Preliminary

Preliminary 

Here is my group's preliminary video. It connsists of me (camera works), Harry & Kieran (actors):

Camera shots include:

• Establishing shot
• Match on action shot
• Mid shot
• Over shoulder shot

We also followed the 180 degree rule & used written codes in the bottom left stating "Preliminary Exercise" in white typography.

Continuity & Prelimiary

Continuity & Preliminary

Continuity

Continuity - This is when a string of film shots show a continuous chain of events that is in chronological order. The purpose of this is to convey clear understanding of the events in a film that is easy to follow. Continuity also prevents inconsistency of footage (For example: Using the same objects in the same position in the next scene. Or not using the same actors for characters that have died in the movie, but appear later on as someone else).

Here is an example of multiple Continuity mistakes that take place in the Star Wars Saga:

The Hobbit Desolation Of Smaug

Conventions of a film opening	Codes used to convey this convention (e.g. technical, symbolic, written)
The Hook!	Tension arises when Thorin Okenshield is sitting at a tavern & two men, either side of him, sinisterly glare at him. A sudden change of merry music to a short tempo signifies danger along with close up shots of the two strangers & Thorin. However, the danger is instantly dismissed when Gandlaf The Grey, a powerful wizard, enters the room. Gandalf & Thorin converse over a meal. Gandalf informs Thorin of how they are going to reclaim Misty Mountain from Smaug the Dragon.
Set the scene (time? Setting?)	In the opening scene starts off with an establishing shot that is also panning across Bree - On The Border Of Shire (The location in which Gandalf & Thorin are). The weather is also raining, wet & dark which often has connotations of being gloomy & mysterious. Because of this, the audience can assume that the use of pathetic fallacy will most likey foreshadows the eventual outcome of the plot. The dark lighting adds to the anxious feeling of the opening, particularly with the two strangers eyeing up Thorin.
Introduce characters	Then main characters introduced in this scene are Gandlaf & Thorin. Both characters were very prominent in the previous film so it sets up their importance to the plot of "The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug." The establishment of the mystery men (despite this being the only time throughout the entire movie that they make an appearance) makes it clear to the audience that Thorin will encounter trouble throughout his journey.
Introduce the genre	"The Hobbit: Desolation Of Smaug" has a very strong affiliation to the fantasy genre. The audience can deduce from the opening that the genre that the film belongs to is in fact fantasy. The audience can assume this from aspects throughout the opening scene - such as Gandalf being a wizard & the setting is in a fabricated town named Bree which are common attributes of this genre.
Credits	In this example,  there are no credits in the opening. There are only written codes explaining the setting.
Narrative	Use of written code has been used within the first ten seconds to communicate the location of the scene to the audience. Shire is well known location throughout "The Hobbit/Lord Of The Rings" Universe so by letting the audience know that Bree is on the borders of it, allows them to become familiar with the franchise. Because "The Hobbit" Universe is part of the fantasy genre, it is important for its geographical aspect & historical sense is well explain to make the audience feel immersed within the franchise.

Codes & Conventions

Main Execise

The titles & opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of 2 minutes.

Conventions

Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something, and in the case of media texts, they are generally accepted patterns of code that communicate a particular message.

There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific. For example, in Westerns fights scenes are generally shot from a low angle, the setting is usually dusty and desolate, and even the sounds used within the scene are conventional, such as castanets, or some sort of whistle.

For Example-

The Title of the film/show:

Or The name of the studios behind the movie/show:

The purpose: 

The purpose of a film opening is to show action and begin the viewers interest so they get immediately hooked into the film. The film opening will also clearly state the genre of the film, you will also most likely see either the protagonist or antagonist.

Timing conventions:

Most film openings are around 2 minutes long. However major blockbusters may be up to 5mins

Set the scene

(year of setting, location etc.)
•Introduce the key characters: Protagonist, Antagonist, sidekick etc.
•Introduce pre plot or beginning of the narrative. Establishes platform/ scene.
•Key credits such as production company, logos and director.•Usually starts with equilibrium. A key event will occur.                                                         

Codes

Media students identify three categories of codes that may be used to

convey meanings in media messages:

Technical Codes 

which include camera techniques, framing, depth of field, Mise en scene, editing,  lighting and sound; 

Symbolic Codes 

which refer to objects, setting, body language, clothing and colour.

Written Codes

in the form of headlines, captions, speech bubbles and language style.

Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban - Code & Conventions:

Purpose: the purpose is to entice the audience to watch the movie & to become engrossed with the film that is hugely influenced by fantasy elements like magic.

Timing:  1:37minutes.

Sets the scene: A pitch black night where a close up shot zooms in through the darkness. After entering a window the audience discovers Harry Potter practicing his magic under his duvet.

Introduces key characters: Harry Potter.

Key Credits: There are no Key Credits for cast members in this example. However it does display the  title of the movie.

Equilibrium: The mystical/magical element of the movie is introduced by Harry casting a spell to illuminate the covers.

Introduces pre-plot: We know that Harry Potter is an important character with some sort of relevance to the main plot due to the two movies before this one. The fact that he is the first character introduced further supports this.

Codes -

Technical: Starts with a light from Harry's wand. The contrasting light spell cast by Harry & the darkness that surrounds him foreshadows his fate - meaning that he will defeat evil since due to the connotations surrounding light, darkkness, good & evil.

Symbolic Codes: Harry is placed in the only bright light in the opening.

Written Codes: the reconcilable Harry Potter lettering and titles shows at the end of the opening. Written in silver typography.

Production Project

Production Projects

Produce a continuity exercise which involves a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite to a character, with whom they exchange a couple of lines of dialogue. 

The task should demonstrate:

• Match on action - This is when the perspective of the shot changes during a scene to focus on an object/action. The shot is different and may be from a different perspective however it is still the same action.

Shot/Reverse Shot

• Shot/reverse shot - When one character is looking at another character (usually not in screen view) and the other character is shown looking back or away so the audience presumes they are talking to one another.

Here is An Example of The Shot/Reverse Shot of Arya Stark from Game Of Thrones:

180 Degree Shot

• 180 degree rule - This is a basic guideline in all film-making, an imaginary line called the axis. Film shots can only happen on one side of the axis in a certain scene. The first character must always remain on the right side and the second on the left.

Entry to Blog

AS Media Entry Blog

In my blog I will be writing the theory aspect on my AS Media project. This will contain many different aspects of filming. For example, things like different camera shots, continuity within films, codes & conventions, film openings & more. My blog will also make as a great form of revision when the time looms closer for my written exam. It will also show the creative process for the final outcome of our film opening. Here are some of the tasks that I will complete & explore:

Task	Done
Preliminary exercise (definitions of match on action, shot/reverse shot, 180 degree rule, continuity, video, on your blog and analysis etc.)
Research from theory lessons (e.g. Camera angles, sound, Mise en scene etc.)
Introduction (e.g. group) and the brief you have been given.
Codes and Conventions of an opening scene (purpose of these openings)
Analysis of film openings (in detail – Focus on codes and conventions). Include film openings on your blog.
Continuous update of meetings (e.g. creative decisions etc.)
Prezi on BBFC
Titles timeline from art of the Title
Target audience research (QUANTATIVE AND QUALATATIVE) Questionnaire (face book) plus analysis or results (e.g. pie charts) and how they influenced your decisions.
Individual 40 word ideas. Include products that are influencing your choice/plus why?
Audience feedback from initial ideas
Detailed research into chosen genre
Moodboard (ideas on your specific or chosen genre. E.g. crime)
Importance of sound and possible ideas for brief (include copyright issues)
PLANNING/CONSTRUCTION
Working outline (treatment)
Script if needed
Chosen song and reasons for choice (maybe lyrics and their meanings which will influence the video).
Permission letter and possible reply for song use
Research and Creating a company logo
Main pitch and feedback (facebook)
Location scout, pictures and explanations
Storyboarding and anamatics
Research Roles and actors, costumes,  Location lists
Shot lists
Risk assessment
Organisation and explanation of cast, props and locations
Filming. Description and analysis of days shooting
Screen grabs throughout filming and editing (plus analysis)
Editing and description of process, problems etc (effects you may have used)
Development and analysis of Titles
Rough cut (screening and feed back)
Re-shooting, re-editing etc
Final production and analysis