Week 4-Farzin

Week 4: Mise-en-scene

During week 4, my class and I were taught more about mise-en-scene. By learning more about mise-en-scene, all of us found it much easier when analysing opening sequences or even clips from TV series'. During class, whenever we were tested about mise-en-scene, all of us were easily able to answer without hesitating. We knew that mise-en-scene included costume, props, setting etc. Because of the mise-en-scene, we also had to learn about the different meanings which the mise-en-scene brings to the audience. For example the colour of a character’s signifies whether they are the protagonist or the antagonist. Also, the lighting used on a particular character shows the importance of them.

Week 4- Anbish

Week 4: Mise-en-scene

During week 4, we learnt more about mise-en-scene. By learning mis-en-scene it made analysing easier and helped me answer the questions without hesitating. I learnt that Mise-en-scene is everything that is in the frame and they include lighting, composition , costume, props, makeup and camera angle.For example, low angle might be used to signify someone is powerful and the colour of the character signifies whether they are the protagonist or the antagonist. By learning Mise-en-scene it helped me to  analysis a opening sequence more in depth and develop my points further.

Evelina week 4

Week 4: mise-en-scene log

This week we learn about mise-en-scene, which means the things like actors, lighting, decorations, props, and costumes are arranged in the way that a director want the audience to see in the farming of the film. Also The frame and camera work are also considered part of the mise-en-scène of a movie. All elements of mise-en-scene have to be put in the right place as everything in the film is analysed and gives a understandable/ purpose for the element. Placing on the stage really means placing on the screen, and the director is in charge of deciding what goes where, when, and how; this is because the director is the person who know how the film need to look as he/she has come up with the idea. How ever the director does not walk around saying to change the some of the elements of mise-en-scene,even if many professionals are involved in the creation of the set, the director is the one who oversees the entire mise-en-scene with all it different elements; but during the stages of pre-production, the director or his AD looks over  to determine the look and feeling intended in the film, with the set designers, prop masters, location managers, costume designers, and scenic artists to determine the look and feel intended.

The set design means the décor of the the set, or how it’s dressed, comprising mainly of the furniture, props, and the set itself. Instead of just placing objects randomly, the director must be savvy to fathom how the elements may bear significance in a deeper level, while  emphasizing themes, creating meanings, and provoking thoughts at the same time. One of the film elements that is really powerful  to evoke emotions, is lighting; must be manipulated by the director to accommodate his/her desires for the movie. The two broad types of lighting approaches are: low-key lighting and high-key lighting.  High key-lighting is usually used in romance and musical films; low key-lighting provides even lighting pattern and avoiding dark areas in the frame. Everything looks bright with little to no shadow at all. Low-key lighting has little dramatic effect itself; this is usually seen in horror and thriller films to give it more character and also to build up the audiences tension. For the audience to understand the characters better, costume is really important as it is to dress an actor accordingly to the type of character they are; e.g. nurse wear scrubs, lawyers wear suits, British student wear uniform, american student wear whatever (depending on the character). And lastly, another most important thing in the mise-en-scene is the location, as for every film and genre there need to be the right location that will match up with the plot and the narrative. e.g. if there was a teen drama film and the location of the film was mostly set in a office and a church; then you and the audience will be confused as that location/ setting does not match up with the plot.

Company Ident

This is the Ident I created using stop motion. To create this ,I had to take pictures and edit them together using premiere pro.

Week 4: Mise-enscene Production Log By Henali

Week 3-Farzin

Week 3: Theories

During our filming process, not only did we end up making two videos but at the same time we also learnt about different filming theories. By learning about these different theories, we also learnt about how these theories were used during filming from the olden days till now. One of the theories we had learn was Laura Mulvey's theory which was called the 'Male Gaze'. Along with this theory, we also learnt about many other theories including Carl Roger's theory which was about Ideal Self/Partner and another theory included Walter Lippmann's theory about Stereotypes. Learning about different theories was quite helpful for everyone of as because each theory helped us to learn about why some representations were included in films and TV series'. This will help us during our next filming process. 

Week 3 -Anbish

Week 3: theories  log

In week 3, we learnt about different types of theories that we need to know for our exams.The theory we learnt about are:

Stuart hall in 1980- He believes that everything you see in a movie is encoded which means they are all chosen beforehand.There are three ways that audience can understand a media text.They are preferred reading , negotiated reading and opposition reading. Also, there are seven representation theories  which are Class, gender,regional identity, age physical ability/ disability, ethnicity and sexuality. The other theory I learnt was  the male gaze by Lura Mulvey, binary opposites by Claude levi-strasus , ideal self by Cark Rogers, narrative structure by Tzventan Todorov and stereotypes by Walter Lipmann. Learning about these theory  helped me visualise whether we can use some of these theory in our opening sequence and also why they are used to representation were included in films and TV series.

Evelina week 3

Week 3: theories  log

Week 3 was really important as we were learning the basic media theories; which we need to include in our portfolio and know for our exams. There are a few important people that have theories that have be used in films. The audience readings theory by Stuart Hall in 1980,  states that media texts are carefully chosen to create a ‘preferred reading’. according the Stuart Hall there are 3 different ways that the audience can understand a film; the 3 ways are: the preferred reading, negotiated reading, and oppositional reading. Other  theory are Representation theories which have 7 different concepts: class/status, gender, regional identity, age, physical ability/ disability, ethnicity, and sexuality. In the representation theory there are 3 theorists that have identified things that films focus on and which the audience do not realize, while watching the film/s.  The theorists have found stereotyping, male gaze, and ideal self/partner; this theories help the audience understand and build a image about the character and what they want in life. For example: ideal partner will be in a romance film that has a perfect man/husband that woman will start to think as the ‘perfect man’ because that is the image they have in their head.

Genre is what the media producers and the audience use to identify the type of film it will be and/or is. In 2001, Glen Creeber et al identified 12 TV Drama Genres; like soap operas to teen series to drama-documentaries.The narrative which is the structure of the story. The narrative structure has a equilibrium, disequilibrium, and resolution ; they do not have to be in order as in some films- which was found by Tzvetan Todorov’s in the 1960s. Also in 1969, Claude Levi-Strauss looked at Walter Lippmann stereotypes theory to see if there is anything else about it, Levi-Strauss found there are binary opposites. Binary opposites are like for example: on-off, black-white, up-down.

Week 3: Theories Log Production Log By Henali

Evelina Production name/Anbish video

Film Opening Analysis - Pee Wee's Big Adventure By Henali

Teen movie analysis - Anbish

Ten things I hate about you

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower 

Film Opening Analysis of 13 Going on 30-Farzin Moosa

Film Opening Analysis of 13 Going on 30

Evelina's Film Opening Analysis

Preliminary Task Analysis - Henali

Week 2-Farzin

Week 2: Remake

In the second week of the completing our coursework, my group members and I were getting into the habit of using different shot and angles. We also knew more about the names of the different shots and angles which are used during filming; this way we found it easier to film. In order to make a remake of a film opening of a movie, we were given many options to choose from; we had chosen the ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ opening sequence. We had chosen this because we found it much easier, not only because of the camera angles used but also because of the props we needed to use in the video. Even though, we had made some mistakes during the filming process, the video overall came out quite well even though it was only our second time making a video. Editing the video did not take that long to do either, as we had previously done it for our preliminary task. After making the video, we had to evaluate the filming process.

Week 1-Farzin

Week 1: Preliminary Task

In our first week of starting our coursework, the first thing we started was our preliminary task. Because we were all new students to Media, we did find it tricky to complete this piece of work. This is because it included making a video. While making the video, we had to make sure that the shots and camera angles we had used were correct. Before making the video, we all had to think of names for our production. Therefore, each of us thought of names and shared the names with one another; based on that we came to a conclusion and picked the final production name which was ‘Pick Mix Productions’. Before making the video, my group members and I also had to make a script. The script was the easiest part of the preliminary task in my opinion. Next, my group and I had to make a storyboard showing how we all wanted the video to look, what will happen in each scene, who will be in each scene etc. After writing the script and making the storyboard, my group members and I finally came to making the preliminary task. It was a difficult task for us to do, as all of us were new to it but we did overcome it eventually. We all made sure that the storyline used was appropriate, the characters had the right role and the shots and angles used were correct for each scene. After the preliminary task was finished completely which also includes editing the video, we had to look over the video and analyse it. When analysing the preliminary task, each of us had found out how many different shots and angles we had used and also the different mistakes we had made.

Remake of Juno By Henali & Anbish

Preliminary task - Anbish tamang

Production log

Production Log

REMAKE EVALUATION

Evaluation

Match on action

 

Match on action was important so that it created one continuous motion, instead of a jumpy and unrealistic clip.This meant that it was not filmed at different times, so we had to make sure all the lighting, background and elements of mise-en-scene looked the same in all the shots.

180 rule

We have used the 180 rule in the conversation between Suprina and Faisal. The reason behind this is not to confuse the audience and if we had not used this rule, it would look like the characters have changed position. Using this shot reverse shot technique and 180 has allowed  the audience to know who is talking with out any confusion.   

Long shot 

The long shot shows the surrounding and where the scene is set.  From the picture you can tell it is set in school because of school like building in the background. This connotes that the scene is going to take place inside the school.

Mid- Close up

We have used mid-close in our preliminary task allows the audience to see the emotion of the character and see that he is smoking. While filming we had to make sure that hands and a hand in the frame so that the audience can see what he is doing.

Shot reverse shot

Short reverse shot is used in our preliminary task to present a realistic conversation between the two characters. While filming he had to keep mind mind the 180 degree rule and keep to one side when switching between the character because if we switch is to diffident side, it would confuse the audience. Both the 180 degree rule and the Shot reverse shot are used to create continuity and make the scene more fluent and natural.

Positives 

Some of the positives of the preliminary task was that we used match on action and 180 rule effective. It was effective because it helped the video to maintain continuity  and helped the video flow with the clip. Also,  we used shot reverse shot to show who is talking. Finally, we have used variety of shots.

Negatives

One of the negative was that we did not use establishing shot in the beginning of the preliminary task. Establishing shot are code and convention that is placed before a scene to suggest where the action is taking place. Due to this our preliminary task did not look as professional as it should have. Also the shots were not in focus, which made the video looks burly.

What do I need to improve on ? 

• Rule of third.
• White balance.
• Focusing the shot.

Production Name
 To come with the name for our group I made a mind map using a website called bubbl.us.Then I asked my friends and team mates which name they like the most.Most of friends liked TMG Production, Fineline, Paradise Production and Roar studios.It was really difficult decision but we chose Fineline as it suited our group more.

Week 2- Remake

Week 2 remake blog

In week 2 we had to create a remake of a film of any genre so that we can practice range of camera shots and angle that will be helpful in our real opening sequence.The opening sequence ,that we chose to do remake of, was Juno.The reason is because that it has variety of shots such as high angle , long shot , tracking shot and more. In this task I was a camera man and a director.I also allowed my colleague to take some shots so that they have some experience using the camera.Through out the remake I learnt a new skill which was to direct the team members. The barrier we faced was lack of organisation because we did not plan beforehand , therefore we were struggling to find a quiet place to film where there was not many cars driving by. Also, another barrier was the battery kept on running low. Luckily, one of my colleague’s house was close by so we charged the battery there. While the battery was being charged we tried to calm ourself down and looked at each shots and noted down what we had to do. Finally, we edited the remake and analysed our remake.

Week 2: Remake Production Log By Henali

Week 1

preliminary log

During the preliminary process, we separated the work into 4 parts according to ability of the person. As I know Henali is good at writing, I decided her to do work that involves writing such as script. Then we decided Faisal to be one of our actor because he had more experience on acting than all of us. Also, we asked the drama department for a character that would fit the role of our character and they provided us a actress who was fun to work with. Since I have experience on how to use camera , I decided to be a camera man for this task. Finally , Vinnay was a editor because he has a Mac in his house so that he can edit the preliminary task at home. During the process I have learnt that you need to think creatively and also think out side the box to engage the viewers.This can be achieved by adding some funny elements to interest the viewers to keep watching it. Furthermore, I have learnt the rule of 180 degree and match on action, which I was able to perform in this task.Storyboard was done on Thursday after the video was shot.We did this because we had not planned or finalized our plot beforehand. This was appropriate for the situation because it was easier for me to draw what we had shot.However, Next time I would make sure that storyboard is done beforehand.Also, I helped one of my colleague by sending the format of the script so that she follows the correct layout and convention of a script.This made her job easier as all she had to do was input the script that she had made.

Evelina's and Farzin's Remake of 'To kill a mockingbird'

Evelina's and Farzin's preliminary task video

Farzin's Analysis of the Preliminary Task

Farzin's Remake evaluation

Remake of To Kill A Mockingbird From my experience of remaking the opening sequence of 'To Kill A Mockingbird', I have learnt about many of the different shots, camera angles and how difficult it can be making a remake of an opening sequence. During the remake of the opening sequence, there were many different shots and angles which my group and I had to use in order to get it exactly the way it was in the real opening sequence. From our remake, we can tell that there are certain angles and shots that were exactly the same and even some of the objects used were quiet similar to ones used in the actual sequence. It was quiet difficult for us to make sure that the camera wasn't too shaky during the close ups of the objects or while the camera was supposed to be moving around the objects, as the camera shown in the actual clip was used correctly. We tried our best to get it right and make it look professional exactly like the opening sequence. Overall, we did enjoy our experience making the remake of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and we hope to learn more about the different shots and angles which should be used while filming.

Farzin's production logos

Analyse Of The Preliminery Task- Evelina

Analyse of the Preliminary Task

Remake Evaluation Evelina

Remake Evaluation

From making a remake it help me understand they different shots that can be used to create a film opening. In the remake my group has made there was a lot of close-ups of objects and different angel. To know how to do the different angle shot and close up will help me and my group as we will know how to get close-ups of objects and how to get good angles of different shot. Also this was a grate film opening to use as it lets us experience how to focus and zoom at the same time to create a different mood so the audience knows that it is a film. The skill that I have to develop is how to zoom and focus on a object at the same time as I had trouble doing that; and try not to shake when recording as it does not look professional and will make the real task look bad unless is a action sense that need that kind of shot. I think the remake task help me in a way that is hard to zoom and focus on the object at the same time and that is try to use a thri-pod to film as it will turn out to be a shaking sense which is not good for  my main task.
By: Evelina Zliobaite

Production logos-Evelina

By Evelina Zliobaite

Evelina's and Farzins script

Script

Storyboard for Evelina's and Farzin's preliminary task

Week 1: Preliminary Task Production Log By Henali

Evelina's Week 1 Preliminary task

Week 1: preliminary task log

For our first 2 week of the preliminary task, we had to film a simple film to find out what we are capable of and the things that we as a group need improving for our real task. I found the filming and editing part harder then the people in my group as they had done media before, and I was new to this. However, my team members Jabed and Farzin help me find out how to use a camera and how to edit. To start the filming we had to create a synopsis, script and a storyboard, as this will help us with filming and give us directions that we need to follow while filming. However, we had to change the idea as we though of a very long and more complex film then we had to do. Filming with Jabed and Farzin was fun as our synopsis was on a bully which was played by me; Jabed was the guy that I was bullying, which was fun for me as I played a part and i got to act like a mad person.

Hello everybody... Welcome to Picker-Mix Production blog. 

Evelina week 2

Week 2: remake log

To get to know more shots, we had to create a remake of a film opening so then we can have bigger range of shot in our final film opening. For my groups remake, we wanted to do Juno, however, when it come to filming there were too many distractions; like for example: people walking by, cars driving, and cars been parked on the roads that were perfects for the film opening for Juno. So we decided to change it, and the the film opening of To kill a mockingbird; which was also a struggle as we needed to get the props for the film opening. The props were a box with with little things like jewellery and colours. The filming part took a lot of time as the box was moving and when we did the writing part the items in the box came out of place so we had to re film from the start. Editing was done by Jabed, as me and Farzin did not know how to edit much. However, I'm creating my own short films to get the hang of editing. Although the remake took long time to make and we had to change our idea like the preliminary task, we still had fun creating it.

Preliminary Task Synopsis By Henali & Anbish

Preliminary Task Storyboard By Henali & Anbish

Remake Of Juno Evaluation By Henali

Preliminary Task Script By Henali & Anbish

Preliminary Task By Henali & Anbish

Preliminary Task Synopsis - Farzin and Evelina

The Boy in Red

A drama/comedy

Audience: Teenagers/Young adults

Jabed, also known as ‘The Boy in Red’ is a 16 year old teenager who has a mental disorder. Because of his mental disorder, Jabed has to attend meetings with a psychiatrist. A day occurs where Jabed tries to hit on the girl he likes, but what he doesn’t know is his actions have serious consequences. One day, Jabed enters the psychiatrist’s office in frustration and in anger because he gets punched in the eye right before arriving to his meeting with the psychiatrist. There, the psychiatrist asks Jabed more about what happened and while Jabed explains how he got punched in the eye, he starts to get a flashback. During the flashback Jabed runs to Evelina, the girl he is in love with, hoping that this will be the day he could finally get her. Just when Jabed asks for her number, Evelina rejects him which leads to Jabed feeling offended and calling Evelina something rather inappropriate. Due to this, Evelina gets offended and punches him in the face. Just when Jabed finishes his story, the flashback ends; that’s when Evelina enters the room.

Once Evelina enters the room, in fear Jabed tells the psychiatrist that it was Evelina who has punched him. Seeing Jabed at the meeting frustrates Evelina, which leads to her picking up a chair and almost hurting Jabed. Jabed runs behind the psychiatrist in fear of getting hurt by the chair being thrown at him, he covers in face with both his hands so he doesn’t get hurt in the eye again. A voiceover of Jabed occurs during the end, he talks about he had learnt his lesson on how he shouldn’t hit on random girls otherwise it could lead to serious consequences.

Students Preliminary Task Analysis - Henali

I saw quite a few examples of AS Preliminary Task’s made by students and I picked up many good points as well as points to avoid when making our Preliminary Task. There were many good points that had stood out during the videos that I watched for example, there had been a wide range of camera angles used to signify something which helps the audience think about what the producers are trying to portray. As well as this, there was a good flow of shot to shot; these were examples of continuity editing. Adding to this, rules were followed during the Preliminary Task’s as it was important that an individual entered through a door, sat down on a chair and had a conversation with someone.

However, with things that went well, there were also things that didn’t go as well as they should have. Firstly, the timings of the video weren’t as required as most of them were between 30 and 40 seconds. Secondly, there were a few jump cuts used, these were examples of non-continuity editing. Due to this, it distracted me from engaging into the video. Moreover, the main camera angles and shots such as match on action, 180 degree rule and shot reverse shot weren’t used.

After watching these different AS Preliminary Task examples, I will make sure that:

-          Our Preliminary Task is a minute long
-     We follow the conventions for the Preliminary Task [Open the door, sit down on a chair and have a conversation]

-          We use continuity editing throughout

-          We use match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule

Production Name/Logo Ideas By Henali