Filming Review

I felt overall filming went really well. I got most of all the shots I needed and I wasn't in a rush at any of my locations I feel like I tried to use a variety of camera angles while filming which really shows in my opening sequence. One thing that definitely helped was using the monopod; it meant I had a lot more flexibility and movement. Unfortunately at my first location the camcorder ran out of charge so I had to switch to my camera, this was not as easy to use as the camcorder but worked just as well. Also at one location I didn't have a monopod so my original footage was rather shaky but once I stabilized it the footage isn't any different.

Research and developing my ideas

Looking at different post-apocalyptic short films and scenes to see how they have shown setting. This will help with my own film ideas and ideas about props and camera angles.

Breaking the Fourth Wall

Breaking the fourth wall is when an actor directly talks to the audience or camera, this can be used to encourage audience participation. Also its used in Submarine in the opening sequence.

Opening scene Anaylsis - City of God

This opening is completely different to Jackie Brown, it starts of straight away with short shots no more than a second per frame and upbeat music. This means we pick up little bits of information from each shot which make up the setting, these shots are at different angles some high on someone's feet and others low angled up at somebodies face. These are all close up shots which mean we can focus on what is going on and means we aren't overloaded with information. The slightly longer shots are of the chicken which is an important to starting the story and there's a subtle pause. All these shots create a busy atmosphere and so us the culture of the scene. We are given a lot more information than the long shots in Jackie Brown. As the pace quickens we see medium shots as the chase begins. The use of several different angles speeds up the opening as they are contrasting. Next the pace is stopped to introduce two main characters in the film and there is a still, long shot to show they are important. After some more quick pace shots, it stops for wider shots which creates tension, especially when we see the panning shot showing the setting around the boy.

Opening scene anaylsis - Jackie Brown

This is opening is made up of several long shots which focus on one character as she makes her way across the airport. We start by seeing a side profile and the opening credits appearing, we focus on these because the shot is very still and we only know its moving because the background wall changes. This shot is medium close up so we don't see any of the setting around giving us little information. Next shot is a close up of luggage deliberately moving the other way to the previous shot. The next few shots are shorter than the first and give us more detail about the setting telling us she's in an airport. Next we go back to long shots but at a low angle on the side and then front really focusing us on the character so we know she is important, this also shows us a lot more of the setting but just what you typically expect of a airport. Then back to a similar shot to the first but a close up reducing information of the setting again. As the character starts running the speed picks up but we still see a long side profile shot. Personally I find this a lot less interesting than an opening with many different camera angles but  the lack of information and plot can stimulate interest and curiosity into what's going to happen.

Camera shots and angles

 

Establishing - Normally shows the outside of the building before cutting to a scene inside so the viewer knows where the actors are. This is more common on tv shows and soaps which use the same locations.

Wide - This gives you lots of information and normally is used to show setting because it doesn't focus on anything in particular. It gives the viewer and idea of where the scene is similar to an establishing shot.

Close up - Focuses on someone's face and is used to introduce characters as we note their appearance and remember their face.

High and Low angle - These are used to show the dominance of a character over another as a high angle can make a character seem shorter and low angle taller. This can also be used to hide height difference between actors for example Tom Cruise is actually quite short but we don't notice it in films.

Extreme close up - Is often used in horror movies or to show emotion on someone's face like focusing on a tear.

Two shot - Is useful to capture setting as well as the relationship between two characters as we see the whole of their body and stuff going on in the background.

Worm's eye view - Is an extreme low angle which also shows the dominance of character and taller and they fill the shot.

Bird's eye view - Makes the people look very small and shows the view from a helicopter above.

Shot/ reverse shot - An effective way to shoot a conversation because it captures what the actors are saying clear and their whole face.

Point of View - captures what a person sees which is useful when people are watching things happening like in horror films and makes the viewer feel involved.