ISL WEEK 3.

CASINO ROYALE!

This shot is a Mid Shot (MS) it still gives a clear picture of what’s going on and the surroundings. The camera is facing straight on so he is in the centre of the picture. Using the rule of three you can see the gun is the main object so makes you think this scene is going to be violent. This shot is also good at showing the emotion on the characters face, which you can see here he is obviously facing someone ready to shoot them. The lighting seems to be coming from the right hand side reflecting off the gun which makes the audience draw to that.

This still image is a Long Shot (LS) it shows clearly what’s happening and where. We can see from this picture there is an explosion taking place. We can see this at eye level so draws you to the whole picture straight away. By the scene being filmed at night, it makes the flames stand out more which make the picture more exciting. In this scene music is played to make it a more dramatic, tension part of the film.

This image would be a close up as it shows the characters facial expression. Using the white curtain contrasts to his face so you’re drawn to him. The lighting is going straight to his face so you know he must be looking out a window. Also, his face expressions show his feeling to the viewer so from this picture you can tell he’s thinking about something that he’s not happy with, so he must be plotting revenge. He could also be watching someone as the curtains aren’t fully open, he’s just peeping out.

This shot would be called a two shot. It shows the two subjects having a conversation as it follows both their action and movement. You can see clearly the reaction of one of the characters rather than the other, which would explain the sort of subjects being discussed. The camera angle is straight on but slightly turned on the main character (James bond). The lighting seems to be coming in from the right to shine on his face, while the women’s face is a little shaded. They’re outside away from everyone so looks like a very tense/important conversation.

This shot would be a Medium Close Up (MCU) as it shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close. It would be a better image on the face if it was a close up. The camera angle is pointing straight forward making it eye-level, by making no camera angles it’s making the picture more realistic. It shows he’s looking at something/someone so he might have got caught doing something he shouldn’t be doing (like going on the computer) or just having a brief conversation with someone not showing the other person. It shows little surroundings which seems to be out of focus which draws more attention on the character, so he’s the main object.

Poster Analysis (The Happening)

This image focuses on the 3 characters being locked in the safe house away from the outside world.

The light source would be coming from the window so focuses straight on the characters making them the main object.

As there in a safe house it suggests that it's a house that has been through the war, so everyone around would be quite antique. Also, it's in the middle of knowhere as not many of them houses are around anymore which links to the thriller genre in that no ones around so you don't know what's going to happen.

It is a 3 shot as there are 3 characters in and a long shot as it shows a bit of the lanscape their in. This gives the viewer a sense of location their in and could make them feel as if something might happen to them.

From this image i can see the technique used is the rule of thirds as the characters are the in the middle of the screen so it draws the audiences eyes to them.

Psycho Shower Scene. (ESSAY)

Psycho Shower Scene.

During the film ‘Psycho’ there are many physical aspects of which would associate it being a thriller genre. The scene mainly focused on is the shower scene in which the victim gets repeatedly stabbed by an unknown character. Throughout this scene you get a clear view of the setting, props, lighting, sound and camera angles. All of these contribute to the mise en scene.

Firstly, the setting is set to be seen in a hotel room in the location we believe is Los Angeles. The hotel itself is set in the middle of nowhere which is surprising as normally a setting like that is way livelier and more movement. This would give the audience a sign something unexpected might happen. The hotel room is pretty simple with a door leading to the bathroom. The main light source comes from there as it becomes clearer than the other room. This shows the contrast with the room and shows something bad may occur. You start to feel uneasy in how she enters the bathroom without locking the door behind her, this is when the unknown character enters and stabs her to her death. As there is a quiet surrounding the hotel is potentially empty in which the victim is on her own with no one to help her. Even if she could escape the shower there is little chance of escaping the room due to the fact the villain is blocking the only available exit.

The most significant prop used in this scene is the Knife. Connections to the knife normally mean death and it becomes the main object in the stabbing sequence due to the fact the victims being stabbed to death. As you can see from the picture the lighting appears to be coming from the right hand side of the frame and reflecting off the knife making it more visible. It draws the victim’s attention to the knife and the killer is in an offensive stance so the victim knows she’s about to die. During the stabbing sequence there is a thunderstorm going on outside which would connect to the violent atmosphere around the victim being murdered.  Another prop used to good effect is the plughole in the shower. After the victim is stabbed the blood flows down the plughole which acts as a parallel to the victims life as it is coming to an end. A clever transition is used between the plughole and the victims dilating eye. The water going down the plughole shows how her life is being washed away as it is coming to an end.

There are also many effective sounds used in this scene, both non digetic and digetic. For example, the non digetic sounds include the water going down the plughole. It sounds as if it gets blocked so echo’s throughout the duration of going down and begins to fade more and more. This would reflect to her life as her life is fading away as she slowly comes to her death. Another non digetic sound is the stabbing taking place towards the victim, and the noises from the villain as she’s stabbing the women. Also, the music has a large effect on the non digetic side as it builds the tension when she’s coming to her death. The digetic sounds are more significant in the scene. For example, the women’s scream and the water from the shower head. The water takes place throughout the murder and after as it’s a running shower so continuously stays on.

The lighting of the scene is used in to create the mood of the victim. The room is brightly lit as explained previously. If a room is lit, one is vulnerable or she is exposed. In this scene you feel the women is exposed due to the fact of the murderer. As well as the room being lit, light sources reflect off objects (for instance the knife) making her feel more vulnerable about what’s round the corner to attack her.

Throughout the shower scene there are many different camera angles that have been used. They mainly change as it gets more intense which flows with the background music for more effect. The effects speed up as the stabbing sequence is repeated. The setting we see is in 3 perspectives, the victims, the killer and the 3^rd person who is watching everything.

Many close ups are used in this scene to show detail or emotion. It normally has a light source in an easy place so the subject is lit up more.

For example, there is an extreme close up on the knife; the light source comes from the right hand corner showing it to be the main object. To create it being the main subject golden mean has been used.

They also use high angle shots above the subject to show lack of power. It gives the viewer a sense that the victim is feeling venerable. It is in the thirds persons view as it shows the surroundings.

Another shot used is pan shot. It follows the subject and gives a sense of moving with the action. It shows a close up of the victim and a clear outline of the unknown character through the shower curtains. It pans across to the charater coming through the door until it gets right up close to the certain.

There are many different shots taking place throughout the stabbing scene as it becomes more tense and changes quickly with the music. The thunderstorm going on outside builds to the tension in which in keeps skiping to it. It shows the violence that is happening and that no one can stop it, it’s powerless, just like the victim. This shot would be classed as a jump shot in which it’s not relivent to the scene but keeps the tension building.

In conclusion, all the phisical aspects used have made this film a thriller genre. The setting, lighting, sounds and camera actions have all been used in what a thriller genre would exspect. It is a film that gets you on the edge of your seat and has a good plot behind it making it unpredictable. The different techniques used really give a sense of the mise en scene and have been used in the right way to make this a film not to miss out on.

ISL. WEEK 2.

Produce a glossary of terms for editing techniques - cover the different types of transitions, continuity editing, match on action, shot reverse shot.


Transitions- These are the way two shots are joined together. Keeps continuity and pace in the film. The straight cut is the most common transition, where one shot cuts straight to the next.

Dissolve- A gradual transition from one shot to another - one shot fades into another. Can help continuity show a move from one location to the next, indicate time passing.

Fade to black/white- One shot fades in or out to our from black or white. To create flashbacks or time passing or if done quickly, flashbacks.

Fade in/out- A shot faded out to black screen or in from black scene. Shows progression of time, chaotic. a good montage effect.

Cross-Cutting- Action cuts between two sequences to create links, parrallels or contrasts between the two storylines and their settings. Its used to create tension.

Wipe- A line moves across the screen showing a transition from one shot to another. 

Jump Cut- An abrupt cut between shots. Creates a dramatic effect - Can look poor if done badly!

Visual Effects- Ranges from using black and white to computer generated images.

Diegetic Sound- Heard on and recorded from the location of the film, e.g. speech.

Non-diegetic Sound- The sound is added when being edited to add to the atmosphere e.g. sound effects.

Montage- Allowing the audience to make meaning from the sequencing of images. Used to show passing of time and progression of a character of relationship.

Shot Reverse Shot- Edits together two shots from two different camera positions to give the impression of a conversation taking place.

Match on Action- When shots are edited together to shot how actions progress through time - shows cause and effect

ISL. WEEK 1.

Produce a glossary of terms for camera shots, composition, framing and angles. Explain the meanings for the audience different shots can be used to create it.

Composition – Where objects are placed/arranged in a shot.

Rule of Thirds – when composing a shot imagine a grid over the top of it. Points of interest occur where the lines cross.

The Golden Mean – when composing a shot imagine a diagonal lie over the top of it. Points of interest occur along that line.

Framing – What you choose to include in the shot and what you choose to leave out. What you leave out can be important...a thriller shot might exclude objects to create tension.

Extreme Long Shot(ELS) -  The subject isn't clearly visible. The point of the shot is to show the subjects surroundings. Often used as an 'establishing' shot - the first shot of a new scene. designed to show the audience where the action is taking place. It is also useful in scenes where the action is very spread out. For example, in a war movie an extreme wide shot can show the scale of the action.

Long Shot(LS) – The subject normally takes up the whole frame. It can also be used to show a character in its environment.

Mid Shot(MS) – This shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. Useful to show a subject is speaking without too much emotion. Works well when speaker is giving information e.g. television presenters.

Medium Close Up(MCU) – This is half way between a mid shot and a close up. This shows the face more clearly without getting uncomfortably close.

Close Up(CU) – A certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up on their face. Useful for showing detail.

Extreme Close Up(ECU)  - The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail. Can show important detail on an object. It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes

Cut Away(CA) – Normally used to “buffer” between shots. It can add interest/information. Or just to help the editing process. A cutaway is a shot that is usually of something other than the current action.

Two Shot – Good for establishing a relationship between subjects. A two shot could also involve movement or action. Good way to follow the interaction between two people without getting distracted by their surroundings.

Over the Shoulder Shot – This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The person facing the subject should usually occupy about 1/3 of the frame. This shot helps to establish the position of each person, and get the feel of looking at one person from the other's point of view.

Noddy Shot – Normally used in interviews. This is a shot of a person listening and reacting to the subject  The nods are editing into the interview later.

Point of View Shot(POV) – This shot shows a view from the subjects perspective. It is usually edited in such a way that it is obvious whose POV it is.

Low Angle Shot – The shot is taken from below, looking up at the subject, Giving a sense of power and authority. Puts the viewer in a helpless/inferior position.

High Angle Shot – The shot is taken from above the subject looking down at it. Giving a sense of lack of power, leaving the viewer feeling powerful.

Pan – The camera moves on a tripod from left to right, following the subject. Gives a sense of moving with the action.

Tracking Shot – The camera moves on a dolly to follow the subject. Gives a sense of speed and moving with the action.

Tilt –  Camera pans vertically - up and down. Can give a sense of size and height.

Canted/Dutch Angle Shot – Camera position is not straight towards the subject. Can give a sense of choas, insanity or things being out of ordinary.

Zoom In/Out – The camera focuses zooming in or out on a key detail. Can highlight significant objects to audience.

Steadicam/Handheld – The camera moves with the action. Giving the viewer a sense of realism. Can create tension/excitement when used.

Crane Shot – The camera takes high angle shots looking down on the subject. Crane can track, pan and tilt. Gives a sense of size and scale; of how the subject fits into the setting.

Aerial Shot – The camera is positioned in a plane or helicopter to get an ELS high angle shot. Gives a sense of location/scale/size.

16.09.11

Friday's lesson was actually really good. We watched a film called 'Psycho' which was a thriller genre. I haven't seem the film before so it was good to get the chance of watching it. We only watched the middle scene just to get a taste of it.


Before watching it we all got a picture of the timeline of the film and had to stand in order of which we thought the film went in, using notes of analysis to explain our answer. It was a surprise to see that we put some of the pictures in the wrong place, but as we watched it we knew we were looking through the eyes of the women not the killer so that's where we went wrong.


After watching the film we analysed it using the thriller genre and wrote down notes on mis-en-scene, setting, plot, sound and SFX, character and camera work. This helped us understand the film and help us in the future with our exam work.

Thriller

Thriller: Noun (psychological)

A book, film or play depicting crime, mystery, or espionage is an atmosphere of excitement and suspense.

Features of Conventions

Digetic/non digetic – outside the world.

imdb

Films:

Seven

The Happening

Memento (non linear – start to finish) Hybrid genre – bringing things together. (shaun of the dead)

Signs

The Others

Taxi Driver

Genre.

Genre

Genre is a type or category of film. It is a way of classifying a film to help us to identify it so we can:

Create it – for a director of a film

Choose it – for a member of an audience

Understand it – for a student of a film

Types of Genre: Horror, Thriller, comedy, drama, action, fiction, social drama, slasher(scream movies),animation, romance, tragedy, adventure, documentary, western, musical, sci-fi, war, fantasy, gangster.

Major genre: a dominant, important category, it should be obvious and easy to define.

Subgenre: a minor category or subdivision that is closely related to its major genre by being a specific type In its own right, eg. James Bond.

Hybrid genre or generic hybrid: combination of major genres that sometimes creates another type of film eg horror/western.

How do we use the concept of genres?

Audiences analyse, identify, niche, characters, storyline, stars, sell, formula which works, advertisers, expect, historical, attract, marketed, constructed, target, mainstream.

How do we recognise genre?

Generic codes, conventions, signifiers (sign of something. Horror knife), mise-en-scene, characters, storyline, meaning.

Contextualise: make sense of something which is gives out of context. Give meaning and understanding.

The mis-en-scene is what which we see in the frame d the film: it is that which is ‘put into’ the picture. So this would include the set, the props, the costumes, and the landscape in the world of the film.

Review on Paranormal Activity. Thriller/Horror.

Hearing about the film Paranormal Activity and from seeing the advert for it, I knew this was a film I needed to watch!

This film gets you jumping from one scene to another and more than likely gets you to be best friends with a pillow. The opening scene begins with the girl (Katie) driving up the driveway while the man (Micha) is filming her, so you soon realize the film is being based using a recorder. It all seems pretty normal at this bit and acts like a totally normal film.

As it gets into the film Katie believes she is being haunted by a demon. Her boyfriend Micah wants to capture the evidence on film so sets up a camera and points it to their bed as they sleep. He uses a wide angle that frames the bed on the right half of the screen, the open door to the hallway on the left. This angle will show the film’s most effective scenes. As the camera's time scrolls by at some speed through the night and then slows down to real time, we just know that something in that general area of the frame is going to happen.

The films tension builds up as we hear a clatter of keys dropping off the downstairs table. The next night, the bedroom door closes halfway and re-opens. Later, the patter of feet and a whispering voice. All out of the hallway which we can just barely see through the door.

The more the film bumps up its action the less scary the film comes. The film winds up being a generic, horror territory with the shrieking. I found the final scene to be the worst out of the whole Film. It rises and rises the tension before suddenly finishing with a bang. At this point all the camera work is in the bedroom and stays there, so you can just hear the terrifying noises being created.

One thing the film proves it how effective a tripod can be even in this documentary style film. The fixed wide-angle shot of the bedroom provides nervous energy then all the hand-held close-up shots in the whole film.