Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Sunday, 12 December 2010
Video Evaluation
I was given the task of making an opening to a thriller in a group of three. We decided on a basic storyline and completed a storyboard. Although I didn’t have the main idea for the story, I worked s lot on the storyboard contributing drawing and writing. The shooting of the film was troubled by the fact that on our first shooting session we used a broken camera which was unable to transfer our footage to a computer, forcing us to reshoot this scene as well as the next one. We got around this problem well, as we managed to shoot the whole film in one session.
During the shoot I often handled camera duties, shooting both handheld and on a tripod and I also directed some shots. I think we used the technology well, as we used both static and handheld shots as well as incorporating the night-vision effect. However, I think we possibly could’ve paid more attention to more intricate settings such as the white balance, although I’m not sure if the smaller camera we used had these settings.
I was very involved during the editing of the film, most prominently during the editing of the film’s climax. Upon uploading the footage, we realised that the final sequence did not cut together that well. In its entirety the sequence seemed fake and staged. We decided that the best decision would be to trim the scene down, minimising what we see. This made the scene seem more realistic and have more impact. I also made cuts in the first scene of the film, including re-cutting the shots of Ivana on the stairs to make them flow better.
I think the film’s soundtrack works quite well, with the loud rock music of the first scene being in good contrast with the creepy ambient score of the second scene. However, I also think that the difference may be too jarring and maybe the loud music could have been faded out in a more subtler way. We edited the film using the Final Cut Pro software. This is very advanced software that offers a huge amount of control over the editing process. We created the soundtrack on Soundtrack Pro. This program has an extensive library of sounds including music and sound effects. From this program we were able to find music which worked well with the film.
I think the films works well as a pretty conventional thriller. It creates an unsettling atmosphere and instantly raises questions about who the abductor is and why he is doing this. The use of a slow build up creates suspense and pays off when we reach the quick and shocking final scene. We got varied feedback to the film, some people thought the abduction scene happened too quickly and thought that there should have been more time before the victim realised what was happening. People also found problems with the line of dialogue in the abduction scene, feeling that it was out of place. We also got positive feedback, people said that they thought the first scene in the bedroom built nicely and also liked the use of having the end and the beginning shots loop round on each other. We also got a positive response on the shot of the knife, with someone noting that it made it feel like a thriller.
I think if we did it again there would be a few significant changes we would make. We would probably have planned out the abduction scene better as to make it seem more realistic. We would make the tying-up look more realistic as one of the negative comments we got was on how it looked fake. I also think we could have included some more tension-building elements during the driving scene to make the shift in tone subtler. I also think we could have possibly make the opening scene shorter as there is slightly too much footage of the character getting ready. I think we could have depicted her just as well with less footage.
During the shoot I often handled camera duties, shooting both handheld and on a tripod and I also directed some shots. I think we used the technology well, as we used both static and handheld shots as well as incorporating the night-vision effect. However, I think we possibly could’ve paid more attention to more intricate settings such as the white balance, although I’m not sure if the smaller camera we used had these settings.
I was very involved during the editing of the film, most prominently during the editing of the film’s climax. Upon uploading the footage, we realised that the final sequence did not cut together that well. In its entirety the sequence seemed fake and staged. We decided that the best decision would be to trim the scene down, minimising what we see. This made the scene seem more realistic and have more impact. I also made cuts in the first scene of the film, including re-cutting the shots of Ivana on the stairs to make them flow better.
I think the film’s soundtrack works quite well, with the loud rock music of the first scene being in good contrast with the creepy ambient score of the second scene. However, I also think that the difference may be too jarring and maybe the loud music could have been faded out in a more subtler way. We edited the film using the Final Cut Pro software. This is very advanced software that offers a huge amount of control over the editing process. We created the soundtrack on Soundtrack Pro. This program has an extensive library of sounds including music and sound effects. From this program we were able to find music which worked well with the film.
I think the films works well as a pretty conventional thriller. It creates an unsettling atmosphere and instantly raises questions about who the abductor is and why he is doing this. The use of a slow build up creates suspense and pays off when we reach the quick and shocking final scene. We got varied feedback to the film, some people thought the abduction scene happened too quickly and thought that there should have been more time before the victim realised what was happening. People also found problems with the line of dialogue in the abduction scene, feeling that it was out of place. We also got positive feedback, people said that they thought the first scene in the bedroom built nicely and also liked the use of having the end and the beginning shots loop round on each other. We also got a positive response on the shot of the knife, with someone noting that it made it feel like a thriller.
I think if we did it again there would be a few significant changes we would make. We would probably have planned out the abduction scene better as to make it seem more realistic. We would make the tying-up look more realistic as one of the negative comments we got was on how it looked fake. I also think we could have included some more tension-building elements during the driving scene to make the shift in tone subtler. I also think we could have possibly make the opening scene shorter as there is slightly too much footage of the character getting ready. I think we could have depicted her just as well with less footage.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Monday, 1 November 2010
UK Broadcast Systems
Broadcast has changed hugely since the invention of television, with programs becoming far more diverse, in content, accessibility and quality of reception. In the 1950’s TV was limited to a few channels at certain times of day whereas now we have hundreds of channel playing twenty-four hours a day which are also available for viewing online on different portable devices.
There are five different systems by which TV is broadcast in the UK. Analogue l broadcasting which has been in use for many years, uses radio waves from radio towers (like the Crystal Palace radio tower) to get a signal from an antenna on your roof. The potential problems with this sort of broadcast are that waves can be blocked from reaching their destination or the antenna can be too far away. This kind of TV is also limited to five channels, as analogue terrestrial TV has limited bandwidth, giving you less choice and possibly inferior picture quality to other broadcast systems.
Digital broadcasting, such as Freeview, has an advantage over the previous analogue system because it can broadcast several channels on one bandwidth and because it compresses the data digitally, allowing the viewer much more choice of channels. It also has a higher quality signal, high definition picture and interactive capabilities. But, in order to receive the digital signal you need to either have a television equipped to receive a digital signal or buy a digital decoder to use with your TV. This does makes the whole package more expensive, but many people consider the amount of variety in channels you get worth paying the extra money. Freeview is a cheap form of digital TV as no subscription is required and you only have to buy a Freeview box to receive it.
Satellite broadcasting such as Sky and Freesat uses a signal which is bounced off the ASTRA satellites in space (meaning there are no obstructions) and is received by a satellite dish on viewer’s houses. The satellite is also more effective than terrestrial as it has a longer sight range and it can reach more people. Sky is capable of HD TV and has 693 channels at the present moment. To receive it you need a dish on the outside of your house to receive the signal. It can be expensive to install the dish and box (but it makes it easier for people in more remote locations to receive the signal.
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Cable TV is broadcast through cables installed under pavements, via fibre-optic cables. A Cable Company, such as Telewest, decides where to lay them and if there isn’t one in your street then you can’t receive the signal and even if there is, the service is restricted to the company that laid the cable. Also, when cables installed, the pavement has to be dug up which can be inconvenient. On the other hand, you do not need any kind of equipment like a satellite dish or an antenna to receive cable, making it less expensive. It is also not certain how good the picture quality on cable will be and there is a possibility of interference.
Internet TV is becoming very popular in the 21st century because of sites like BBC iPlayer in the UK and Hulu in the USA. These sites upload programs onto the internet after they have been broadcast on TV so that people who missed them are able to watch them at any time, via streaming on a broadband connection. However the video quality can vary on these services and watching a program in full screen might look bad. They are mostly kept on for a certain amount of time before being deleted. It allows you to watch the program more than once. It also allows the programs to be viewed on a variety of different media such as iPhones, PCs, laptops and even TVs themselves as a convergence between internet and television approaches. This is making TV far more accessible to a wider amount of people.
There are many options when it comes to choosing how to watch TV and they have pros and cons. I think that analogue can be written out of the equation as it is set to be closed down by 2012, with digital in its place. Cable TV is the most difficult to acquire and therefore has limited access, because it is only available in certain areas. I think it comes down to how you want to receive digital broadcasting. Whether it’s through cable, satellite or the internet, as each have pros and cons that I’ve outlined. Satellite is quite expensive but has more choice of channels than others which means it might be the best for those who want a wide choice or access to specialist channels. Internet TV is free and has the advantage of portability if that is what the user wants. Overall, the greater consumer choice people have nowadays, means people can chose the method that suits them and their lifestyle.
There are five different systems by which TV is broadcast in the UK. Analogue l broadcasting which has been in use for many years, uses radio waves from radio towers (like the Crystal Palace radio tower) to get a signal from an antenna on your roof. The potential problems with this sort of broadcast are that waves can be blocked from reaching their destination or the antenna can be too far away. This kind of TV is also limited to five channels, as analogue terrestrial TV has limited bandwidth, giving you less choice and possibly inferior picture quality to other broadcast systems.
Digital broadcasting, such as Freeview, has an advantage over the previous analogue system because it can broadcast several channels on one bandwidth and because it compresses the data digitally, allowing the viewer much more choice of channels. It also has a higher quality signal, high definition picture and interactive capabilities. But, in order to receive the digital signal you need to either have a television equipped to receive a digital signal or buy a digital decoder to use with your TV. This does makes the whole package more expensive, but many people consider the amount of variety in channels you get worth paying the extra money. Freeview is a cheap form of digital TV as no subscription is required and you only have to buy a Freeview box to receive it.
Satellite broadcasting such as Sky and Freesat uses a signal which is bounced off the ASTRA satellites in space (meaning there are no obstructions) and is received by a satellite dish on viewer’s houses. The satellite is also more effective than terrestrial as it has a longer sight range and it can reach more people. Sky is capable of HD TV and has 693 channels at the present moment. To receive it you need a dish on the outside of your house to receive the signal. It can be expensive to install the dish and box (but it makes it easier for people in more remote locations to receive the signal.
.
Cable TV is broadcast through cables installed under pavements, via fibre-optic cables. A Cable Company, such as Telewest, decides where to lay them and if there isn’t one in your street then you can’t receive the signal and even if there is, the service is restricted to the company that laid the cable. Also, when cables installed, the pavement has to be dug up which can be inconvenient. On the other hand, you do not need any kind of equipment like a satellite dish or an antenna to receive cable, making it less expensive. It is also not certain how good the picture quality on cable will be and there is a possibility of interference.
Internet TV is becoming very popular in the 21st century because of sites like BBC iPlayer in the UK and Hulu in the USA. These sites upload programs onto the internet after they have been broadcast on TV so that people who missed them are able to watch them at any time, via streaming on a broadband connection. However the video quality can vary on these services and watching a program in full screen might look bad. They are mostly kept on for a certain amount of time before being deleted. It allows you to watch the program more than once. It also allows the programs to be viewed on a variety of different media such as iPhones, PCs, laptops and even TVs themselves as a convergence between internet and television approaches. This is making TV far more accessible to a wider amount of people.
There are many options when it comes to choosing how to watch TV and they have pros and cons. I think that analogue can be written out of the equation as it is set to be closed down by 2012, with digital in its place. Cable TV is the most difficult to acquire and therefore has limited access, because it is only available in certain areas. I think it comes down to how you want to receive digital broadcasting. Whether it’s through cable, satellite or the internet, as each have pros and cons that I’ve outlined. Satellite is quite expensive but has more choice of channels than others which means it might be the best for those who want a wide choice or access to specialist channels. Internet TV is free and has the advantage of portability if that is what the user wants. Overall, the greater consumer choice people have nowadays, means people can chose the method that suits them and their lifestyle.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Thriller Conventions
Thriller films have many features which are typical to the genre.
* They often use suspense, where we see a potentially dramatic event being built up to. The audience is thrilled by the anticipation of what will happen.
* They often use low-key lighting to create a dark, moody atmosphere which goes with the plots which are usually of a dark and dangerous nature.
* The suspense is also often complimented with music which often builds as the suspense does, adding to it.
* The plots usually feature a main hero and villain.
* The camera is often close up to the characters to increase the tension.
* They often use suspense, where we see a potentially dramatic event being built up to. The audience is thrilled by the anticipation of what will happen.
* They often use low-key lighting to create a dark, moody atmosphere which goes with the plots which are usually of a dark and dangerous nature.
* The suspense is also often complimented with music which often builds as the suspense does, adding to it.
* The plots usually feature a main hero and villain.
* The camera is often close up to the characters to increase the tension.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Video Project List
Our thriller opening follows a young girl on a night out. The film shows her getting ready and taking cocaine, showing she has a reckless lifestyle. Upon taking a Taxi she finds that the driver is taking her to the wrong location. She is dragged out of the car and into a house where she is taken upstairs and tied to a bed. The opening ends with her being left alone in the dark after the assailant taunts her with a knife from behind the door.
Props:
* Rope
* Towel
* Radio
* Wine Bottle
* Wine Glass
* Phone
Locations: We will be shooting the film at Jade's House.
* Bedroom - Light in dim lighting
* Street
* Car
* Kidnap Room
Characters:
* Girl
* Kidnapper
Props:
* Rope
* Towel
* Radio
* Wine Bottle
* Wine Glass
* Phone
Locations: We will be shooting the film at Jade's House.
* Bedroom - Light in dim lighting
* Street
* Car
* Kidnap Room
Characters:
* Girl
* Kidnapper
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Camera Test
1. What are 2 effects of increasing video gain?
Letting more light into the picture. Making it more pixelated and grainy.
2. What should the shutter speed usually be set to?
50fps
3. When should you increase shutter speed and what is the side effect of doing this?
To shoot get smoother images. The side effect is it requires more light. It is used when you want to do slow motion.
4. What is the purpose of doing a white balance?
To set the colour balance right.
5. What is the effect of increasing the audio gain?
Increasing the volume.
6. Describe the stages of focusing a camera.
Press focus button, zoom in, focus on hair using ring, expanded focus to check,
7. Why would you use the ND filter?
8. If you are shooting in a dark location, would the exposure be better at F1 or F8?
F1 because it takes in more light.
Letting more light into the picture. Making it more pixelated and grainy.
2. What should the shutter speed usually be set to?
50fps
3. When should you increase shutter speed and what is the side effect of doing this?
To shoot get smoother images. The side effect is it requires more light. It is used when you want to do slow motion.
4. What is the purpose of doing a white balance?
To set the colour balance right.
5. What is the effect of increasing the audio gain?
Increasing the volume.
6. Describe the stages of focusing a camera.
Press focus button, zoom in, focus on hair using ring, expanded focus to check,
7. Why would you use the ND filter?
8. If you are shooting in a dark location, would the exposure be better at F1 or F8?
F1 because it takes in more light.
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