Final Piece

Here is the results of our work, I feel we have worked quite hard on this and we have achieved what we set out to do.

This was export as QuickTime H264.

Post Production

Before hand we designed a brainstorm

Post production required us to do the following:

• Continuity Editing
• Voice recording
• Rendering

Continuity Editing

Continuity Editing is a system of cutting used to maintain continuous shots and clear narrative. Continuity editing follows a set of rules.

These rules will be explained

A long shot or extreme long shot will be your establishing shot, this sets the scene and spartial relations between important figures.

Two shots edited together that alternate characters typically in a conversation situation is called Shot/Reverse shot. Usually characters in one frame look left, and in the next look right.

A Shot-reverse-shot may not be filmed in the correct order but will be edited together afterwards. However you must ensure that the right amount of shots are filmed to make the shot-reverse-shot work.

If you are shooting two characters talking to each other, you need to film a master shot of both characters, and then a close up on one character. Then another showing the other character.

There is a 180 degree you must abide, this means the angle between any two consecutive shots should not exceed 180 degrees, in order to maintain spatial relationships between people and objects in any given sequence of shots

The 180 degree rule applies for all TV and Film Production. It's important not to cross the 'line of vision' between two characters. Otherwise the viewer may not be able to make sense of the scene

Another rule is the 30 degree rule this is the angle between any two consecutive shots should not be less than 30 degrees. 

Crosscutting is an editing technique between shots occurring simultaneously in two or more different location. A cut between two shots that places two different framing of the same action next to each other, making it seem uninterrupted.

Eye-line match is a cut between two shots, this will show one person looking in one direction and the shot after should show what they are looking at.

Re-establishing shot is a shot that returns to a view of a space or location after a series of close up.

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Voice recording

We chose to use voice overs for our work, for this we had to plan our script as we planned our storyboards. 

We then used a shotgun mic in a room with no re-verb to record our voice-over  once we had done this we then edited it into our film before we rendered. 

We managed to do this quite well, as well as edit it in fine.

Rendering

For the render with put it within a QuickTime codec and used H.264 to render it out, this is the standard for web and also it allows the smallest file size making it effective for the web.

Once rendered we ended up with our final piece

Here is some screenshots of the editing process

Within this shot we as using match editing, we matched all the shots we had to create a shorter sort of clip whilst keeping the narrative.

We started adding the sound, we first made sure we had enough sound to fit the whole video, we did this quite well and managed with just enough to sound however there is a big gap which we couldn't rectify.

Whilst match editing we noticed we needed to add some text into the video we did this through premier, to do this is fairly simple you just right click within the project menu and click new then title, you then get a screen pop up and you just type what you want into it.

This shot was when we was sound matching the video to the audio files, once we had decided on what we liked best we kept it that way.

When we had completed everything adding all sound into the clip, we notice that there was a massive gap within sound at one point I didn't really know what to do here, so we decided that adding a song behind the track would be ideal.

Continuity editing

Continuity Editing is a style of editing that creates a continuity of space and time out the fragments of scenes contained in individual shots.[6]

It is the main style of editing for film, television and web videos.

Continuity editing is performed in post production, it is made up with lots of different cuts such as eye-line match cuts, matching image cuts, shot-reverse shot and perspective.

An example of continuity editing would be to have 2 people having a conversation, first off you need to show a wide angle shot of the side you are standing on you then need to create a imaginary line between the two people, you then film the first person speaking to the second person, in the following shot you will show the second person, the second shot will be your master shot. This is for editing purposes. Once you have this you can copy these shots and portray a conversation.

Match editing was used a lot within our film, match editing is when you cut between two different objects, motions, or poses by characters. An example of this would be a character making a cup of tea,  first of you would take a shot of him flicking a the switch on the kettle, you then would take a shot of him grabbing a mug from the cupboard etc etc.. Using match editing allows you to cut it so it flow like Flick switch, grab mug,  drop teabag, kettle is done, pour water, add milk. You can cut a 5 minute video down to 30 seconds, all from match editing.

Match editing allows us to create a logical flow of different sequences, shot size is important whilst doing this we found that using a lot of close ups, mid shots and extreme close ups allowed us to achieve a better edit.

Another pricaple you should follow is the 180 degree rule, this is mostly used for conversation between 2 characters, you sit 2 characters down facing opposite each other, you then first film them both from this you can create your imaginary line between them. The first character is always on the right then the second always on the left. The line is there so that the postion of the characters is always 1 on the right and 2 on the left. If you cross the imaginary line the postion of your characters will change so 2 will be on the right and 1 will be on the left.  The line is a perfect 180 degree line hence why it is called the 180 degree rule.

When you go over the line you have to go behind person 2 so you move from the left moving right you then have to pan over behind the person 2, this would keep continuity between shots whilst breaking the 180 degree rule. Although when you do this you create a new 180 degree rule.

Production

Before this we took design a brainstorm of what we needed

For production, we traveled to the location, set up our equipment however before we started recorded we did the following:

• Sound Check
• Took shots of the location.
• Lighting check

We then realized that it was pretty dark, due to a light bulb blowing up. So we grabbed a lamp and shone it where we needed to.

After this we took multiple shots whilst we was filming  to show how we worked the camera, however we first had to look at different ways to film.

We used the previous research to determine what we needed to do, also our storyboards and the shot list helped us out.

We have chosen to use pan a fair amount in our film, this is so that we can get a good variety of shots to allow us to match edit them into a logical sequence.

Pan

Panning is a camera movement technique.

Panning involves moving the camera from left to right. This technique allows us to track and an object or follow any type of movement. However this can turn out quite jerky. 

It is recommended that you use a tripod as this is fairly difficult to do by hand.

The tripod head is the part that moves up, down, left and right. Some tripods are better than others. You'll need one which can be secured, this is so if you want to stop all movement you can. It must also have the capability to be loosened so you can move your camera around with as little shake as possible.[4]

Tilt

The tilt shot like the pan shot, but instead of moving left to right it moves up and down.

Similar to the pan shot the tilt shot can be done either handheld or with a tripod with a good head. It is recommend that you use a tripod for a tilt shot.

Tilt shots are used to show the vertical significance of something. for example if you wanted to show the height of the grape and olive tower from a close distance this could be achieved by using a tilt shot. You would start at the bottom or top, and slowly make your way. Be aware of how fast you move the camera as you don't want it to shake.[3]

Zoom

A zoom is a not technically a camera move, as you do not need to move the camera to perform it. Zooming is when you alter the length of the lens giving an illusion that you are either moving closer or further away from the action.

The effect is note quite the same though. Zooming is effectively magnifying a part of the image, while move the camera creates a difference in perspective. Background objects appear to change in relation to foreground objects. This sometimes used for creative effect in the dolly zoom.

Zooming is an easy-to-use but hard-to-get-right feature of most cameras. It is the most misused of all camera functions.[2]

Pre production

For pre production we created a brainstorm of what we might need, we decided this way because everyone likes a brain storm, also because we are both visual learners, making coloured brainstorms allows us to remember them a lot easier

A scanned copy of our pre production brainstorm will be placed here.

After we had produced this brainstorm I thought of a concept.

My Concept

The idea for my project is a short video on how to use a camera, I will film the process of baking fairy cakes from a cake mix. I will provide a voice over for this, guiding the user through each step that is required.

Storyboards

Previously I have had experience with drawing storyboards and what they are. So after an hour of brainstorming we moved onto researching storyboards.

What is a storyboard?

Once agreed on the concept for the video. You then need to storyboard. The purpose of a storyboard is to visually tell the story before you film it, much like a comic book or graphic novel.

A storyboard should include the following:

What actors are within the shot, and how are they moving?
What are the actors telling each other, if they are saying anything?
How much time has passed since the previous storyboard?
What camera angle are you going to use? will the camera be moving?[1]

here are my storyboards.

 

Obviously before all of this you have to decide your location, which goes hand in hand with your concept. Once you have this only then can you storyboard. 

Whilst story boarding, you might be interested in writing a shot list

What is a shot list?

A shot list is a list of shots you plan to use throughout the film or animation. Shot lists are usually written as you are drawing storyboards.

Underneath the storyboard you will write about what you want the camera to do, this may range from zoom in from WS to MS etc.. They are literally written instructions on what you are doing in each scene.

Here is my shot list for the video.

 

During pre-production you need to create an equipment list.

An equipment list is a list of all equipment you need to be able to create a video easily. Your equipment list may consist of:

• Film Camera
• SLR Camera
• Deadcat
• Microphone
• Memory cards
• Tripod
• Steady Cam
• Chargers for camera
• Props
• Tea and coffee for crew members

This is only an example, if you feel that you need anything else feel free to add to it.

Here is my equipment list:

• Film Camera
• SLR Camera
• Shotgun Microphone
• Chargers for cameras
• Props

This is everything required for to film successfully.

The next step would be a prop list, this will consist off what props you need. Within every film a prop list will be different this is our prop list:

• Pasta bake mix
• Serving dish
• Cheese grater
• Spoon
• Saucepan
• Kettle
• Water
• Oven
• Cheese
• Strainer
• Scissors
• Pasta
• Salt
• Plates

Although this doesn't seem much, it is what i required to complete this task.

When filming you need to take into consideration a timescale on how long you will be doing this for.

Why is it important for a timescale?

A timescale allows you to see how long you have to spend on each part of the film, ranging from the pre production to post production. you need to include everything, one of the better ways to represent this would be within an excel spreadsheet.

My timescale:

From this you can see i have given my 2 days for pre-production, 1 day for production and 2 days for post production.

You need to also include financial costs into your plan.

if anything costs money, you need to note this and be sure you have the budget for this.

For my video i have set a budget of £10, and i know i have only spent £3.49 of this, leaving me with £6.51 for the rest of the film

Financial Plan

Pasta Bake mix: £1

Cheese: £2.49

The rest of my money will be used for anything else that may pop up.

Pre-Production Checklist

• Concept
• Location
• Storyboards
• Shot list
• Equipment list
• Prop list
• Timescale
• Financial Costs

Camera shots

There are multiple ways to shoot a video.

In pre production you will devise a shot list, this is when you decide which shots you are going to use for the video.

There are multiple shots you can use these being:

EWS (Extreme Wide Shot)

An extreme wide shot, is when you are so far from the subject that even it isn't visible. This is often used as a establishing shot.

VWS (Very Wide Shot)

Often enough the subject wiill be barely visible. However the emphasis will still be on placing them in the enviroment

WS (Wide Shot)

The subject will take up the whole frame, or as much as comfortable.

MS (Mid Shot)

This shows some of the subject in more detail. However it will still give the impression of the whole subject.

MCU (Medium Close Up)

Halfway between MS and CU. Often used by news reporters.

CU (Close Up)

A Certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

ECU (Extreme Cluse up)

This is when the camera gets right in and shows extreme detail of the subject.

Cut-In

Shows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

CA (Cutaway)

A shot of something other than the subject

Two-Shot

This is when you have two people within the shot, it is framed similarly to a mid shot.

(OSS) Over the shoulder shot

Looking from behind the person at the subject

Noddy Shot

Usually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

Point of view shot (POV)

Shows a view from the subjects perspective

Weather Shot

The subject is the weather. Has lots of purposes, such as graphics for a background

[5]

References

[1] -  N/A. (N/A). storyboards. Available: http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/. Last accessed 24th April 2013.

[2] - N/A. (N/A). Zoom Shot. Available: http://www.mediacollege.com/. Last accessed 23rd April 2013.

[3] - N/A. (N/A). Camera Movement: The Tilt Shot. Available: http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/articles/tilt_shot/index.html. Last accessed 23rd April 2013.

[4] - N/A. (N/A). Camera Movement: The Pan Shot. Available: http://www.lightsfilmschool.com/articles/pan_shot/index.html. Last accessed 23rd April 2013.

[5] - N/A. (N/A). Camera Shots. Available: http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/. Last accessed 19th April 2013.

[6] - N/A. (N/A). What is Continuity Editing. Available: http://www.superglossary.com/Definition/Television_(TV)/Continuity_Editing_(Invisible_Editing).html. Last accessed 23rd April 2013.

Assignment breakdown

Breif

This assignment can be done in group of 2 or individually, to research and produce rich visual content that will form part of an Audio Visual Photographic and Video Training web site.  Your footage/images should contain effectively captured and edited still image and video content.  As the final destination will be web based file size consideration is vital.

You are also required to produce a production AV blog that justifies your design decisions, documenting all research material and daily production progress.   Blogs will be assessed on a weekly basis in lesson times.

REMEMBER – If you choose to work in groups then the resulting project must justify the work of 2 students.  In addition, it should be made clearly evident at weekly tutorials who is working on particular elements of the project.

You should produce:



A researched, effectively planned and developed IN-DEPTH short instructional video to educate Level 4 students in video production ‘best practice’. The video should consist of moving and still images, approx. 5 mins. in duration, that clearly shows with examples accepted techniques of production for ONE of the following:



a.       The technique of effective focus and depth of field manipulation (with examples).

b.      Shot size as an edit tool to aid continuity (with examples).

c.       Camera movement, pan, zoom, tilt and camera angle variation (with examples).



It is anticipated that the production will necessitate a voice over sequence to effectively communicate with your audience. The voice over should be effectively captured in the studio or on location and demonstrate the correct levels of recording.



The video should be effectively shot, edited and exported for the web. It should also demonstrate efficient use of lighting, exposure, depth of field and focus in the construction of the video.

The video should then be exported as H264 for both web and mobile platforms.

Included on the hand-in disk should be the pre-production elements of rational, storyboards and shot list.





The created moving and still imagery should be acquired using the available college equipment and display correct and creative usage of software provided.  REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A SPECIAL EFFECTS EXERCISE.



The aim of this project is to display your proficiency in the capture, manipulation, process and edit material that is suitable for inclusion in contemporary multimedia.  It is therefore suggested that all work be multimedia and web ready and of appropriate file size.