Evaluation Activity 7

Evaluation Activity 7

Looking back at the preliminary task (The continuity edit task), what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

In my preliminary task we made many mistakes, such as; not wearing the same clothes, un-steady filming ETC. which I have now discovered are very important when making a media product. Since completing the final media product, I have learnt many things about the planning of a film and actually filming it. Some of the things that I have learnt include; Camerawork and Editing. As well as those two, I have learnt some new things about Mise-en-Scene. One of the things associated with Mise-en-Scene that I have learnt is that the body language shown by those involved can help to express the genre of the film.

Camerawork: In terms of camerawork I have learnt many things. The main thing is that I now know a much wider variety of shot types including an Establishing shot, Shot Reverse Shot, Match on Action and so on. Unlike in the preliminary task where we only really focused on close up’s and long shot, in the final product we was free to use the camera shot we decided would work best. Whilst learning the Camera shots, I also picked up some knowledge on the different Camera angles including; High angle and Low angle and how to use them effectively. I have also learnt about the Match on action shot which is where the shot is cut on action. Within camerawork I have learnt about the 180 degree rule which is where all of characters have the same Left/Right relationship to each other and should always be facing the same way.

Editing: I have also learnt many things in terms of editing. One of the main things I have learnt in terms of editing is how to use the editing software effectively. In the preliminary task all we had to do was cut a few scenes and stick them together but in the final media product the editing was a lot more intricate. Plus we had to include sounds and images and then make them work. During the editing process I learnt how to cut the sound from a shot while keeping the scene. During the editing process I also learnt how to change the colour of the film from Black and White and into Full colour. After the editing process I learnt how to export the final piece from Adobe Premier Pro through Windows Movie Maker and finally get the final piece in Window Media Player.

Overall in the progression from the preliminary task to final product I feel that I have learnt many new editing and filming skills that I can use in the future when creating other media related products.

Group Planning- Shot List

Horror Film Taken Shot List

Within the first shot of our horror movie taken, there are no particular shots that we have used, when the sequence begins, the first part the audience see is our production company name and logo (Unique Productions). The production company is on the screen from 00.00 until 0.07.

The first shot that we decided to use within our horror film was a close up shot. The close up shot is used as soon as the sequence begins, when one of the main characters within our film is pouring alcohol into the glass and then drinking it. Within this shot, the writers of the film come up on screen (written by Philip Gatward), moments after the first writers name is on screen the second writers name appears (written by David Maddy). To other roles within the film also come up on screen within this shot, director and filmed by Seb Hall and also the editor of the film (Dalian White). The only part of the body you can see of the character is from the chest down. Main concentration of this shot is the alcohol situation.  This shot lasts from 00.07 until 00.28.

The second shot is a panning shot of the graveyard, one of the main locations of our film is within this location. Towards the end of the panning on the graveyard, the shots end up on the character that was within the first shot. The character at this point is looking at a specific grave stone. On screen at the same time, starring Dalian White appears on screen. This panning does not last very long, the shot goes from 00.28 until 00.33.

The next shot that we used within our film was a long shot. The shot is used when the main character is walking down the alley by himself and is then approached by another character that appears to be trouble. The second character has hold of a weapon. This long shot lasts from 00.33 until 00.41.

The next type of shot that we used was a point of view (POV) shot of one of the main character, facing towards the second character swinging the back and hitting him, which then fades to the opening sequence. This shot is not used for too long, it last from 00.41 until 00.47.

The next we used was also a point of view (POV) shot of the main character within the film; the shot shows him waking up after being attacked within the title sequence. The shot shows the character within a blurred vision, at the same time starring over to someone sitting up against the table. This shot is used from 00.47 until 01.03.

For the next shot, we decided to use a midshot on both of the characters. The first character who was introduced in the title sequence is being held hostage, there is another character introduced in the opening sequence who is the doctor. The doctor at this point is approaching the victim. The shot is used from 01.03 until 01.08.

The next shot is a close up of the main character sitting in a chair tied up; the doctor in this shot pulls the tape away from the victim to then spat on by the main character. The doctor then slaps the main character. The shot lasts from 01.08 until 01.15.

The next shot we used was a panning shot of the medical equipment on the table. The panning is not used for very long; it lasts from 01.15 until 01.24.

The next shot we used is of a close up of the doctor opening up the draw pulling a gun out of it, the close up of the gun is the main focus of this shot. The shot is used from 01.24 until 01.27.

The next shot is a midshot of the doctor approaching the main character with the gun in hand. This shot is used from 01.27 until 01.32.

The next shot is a close up of the main character sitting in the chair; within this shot the doctor is threatening him with the gun (aiming it to his head). The gun is removed from the victims head shortly after. This shot is used from 01.32 until 01.42.

The next shot that we decided to use was a long shot of the doctor across the table putting gloves on. This shot only lasts from 01.42 until 01.47.

Towards the end of the opening sequence, we have used an extreme close up (ECU) of the doctor holding a piece of medical equipment (needle) in his hand. The shot is used from 01.47 until 01.49.

The last shot that we used to end our opening sequence was a midshot of the doctor of the doctor looking away from the camera, however facing towards the victim. This shot is used from 01.49 until 01.51.

The final part of the sequence is the title on screen which lasts from 01.51 until the finish of the video.

Group Planning of horror film Taken

Name of the Film:   Taken


Production Company Name:   Unique Productions


Certificate 18


Group Roles:
     Written By: David Maddy and Philip Gatward
     Directed By: Seb Hall
     Filmed By: Seb Hall
     Edited By: Dalian White
    
     Victim: Dalian White
     Doctor: Philip Gatward
     Attacker: David Maddy


Props Used:
     1. White Apron
     2. String
     3. Tape
     4. Medical Equipment (Needles, Scissors, Rubber Gloves)
     5. Fake Blood
     6. Chair
     7. Drink (Vodka Bottle) and other alcohol bottles.
     8. Bat
     9. Briefcase
   10. Weapon (Gun)


Plot:
The story is about a teenager that has lost somebody close to him and decides that a drink is the only option. Because of the alcohol and depression, the teen decides to visit the grave of the loved one. On leaving the graveyard he is attacked by a hooded stranger who takes him to an abandoned house where a strange doctor is waiting and the torture begins.  
           
Setting:
The film ‘Taken’ was set in 6T2 at Ernulf Academy (Abandoned House) and also in the graveyard and attached alleys located Cemetery Walk, St Neots.


Target Audience:
The film is aimed at males aged 18-30. We chose males because in the stereotypical horror fans research the males were more interested in the horrors than the females. We then chose age 18-30 because of the violence that is involved and also because of the plot. We think that it is more suited towards younger people.






Editorial Script:


Black Screen, Fades into the Production Company Name (unique) lasts 2 seconds. Then fades into the films title (Taken) which jumps across the screen then flashes all in time with the music.


Music Continues- Title screen fades into the opening. Close up of the alcohol on the table. First name appears on screen in a Bradley Hand ITC font (Written By Philip Gatward). Pours drink as the second name appears (Written By David Maddy).


Whilst pouring the drink the third name appears (Filmed and Directed By Seb Hall). Fourth name fades in (Edited by Dalian White). Same camera shot (Close Up).


Fades into the next shot. Panning shot. Camera pans around a grave yard, stops at Dalian (looking at a grave). When we see Dalian standing the next name fades in (Starring Dalian White).


Fades into a Long Shot of Dalian walking down an alley at the side of the garve. Next name appears (Starring David Maddy). Walks away With Prop 7.


David enters the same shot, follows Dalian, Carries Prop 8.


Close up of Dalian being followed, changes to a mid shot as he gets further away. Camera changes to a P.O.V shot from Dalian of David swinging the bat. Sound affect of the swinging and also the Bat hitting.


Cuts to a black screen.


Fades in to the next shot. A P.O.V shot from Dalian of him waking up. Camera wobbles, and is blury.


Sound affect added of a radio turning on. Music begins (Sailors Windpipe). Affects added to create double visions. Dalian makes Groaning sounds.


Cuts to a shot of Dalian awaking taped up to prop 6 with props 2 & 3 and Philip walking over to him (Wearing prop 1). Well lighted. Tears prop 3 of Dalian face.


Close up of Dalian spitting prop 5 towards Philip (Wearing prop 1).


Camera fades into a shot of Philip slapping Dalian. (Still can’t see his face). As he is slapped Dalian spits prop 5 over the wall.


(Music Still Playing)


Panning shot over the desk. Looking at props 2, 3, 4 and 9.


Sound of draw opening.


Camera switches to a high angle shot to see whats in the draw.


Philip pulls out prop 10. (Head out of shot)


Camera switches back to a long shot of Dalian taped to the chair. Philip walks over with prop 10 in hand. (Head out of Shot)


Camera switches to a close up of prop 10 being pointed at Dalians head.


Blood on the wall (In Shot). Blood visable on Dalian's head.


Camera cuts to a shot of the desk top and Philip putting the gloves on (Head out of shot)


(Music Still Playing)


Camera cuts to a close up of Philip using prop 4.


Camera then cuts to a mid shot of Philips back. (Can’t see his face). Laughter included so he seems to be enjoying it. Dalian is out of shot so that we can’t see what's happening to him.


Laughter fades out with the camera shot.

Group Planning- Taken Storyboard

Group Planning

Name of the Film:                           Playtime

Production Company Name:      -----

Group Roles:                                     Written By -

   Dalian White

                                                           Directed By-

   Dalian White

                                                           Screen Play-

   Seb Hall                           Murder Victim 2

   David Maddy                   Murder Victim 1

   Philip Gatward                 Messed Up Kid

Props:                                                   1. Wrestling Figures

                                                              2. Laptops

                                                              3. Murder Weapon (Knife or Blunt object)

                                                              4. Cast Name Sketches

                                                              5. Weird Pictures

Certificate 15: Because the film would be hopefully scary but it will not contain any bad language, sex or drugs but it will contain violence.

Editorial Script:

Black screen – introduces company name 2 seconds then fade out

(Sound of pen/pencil scribbling whilst production name is on screen)

Panning shot of the teenager’s desk with props 1, 2, 4 and 5.

Extreme close up of teenager typing in victims house address into an internet map, pans and zooms in on the address to show murder location.

Credit screen fades into Teenager walking through tunnel.

Teenager crossing the bridge (trailing shot of scrapping the murder weapon across the bridge) fades to next starting credit.

Credit screen with sound of park gate opening and closing

Teenager on spinning disk laughing which laying down (shot from bird’s eye view to see teen then switch to teenagers POV whilst spinning on the roundabout.

Credit screen with sound affect of running water (river)

Teen splashes face then edit to make the teen disappear in the same shot (add stereotypical horror sound effect to emphasise the genre of film)

New credit screen music fades and shot fades on man’s face standing outside

Teenager approaches flats where man is standing

[Dalian]: Hey, go straight in.

Next title screen with sound of a door unlocking.

Teen walking up the stairs towards the victim’s room.

Title Playtime Pops up with loud horror sound effect to make a jumpy and unexpected effect for audience.

               

                                                               

The photo's of our setting- New and Old

The four pictures below are of our NEW setting. We decided to use the stereotypical graveyard as seen in photo 1 because we felt that it related to horror through death and also help to create a mood to the film. We also chose it because it is a quite place where you are usually all alone with nobody else around so if something happens it could create suspence. We chose the alley attached to the graveyard (Photo 2 (Right)) because like the grave it woudl be isolated and quite. As for the bottom to images we chose them mainly because of the plain dull walls that could create a good effect in terms of the atmosphere during the film. In the end we only used the corner of the room as seen in image 4 (bottom right) because of the small window at the top of the wall so we could use it as a basement type room and also because it would help contribute towards the lighting.

The top two images are of the graveyard and attached alley located on Cemetry Lane in St Neots. 

The bottom two images are of 6T2 which is a teaching room inside of Ernulf Academy 6th Form.

The four pictures below are of our original setting. We had decided to use the park as we felt that at night it has the potential to be quite intimidating and scary. Whilst at the park we made the decision to use the bridge in the 2nd photo rather than the one in the 1st because of it old, crooked look and we felt that it made it relate more to a horror. The tunnel is the 3rd and 4th photos were picked as a part of our setting because they looked dark and were isolated away from the housing estate with train tracks located directly on top which could create tension when a train passes.

The two images (Left and Right) as of bridges that are located next to the small park on Howitts Lane, St Neots.










The images (Left and Right) are of an old un used tunnel that is situated below some train tracks. The tunnels are also located next to the park.

Independant research - The Ring 2

The Ring 2 (2005) Rated 5.1/10 on the IMDb… Fear Comes Full Circle

Opening Weekend: $35,065,237 (USA) (20 March 2005) (3332 Screens)

Gross: $143,024,542 (Worldwide) (18 April 2005)

Run Time: 110 Minutes

Produced By: DreamWorks SKG

Directed By: Hideo Nakata

Written By: Hiroshi Takahashi, Kôji Suzuki, Ehren Kruger

Cast: Naomi Watts, Simon Baker, David Dorfman and Elizabeth Perkins

Plot: Roughly six months after the first horror featuring Samara and many victims, a new video tape has emerged that proves that there is a new terror waiting in the darkness. Main actress Rachel (Naomi Watts) finally hears of a recent death involving a college student and the death is caused by similar incidents as Samara’s past victims. Now Rachel’s son (Aidan) is in danger and it is down to her to prevent her sons death.




Themes: One of the major themes in the Ring 2 is water. this is because Samara (The main character) has a fear of it as her spirit is stuck at the bottom of a well. it is also assumed to be a main theme because there are many suggestions throughout the film that Samara's dad was a water demon and in some religions water is seen as a form of purification.

Setting- After everything that happened in the original Ring the film move out of the city and into a small rural town called astoria, USA.

Props- Within the fil (the Ring 2) there are many props used. In extract lasting approximately one and a half minutes, there are several props that include; The tape which becomes a main feature in the film once again, a TV that creates a fealing a fear and also a room that is overflowing with water, which also has a major part in the film as the story is based on a girl in a well.



Lighting- The majority of the film is light by natural light which helps to make the film feel more realistic. In the TV world they used dull lighting so that it would seem more creepy and therefor create a tense feeling.



Sound (Diegetic and Non-Diegetic)- Henning Lohner and Martin Tillman produced all of the music to The Ring 2. They was also in charge of the Non-Digetic sound that are heard throughout the film. in regards to non- diegetic, within the one minute thirty trailer I watched, there was a lot of high intensity music playing. for Diegetic there are many sound effects that have been added in such as the sound of a TV un tuned and also some screaming sound that are being made by Samara's victims. In the film the sound editors also etablished a sound Motif. They have done this by using the sound of the TV tuning in.

 
Editing- Within the extract that i watch and also throughout the entire film, the editing contains many Ellipsis' such as when you hear the TV crackle and are waiting for Samara to appear. The editors have also used many Faced paced editing techniques such as match on action so that the pace of the film is increased and also so that it helps to create more tension. Also about 5 minutes through, the editors have changed it into black and white to create the effect of looking out of the TV and into the 'normal' world. They acheived this by adding a fuzzy effect and changing the colour of the clip.



Camerawork- The camera work in the first 5 minutes are mainly mid-long shots.



Review- The Ring Two received negative reviews with a current positive rating of 20% on Rotten Tomatoes. Metacritic gives the movie a 69 out of a possible 100. The main complaint was the script and screenplay, which some critics thought was dull and "littered with plot holes", but Naomi Watts' performance as Rachel Keller was praised by critics.