9 February 2009
Preliminary Task - Storyboard
In this scene two Mobsters confront each other.
We had quite a few initial ideas for this task, we all agreed that we wanted a confrontational scene with the mob as our main focus. We came up with lots of ideas for settings such as park benches, a church confession box, stepping into a pulled up black car, but we decided that we would use an office building as our location.
We knew we wanted a confrontational scene, but we had to decide what the confrontation was about, topics that we considered were drugs, a drugs raid gone wrong, or drug smuggling; mob leaders, arguing about who will become the the leader in charge of the mob organisation; murder, members of the organisation committing very serious crimes such as murder. For our final idea we almost merged most of our ideas together. With the synopsis being shown in charlottes post.
I have attached images of the storyboard that i have produced, outlining camera shots, angles and movements; sound, dialogue, diagetic and non diagetic and ambient sounds; mise-en-scene showing objects around the locations, and the costumes of the characters. we followed the storyboard today whilst filming and will continue to do so tomorrow.
Using high angle shots to connote Bates' feelings, showing he is powerless, towering over him; Bates' confused and muddled mind is amplified through the mixture of shot types and constant cuts during the first clip showing he is in distress and worried.
Whereas Johnson is shown as a very powerful figure, not seeing his face until the end, using low angles shots, showing how in control he is, slamming the photos down on Baits' desk, threatening him.
However the break of the 360 degree rule in shot 9 shows Baits turning the situation around, threatening Johnson's authority as he pulls a gun out. This switches the two characters positions on the screen putting Baits on the left hand of the screen confusing the viewer. This breaking of the rule amplifies Baits being the protagonist of the scene, with protagonists typically approaching from the left.
Using a typical film Noir convention, with the antagonist breaking a lamp as he dies, amplifying his face, but i have turned this around in the storyboard, breaking the lamp to remove the light from Baits' face, creating a silhouette of his face, as though he doesn't know who he is, not being a killer.
Using high angle shots to connote Bates' feelings, showing he is powerless, towering over him; Bates' confused and muddled mind is amplified through the mixture of shot types and constant cuts during the first clip showing he is in distress and worried.
Whereas Johnson is shown as a very powerful figure, not seeing his face until the end, using low angles shots, showing how in control he is, slamming the photos down on Baits' desk, threatening him.
However the break of the 360 degree rule in shot 9 shows Baits turning the situation around, threatening Johnson's authority as he pulls a gun out. This switches the two characters positions on the screen putting Baits on the left hand of the screen confusing the viewer. This breaking of the rule amplifies Baits being the protagonist of the scene, with protagonists typically approaching from the left.
Using a typical film Noir convention, with the antagonist breaking a lamp as he dies, amplifying his face, but i have turned this around in the storyboard, breaking the lamp to remove the light from Baits' face, creating a silhouette of his face, as though he doesn't know who he is, not being a killer.
During filming the location of the scene was very important, as we wanted our scene to be in the style of film Noir we were looking for venetian blinds, but we had to settle with vertical blinds, although this would give us the same effect. We found the perfect office, with the setup almost identical to what we had in mind, but the office was only approachable from then right, whereas in the storyboard Johnson approached from the left, but this created a good effect, as typically antagonists approach from the right.
Filming the over the shoulder shots did cause complications as the desk was fixed, and there wasn't a lot of space behind, but we got around this by holding the camera by hand, this created quite a shakey effect, not being fixed, which amplifies Baits' distress as Johnson walks in which created a look that we found effective.
But other than these minor setbacks the storyboard was followed very closely and filming was successful.
- Laurence Sturla
Preliminary Task - Progress Diary
Today we began our filming in the office setting that we had chosen beforehand and were given permission to film for two lessons, however this was not possible as the owner of the office needed it for our second lesson. This has caused our filming to fall behind schedule meaning that we will have to film next lesson and concentrate on some of the editing for the rest of this lesson. So far we have the first few shots of our storyboard filmed, ready to be edited. We have roughtly used about eight minutes of tape so far; which should edit down to a few seconds of our opening, before dialogue.
- Charlotte Matthews
- Charlotte Matthews
Sunday, 8 February 2009
Preliminary Task - Script and Backstory
Backstory: Two members of a highly successful but treacherous drug trafficking organisation have been involved in a drugs trade that went hideously wrong. The first man we come to focus on in the clip (Bates) is sat working at his desk when a very distressed and angered second character enters the room (Johnson). He flings some photos of what appears to be murdered women onto Bates' desk and we learn that they were the hostages taken during the trade. Seemingly not according to plan, the hostages were brutally killed by Bates and other fellow members of the organisation and Johnson has come to demand why. This is because he is in charge of keeping the illegal organisation's activities as far away from the public eye and authorities as possible; but the murder of these hostages will undoubtedly have put the organisation directly underneath the public spotlight.
(Not much of this is given away in the short clip we plan to film as the 4 lines of dialogue we include are quite cryptic and not very revealing. However this is how we want it because we want to withold information to hook the audience's interest.)
In the final few seconds of the clip, Bates completely unexpectedly pulls a gun from underneath his desk and shoots Johnson. This is because unknown to Johnson (and the audience) the organisation's leader has ordered Johnson's murder because he is becoming a burden and threat to the organisation's progress.
SCRIPT:
Johnson - (Quietly but with authority) This wasn't supposed to happen...
Bates - (Calmly) I had no choice.
Johnson - (Angered and slamming fist on the table) There is always a choice! (Pause) You were supposed to stick to the plan.
Bates - (Menacingly) This was the plan ... (Brings out a gun and shoots Johnson dead.)
Over the next few days we will provide a storyboard of the way in which we intend to film our clip, and then hopefully we will have fully completed the filming and editing of our preliminary task by the end of this week.
- Kim Rayner
(Not much of this is given away in the short clip we plan to film as the 4 lines of dialogue we include are quite cryptic and not very revealing. However this is how we want it because we want to withold information to hook the audience's interest.)
In the final few seconds of the clip, Bates completely unexpectedly pulls a gun from underneath his desk and shoots Johnson. This is because unknown to Johnson (and the audience) the organisation's leader has ordered Johnson's murder because he is becoming a burden and threat to the organisation's progress.
SCRIPT:
Johnson - (Quietly but with authority) This wasn't supposed to happen...
Bates - (Calmly) I had no choice.
Johnson - (Angered and slamming fist on the table) There is always a choice! (Pause) You were supposed to stick to the plan.
Bates - (Menacingly) This was the plan ... (Brings out a gun and shoots Johnson dead.)
Over the next few days we will provide a storyboard of the way in which we intend to film our clip, and then hopefully we will have fully completed the filming and editing of our preliminary task by the end of this week.
- Kim Rayner
Preliminary Task - Planning
We have decided that we want to film our preliminary task in black and white (inspired by the Film Noir work we completed). However, our brief film clip is going to be set in modern day rather than the 1950s era of Film Noir, but we do still plan to try and recreate certain conventions of this 'style' of film.
As a group we have so far planned the script and basic plot structure that our prelim task is going to be based on. We brainstormed several ideas but the main idea that we all agreed on I will outline later on. We chose this idea because we felt it had a strong sense of mystery and suspense as well as an unexpected plot twist, which we felt captured the essence of a thriller very effectively in the short clip we have been asked to film.
- Kim Rayner
As a group we have so far planned the script and basic plot structure that our prelim task is going to be based on. We brainstormed several ideas but the main idea that we all agreed on I will outline later on. We chose this idea because we felt it had a strong sense of mystery and suspense as well as an unexpected plot twist, which we felt captured the essence of a thriller very effectively in the short clip we have been asked to film.
- Kim Rayner
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Preliminary Task - Brief
The Story So Far...
So far in our project, we have completed our taught lessons on the film genre (as detailed in the Overview First Post) and have presented a group presentation on the class to demonstrate both to ourselves and the class the knowledge we have learnt. We also researched specific directors and the style of film known as Film Noir so that we can apply these conventions to our main task if we feel it would improve and diversify our final project.
Our Next Task
Our Preliminary Task, although not directly marked (marks are deducted for incomplete work),, is a chance for the group to work together for the first time as well as get to grips with the techniques of planning, filming and post-production. We also feel that as a group it allows us to develop our plot ideas; although at this point we do not feel that our preliminary plot will be extended or used in anyway during our main task (i.e. The Main Task will have an unrelated storyline). Over the next days and weeks, we will post updates detailing the script and back-story for our Prelim. Task as well as a storyboard/plan that we will produce to aid our filming.
Decisions Thus Far
In order to keep things simple the group have so far clarified the following aspects of our Preliminary Task in order to keep things simple for our "practice run"
Schedule Update
Our Schedule should have been as follows -
Preliminary Task ::
Storyboarding & Filming - Until 30th January (Not Met) - Not Yet Completed (as of 4th Feb.09)
Editing/Post-Production & Completion - Until 6th Feb (Not Yet Begun)
Unfortunately, as acknowledged by our subject teachers; we had originally overrun on our lessons regarding the taught section of our coursework unit. We also understand that there have been some lessons cancelled due to staff training but at this present time we do not expect our Preliminary Task to be completed on time.
Please Note: Due to adverse weather conditions in Early February 3 hours of lesson time has been lost due to school closure; and this has, as one can imagine, affected the schedule and our ability to film our Preliminary Task.
- Rory Jee
So far in our project, we have completed our taught lessons on the film genre (as detailed in the Overview First Post) and have presented a group presentation on the class to demonstrate both to ourselves and the class the knowledge we have learnt. We also researched specific directors and the style of film known as Film Noir so that we can apply these conventions to our main task if we feel it would improve and diversify our final project.
Our Next Task
Our Preliminary Task, although not directly marked (marks are deducted for incomplete work),, is a chance for the group to work together for the first time as well as get to grips with the techniques of planning, filming and post-production. We also feel that as a group it allows us to develop our plot ideas; although at this point we do not feel that our preliminary plot will be extended or used in anyway during our main task (i.e. The Main Task will have an unrelated storyline). Over the next days and weeks, we will post updates detailing the script and back-story for our Prelim. Task as well as a storyboard/plan that we will produce to aid our filming.
Decisions Thus Far
In order to keep things simple the group have so far clarified the following aspects of our Preliminary Task in order to keep things simple for our "practice run"
- The Preliminary Task will be shot in Black & White, with high-key lighting and large amounts of shadow. We are aiming for a Film Noir style both to create atmosphere and tension for the audience as well as to experiment and establish whether the Film Noir Style is something we would want to use for our Main Task.
- Because of time constraints; the group has opted to film the preliminary task in school. We understand that this will give a less-polished or realistic look to the final outcome and most definitely will not adopt this model for the creation of our main task, but on the whole feel the Preliminary Task's primary purpose is to allow us to gather our ideas and skills in preparation for our main task.
- We have also opted for a short sequence with limited dialogue so that the scene does not become overly complicated to film (see above).
Schedule Update
Our Schedule should have been as follows -
Preliminary Task ::
Storyboarding & Filming - Until 30th January (Not Met) - Not Yet Completed (as of 4th Feb.09)
Editing/Post-Production & Completion - Until 6th Feb (Not Yet Begun)
Unfortunately, as acknowledged by our subject teachers; we had originally overrun on our lessons regarding the taught section of our coursework unit. We also understand that there have been some lessons cancelled due to staff training but at this present time we do not expect our Preliminary Task to be completed on time.
Please Note: Due to adverse weather conditions in Early February 3 hours of lesson time has been lost due to school closure; and this has, as one can imagine, affected the schedule and our ability to film our Preliminary Task.
- Rory Jee
Sunday, 1 February 2009
Group Presentation - The Thriller Genre
You can view the entire presentation by downloading it here
Our Task
As part of our ongoing project we summed up what we had learnt during the teaching portion of our coursework in a 15 minute multimedia presentation to the class including the use of film extracts, powerpoint skills and still images.
What we did
Working as a group; we created a powerpoint presentation based upon the key areas which we studied. (Conventions, Direction, Audience and Analysis) We, as a group, presented our findings (in the form of both spoken and written language) to our class accompanied by two film extracts which we had previously analysed. (The Life of David Gale & Man on Fire). We also analysed a still image and applied the generic conventions of a thriller to two films (Man on Fire & Secret Window) in order to gain a wider understanding of how conventions are not hard and fast rules but rather can be applied at the director's discretion and often without clear purpose.
Reflections
Kim Rayner:
My contribution to the group's presentation was to analyse an extract from the thriller film The Life Of David Gale. I analysed the opening 30 seconds of the film and commented on the use of camera movement and shot types, mise-en-scene, sound, plot structure/ editing and semiotics and what effects these had on the audience. I felt that the presentation of my extract analysis went well and that I was able to communicate across clearly the use and effects of the above mentioned areas of analysis.
Laurence Sturla:
In this exercise i gave a presentation showing how the film Payback is aimed at different audiences and why, and how that this film is an example of a modern day film Noir, using many conventions associated with the Noir sub-genre. I also analyised an extract of man on fire, commenting on the shot types, camera movement, mise-en-scene, the different sounds, and the editing and effects that are used to create this thriller, and how they are effective. I feel that i presented these extracts well using correct terminology and putting the ideas across clearly. i think that our presentation as a whole worked very well.
How we benefited
As a group we feel that the presentation was an excellent way of summing up the knowledge we had learnt over the course of the last few weeks; and allowed us to reinforce this in our own minds because we were able to allow our knowledge to actual media and content.
The next phase of our project will be the planning and execution of our Preliminary Task.
Please note that the presentations we created were presented in different groups than the actual group that we have chosen for our task. Going forward all work will only be completed by the four members of our group as detailed previously.
- Rory Jee (Reflections - Authors indicated)
Our Task
As part of our ongoing project we summed up what we had learnt during the teaching portion of our coursework in a 15 minute multimedia presentation to the class including the use of film extracts, powerpoint skills and still images.
What we did
Working as a group; we created a powerpoint presentation based upon the key areas which we studied. (Conventions, Direction, Audience and Analysis) We, as a group, presented our findings (in the form of both spoken and written language) to our class accompanied by two film extracts which we had previously analysed. (The Life of David Gale & Man on Fire). We also analysed a still image and applied the generic conventions of a thriller to two films (Man on Fire & Secret Window) in order to gain a wider understanding of how conventions are not hard and fast rules but rather can be applied at the director's discretion and often without clear purpose.
Reflections
Kim Rayner:
My contribution to the group's presentation was to analyse an extract from the thriller film The Life Of David Gale. I analysed the opening 30 seconds of the film and commented on the use of camera movement and shot types, mise-en-scene, sound, plot structure/ editing and semiotics and what effects these had on the audience. I felt that the presentation of my extract analysis went well and that I was able to communicate across clearly the use and effects of the above mentioned areas of analysis.
Laurence Sturla:
In this exercise i gave a presentation showing how the film Payback is aimed at different audiences and why, and how that this film is an example of a modern day film Noir, using many conventions associated with the Noir sub-genre. I also analyised an extract of man on fire, commenting on the shot types, camera movement, mise-en-scene, the different sounds, and the editing and effects that are used to create this thriller, and how they are effective. I feel that i presented these extracts well using correct terminology and putting the ideas across clearly. i think that our presentation as a whole worked very well.
How we benefited
As a group we feel that the presentation was an excellent way of summing up the knowledge we had learnt over the course of the last few weeks; and allowed us to reinforce this in our own minds because we were able to allow our knowledge to actual media and content.
The next phase of our project will be the planning and execution of our Preliminary Task.
Please note that the presentations we created were presented in different groups than the actual group that we have chosen for our task. Going forward all work will only be completed by the four members of our group as detailed previously.
- Rory Jee (Reflections - Authors indicated)
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Film Noir - Practical Research
Recently, we participated in some research within school to experiment with the effectiveness of the filmic technique Film Noir.
What is Film Noir?
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s.
Many people would argue that Film Noir is a genre of film, however others would state it is in fact a style of film-making rather than a genre of its own. The reasoning behind this is simple, you can have a Film-Noir Thriller, or a romantic film in film-noir but the style of film-noir has no narrative related features of its own.
What we did?
In the course of the lesson, we observed some classic Film Noir sequences (Double Indemnity) and then set about recreating our own shots in a photographic sense. Included are some of the best, note the clever use of:
- High-Key Lighting
- Sinister Character Shots
- Black-White Setting
- Props (Hats)
- Framing of the Shots
- Rory Jee
Brief - Our Task
Here at Just In Time Productions we've been tasked with creating an opening to a thriller that will be no more than 5 minutes in length. We'll include the following processes in order to fulfil this objective.
- Teaching - Thriller Genre, Codes and Conventions, Approaches to Filming etc.
- Preliminary Task Storyboarding, Filming & Editing.
- Main Task - Includes Pitch, Research and Concept Boarding, Scouting, Script & Storyboarding
- Main Task - Filming & Editing
- Post Production - Audience Screening And Interviews
- Final Date For Submission: 24th April 2009.
Our Preliminary Task allows us to test the water, so to speak, and gain greater depth of understanding with regard to practical experience and technical direction. Using our preliminary task as a base will be able to better master the editing and filming techniques needed to achieve the grade we desire. It will also allow us to experiment with plot ideas and the effectiveness of dialogue. It does not necessarily have to be related to our main task; however can be continued from or used as a foundation, if, we as a group feel it appropriate.
More information on the other elements of our project and how we will approach them will be posted nearer the time.
- Rory Jee
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