Our preliminary task

     On the 21^st September we were set to do our prelim task. Our task included being given a cliché script along the lined of ‘I can’t wait for you… I won’t wait for you’ we were then asked to apply this script to whatever situation we wanted. I enjoyed doing this task as I thought it allowed me to get a broader understanding of how to use the equipment and I enjoyed getting practical instead of learning about it visually. The thing I liked the least about filming was having to worry about the little things such as learning lines or forgetting the sheet of paper to white balance the camera with. Small things like this happened a lot which got pretty wearing. I think everyone in my group contributed well towards the task. I think we all put in an equal amount of effort and we were all good friends before the filming which meant that we were able to have a good time whilst doing the task. However, if I were to do something differently if we were to repeat the prelim I would get more organised as I think it would benefit me in the way that I would be able to fully cooperate with the group instead of worrying about minor details. Because we were filming at the side of a cliff it meant that we could only film from on side, meaning that we had no choice but to abide to the 180 degree rule. Due to this, we included many more additional shots such as them holding hands and a zoom up on the hand and higher and lower shots etc. The higher and lower shots allowed us to show who was in power and who the victim was which gave the watcher a deeper understanding of our film.

Camera lesson 2

In our second camera lesson we got to grips with the equiptment, we learnt about the differnt ways of using the camera and the differnt shots we could use. For instance, over he shoulder views and two side shots. We were shown the 180 degree rule which is the basic rule, the rule says that when filming two actors conversation you must go from one shoulder to the other at an 180 degree angle as if we didn't do this then it would look like they were moving around and would look odd. Another advantage of the 180 degree rule is that it allows you to see what is happening in the background so you get an idea of what's going on and the mis en scene.

Camera lesson 1

In our first camera lesson we were taught how to set up the camera and tripod. We were taught the basics. We were shown how to attatch the camera to the tripod and how to put the battery into the camera. After we were taught how get a balanced angle by bubbling a tripod. We were then taught how to adjust white balance as we were told if we didn’t then every scene would be tinted a different colour as natural light from the sun is tinted blue and man made light is tinted yellow. To use white balance you have to get a white piece of blank paper and press the white balance button. We were then taught the basics of zooming, focus, shutter speed and how to control the levels of exposure.

Anaylsis of scene 2 from 'Kill Bill'

In the second scene of kill bill we watched the coffin which she had been burried in was much different. For instance in the first scene the coffin was pitch black and when she turned the tourch on it was very dim, reflecting her small hope. In contrast with this, in the second scene not only does the coffin appear much bigger and it also lights up much more when she turns on the torch, portraying her growing hope. Her growing hope is also shown by the non diagetic music in the background which becomes much more upbeat and happy. We know she is about to escape when she says 'Okay Bill, here I come' As she starts hitting the top of her coffin he knuckles begin to bleed, symbolising her strength and her fight for freedom. The banging her her knuckles on the roof of the coffin is exaggerated and the noises put in to excentuate how hard she is fighting to escape. The red of her blood could also symobolise danger. Other symbolic colours in this scene are the colours of her boots; red, black and white. The white could possibly show her innocense though it contrasts with the black which could represent something evil about her.

Analysis of a scene from 'Hanna'

From the sound we learn a lot about the character, Hanna. The footsteps at the beginning symbolise that she is in a secure place. She then starts crying to show that she is scared and showing her innocence. The handle then starts to spin and slowing starts to turn into non diagetic background music. The music almost starts to trigger her killing spree. The background music sounds as if it is matching her heartbeat and gets faster and faster as she begins to reach her freedom. There is also a diagetic sounds of an alarm in the background, contradicting the once secure enriornment at the beginning and making is seem insecure.

Analysis of Catherina

  The opening scene starts with a close up of a black BMW. This could represent wealth and importance. There is also an eerie synthetic noise in the background, showing that something bad is about to happen and allowing tension to be built.
  The next significant scene is that there is a zoomed up clip of a lady wearing all black, signifying that she is possibly a bad person. She then pulls out a gun to show that she is powerful.
  The next shot is from the window and is of an approaching ccar. This shows whoevers watching that the two people are related or are meeting. The position from which the shot is taken makes it seem as though someone is watching him.
  The is then a close up of the woman putting the gun on the table. This shows she is not using it yet. It then changes shot to her opening a large metal casae to signify how big her other gun is. She is wearing red nail vanish to show danger.
  There is then a scene of her aiming at the man who was in the car, this confirms our assumption that it is him she's aiming for.
  One critisism I would have is that there is a man who creeps up on 'Catherina' as she is about to shoot, however i thought they could have added more tension bu prolonging the scene and adding eerie, tense music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH0_lPscsD0

The Conversation Analysis

When looking at analysing the front covers of films we were asked to connote the front cover of 'The Conversation'.
When you first look at this front cover you immediatly assume that this movie will be a thriller. The main reason for something thinking this may be because of the colour red which symbolises danger. When you look closer you will see that the title is written half in white, implying innocense. Therefore you could connote that within this film somebody is going to be blamed for something that they haven't done.
If you look at the pictures of the cover you can see that there is a couple being targeted. This shows us that within the film two characters will be being watched. There is a hint as to who is watching them, that that is the man in the top left hand corner. We assume that it's him due to him looking down at the two who are being targeted. By him looking down at them it implies that he is superior to them, not only this but he is shown as much bigger than them, almost as if they cannot escape.
There is a hint as to where this film is set, Chicargo, as you can see the bridge below the title.

The Shining Analysis

In class we were given a number of different film covers and asked to looked at them and connote what we thought the covers were trying to imply.
For instance, one of the films we were asked to analyise was the film 'The Shining'. Just from looking at the front cover you can tell that it is going to be a horror. One thing that allows you to tell this is the facial expressions used. For instance the man has a strange exited look on his face - possibly implying that he has gone slightly insane. He also has a deranged look in his eyes which are directed towards her, telling us that it is her who he wants to hurt. The woman on the right is hiding so is therefore scared for her safety, her facial expression also reads that she's terrified.
  If you look at the two weapons in this film cover you will see that the woman is holding a knife in her hand. Usually this would signify violence but if you contrast her knife with the massive axe that is be swung through the door then it starts to look less like a threat and more like a defence mechanism.
  Another suggestion that she is the victim or good person in this movie is the fact that she is surrounded by white, which symoblises pureness and innocence where as the man is surrounded by colours such as red and black. This symbolises danger and evil. It's implied that he has been chasing her around for squite some time as he is sweating on his forhead and her hair is messy, showing that she has been hiding from him for quite some time.

About myself

My name is Beth Pizey, I previously attended Cranleigh school but am now studying at Hurtwood House. I would say that my favorite movie would have to be any Will Ferrell film... For instance Step Brothers or Anchorman, I think he's hysterical. My favorite band would have to be either Alt-J or Bombay bicycle club. The reason that I'm studying media is because both my parents work in television, as a result of this I got to do work experiance at the BBC, helping out with the '999 Awards' and T4 where I helped out with 'T4 on the beach'. I found both experiances to be extreamly fun and rewarding.