PRELIMINARY EXERCISES

Table Top Title Sequence

We viewed Delicatessen's title sequence (1991, Jean-Pierre Jeunet) and To Kill a Mocking Bird (1962, Robert Mulligen)  and focused on how the tracking shots were created to reflect a meaning. A story is told and a theme is represented throughout. The camera cuts into different shots throughout the title sequence, zooming in on food products which are visual codes for a restaurant of some description.This was successful because it told the audience that the story is about food on an ongoing basis. As many of the food items have French words written on them, this leads the audience to assume that is where it is taking place. 

In addition, credits were added to product labels and old recipe sheets to enable the audience to understand who created the film and behind it the production team. The camera, however, also adds different parts of the body to the shot, showing the audience that the film is about murder and mystery.

We then used it as an inspiration after viewing the title sequences to create an original title sequence, following the same theme of 'Tabletop'. We did this in groups and set up the table, which followed a theme to create the same enigma. This was created by choosing a set soundtrack for the sequence using props from the range we had. We decided to set the Nostalgia soundtrack by Emily Barker (the song of the Wallander theme).

After choosing the music and choosing the props, we started to start the top of the filming table. We decided to use cash, a brief case, a pistol, a snake, bottles of alcohol, etc. After that, we selected some objects and put them on the table in a way that suggests a story. What we decided to go with was a story that involved a assassination attempt and the enigma being who it was. We utilised a picture of the victim and a large red circle around their face, this was used to act as a stereotypical visual code for a victim who is targeted with the intention to kill.

We didn't want our table top scene to be too static nor did we want it too active. We decided to include 3 examples of movement within the opening: the briefcase to reveal the victim and payment (connoting intent), the snake (suggesting betrayal) and the gun loading (showing the possible end to someone's life and the end of the tabletop sequence).

By adding live action to help viewers visualise the reason behind the story, we continued our filming. We decided to add the sequence at the end to add to the suspense and enigma style of genre. As we saw in Delicatessen, having the live action at the end of a silhouetted figure walking away added a question which we led the audience to have their own questions about.

With the credits, we came up with the idea to try to replicate what we saw in Delicatessen and to try and make the credits flow effortlessly into the opening of the film. Unfortunately we found this to be very time consuming. We found enjoyment in syncing the visuals with the lyrics and the audio of the song, such as when a door is mentioned the live action scene cuts to the man walking towards the door, which i thought was very successful.

Using Green Screens

To show off our skills and ability to use green screen technology, we were given the chance to interview Michaela Strachan of Winterwatch on the BBC by School. We decided to film the interview in front of the green screen so that we were able to super impose a different back ground onto the interview. We decide to get a picture of the newly built Sixth Form bar area to super impose onto the interview.

During the editing process, we decided to use Adobe Premier Pro to edit the interview with. We added a preface to the interview with the School's logo in the middle. We used Lumetri colour within Premier Pro to select a colour scheme that we wanted to highlight within the frame. We took mulitple samples of the green colours involved in the back ground with Michaela and us in front. This was to make sure we didn't get any green glow around us, the interviewers or Michaela herself. This was a very successful task that we managed to accomplish.

I think that the effect we managed to create was very effective and looked natural too. I am very happy with the outcome, and a big thank you to both Michaela and School for giving us the opportunity to experiment and develop our editing skills.

Continuity Editing

As a part of my Preliminary exercises, Charlie S, Alex W and I made a short film under the name of The Deal. The idea of this short film was to show our skills as directors and editors. Our film followed many of the mystery genre stereotypes. The main stereotype we followed for an old 1960's style mystery was the greyscale colours we used in the visuals to portray the time at which this was taking place. Another stereotype we used was the soundtrack playing in the background. The non-diegetic music was stereotypical jazz that would've been used in the mystery genre at the time. It had a modern twist on it, by increasing the tempo of the song. In the editing of the film, we used Adobe Premiere Pro as it is a software we are all accustomed to. We put the images together and added the soundtrack.

We tried to incorporate as many different types of shots as possible for this short film without destroying the flow of the linear storyline.  All of the shots used can be found atop right of your screen whilst watching but a list of the shot types can be found below:

- Establishing shot
- Handheld over the shoulder shot
- Tracking shot
- Low angle (two-shot)
- Crab left shot
- Mid shot
- Tilt pan down

The most effective shot that I found was the crab walk left, as it showed the viewer the intention of the two men without any action happening on screen. I also feel it helped to introduce the action that was about to happen and helped the flow of the editing.

Shot Types

I have studied camera angles and shot types by reading Professor Daniel Chandler’s website called: The Grammar of Film and Television

Medium Close up Shot: A medium close up shot is used in films to portray the emotions the character is feeling at any one time. They focus on the upper section of the body to have the face of the actor. MCU’s also provide a sense of distance.

Mid Long Shot: A mid-long shot are favoured in documentaries that have social themes to keep people in the longer shots. This can create an idea that the social circumstances are still taking place (in the way of conversation) rather than focusing an individual in the the frame at any one time.

Mid Shot: A mid shot is where the actor takes up roughly equal areas within the frame of the shot. Gestures can still be seen, which creates a difference in comparison to a closeup.

Extreme Closeup An extreme close up is used in the film to exercise the emotion of stress. For example, an extreme close up may be used to portray the stress of a person trying to do a job as they race against the clock.

Point of view shot: mimics what the person is seeing/feeling

Low Level: Used to exaggerate the person's importance within a frame or upon entering.

Canted Angle (Dutch Angle): Could be used to emphasise the effect of an event happening within the film it is being used, for example, it could show the effects of alcohol usage very effectively.

Worm’s Eye: A worm’s eyeshot is also used to exaggerate someone’s size and/or importance within the frame

Birds eye view: To exaggerate a characters vulnerability or weakness

Tilt Down: Vertical movement of the camera on a pivot from the sky to the ground

Pan Left: Camera swivels from a fixed point on the tripod from right to left

Zoom Out: In a zooming shot the camera does not move, simply the lens. The camera starts from a close-up shot and slowly or quickly depending on the intended tempo, it moves to a long shot or mid-shot. This type of shot can be used to surprise the viewer or zooming out, in this case, can be used to establish a scene.

Tracking Shot: A tracking shot is used to follow a person’s movement. The camera is moved smoothly towards or away from the subject. The speed of the track may affect the viewer's mood.

Handheld: A handheld camera shot can produce jerky, bouncy or a chaotic frame. This can produce a sense of immediacy. Its use is a form of subject treatment.