Task 1
A single-camera set up involves filming a scene using only one camera throughout. When a single-camera set up is used, the camera shots will be taken in an order that they will not appear on the program when the viewers watch it. This means the director can get scenes done faster as the camera does not need to be moved around to get each shot in chronological order. Using single-camera setup is time consuming as lighting may have to be changed at the start of every shot. It is also more expensive than multi-camera setup. A multi-camera setup involves more than one camera, all set up in the right place before the scene takes place. The lighting for each camera will have already been set up, saving time.
Single-camera set ups are the main way of shooting when on a film set, however for TV programs both multi-camera and single-camera setups are used. Programs such as soap operas most likely use multi-camera, however music videos, and adverts probably use single-camera setups.
The advantage to a multi-camera setup is the shots are able to be straight to the point and, true emotions and reactions, are easier to capture as the camera shot will be taken straight away, rather than having to stop the scene and move the camera. Times when multi-camera shots may be used are when there is more than one person being filmed, for instance in an interview. Using a camera per person, allows the camera to be fixed on one point, making it easier for close-ups, and other shots, to be used.
Task 2
There are two main types of single camera format
s: Serial and Series. Soap operas are an example of serials, the story line is ongoing and is never completed in a single episode. Quiz shows are good examples of series, as each episode ends without leaving a cliff hanger, however they are filmed in sets of a certain amount of episodes. Lost is an example of a program that falls into both Series and Serial. Each episode follows on from the last but the show is shown on TV in different series.
Task 3
Different types of narratives are used depending on the type of program and the effect they have on the audience. Soap operas, such as Eastenders, give us a linear story-line, more realistic, so the audience feel as though they are escaping their lives, by watching someone else's. If the storylines were non-linear, then the program would become unrealistic, and the feeling of it been real life will be taken away.
Programs such as Lost, use a non-linear narrative. The storyline is also multi-strand as it follows the lives of different characters. It uses flashbacks throughout every episode to help the audience learn more about the characters and their lives before the incident. This helps the audience to apply Propp's theory of Hero, Damsel, Villain and Helper.
Even though both these programs follow different types of narratives, they both end each episode with open endings. This is where the ending of the episode leaves the audience with a cliffhanger, guessing what will happen in the next episode. They feel like they have to keep watching the program as they need answers.
Some films have open endings, which lead to sequels. Films such as Harry Potter have open endings.
Film makers have alot more freedom to play around with narratives and endings than the makers of T.V Programs. They are not only able to use Todorov's theory, but they can change the order of the Equilibrium, Disruption and Resolution.
Anti realist narratives are when the TV program or film are able to contain things that are fictional/fantasy. Examples of anti realist films are Avatar and Doctor Who. Doctor Who contains villains/monsters that can only be seen through imagination. Films/ programs with anti realist narratives allow the audience to escape their real lives, entering a life that can never be.
Task 4
The titles for the clips use juxtaposition, white writing on a black background. The
writing is blurred and shakes in sync with the sound of a train in the background. The red number seven has connotations of danger and death. The titles of the video help the genre be predicted as a thriller. An establishing shot is used at the start of the film in order to set the scene.
When we are introduced to the first character in the video an extreme close up of the woman's eye is used to show the audience that she is crying. An enigma is formed at this point as we begin to wonder what has upset the woman, and tension is built when we see her about to step onto the railway line.The camera shot then quickly cuts, and an explosive sound is played to emphasize the break in the narrative. The shot is of an empty park, where the swings are moving in the wind. This scene is edited into black and white, giving the shot an eerie feeling, like something is wrong. It could also hint that this scene is set in the past and that the narrative has become non-sequential, using flashbacks to help explain what is going on in the video. A non-diagetic sound of a heartbeat is played to create tension. A long shot is used soon after the clip of the empty park of a person laid on the floor. At this point the audience begin to question whether the person is just unconscious or no longer alive. The video then cuts from the image of the person on the floor and a hand containing pills. The images cut from one to the other frequently to emphasize that the pills have something to do with the person on the floor. Another scene is shown using the black and white effect and we begin to understand who the woman at the beginning of the video is. Throughout the scenes set in the past, the heartbeat sound is played and the camera shots are cut in order to fit in with the audio.
Throughout the film worm's eye view and low camera shots are used on the woman to connote that she has some importance in the storyline and may be the dominant character
over the other two men. At the end of the video, the heartbeat sound is
played, but this time in the present. Quick cuts are used of different camera shots. The first shot is an extreme close up of one of the men, it shows the audience a look of worry in his eyes and we start to guess what is going to happen next. When the woman is on the train track, a point of view shot is used, as though the camera has been strapped to the front of the train. The movement of the camera is very unsteady to give the audience the feeling that they are the train moving towards the woman. The heartbeat quickly speeds up as the train gets closer to the woman and just before they collide, the screen goes blank. The logo of the creators is shown again and the sound of a train is played in the background.
Task 5
Through the years technology has never stopped developing into a more advanced an easier accessible source of information. We use it for many things, such as surveillance of what is going on around the world and escapism, to be able to watch other peoples lives and help it take our minds off of our issues. However there are pro's and con's to the Media constantly becoming
more and more advanced.
20 years ago, technology was very limited in comparison to what we have in the new millennium. There was no internet, limited TV channels and magazines didn't contain celebrity gossip like the present day. This sounds like a negative, however for the people producing the media it was easier. With TV's only containing a few channels, there was a huge audience guaranteed to view the adverts they put on these channels. Target audiences were alot broader than they are now. Due to inventions such as Sky and Virgin Media, there are alot more channels available to the audience, this makes it harder for advertisers as they can not rely on a mass audience like they could when there were few TV channels.
With more and more new and different TV channels being produced as time goes on, programs are becoming less viewed. For example, Only Fools and Horses was a popular TV show and managed to grab 23.4 million viewers, in 1996, making the highest UK audience for a sitcom episode. However, if the program was shown now, then there would be a lot less viewers, as there is such a wider range of programs available.
The growth of the internet has also had a huge effect on the viewings of TV, due to video sites such as YouTube and iPlayer. These sites allow access to repeats of programs. This gives people a chance to catch up on their favourites soaps etc. The internet plays a massive part in every day life for most people as it manages to cater for niche markets.
Task 6
Task 7
To shoot my single camera drama I will be using a small hand-held digital camera using a DV tape. At some points in the film, I will use a tripod to keep the camera steady and make sure the footage is clear. There will be certain parts of the film where I may choose not to use a tripod to make a point of view shot, looking through the eyes of the character. Not using a tripod will make the audience feel as though they are traveling with the character, seeing everything they have to see. Once I have got all the footage I need, I will be using iMovie HD to edit. This allows me to add effects the certain clips, such as Black and White.
Task 8
My single camera drama will be a short advert for a horror movie, based around an old, run down school building. At the start of the trailer, we will not use the title of the film as this will create an enigma throughout the trailer, as the viewers try and predict what the film is going to be called/about. The trailer will begin with an establishing shot of the building, panning from left to right. This shot will enable the full building to be involved, creating further enigma, as the viewers want to know whether they will be taken inside the building, or what is going on inside. After the establishing shot, which will last around 7 seconds, there will be quick firing shots, starting at around 3 seconds, increasing in speed throughout the film, with a flash in between each one. The increase in speed of the shots in the trailer will connote how the film is expected to be hectic and exciting. In between each shot, there will be a split second black screen, which will create a flashing effect, but with a darker feeling, which is a signifier, connoting the film is not going to be happy and uplifting. It also connotes a heart beat of a possible character, as it speeds up throughout the clips, suggesting that it is becoming more afraid. This gives the viewers a further idea of what genre the film may be. When the shots of the building have finished, the trailer will become a bit calmer as point of view shots will be used of a young girl being spied on. A few clips will be shown from different angles, all showing the girl, and then the trailer will quickly speed up again as the creature spying will take the chance and chase the girl. This will also be a point of view shot, and the camera to creata a feeling for the viewers, as though they are the ones chasing he girl. will be held while running. This helps the viewers to see through the eyes of one of the characters, enabling them to feel as though they are there. We will alternate the running shots, from looking at the feet of the creature, to looking at the girl being chased. This way it divides the shot, instead of it being one long clip, avoiding the trailer becoming boring. It will also help to create tension, as every time the clip changes to be on the girl, the creature will be a little closer. After these clips, the screen will be black shown for around 2 seconds to trick the audience into thinking it is over. I will then use a high pitched scream, and an extreme close up of an eye will flash onto the screen. The screen will then go black and a heavy breathing will be heard, while the title of our film is shown. The font we will use will be a traditional, old style font, which will be white on a black background. The white font on the black background will be juxtaposed, causing a huge contrast between the two colours. The title clip may have a foggy effect over the writing to create an eerie feeling.
The music bed throughout the trailer will reflect the tempo of the film. When the film is at stages of slow, tension building, the music will reflect this by having a slow, eerie tempo. However when the film trailer speed increases, the tempo of the music will join and increase the effect. This will help to emphasize the change in the audiences emotions as they watch the trailer.
The clips in our trailer will be put in black and white to create a feeling of cold, and surrealism. The black and white effect will be typical of the horror genre. We will make the contrast of the clips higher, so that the image is more black and white as appose to greyscale, this will add more juxtaposition to the clips.
Task 9
Task 10
Task 12
Task 13
Our single camera drama was a film trailer, therefore the main purpose was persuasion. In order for a film trailer to be effective, it needs to persuade viewers to go and see the film. The other purpose was entertainment.
