Coursework Brainstorming

I will be working with Katie, Khadijah and Amrit.

Preliminary Production Evalution

Task:

Your evaluation needs to include the following:

• Clear reference to the brief, your planning process, how your script/storyboard/shot list helped create the final product and what you would do differently next time in terms of pre-production
• Detailed analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of your film
• Confident use of media language, particularly film language, showing clear understanding of the key concepts of Media Studies (MIGRAIN)

Brief: To produce a short production in which we filmed and edited a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character to engage in a conversation. The production should demonstrate use of the following three elements:

•  Match on action
•  Shot/reverse shot
• 180-degree rule

Planning process and pre production: In our groups (Katie, Amrit and me) we had to produce a storyboard, shot list and script. As a group we all inputted into the creation of all three documents as we planned them out together in lesson time. However, in order to produce the documents as a final piece we went off individually to complete them. Together we produced our shot list which was helpful as we had something to refer to during filming. The shot list also helped us to formulate new ideas during filming which emphasized the genre to the audience in a more unique and exiting way to suture them into the narrative.Then the storyboard provided us with a organised structure to assist us producing particular looks of shots. Achieving such looks was crucial because it helped to make our production more appealing to the audience. Thirdly, there was the script. I think that out of the three documents the script was the most important part because it helped us to establish the result that we were looking for out of our narrative which in turn helped us to ensure that we filmed our shots in the correct way. Overall I think that our pre production  was fairly strong but there was room for improvement. 

Strengthens and weaknesses

I think that mise en scene was one of our strengthens this is because we used natural lighting to our advantage which helped us to create a atmosphere of danger throughout the shoot. Another strengthen I think was editing; however in comparison to the mise en scene it wasn't quite as strong. This is because we could have added voice overs after realizing that the sound files had corrupted. A third strengthen was our cinematography this is because we used a wide variety of shot types to make the production of Contract more interesting for the audience. Although, in my opinion we could have used some other types of shots rather than the same range all the time.Another strengthen of the overall production I think was the choice of sound, we had parallel sound to the production which linked with the genre and atmosphere that we were trying to create. Furthermore, I think that the use of the match on action was demonstrated well at the point of Amrit opening the classroom door through a series of short and concise shots.
Another strengthen of our production was the use of shot/reverse shot which helped us to effectively create the atmosphere of  mystery and build tension and suspense.   

In terms of weaknesses; by accident we broke the 180 degree rule during the scene where we filmed the conversation between Amrit and Katie. Also in some of the scenes particularly when the conversation finished I didn't have Amrit the subject in the frame. I also had a weakness myself individually during the filming which was with the adjustments of the lighting. One last weakness I think was in our pre production planning with the shot list, This is because I think that we/I could have added short information synopsis which detailed which direction the camera was moving in each shot. Personally I think that for me as the camerawoman it would have reduced the chance of me accidentally cutting the subject out of the shot once the conversation had taken place.    

   

Preliminary Production

Film Language Test - Feedback & LR

Feedback from Mr Bush:

WWW: Attempt to incorporate theory
EBI: Re- do question 1 and question 3

Preliminary Planning

Media Awards- Labrat - Why was it the best?

Mise-en-scene
In terms of the costumes in Labrat 'Chris' is dressed like most teenagers; simple and casual attire. This helps the audience to identify with the character and as the narrative develops we can establish that 'Chris' is our protagonist.. However, costumes do alternate between the casual wear and when he puts on the lab coat, gloves etc. The change in costumes could suggest that there are two sides to 'Chris' just like there are two sides to the story that 'Chris' is telling us as the narrative develops. In the clip we also see the person who attacks Chris giving him the bruise under his eye, which allows us to identify him as the antagonist or the villain.  

Next, in relation to the lighting. From the start of the clip into the middle of the clip all the lighting is natural,it is either using light from the sun when outside or light from the rooms when filming is taking place inside the buildings. Then, as we progress towards the end of the clip the filming takes place inside the chemistry lab I think that filler lights were used which help to soften any shadows created by any other lighting. I also think that low key lighting was used at times when a strong contrast between light and dark scenes are noticeable and dramatic shadows are created. This effect comes from the Italian word chiaroscuro.  The use of these lighting types builds up a sense of tension and suspense among the audience, they are likely to try and piece together the development of the clip themselves which also helps to keep them engaged.

The props used are identified at the scenes of the lab. Props used include; Bunsen Burners, Test tubes and a large beaker. The props used helps the audience to understand the importance of chemistry in 'Chris' life. This helps the audience to identify with the character and understand more about him.

The settings alternate between the lab, library and behind a building. Each time the setting is shown on screen it links to what is being said in the audio/dialogue. For example, when we are being told the characters name,age and name of school he attends we are being shown a scene of him in a library. When these shots are stitched together the narrative is following a linear narrative. This means that shots are in sequence with a beginning, middle and end.  

Cinematography
In terms of the camera framing a lot of interesting techniques have been used. To begin the clip, it goes straight into a extreme close up shot of the grass. The use of the of the extreme close up draws attention to the grass and the movement of it. It gets the audience wondering what significance the grass has in the story of 'Chris'. Then, a lot of close ups have been used, particularly of the chemicals in the lab. The use of these close ups highlights a significance of them in Chris's life. However, I think that there is an enigma codes as well. " Why does it have to be chemicals and making things that Chris turns to as a source of money?" and " What is Chris going to do with what he makes?" and " Are his activities legal?" I also identified the use of medium shots, for example a medium shot is used when Chris is speaking to the camera and when he is in the library, the two medium shots coming one after the other emphasizes the body language of Chris. This then helps the audience to further understand and identify with the protagonist. 

Camera Movements are also used excellently. I think that a Steadicam sequence was used for the first into middle section of the clip. This is when the shots are filmed with a camera attached to a shoulder frame that is strapped to the camera operator. The use of a Steadicam allows for extended shots which follow the action shown on screen. With extended shots the audience are almost sutured (Stitched into) into the narrative which keeps them guessing. I also think that a tilt camera movement was used when Chris is ambushed behind the building. The use of the tilt camera movement which is a long shot allows the audience to identify between the protagonist and the antagonist. Being able to identify the two characters means that the clip kind of appeals to the emotional side of the audience because they are likely to feel like they want to help our protagonist in what seems to be his hour of need. 

Sound
From the different types of sounds, I identified the use of diegetic sound at the very start of the birds which helps to set a basic scene for the audience and give them a basic understanding of the narrative. After that non diegetic sound is used which changes the view the audience are likely to already have developed about the atmosphere going from soft and mellow to a slightly more serious atmosphere. There is also a voice over, this helps the audience to really relate to what the character is saying as the story is directly told by him. Then, throughout I think that the clip uses parallel sounds. This means that the sound we hear is linking to what is being shown to us on the screen. I also think there was a sound bridge when we see close ups of the lab equipment as the music we hear continues throughout those scenes and creates a smooth transition from one scene to the next.

Editing
Finally, the editing types that I identified were a fade in/out, straight cuts and jump cuts. The fade out was used when on screen we are shown a close up of Chris and then the screen fades to black and reads ' Labrat' in white writing. However, the straight cuts are used all the time and are the type of editing that we don't realize as they are so frequent. Then, the jump cut that I am identifying is when the antagonist grabs Chris and pushes him to the wall and then the shot changes to Chris in a medical office. I thought this was a jump cut because the audiences attention is focused on what the antagonist is about to do to Chris at which point the shot suddenly changes to Chris in a medical office. Using all these types of shots combined makes the production look very professional and artistic while conveying a strong meaning to the audience

MCCAT
Overall, I think that the Cinematography and the editing of Labrat were what caught my eye and made me chose the production as one of my top 2 along with The Experiment. Together the cinematography and editing in particular make the production look professional and conveys the narrative well.

Media Awards - The Experiment. Why it was the best?

I think that the two best Y12 productions are The Experiment and Labrat. Below I will comment on both using the techniques I have have learnt in my first half term of AS Media Studies.

The Experiment

Mise En Scene
In regards to the Mise- en- scene throughout the clip the narrative is constantly emphasized to the audience which helps to keep them engaged and interested in the clip. However, below I will break it down into the different elements of Mise-en-scene.

In terms of costume throughout the clip, the protagonist is continuously shot wearing the same outfit apart from when the flashback is shown. This highlights the difference in the girl’s life before she started running from the environment she once used to call home. This makes the audience relate to her unfortunate situation as it reaches out the audiences emotional side.

The clip conveys the narrative well through the facial expressions of the actors/actresses.  The protagonist (girl continuously running) has a look of worry and distress on her face which engages the audience emotionally into the narrative. This is because they are likely to feel sympathetic and feel like they want to help the girl.

After watching the clip, I noticed that lighting for the majority of the clip was fairly gray and dimly lit. The bit of the clip that differs is the flashback. This creates a strong contrast between the two different lives of the girl. The narrative is again well demonstrated through the lighting because we can associate loneliness and isolation to the clip.

 When Mise-en-scene is abbreviated to CLAMPS, the ‘M’ stands for makeup/hair.  Therefore, for this clip; we do not actually see anyone who is wearing make up in the majority. This emphasizes that time is of the essence to the main character and she does not have time for that sort of stuff in her new life that she has to lead.

The settings that alternate between the destroyed house and the deserted woods emphasize the narrative to the audience about loneliness and destruction of the girl’s life, as she has nobody to turn to for help. The third setting is based in a park at the moment of the flashback, when the girl remembers what her life used to be like before creating a more jubilant atmosphere.

Cinematography

In terms of Cinematography a lot  of excellent techniques were used in both the camera movement and the camera framing.  The first shot we see is a over the shoulder shot of the person looking at the evidence which leads them to "Alissa Garcia". The fact that the audience remains in the dark about the identity of that person suggests that they are the antagonist. This is because villains in film extracts don't normally show themselves straight away at least not until the protagonist goes looking for them. The second type of camera shot I identified was a close up, of the map on the wall which had the word' Green ford' highlighted in yellow. The use of this close up  draws the audiences attention to the map which creates questions for the audience known as enigma codes. " Why does the unidentified character have a map labeling Greenford"? " Of what significance is Greenford to them?" 

Then, in terms of camera movement, the first type of movement I spotted was a tracking shot. This means that the camera ran along pre laid tracks for the purposes of capturing a specific piece of action. In relation to the clip, the tracking shot is used when the protagonist is running through the deserted woods. The use of the tracking shot makes the audience feel like they are running with her, which means they are sutured into the narrative. I also identified a small series of point of view shots. These allow the audience to further identify with the characters, as they are almost placed in the shoes of the actors they see on screen. There are also a few close up shots such as when the flashback is shown, these help to emphasise how big of a change has taken place in the girls life.

Sound

The different types of sound used vary a lot throughout The Experiment clip.

The use of a radio audio immediately helps us to associate the genre of this narrative.

I identified non-diegetic sound when the music is played in the background of the clip; this helps to unnerve the audience and creates a tense and unsettled atmosphere.  The creation of the unsettled atmosphere helps the audience with the identification of the different characters within the clip although we really only see the identity of the protagonist rather than the antagonist.  There was also a use of diegetic sound; this is when the flashback is shown. The use of the diegetic sound here helps the audience to understand the importance of the memories to a girl who has to spend her life on the run. This is also a area where the audience are engaged emotional because it helps to make them realize how importance memories are and how important life is in general, makes them value their memories and life more.

Editing

Finally, in terms of the editing the majority of the clip was made up of straight cuts and continuity editing. Straight cuts are so common the audience does not tend to notice them and continuity editing is when shots are placed logically so that one event follows on from the next.  An example, of continuity editing is when we see a series of buildings and then we see a kitchen. This makes us make a relation that the kitchen is likely to be inside one of these buildings.  At the time of the flashback, there is use of a fade out/in editing technique as well as a dissolve. These techniques appeal to the emotional and somewhat psychological side of the target audience.

MCCAT

Overall, the media language techniques used were clear and strongly emphasized throughout The Experiment which is why I chose it as one of the best two productions from the Media Awards 2015. I would say that the best-represented aspect of media language is the Mise-en –scene and editing. This is because they together appealed to all types of audiences in a variety of different ways. I also liked the creativity around the narrative and the production work because it made it bespoke against the other productions and I would say that is one of the reasons why it won the award for the best production overall in A Level.