Props research

  

Black Leather Glove: This is used when the girl is taken; this is a very important feature in the film as it is the symbol to recognize that there is danger in what’s happening. It also shows that the mysterious man is fairly mainly and strong- it could suggest that he is a biker which could be an intimidating feature for the girls. it could also suggest that he is going to kill her because he doesn't want any proof- finger prints. Lastly it also adds to the image that there is a completely mysterious person and whatever they are planning on doing they are skilled or just panned the event.

White I Phone 4S: this is used when the girl gets a call when shes in her room. This symbolizes the modern aspect i'm looking to convey. It also represents teen-aged girls as a lot have them so that they can access there social networking sites

Table and chairs: this is when there is a family all sitting around the table. it will be the table at my house a s it is very homely and fashionable like the family. There will be several cups of tea on the table because they as all socializing together and talking about there day.

Hoodie: this is significant as she is going ot leave in the roomand its the last thing we see of her

Film Brief

Narrative and Camera shots:

The idea i have chosen for the opening to my film is based on a 17 year old girl who is walking with a friend and she get dragged in to an ally way by a mysterious character. There will be a shot, peering round from behind a wall of this ally way- a long shot. This will give the impression that the camera is the mysterious character looking at the girls. A hand will grab Hattie by her mouth and the other hand iff grab her waist and drag her in to the Ally. Her friends shouts, panics and then runs away out of fear. There will be a panning shot of her running; she will be constantly looking behind her to show her fear. This whole scene will be very dark with fast editing. There will be a final shot of her running then it will cut to a black screen. It will then cut to a scene of the friend sitting at the table with the family, laughing, smiling and chatting. This will contrast the previous scene. The audience will not know how long ago the event happened but it could have been soon after but she doesn't want to tell anyone or it was a very long time ago and she is staring to get used too it. She then gets up, kisses her mum on the forehead then runs up stairs. She looks for some socks, That's when there is a low angle shot with her mobile phone in the foreground. The phone is ringing off an unknown number. She walk's over to the phone looking very confused and picks it up- 

"Hello?"

"Hello, Hattie"

"Who is this?"

"I' have your friend, and now... I’m going to get you... shame you could grab her when you had the chance!"

"Who is this? Where’s Megan? What have you done" her voice is full of panic and worry.

The phone then hangs up and there is an extreme close up of her face as she has a very scared expression.

Codes and conventions of the genre featured in the opening.

The genre of this film is a Thriller, It has a teenage girl who has gone missing which is a very typical convention of a thriller as there is a lot of drama whether she is dead etc., there is a lot of mystery with the character who takes her as there is very dark lighting when the girl goes missing; its night which makes the scene more thrilling and scary for the friend.

The girls look very oblivious to the bad thing that can happen and hen the girl does go missing her friend screams conforming to the typical 'damsel in distress' stereotype of a teenage girl.

Setting 

I will find an area near where I live where there is a dark Ally-way and a long road where she can run down. I will find a place where there are streetlights and although I will use some lighting of my own they will help to create a tense setting.

I will film the scene around the table in my house as I have a table in a very open space, which will make it easier to film and get around the actors.

The last place I need is a bedroom and I think I will use my sisters bedroom as it is very girly and has got photographs of her in which will helpful and make the film more realistic.

Character list + Mise en scene

Megan Amy Alford- She looks like a very typical teenage girl but she can look very oblivious due to her large personality. Hattie is going to be her dear friend who she cares a lot about. She will be wearing causal outfit- jeans, a jumper and a coat.

Hattie Rowe- Hattie is Megan's best friend however she panicked and ran away when her friend was taken. She soon learns to regret this action however she would be putting her life in grave danger. When she realizes that she was under threat of being taken her world soon comes crashing down. She will be a very normal looking teenager who takes a lot of pride in her appearance. She has a loving, homely, warm family home she loves very much but they seem very oblivious to who she really is and what has happened in the past. 

Caroline Rowe- This is Hattie's mother, she is very oblivious and vulnerable, as she doesn't understand the realities and danger of life. Looks very motherly and well dressed much like her daughter.

Patrick Rowe- works very often and doesn't have a large part in any of her children lives however loves them dearly. Wearing casual clothes. 

Patrick rowe- also he will play the mysterious man but his face will not be shown, only his hand with a black leather glove. 

Prop List

Black Glove

table 

cups of tea around the table 

White iPhone 4S  

preliminary task

My preliminary task featured my friend Chloe young as she took a book of the shelf, started to read when she was interrupted by her friend (me), they had a conversation and she ended up crying in to her friends arms. I used a variety of different shot types and angles to create a more interesting short film. I used match on action when she run her hand along the books and picked out her book. This helped to see her thought process and it also broke up the shot so that it was more interesting. The camera also panned along with her as the hand moved, this creates the idea that the camera was her eyes as she was browsing.

Another shot that I used was the shot reverse shot as they were talking. One of my favourite shots in the sequence was when there was an over the shoulder shot as she was looking down and I came around the corner as we were both in shot however she had prevalence as she was closer up. There was then a very fast shot as she turned her head/shoulder, her hair swished around creating a very stylistic appearance. With the over the shoulder shot she was out of focus however I was in focus showing that the audience were meant to look at me. There is one moment when I almost broke the 30 degree rule which I would not do again as it doesn't make the film look particularly impressive so in my final piece I will make sure I am careful not to break the 30 degrees.

I chose to have an instrumental, non diegetic song playing (Adele 'Someone Like You'), it is a fairly sad sounding song which is relevant as not a lot is happening until she starts crying. there is also an introduction that builds up as she is looking across the books that links in very well. there is some diegetic sounds but they are very quite as they are not important and the music speaks for itself as it is very moving.

it was set in a very casual setting in a school library with normal looking student and all though the context isn't extremely clear what's happening It would be imbedded in a film to make it understandable. when she cries at the end it makes the audience feel very sorry for her and the mu8sic helps to create this very solemn atmosphere.

Research Feedback

Revisit some of your previous posts and apply more of the technical terminology you have learnt this term to address mise-en-scene, camera composition, use of sound and editing. Think carefully about how films establish narrative, characters and genre.

Initial Ideas

I would like to do either an action or a romantic comedy as I prefer these genres of film. I believe this will help me to produce a good film as I will have a good idea about what makes a successful film. One of my ideas is to have a film based on a teenaged girl, this will be handy as my close sister is willing to star in it and we can go out and crate a good film. I would like her to be a fairly normal girl that lots of bad thing happen too. These things I do not know get however something like she has been kidnapped rapped or bullied etc.

Another idea is that it could be a romance including her and her boyfriend Toby. I was thinking of having a bit of an action theme as well to create tension. She could have gone missing and it was the story of him trying to get her back. It could be set in leather head and we could go to different areas as he is frantically looking for her and finding clues.

Match on action

Match on action: Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot portraying the action of the subject in the first shot.
This creates the impression of a sense of continuity – the action carrying through creates a “visual bridge” which draws the viewer’s attention away from slight cutting or continuity issues.
This is not a graphic match or match cut, it portrays a continuous sense of the same action rather than matching two separate things.

This can also be used as it breaks up the scene and therefore makes it more interesting to watch and exiting. Another reason why it is used is because it is very professional looking if placed together well.

 

for example in this picture it shows 4 simple shots that all would be put together, this would mean that the boy would have to walk through this door a few times so that the camera could get the different shots. This would make the scene twice as interesting and very simle. one thing to remember is to make sure that everything on the original shot is the same eg. lighting, costume, makeup etc.

30 degree rule

The 30 degree rule is rule used in filmmaking with the purpose of creating continuity between different shots within a larger sequence of shots. Many filmmakers use an “anything more than a 10 degree change in angle” while others say no less than 25 degrees. However, a 25 to 30 degree minimum change in angle seems to be the agreed upon norm. When moving your camera between shots the camera should be moved a minimum of 25 to 30 degrees to avoid jarring transitions also known as jump cuts.

Let’s say in this scene we want to expose the facial expression of our main character so we might start with a wide shot to show context and then change your angle by 30 degrees and move into a medium shot or close up. the shot would look pointless and messy if the shot was changed within 10-degree's.

An example where this would be used in a film is in a romance film for example between a couple and they and having a conversation; if the shot did not use this rule then I could look as thought the film is unprofessional and it would draw the audiences attention to that and not to the depth of the scene.

180-degree rule

180-degree rule- The 180-degree rule of shooting and editing keeps the camera on one side of the action. As a matter of convention, the camera stays on one side of the axis of action throughout a scene; this keeps characters grounded compositionally on a particular side of the screen or frame, and keeps them looking at one another when only one character is seen onscreen at a time. The technique allows for an expansion of the frame into the unseen space offscreen. It is referred to as a rule because the camera, when shooting two actors, must not cross over the axis of action; if it does, it risks giving the impression that the actors' positions in the scene have been reversed.

 

There are instances when the 180-degree rule is violated. For instance, the director Yasujro Ozu often tampers with sight lines and crosses the axis with ease. Ozu reverses camera angles, breaking with convention, and creates an almost purely cinematic tension within scenes. We are forced to see characters with reversed screen placement, sight lines, and even movement. While the continuity of the scene holds, this change of placement serves to make the audience both uneasy and attentive.

this is a video explaining the conventions of the 180- degree rule and how to use it once filming. there is also an example of where it is excepted.

Shot Reverse Shot

Shot Reverse Shot- Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. since the actors are shown looking in different direction's the viewer assumes they are looking at each other.The shot-reverse shot is a form of continuity editing. It establishes both temporal and spacial continuity. It is common for a shot-reverse shot dialogue between two characters to be consist of shots taken from over the shoulders of the characters, but it must not violate the 180 degree rule.It was popularized in Hollywood films in the pre-World War II era. Even in the present day, the shot/reverse shot is the prevalent technique for conveying dialogue scenes in narrative films.

Shot reverse shot is used all the time in films, however they could not be used in live interviews as there is only one camera used, if there was two then the cameras would be in shot the whole time. In films the shot would be filmed several times.

Here there is a shot where the two actors are looking at each other and having a conversation. By using the shot reverse shot they appear to be talking to each other. there are also over the shoulder shots and close upshots to make the scene more interesting. If there was a simple medium shot of the couple sitting at the table, the audience would not be able to see the facial expressions by both the people.

Skyfall- action

A non-diegetic sound is played at the beginning which is alluded to the sound motif, allowing the audience to recognise the theme tune, adding some form of pleasure. However this sound is completely cut off and it a dramatic tone of sound is played and gets louder and louder as the man approaches the end, this increases the intensity and the tension for the audience watching, creating enigmas. Lighting soon appears surround the dominant figures eyes and instantly Daniel Craig is noticed due to him being part of the institution. When the lighting appears, a sound effect is used which suggests a sharp movement, fitting in with the genre conventions. The lighting is only around his eyes, drawing the audiences attention to see what he is looking at. An eyeline match editing technique has been used here because it provides the audience an insight into the characters thoughts.

The audience are soon introduced to the iconography what is used where appropriate, the gun represents these motifs and creates the cross genre of crime and action, along with drama. The gun is pointed directly down the cameras lens, which makes it more direct to the audience and creates clandestine behaviour. This is when the eyeline match shot is conducted and the camera follows Daniel Craig's footsteps into an unknown location. The derelict building also fits in with the conventions and adds to the mystical behaviour of the film, implying James Bond is on a mission. The audience are soon able to see the source of light which lit up round Daniel Craig's eyes, there is only one lamp displayed which adds to the consistency of predominantly dull colours. A lot of eyeline match editing techniques are made, due to the jauntiness and sharp movements of James Bond's eyes, suggesting cautiousness and unexpected actions. Dead bodies are shown which clearly insinuates the correct them of a villain being on the run while the hero is left behind picking up his footsteps. Due to the dead bodies, the audience would expect no-one to be alive, however the film exceeds these expectations and shows an agent still alive, but suffering.
Even though the shot isn't close enough for the audience to tell, they are made aware of it through the dialogue from James Bond speaking through an ear piece to his boss. The advance of technology in modern days is displayed here, setting the correct time era of the film. The speaker on the other end of the ear piece is also displayed and it is a women, gender representation is exhibited here, showing that the female has the authority and the dominance over Daniel Craig, exerting the stereotypical view of women in a false way. The question from the boss adds superstition and gets the audience thinking what she is talking about and why is she so concerned over the hard drive. This implies the basic outline of the film, suggesting they are trying to look for a hard drive to prevent something tragic from happening. The music in the background is a ticking noise, suggesting he is against time, and it speeds the shot up, it is used for an escapism for the audience and increases the tension.

 

The caring heroic figure is portrayed when Daniel Craig goes to help his agent, this contrasts with his boss's ideas through the earpiece, he disobeys orders, presenting a male dominance over the female character, suggesting he over powers her, and has that patriarchal power. The passion between the two male characters deliberates the compassion and empathy between them, meaning the audience are likely to empathise with them. Also the way James Bond turns back around when he sets off for his mission, shows he is unsure about leaving his agent, but has to do it, this can imply that he is starting the film off with a small tragedy.

 

 The opening scene finishes with upbeat music, introducing the audience to the location of the film, being a very chaotic and cultural town, suggesting they are abroad, this could mean that due to the busyness of the location, the film is going to be very frenzied and action-like itself. The way James Bond is wearing a suit suggests that he is of a spy agency and of an upper class, suggesting wealth and sophistication, juxtaposing with his job. The final shot is on a girl driving a car with James Bond entering it, leaving the audience unknown on where their journey is going to take them next.

 

Indiana jones Kingdom of the crystal skull -action film

the first shot is an establishing / long shot , this introduces the location to the audience.
Right at the beginning there is some very tense non-diegetic music which makes the audience think something serious is about to happen but after a couple of second it turns into a very famous catching song "hound dog" by Elvis Presley , this gets the audience in a good mood. We then see a car drive past the camera , this helps the audience understand the period of time the movie was set in, the 20's.

The title for the film start appearing on the screen with one of them saying "A Steven Spielberg film" he is a very well known and respected director so this would excite the audience. Then Harrison ford's name comes up this will also excite the audience because he is very famous, so this would let the viewers know its going to be a good film.The titles were in a very plain font and were in black and white, this makes it look sophisticated and shows the viewer age range of 15-24.

Another type of car appears in the first , this time its military truck this is a connotation of an action adventure film.Inside the truck is a black figure holding a gun this gives the audience an enigma. The military and the other car which appears earlier on are driving next to each other , at this point you realise the size difference .The military truck is much bigger showing the idea of their importance and power over the other characters.

They also use a high angle shot looking down at the other car , this makes the military look intimidating. The cars then have a race , this is a connotation of the action genre, this tells us in the first couple of minutes what genre of film this is. Apart from this shot not many shot types and angles were used the majority of the time there were long shots.

action films codes and conventions