PRELIMINARY EXERCISES

I have studied camera angles by reading Daniel Chandler's website The Grammar of Television and Film

CAMERA ANGLES

COMPANY LOGO

I used Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create my production company logo. I chose the name MIRROR STUDIOS as the name packed a punch and created the feeling that the studio 'reflected' storry onto screen. To be in theme with the word 'mirror', I gave the illusion of reflection, which gives the feeling of a mirror. I also chose the font FF Shulbuch (which is the same font used by the DESIGN MUSEUM) as it looked modernistic and bold. The colours were also chosen to make it stand out, the black on white for the word 'Mirror' shows its importance, whilst the blue on black of the word 'Studios' shows its less important information. 

ON THE SET

Throughout this passage I will state what I was learnt, stating the terminology and methods, when we ran through how to use the Canon Cameras and Mafrotto tripods.

Cameras and tripods: We started off by learning how to handle the camera, such as making sure the strap was either wrapped around our neck or wrist, in order to limit the possibility of breaking the camera by accidently dropping. We also got used to taking and slotting in the battery, making sure it was inserted the right way and remembering to take it out after a filming session. The SD card had the same treatment, making sure we got used to placing it in and out of its slot in the camera. 

We then moved onto the handling of the tripods. First we made sure we knew how to extend the legs and change the direction the camera is pointing. Then we practiced slotting the camera at an angle into the mount, making sure that it was tightened when slotted in order to make sure it is properly sucure. The 'bubble' was also something in which we focused on, as it informs the user whether the tripod is properly balanced. 

White balance (WB): WB is the process in which unrealistic colour casts are removed, resulting in objects that are appear white to the human eye also appearing white on camera. The warmth or coolness of the white light, or 'colour temperature', is often taken into consideration by proper cameras. Many digital cameras will come with an option to change the white balance by selecting the 'WB' on the device. It will then display an array of pictures that give a representation of the differences in colour tones, this can be used to create more reasitc and naturalic film. 

180-degree rule: This rule helps to make the film more flowing. This rule means that you must stay on the same chosen side of an imaginary line, during a scene. The camera can be 180 degrees along the line, but cannot cross as it will result in a 'unatural' and 'messy' feeling. 

On set termanology:

'Standby' and 'Standing by': The director shouts 'standby' before filming to alert the crew that filming is about to begin. Whilst the crew would shout 'standing by' to informt the director that they are ready. 

'Rolling': The director then follows on by shouting 'rolling', which means the crew must be quiet and that the camera is on and filming, but the action is not unfolding yet. 

'Action': This is shouted by the director after 'rolling', and means that the scene should start to unfold.

'Cut': This word ends the action on screen, meaning the scene has ended and the camera will stop recording. 

'Strike the kit': This signals the crew to pack away and make sure the footage is uploaded. 

Editing: We are using to editing softwares, Final Cut Pro and IMovie, in which are both featured on the IMacs in the media studio. The footage in which we upload should be cept in a folder dedicated to your work. These folders are named bins whilst the unedited footage from the cameras are stated as being called rushes. 

CONTINUITY EXERCISE

Through doing this exercise I was able to practice continuity editing and filmmaking, which gave me a better understanding of how filmmakers adopt it into their film and when it is used. Continuity editing and filmmaking should result in the sequence of shots 'flowing' with one another, allowing for the audience to easily follow the action that is happening on screen. This if often achieved through shots applying to the 180 degree rule, which means the camera should stay on the chosen side of an imaginary straight line. Crossing the line makes it more difficult for the audience to understand the space or environment the sequence is taking place in. The careful choice of shots is also important in helping audiences understand the environment, the cutting between shots should be seamless to maintain a 'flow'. 

TABLE TOP EXERCISE

The table top exercise allowed me to experiment with one style of film opening that was successfully used for the opening of the 60s film To Kill A Mockingbird. This style of opening credits consists of objects laid upon a table which hint at the plot or situations that might arise and the camera moving over the assortment of props. I was able to successfully hint at a spy/ war film through the use of props and sound effects, whilst the cheerful music of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World provided a sinister tone and message for the opening.