Preliminary Task - Evaluation

The final cut of our Preliminary Task:

Planning:
For my planning, I created a list of all the shots we would be doing. This list contained rough storyboards, as well as all the different shot types needed and what would happen in each scene. In addition, we did a proper storyboard - this was basically a more organized version of this. Furthermore, we wrote a script so that we knew what was being said in the scene.

The planning was useful as it meant we knew exactly what we were doing in each scene - we didn't have to improvise, which wouldn't have looked as professional. The only thing we had to change was the script, so that the actual "plot" was better to watch.


The 180 degree rule:
The 180 degree rule is a rule that is very important in film-making. However, it can be easily overlooked. The 180 degree rule is the rule that states that you should always be on the same side (180 degrees) of the action, conversation, etc. This stops the viewer being confused as if the camera kept flipping over from side to side, you would not be able to say what side each thing or person is on. For example, in a game of rugby the camera stays on the same side of the pitch. This is so that the viewer knows which side each team is trying to get to. If the camera kept switching sides, the viewer would be completely confused.

Camera:
Even though I had used camera before this task, I learnt a lot about how to use a camera. One of the main things I learnt were the actual kinds of shot you could use, such as an over the shoulder shot to put you into the film and low and high angle, close up, medium and long shots to change the appearance of the characters. Also, another big thing I learnt were some of the techniques used in film making (e.g. shot-reverse shot and the 180-degree rule). Due to my previous experience, I was pretty confident with using a camera before this task. However, this task has made that confidence grow even more.

I cannot think of many areas in which I did not feel comfortable. I may need to revise the different shots and camera techniques so that I can use them as well as possible.

For the start of the film we used shots to track someone who was moving from the outside of the school to a room inside the school. For this we used still, tracking, panning and over the shoulder shots. We also used a few different distance shots, including medium and close-up shots. These shots were used to give the sense of watching someone move from one place to another, while also creating interest as the camera shots slowly revealed the person moving.

For the conversation, we used still shot-reverse shots while abiding to the 180-degree rule. These were all medium shots. These shots were used to make the people and what they were saying as clear as possible.

Editing:
I have used editing programs many times before. I had not used this particular editing program, but using it was quite simple as the only editing we had to do was simple video effects, such as fading to black at the end of the film, and basic cut/delete operations.We did find a slight problem trying to capture the footage from the camera, but that was a technical issue that I managed to solve through trying many different ways of importing the footage from the camera.

Overall, I am very confident with using the editing program. Most of it is similar to other editing programs I have used, so I am familiar with it. On the other hand, I would possibly struggle if I was told to do very complicated editing effects with the software.

Media Studies Questionnaire

Name: William Robinson

GCSE Results:

Art: D Physics: A Biology: B Chemistry: A Graphics: A IT: A* English: B English Literature: B Maths: B RPSE: A

Hobbies: Go-Karting, seeing my friends, gaming

Print Media:

Sports pages, mainly F1/motorsport

Official Nintendo Magazine: I enjoy gaming, and I am a big Nintendo fan, so I get a magazine concerning both.

F1 Racing/Autosport: I’m a motorsport (mainly F1) fan so these magazines are good for me.

Radio Times: For TV schedules, reviews and news.

Radio: I passively listen to my parent’s radio.

Music Industry:

Pop/rock is my favourite type of music.

I use the online music player Spotify, and CDs.

I think that illegal downloading is wrong. The people who put the effort into making the music and products should get the money and rewards they deserve.

I like things such as montages and wish to create them in the future.

Video Games:

I am a big fan of the Japanese games company Nintendo, and I collect/play their games, consoles and merchandise. I also use an Xbox 360. However, I mainly use Nintendo consoles like the 3DS and Wii. I also took part in the national competition Britain’s Best Nintendo Gamer and won the Norfolk qualifier in Norwich. This put me through to the top 16 for the big final in Norwich, which was a big event. I came top 8, and won over 500 pounds worth of games and consoles, including a 3DS for free 2 days before release!

I do not think they have a negative effect, on the whole. I think this is assumed by people who do not play them, or know nothing about them. It is definitely prejudice, as they are overly negative about them.

New Technology:

I think new technology lets you see more of the world because of the easier access to videos, pictures etc. It makes people more culturally aware.

New technologies such as social nertworking sites are vastly improving communication. People say they can be bad things due to groomers, etc. but mainly they are a great way to stay in touch.

Smart phones, etc. are a brilliant, easy way of accessing media texts quickly, and on the move. This is great, as it doesn’t limit media to the house or cinema.

Editing software, High-Tec cameras, powerful computers etc have great tools for creating your own home-made media texts nowadays, which is allowing people to use their talents more easily.

TV:

Dave, E4, BBC and ITV.

These channels have unique, high-quality dramas – this is my favourite genre of TV show.

Drama / Comedy-Drama is my favourite type of TV show due to the absorbing plots, exciting action, and likable characters. Good dramas are unmissable.

My 5 unforgettable TV shows:

London Bombings: When I was told about this I thought it was a joke to get me off the TV! The shock was huge, especially as it as close to home.

FRIENDS: The Last One: A brilliant, fitting ending to one of the most revolutionary, popular, and brilliant shows ever.

F1 – Brazil 2007 AND 2008.

These two season finales were some of the best TV I’ve ever seen – it’s like someone has written a script! The first one completed an amazing end-of-season charge from my favourite driver to take the World Championship.

In 2008, the winner of the championship was in doubt until the line-the championship was decided on the last corner of the last race of the season! Brilliant.

Feature Film:

My favourite genre is Action/adventure, for mainly the same reasons as why I like TV Drama: the stories, action and drama.

My Favourite films:

Inception: The action scenes are some of the best in the whole of cinema. This combined with some breathtaking special effects and great acting ends in a brilliant film.

Battle Los Angeles: The fight scenes in this film are some of the most fast-paced, action-packed and epic I’ve seen. The film also has the tension and good cast to back this up.

I like to either watch films on my own at home (on TV/DVD) or in the cinema with friends.

My favourite place to go to the cinema is Vue. The seats are comfortable, and the quality in general is good. It is also in an easily accessible area.

How I like to watch film depends on how I’m watching it.  If I’m on my own at home, I like to relax on my own while watching film. If I’m at the cinema, I like to be in a group with my friends so that I have someone to share the evening with.

Am I a Media Producer?

I do produce YouTube videos, such as gaming commentaries. This is when I play a game while giving advice and generally talking about stuff. I have also assisted friends in media productions.

Conclusion:

The only show I can remember that has offended me recently is The X Factor. They provoke people into anger, violence or sadness on purpose, just to try and make the show more popular. It really angers me.

My favourite show is the sci-fi drama Primeval. It is my favourite show because of the lovable characters, absorbing storylines, thrilling action scenes, and amazing special effects (for the creatures)

I can’t think of one.

If I was making a show, I would have it on TV as it has a huge audience. I would produce a show telling people that they have very good lives and that they are lucky to live in such a safe, free country. I would explain how they complain over trivial things and that they should have a bigger view of the world and how lucky they are.

I am taking Media Studies because I want to go into a career concerning Graphic Design and/or Media.

This is an extreme close up shot.  This is used for effect, for example in Psycho when the camera zooms in on the eyeball.

This is a low angle shot. This type of shot is used to create a sense of insignificance or vulnerability.

This is a high angle shot. This type of shot is used when you are trying to make something look powerful or dominant. For example, someone lying helpless on the floor as the look up at someone powerful striding towards them.

This is an over the shoulder shot. This shot is used to make it seem like you are walking with that person, not just watching it happen.

This is a long shot. This is for making things look far away and distant. The shot creates a sense of distance. 

This is a tilt shot. This is used when you are trying to create a sense of dizzyness, illness, fatigue etc. For example, if someone is tired and falling asleep, you would use this kind of shot as they fall asleep.

This is a close up shot. This is for focusing on a particular character or object and showing them in detail.For example, if a dramatic event occurs, you would use this kind of shot to focus on the main character and their reaction.

This is a medium close up shot. This is for focusing on one thing while they are talking or doing something. For example, in a conversation this would be used commonly to switch from character to character as they talk.

This is a panning shot. This is used to focus on one thing, before zooming out to reveal their surroundings or the location they're in. This is used commonly for effect. For example, when a hiker reaches the top of a mountain, the camera can zoom out to reveal the amazing view.

This is a tracking shot. This is used when following one particular thing (e.g. a person). For example, in a cycling race, this would be used to track each cyclist.

This is a point of view shot. This is used when trying to make it look like you are viewing it through the eyes of the character.