Friday, 28 January 2011

DEADLINE TODAY!

EACH OF YOU, BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT: AT LEAST 2 THRILLER OPENINGS ANALYSED
BY 9PM SUNDAY NIGHT: THE REMAINING 3 EACH.
ONLY 1 MAY BE TAKEN FROM THOSE STUDIED IN CLASS.


THRILLER OPENINGS STUDIED IN CLASS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE K DRIVE BY END OF COLLEGE TODAY.

Thursday, 27 January 2011

Help with the thriller research




These are the summary points discussed in class as part of the conventions work. Use them and the notes you made in class to remind you of terms you need to use and what to say about thriller openings.

Create headings for each of you '(name)'s research' to show that each of you are represented on the blog. Comment on effective thriller techniques and those that you find inspirational. Try to include comments linking to any ideas you already have for your own film. Make all comments purposeful.

Conventions:
Camerawork:

·establishing shots to give character context/location
·CUs to foreground props and character detail
·shallow depth of field to draw attention to objects of significance
·framing may conceal identity (restrict view) - called restricted narration - where only parts of body are visible
·still (tripod) camera work (observation? suspense?)
·hand held camera for realism and/or subjectivity

Mise en scene

·variety of exterior settings, but often urban , or rural (rarely suburban like Haywards Heath!)
·interior settings often reflect threat or sinister action
·props may add to characterisation, OR may create ENIGMA
·low key lighting
·desaturated colour
·costume, hair, make-up create realism and/or signal who spectator is expected to dislike or like

Editing

·continuity editing used for sense, flow, coherence and realism
·parallel editing used to connect 2 characters or places - simultaneous action
·cross cutting used to connect 2 or more characters and CREATE SUSPENSE
·occasionally: DISCONTINUITY EDITING (jump cuts) used to fragment and disrupt sequence, matching unsettling mood

Sound

·diegetic sound used for realism and/or mood
·non diegetic sound as music or sound fx used to construct mood/atmosphere and suspense
·dialogue used sparingly

Types of Character (Archetypes of the genre)

·binary oppositions between protagonist/hero and villain/antagonist are common, but may not be introduced in the opening
·thriller antagonists are always human (not supernatural)
·it may not be clear who is to be trusted in the opening
·ENIGMA may be created around character
·there may be minimal dialogue

Themes

·crime
·urban decay
·passion
·morality/immorality

Mood/Atmosphere

·suspense
·danger
·shock
·enigma
·darkness
·claustrophobia

Story Order (narrative)

·chronological and non-chronological order
·some use of flashbacks
·events in early narrative may create binary opposition between good and evil

URGENT! COMPLETE PRELIMINARY TASK BLOGGING NOW

CATCHING UP FOR MOST GROUPS MUST BE DONE BY THE END OF THIS WEEK (SUNDAY 30TH AT THE LATEST).

Look at the exemplar blog from the exam board to check (see right), but make sure that you have all contributed to the blog by name, with individual posts from each of you, on how you demonstrated each of the 3 continuity techniques. Use screen grabs or images to illustrate, even if they are general illustrations from google images (eg 180 degree line). Your film MUST be uploaded to the blog using the college youtube account, where you will find your film.
There should be no essay style writing on the blog - use bullet points or notes instead. Study the preliminary brief again to check on what to write about.

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

PASSING THE PRELIMINARY TASK

MOST GROUPS HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS TASK AS REQUIRED TO PASS!



UNLESS URGENT ADDITIONS ARE MADE, MANY GROUPS WILL NOT BE IN A POSITION TO PROGRESS TO THE THRILLER WORK.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU READ AND ACT ON THE FOLLOWING:

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO COMPLETE:

CHECK THE BRIEF YOU WERE GIVEN AND THAT ALL ASPECTS OF THE BLOG REQUIREMENTS ARE MET.
THIS MEANS THE FOLLOWING:
EACH PERSON CONTRIBUTING TO COMMENTS ABOUT HOW YOU ENSURED THAT YOU DEMONSTRATED THE CONTINUITY RULES SET IN THE TASK (IE CAMERA, LIGHTING, WHITE BALANCE, PROPS, CHARACTER POSITIONS, AND EDITING TECHNIQUES USED IN I MOVIE/FINAL CUT). YOU COULD DIVIDE THE 3 ELEMENTS BETWEEN YOU, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL PARTS OF THE BLOG TASKS.

THESE SHOULD BE ILLUSTRATED WITH SCREEN GRABS FROM YOUR FINISHED FILM OR FROM THE RUSHES (UNEDITED FILM).

YOU SHOULD ALL POST COMMENTS ON HOW SUCCESSFUL YOU THINK YOU WERE AS A GROUP WITH THE TASK. THIS WILL FEED INTO THE FINAL EVALUATION AT THE END OF THE MAIN TASK. YOUR TEACHER AND PEER COMMENTS IN EVALUATION SESSIONS SHOULD BE HELPFUL HERE.

IN ADDITION, YOUR PRELIMINARY FILM MUST NOW BE UPLOADED AS AN EMBEDDED FILM TO THE BLOG AS A CONCLUSION TO THE TASK.
DO THIS BY ACCESSING YOUR FILM ON THE HHC YOUTUBE ACCOUNT AND CHOOSING THE EMBED FUNCTION. ASK FOR HELP ASAP IF YOU NEED IT.

Sunday, 23 January 2011

New links added

See the links list to the right for new links, including a link to an exemplar blog from another centre from last year. Notice the ways in which the students discuss the preliminary and how they begin the main task.
Also scroll down on my front page for links to other blogs, students' here and others.
Image below from 'The Mother', a terrific Korean thriller, directed by Joon-Ho Bong.

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

By the end of this week, you must all have posted research analysis into thriller film openings. This means providing a bullet point analysis of ONE ONLY of the examples looked at in class, in which you should have realised the level of precision and terminology expected. In addition, and crucially, as this is meant to provide evidence of INDEPENDENT work, you must EACH provide at least 4 more analyses of at least 4 other thriller film openings of your own choice.
Your analyses should focus on the use of technical codes (eg camerawork) to create the thriller conventions, and also what you find effective and inspiring about it. Always be precise, and where possible, insert screen grabs as illustration, and embed sequences using youtube.

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Introducing the Thriller Task

In lessons this week you will be introduced to the main task (creating the opening sequence and titles for a new thriller film). Work will involve understanding the conventions of a thriller film and examining how thriller films begin.
Your first deadline will involve analysing your own thriller openings and recording your analyses on your group blog. Start to do some research yourself now - use youtube, TV, your own dvd collection and the library. The more you know about thrillers, the better your own product will be!

Last week for editing the preliminary

Remember - this is your last week for editing the preliminary task:

DEADLINE FOUR: FRIDAY JANUARY 21ST 2010 AT 4.10PM
FINAL DEADLINE:
FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE BURNED TO DISC
GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES

Tuesday, 11 January 2011

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

A REMINDER:
by the end of this week, you will have had the last lesson allocated to editing. In addition, so that you have learned essential terms for sound analysis, one of your lessons with me will be used for introducing this. In this lesson, (probably on Thursday 13th), you won't be able to do any editing.

Make sure that all of the stages of your process through the preliminary, including decisions, choices, and any problems are all blogged. Each of you must be represented on the blog, with posts tagged with individual names. Include images, plans, storyboard and any other visuals you can to make it lively and interesting. You have one more week to complete the editing, and then we start the main task. Your finished preliminary film should be uploaded to the blog via youtube. Ask Andy or Ollie in the editing suite to help you do this.

Saturday, 1 January 2011

Check that you are applying the 180 degree rule

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

By the end of the second lesson of 3 or 4 during the first week of term, you should have completed filming and have the rushes logged onto the mac network. Make sure the folder is saved in the proper place (ask Andy Paul or Ollie Hayes). Each of you post comments about progress, problems and anything you may have learned that will improve your main task. Your comments now will count towards your final AS grade.

A Reminder of the Preliminary Exercise Brief and Deadlines

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio
Preliminary Exercise in Continuity Editing

Your Task:
THIS TASK CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR COURSEWORK GRADE:
COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL
The specification states that this must be:
‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.

This task should demonstrate:

Match on Action
Shot/Reverse Shot
The 180 degree Rule

All filming and editing must take place on Haywards Heath College campus. You will record your learning and processes on a group blog, which you will continue into the Main Task (the opening of thriller film).


Stages of the Work

You will work on this in all of your Media Studies lessons between Monday December 13th 2010, and Friday January 14th 2011. However, the final deadline for all parts of the work will be one week after on Friday January 21st. (See below for information on what to hand in).

Stage One

You will decide upon your groups. Groups must be a maximum of four students, and a minimum of three. (NB Smaller groups may create a shortage of cameras).

Stage Two

In your groups, you will revise the continuity terms referred to above, and ensure that everyone in the group understands what you are required to demonstrate in the finished product.

Stage Three

You will set up your group’s blog, and begin to make entries on it.
Based on skills demonstrated in the practice work earlier, you will decide which group members are most skilled at camera operation, and assign them the task of filming. At least two people should take responsibility for filming. Assign tasks to everyone in the group from the list below:
Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)
Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)
Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)
Casting Director (organises actors where needed)
Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)
All members of the group must be involved and present for the edit.


Stage Four

You will all contribute to a planning discussion, in which you create initial ideas. These must include exact location/s to be used (see below), precise decisions about action to be filmed, and continuity methods.

You will then begin the storyboarding process: each shot must be the result of careful discussion and frequent checks that you are meeting the brief. Your storyboard must use the correct format, and include all of the information shown on page 25 of your booklet on Moving Image Language. However, it should also include timing in seconds for each shot, and exact lines of dialogue alongside the shot/s that it would be heard.

Your discussion must include decisions about how you will make sure that you demonstrate the rules of continuity listed above.
GROUPS MUST BLOG THEIR DECISIONS THROUGHOUT.

Stage Five

Check that your locations are available at the times you will be filming, and that no one else is using it at the same time.
Check that props are ready for filming.
Check that actors (either members of the group or others you have invited to take part) are available when you are shooting.
Revise the Health and Safety procedures for filming.

Stage Six

Remind yourselves of the necessary checks (especially white balance and health and safety) you need to do before and during filming, and gather your equipment together:
Camera
Tripod
Dolly?
Tape
Portable lights? (You will not be assessed on your use of lighting at this stage)

Start filming.
You are expected to use three lessons for filming. You will need to be efficient and effective with your use of time (as in the real world), as any delays at this stage will impact on the rest of your work.

Shoot the sequence several times, and from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully – a shortage of footage very often causes poor productions!! Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use. EVERY GROUP MEMBER MUST BE PRESENT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS.
GROUPS MUST UPDATE THEIR BLOG AS SHOWN ON THE DEADLINE SHEET. Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network by the deadline to allow for feedback.

Stage Seven

Edit the sequence using I-movie. This must be done by the deadline you are given. EVERY GROUP MEMBER MUST PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS. BURN THE PRODUCT TO A DISC. PRIORITY USE OF THE EDITING SUITE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH LESSONS AT THAT TIME.

MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES

EVERY MEMBER OF THE GROUP TAKES RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINES SET. FAILURE TO MEET THESE DEADLINES BY THE GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND MAY RESULT IN A STUDENT BEING ASKED TO LEAVE THE COURSE.

DEADLINE ONE: END OF YOUR SECOND LESSON OF THE WEEK
WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY 13th DECEMBER 2010 – YOUR DATE:
Show a completed storyboard using storyboard conventions plus timing and dialogue to a teacher.
Record the following on your group’s blog:
Your discussion and decisions, explaining your reasons for elements of the sequence in storyboard form.
Your cast, props you intend to use, and locations
Your timetable for filming

DEADLINE TWO: YOUR SIXTH LESSON IN TOTAL, DURING WEEK BEGINNING MONDAY JANUARY 3RD – YOUR DATE:
Finish filming ‘rushes’ AND log these to the mac network, saving material in the correct folder (consult technicians for advice on this).
Update the blog with decisions, problems and solutions

DEADLINE THREE: 14th JANUARY OR YOUR LAST LESSON THIS WEEK
This will be your last lesson allocated to editing. Any further editing will need to be completed in own time (you will need to book time for this) and completed by the final deadline below at the very latest.
Your group’s blog must be updated.

DEADLINE FOUR: FRIDAY JANUARY 21ST 2010 AT 4.10PM
FINAL DEADLINE:
FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE BURNED TO DISC
GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES


NB AS THIS IS AN EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT, ALL STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE AND PASS THE PRELIMINARY EXERCISE BEFORE BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO THE MAIN TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO. THEREFORE, ANY STUDENT NOT ABLE TO TAKE PART IN THE ABOVE PROCESS TO A SATISFACTORY DEGREE WILL BE ASKED TO INDIVIDUALLY COMPLETE OR SEPARATELY UNDERTAKE THE TASK AS A MATTER OF PRIORITY ON THEIR RETURN TO COLLEGE.

Welcome to my 2011 Foundation Portfolio Blog!

A very Happy New Year to those of you being supervised by me!
This is the place you need to come to for online support and guidance, as well as frequently updated blog links and links to other websites.
Check it very frequently, and aim for each of you to post an update EVERY DAY!

The Preliminary Task brief and deadlines will appear in the next post as a reminder, but this document has been accessible on moodle since being issued.