'The Ward' - John Carpenter Opening Sequence (Time Line Analysis)

Evaluation of our Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task - Finishing Product

Preliminary Task - Final Product

 

This is our finished short-film we needed to complete for our Preliminary Task.

Director - Lena Mirghani

Filmer - Alicia Perry (me)

Actors - Ellot Raj

            Jay Rana

 

Genre: Crime/Drama

 

'THE DRUG DEAL'

 

 



Shooting schedule, Equiptment and Editing Software - Preliminary Task Preparation

 

This is our shooting Schedule for our Preliminary Task, its not very large as we expected it not to take longer than just a few lessons, which is what happened. That is why our shooting schedule is so small.

 

We used a Bloggie camera for our recording, hand-held to create the look as if somebody was constantly following/watching them, like God.

 

Elliott kindly offered to edit our video using his own software in his own spare time, of which we are unsure of the name.



Storyboard - Preliminary Task Preparation

STORYBOARD

 

We decided for our preliminary task to make our short video based on a drug deal as we wanted to develop mystery and suspense and discussed good ways in which we could benefit from this in our shots. The genre in this short recording is crime/drama. The title of our film we decided to call 'drug deal' as we liked the idea of the simple realism in this. The overall mood would be risky and dangerous, creating suspense and the audience questioning the motives of the characters right until the very end where they're both revealed.

 

 



PRELIMINARY TASK INTRODUCTION

This is my Preliminary Task Group, Lena, Alicia (Me), Elliott and Jay.

Preliminary Task Introduction

For this continuity task, we had to make a short-film and edit the shots we took of a character opening and walking through a door, crossing a room and sitting on a chair joining another character and exchanging dialogue.

In this task we had to demonstrate specific shots, which were match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree angle.

In a group discussion, we decided that it would be focused on a drug deal between two characters. The setting of our film would be in a dimmed room and the lighting will be spotlighted on the table they will meet at. We also thought of not showing the characters facial identity until the end of the short film to create suspense.

mise-en-scene

I worked with Lena and Alys on the mise-en-scene and this is the plan that, as a group, we created.

Camera Movement

CAMERA MOVEMENT
 

A director of a film uses camera movement to tell set the scene of action in a series of different cuts.

Pan

 

A pans movement scans a scene horizontally. The way this is done, is that the camera is placed on a tripod horizontally opposite their shot and this helps because it is like a stationary axis point as the camera is scanning the scene. This is used often to follow moving objects in the film, and these objects are always positioned in the middle of the frame.

 

 Tilt

Similar to a pan movement, a tilt movement also scans a scene but this time vertically.

 Dolly Shot

Dolly shots, also otherwise known as ‘trucking’ or ‘tracking’ shots, is placed on a moving vehicle and follows alongside the action (usuallyy a moving figure or object) while filming it. Complicated dolly shots involve tracks being laid on the set, like a railway, for the camera to follow. In dolly shots, cameras may be mounted on cars, planes or trains anything that moves to follow the action. Shopping trolleys are also used if independent film-makers want to save money. Dolly shots help to portray movement and the journey of a character in the film. Also, it is used when moving from a long shot to a close-up, focusing on a particular character or object.

 

 

  Hand Held Shot

 

Hand-held shots can be used if directors want to move in and out of a scene with speed. ually described as producing a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ effect. This type of shot does give a jerky, messy effect and not as smooth as other shots. There is one invention called the Steadicam, which is when a camera is attached to an operator by a harness, making it move independantly because it is stabilized. This brought smoothness to the hand-held shot people desired. This type of shot is usually used in ‘walk and talk’ sequences and denote some realism within the scene to make the viewer feel a part of it.

 

Crane Shot

 

Crane shots are just like dolly shots although their in the air, the camera is carried on a crane which is a good efficent way to move the camera up, down, left, right or flying anywhere. The camera is counter-balanced with weights and cranes and are usually operated by a skilled crane member.



                                                                                                     

 

Zoom Lenses

 

This changes the magnification of an image. Meaning the photographer can get a ‘close up’ shot while being distanced from the object or character. This is very useful when trying to magnify a wild animal. Video zoom lens’ can change positioning of the audience very fast (smash zoom) or very slow barely moving the camera, saving lots of time. The zoom lense is used a lot by directors trying to portray movement and excitement in a scene.

                                                                                                

 

Aerial Shot

 

Usually taken from a helicopter, the aerial shot is similar to a crane shot. Often used at the beginning of movies, establishing setting and movement. Being a flexible version of a crane, helicopters are useful as they can move anywhere in and out of scenes

                                              

Camera Angles

CAMERA ANGLES

Birds Eye View

A birds eye view is a scene from directly overhead. The shot puts the viewers into what is described as a 'godlike' position, as it is viewed like god views the world - from above. This shot looks down on the action. Sometimes, characters in birds eye view shots are made to look ant-like. 

High Angle

The High Angle shot isn't as extreme as a birds eye view. This shot is elevated using a crane above the action, to give a general overview of what is happening in the scene. Objects seem smaller, less scary, and less significant. The character in these types of shots becomes part of a wider picture.

Eye Level

An eye level shot comes across to seem as if it is humanly observing a scene, or in another perspective a characters point of view (POV). Usually, the camera is positioned approximately 5-6 feet off the ground to imitate a grown man/woman. 

Low Angle

Low angled shots increase height in a shot. (Short actors benefit from this). It also emphasizes a lot of power to the audience. Backgrounds of love angle shots are normally the sky or ceiling of the scene. These types of shots tend to inspire fear and insecurity to the viewer, who is psychologically dominated by the object/character.

Oblique/Canted Angle

Often in oblique/canted angles, the camera is tilted. This is suggesting to the viewer a view of imbalance, transition and instability. This exact type of angle is very common in horror/thriller movies. It is also used to suggest point of view shots to the audience - creating suspense.

Framing or Shot Length

FRAMING OR SHOT LENGTH

Extreme Long Shot

An extreme long shot can be taken from as far as a quarter of a mile away from the scene. This type of shot is usually used to set the scene and normally shows the exterior of something (for example a famous building like the eiffel tower) or a landscape (an example of this is the picture on the left. A long shot landscape picture of the famous tourist destination that is known as New York City). An extreme long shot is normally used to show thrilling action scenes, like battles, or disaster films. Not a very large scale of detail is shown in this type of shot as it is meant to give out an impression to the audience rather than detailed information.

Long shot

A long shot is described as an approximately 'life-size' image often of characters in the scene. This means, it is meant to include something called a 'full shot', which shows the entire human body from head to toe, fitting into the shot nicely. If the characters in the image I chose to use on the right weren't submerged in water, you'd be able to see the full shot of both of their whole human bodies. The scene normally focuses on the characters in long shots, but also need to consider the attention to detail in the background aswell. For example, the image on the right which is from the famous film 'Titanic' shows the two characters struggling to push through the water to escape and rescue each other from the sinking ship. You notice in the background that what was once the entrance to the 'rich' part of the ship, the grand staircase, is now being engulfed in water destroying it's beauty.  

Medium Shot

A medium shot usually shows the character from their knees/waist up. These types of shots are normally when dialogue is used, or to show action in detail. This shot could vary from a 'Two Shot', which films characters from the waist up. Or the 'Three Shot' which contains three characters in the scene from the waist up. Any more than three, and the scene falls into the 'long shot' catergory. Medium shots have little background detail focusing just on the character. Another varied shot in this catergory is the 'Over-the-shoulder' shot, which positions the camera over the shoulder of the actor, to reveal what their attention is towards.

Close-up Shot

Close up shots doesn't show a lot of background as it is usually blurred away. Instead, this shot fully concentrates on the characters facial expressions, other objects, or specific details of mise en scène. A close-up shot focuses fully on the object, showing the importance of it. It gives us a sort of feel of the character, helps us to explore their thoughts and their mind. Close-ups are known as very intimate shots as usually when somebody is close up to our face it is somebody we know well. This shot is used to make the audience feel either fully comfortable or overly uncomfortable about the character. Usually, a zoom lens is used in order to get the required effect of the framing in the scene.

Extreme Close-up Shot

 The clue is in the name as to what this shot provides to the viewer. It is magnifying far more than a close up and not what anybody in the audience would experience in reality. For example, an extreme close-up would only show a single facial feature of a character like their eyes or mouth. No background detail is presented at all. This shot can be used for dramatic effect in a scene. Extra care and consideration should be taken when using different light angles and how the camera is held without shaking should be noted.

About me

My full name is Alicia Louise Perry. I am sixteen years old and I'm currently doing my A Levels right now at The Cherwell School. The subjects I am studying are: Media Studies, Business, English Literature and Psychology. I also previously attended The Cherwell School to study my GCSE's and left with 10 above C-grade. I love to spend time with my friends and family and I also enjoy singing and music.