Derek's Feedback 25/11/10

We showed our rough edit to Derek and he pointed out that Harry pranked call a number of someone that is no less than 100 yards away. He said If he knows the storyline, He will easily get it the idea of the film But he said if someone else was watching it, They would struggle to find out the story. So We plan to Improve this by refiliming Harry with the phone going through his contacts and ringing the school bully so it much clearer for people to see and get the story more. We Now realised from the feedback we got, That we need to re-check every single second of our footage to ensure it understandable and clear what the storyline is. He also inplied that, at the end of the film when it switches to the text "It's Up to you." Is very jumpy in terms of jumping too quick from frame to frame. So we plan to improve on this by freezing the last frame and then slowly fading out to the text frame. Derek commented on the good parts that he enjoyed,




One of the bits derek enjoyed was the part when max punches "Harry" (Camera) and He asked how we captured it so good and We explained that we speeded up the clip but in reality it was a very slow process. As we didnt  want to break the camera by actually dropping it.



He also Liked our flashback and How well the sound effect was synced. I found the sound effect from www.soundbible.com.

Editing Week

We finished up our filming and as we thought when we looked back on the recordings,  When we captured our footage, we headed back to edit the first scene. We first cut off the bloopers we made. I then suggested we should take 1 of the 3 scenes to edit individually. Max edited scene 1, I edited scene 2 and Harry edited scene 3. With my edit, I went on the Internet to find a sound effect of time being re-winded. I had this idea when it goes back in time to where harry getting peer pressured into making a prank call to the school bully and I'm pleased with the outcome of the edit. How i did was i reversed every clip and fastening it up so it synced with the sound effect of time being re-winded.

Our video :

We used the Cross dissolve effect at the start of the video because we felt that it didnt look good as a still frame so we decided to add a fade effect on the start. We used the exponential fade on the audio because we want it slowly fading in so it not like straight up so it adds that more better sound.

After Harry retrieves his phone, Max stands up and Punches "Harry" But I had this idea where max hits the camera from Harry's point of view so it looks realistic of Harry getting punched by Max and falling to the ground. We Froze the frame just before it goes into the flashback otherwise it looks like a ball bouncing off a ball and it will look awful so we froze the frame just before the flashback. I edited the flashback and what i did was reversed every clip by right-clicking on the clip and scrolling down the Speed/Duration then clicked Reverse Speed. We then changed the duration time from whatever it clip is and it made 00:00:00:05 making it really fast so we could sync it with the sound effect which i collected from:

www.soundbible.com

It took me a long time to do this to every clip 

After i did that, I had to make it all sync with the sound effect so no video clip runs off the tracking of the audio clip so it ends up looking like this:

              

And if i must say, It worked very well without any problems or Mistakes that i know of. Perhaps need a different Opinion From outside the group who has different views and opinions.

I have enjoyed editing this short film because it taught me so much about film-making and i never knew it had to be professional every mini-second which is really hard to do and I never expected it in that way which is teaching a lot of things about film-making. I have learnt on how to slow down and speed up clips for extra effect 

For the background music in the chase scene, We as a group used the program:

We custom-made our music to make it build suspense just before the phone gets stolen, For example like Jaws Music. We used this sort of music because we want the audience to be like asking questions like "What going to happen?" "What's is he going to do?", It Creating that suspense to make the audience feel like they want it so bad, They have to keep watching no matter what.

Camera Angles

We used some close-ups and Long-shots to ensure that we have both options of editing types when we edit, This is important because When we come to edit and something goes wrong with audio or the video  look amateur, We always have a back-up or you could use a bit of the long-shot then bring it down the close-up to bring effect to the film.

Mr D's comment

Not bad, Liam, but you do need to cover more detail than this. It is fine to use bullet-form, but you need images (screenshots?) and you need more on the process and the skills you are using.

Blogging about editing

We tried to edit film a big chase scene but we thought the film would be too long then so we cut it down to a very small chase scene which worked quite well and we thought as a group that we would do a flashback to when the prank call took place and then a text field saying "It's up to you" Leaving the audience with a confused face and thinking " Have i done it to someone without realizing " Which makes them more aware of the affects of peer pressure and what it could lead to but in our case, It leads to the phone getting stolen but later retrieved after the 'School bully' slips over. Harry then retrieves his phone but 'school bully' gets up and punches harry in the face. But we filmed this in the view of Harry so max slowly punches the camera whilst me and harry gently make as though the camera is harry so it falls over. While editing i sped up the video so it looked more realistic but i froze the frame at the end of it, So it goes into a fast flashback. I got the sound clip from www.soundbible.com and synced it quite well so it looks more legitimate. 

Going on - Location

Planning


We went out to our location, Coleridge park on Davy Rd.

I suggested using the park as some sort of hangout for the bully and making it seem more realistic.
We also took photographs of the camera angles we will using (Long shot, Close up of the Phone)
The phone is going to be taken due to peer pressure. Harry is led to make a prank call to the school bully Max and ends up chasing max after he steals his phone. I suggested a Foot level camera angle for the chase to make the film look a little more interesting

Filming


Thursday 11th November 


We went back out to our location (Coleridge Park) and I suggested to do a rehearsal before we actually started filming to reduce mistakes when we start filming. I also gave instructions on how to say and act things out by demos. I provided the phone which gets stolen. I also write the script and made sure every member of the group was happy with the parts they received.  I Suggested we did a chase scene as last time we were quite successful at the film we made before. So we decided on the idea that we would do a chase scene.

Editing 

So We all made a start on the editing, Max edited Scene 1, I edited scene 2 and Harry Edited scene 3. The film is yet to be completed as we have a little bit more filming to do. As i was going through the film i noticed as max's trips, I spotted that it didnt seem to be a realistic trip. On a scale of 100, We are about 75% Complete. Still yet to have Derek's Opinion, We will take on any advice and Opinions he may have.

Mr D's comment

Where is the post for last week?

Thursday 22/9/10

In the morning, As a group, we got together to discuss and plan out films (EG. location, TIme, Scripts) I suggested we film at a river because i thought it would be a good idea to show the affects of peer pressure leading towards drowning just to retrieve something that can easily be replaced. We all decided on the story which is now about stealing/peer pressure. I chose to write the script and we all read it and checked it. I suggested another idea whilst writing the script which was to change the types of characters around. Like making the school idiot into a school bully which would be interesting. I also added stage directions and camera angles so when it comes to filming, we fully know what to do and How we are going to do it. Later that day, We received a brief from Derek Budd, He talked about the Youthoria website and gave us some advice on how our video can be accepted. One piece of key infomation i picked up was how blind people can be affected by the video as they cant see it. So we have to provide a written version. It's so we dont single out anyone by having a disability. I also learnt when we re-check our plan, I make sure everyone  is happy with it to save future disagreements. I also made sure every person has copies of work we did throughout the day.


Our location: 

Coleridge Park, Davy Rd.

Mr D's comments

Liam - where are your more recent posts?

Mr D's comment

Some great work here, Liam. However, you need more commentary on what you are doing as a group and individually, and on the THINKING that you are doing.

Report

How did public infomation films begin in the UK?

They were made by the government to tell the nation How dangerous stuff is, For example: Drugs,alcohol,Road safesty,driving safesty. Basically the key point they are clearly stating is "Be Safe".
Everything i listed (there maybe more) are life-threatening in some way.

What were the very early films like?


They used different methods to get there point across.
For Example:
Humour: The voice-over And the Actor is funny and silly which makes me people talk about it, I mean if you watch a funny advert on the TV. It is sticking into your brain because it funny As if it was boring people will be like "Not this again" And they will take no notice. People also will tell other people to watch it, As the audience of this advert grows, The more are aware.
Shocking footage: When the audience was watching this video, Normally these adverts would be like a car driving so fast and then a frame of the victim with a shocked face,Next frame they on the floor dying. These actually go into detail and Actually show what happens to the victim which is horrible for someone to witness.
Acting in the film:
The acting in the film seem to be quite good as the character was silly which also is a method to get the point across more. The actor used funny facial expressions and basically as the narrator was insulting him, He was really sad which created Sympathy from audience. (Another method)
The Voice-Over:
The Voice-over was amusing and funny, They were convincing. Almost makes you feel happy.


 2005 Films:
Note: unable to watch again.

Sorry i forgot abit about it.

The video recorded with a mobile phone:
I believe this is more realistic than the other because kids normally walk home in big amounts and take pictures of each other for facebook and stuff, Then they happen to get someone running over on film which is also a shock because at the start of the film, Personally i thought it was just a normal advert for Kid's clothes advertisment. It was a big shock when the boy got hit by the car.

The one recorded and well-edited:
It was quite realistic because teenagers always are texting girlfriends and get highly distracted, This advert leads for the boy to get hit by the car whilst texting his girlfriend who is only across the road (Abit of common sence atleast)

Sorry again  Some reason the videos would'nt load :(

Screen Acting

The Difference between

Screen acting                                                                                                                   Stage Acting



• Volume of someone speaking on stage is not as loud because as you want the show to be as realistic as possible, No-one in real life is going to be shouting to someone that is only like three yards away.
• On Stage, It harder acting as you only have one chance to remember that line,Remember your stage directions Then if your on film you have unlimited about of chances as they can easily record it again and again (The only problem here is the location,If they are in bright light and need it that way. You will have limited chances because of the white balance and Exposure.
• Every member in the audience for a "stage" Show has different views.
• The pace and playing of the scene bulids up pressure on the actor which can lead to Mistakes.
• The actors move from beginning to end.
• The actor must have the ablity to concentrate for the entire show and be in character for the entire show
• The stage is a limited space and the actor has to create a ‘reality’ with sets and with props which are often only symbols of reality.
• The audience may see the total space continually. The Director and actor must draw the audience’s eye to detail by movement, placement and lighting. The audience can easily miss or be distracted from the detail.

Found quote from the Yahoo Website
"On stage, act with your body; on film, act with your eyes."

• On stage, People may not see your emotions as cleary as they would if it was on film.
• On Film, They can edit parts out if you looked the slightest bit out of character.



CRAM videos

NOTE: Videos can be found below this post

We set off with a Camrea to record a chase sequel.

We learnt different Camrea Angles for extra effect. Examples below

The Angle just below eye level:

The camrea abit on it's side below Eye Level:

The Eye Level angle zoomed in on the "Point should we say"

After this Frame It slowly zooms out Showing The "Thug" Stealing the victim's Money.


Simply Eye Level:

Foot Level:  This Angle is the best in my opinion for a "Chase" Sequel.



The Long shot:



Following a Character:

Video Captured with 



Video:



Our Lovely Video

The chase is on!

Starring:
Harry
Liam
Max
Aimee
Gerda

Are you going to tell?

Starring:
Harry
Max
Liam
Aimee
Gerda

Overall 3rd week on CRAM

Where to start?

Dark Room

We were given a brief Description of what to do in the dark room.
I followed the basics and Picked it up very quickly

Before We entered the dark room we had to FIX the Tape (which cannot have ANY light on it)
So we used a bag (Old CRAM t-shirt) with two arm holes so we can operate all the equipment inside
a bag without looking and no light.

The dark room looks something like this



Picture-Taking
(Digital)

We were set off to in pairs
But As i missed the previous week i wasnt in a pair.

We set off with an item of our choice which was a Horse's Skull

I was unable to locate my photos so i am sorry for this But soon as i get hold of them. They will be on my next post.
We never did a picture at eye level as it looks too unprofessional
We also made sure sunlight wasnt affecting us too much


Overall  I Loved This Week!


Liam

3rd CRAM blog Part 2

Afternoon part of the day .

We learnt the basics things of the Dark Room. We were very successful which is amazing.
Now We are using adobe Photoshop CS2 to improve our digital pictures that we took before lunchtime.
Also Very successful.

3RD Cram Blog Part 1

3rd Time At CRAM (Parkside)
We are currently learning how to process Photos And Soon About to Take them into the Dark Room.

We learnt How it is important to not get any light on the film. And How to Prevent getting light on the film by putting all equipment such as scissors to cut the Edge of the film. into a Black Bag with two arm holes so we can operate all the equipment in the bag without looking or getting light on the film.

1st CRAM blog

My first day at Cram Was Amazing, I learnt alot about how to position a video recorder for a Interview. You had Place their Head NOT directly in the middle of the shot. We also learnt How to White Balance So we can get the best picture for Filming. We Also had to interview each other asking Why we Chose CRAM and What we Hope to get out of CRAM.