Unit 21 - Single Camera Techniques

Task 1 (P1, M1, D1)

Camera Techniques

Shooting methods can be split into two categories, Single Camera or Multi Camera setups. The former, as the name suggests, is filming using only one Camera, whilst the latter is filming using several different cameras simultaneously.

At first, single camera production was the only way, due to the fact that technology at the time did not offer a way to utilise multiple cameras. Thus single camera shooting was seen as a restriction, rather than a creative decision.[1] Although more time consuming (thus more expensive), using a single camera set up gives the film makers much more control over the production as it allowing them to concentrate on just one shot. Also, using a single camera set up adds a sense of realism to the production; it puts the audience in the place of the cameraman. The camera shot seems more real as it is constant, as if being viewed in 1^st person, not cutting between several static cameras.

Multi-Camera setups are a cheaper, quicker and do not rely on one shot to sell the scene which is created by editing together the several shots. This method can be used when filming fast paced action or a very spectacular scene. Quick cutting between different cameras in action scenes adds a sense of speed and urgency to the scene. Spectacular scenes, such as expensive pyrotechnics, are shot with multiple cameras so that none of the effect is lost, having multiple cameras lets the film makers decide which shot captured the effect best, or if they want shots from different angles of the effect. Also, multi camera setups are used on live sets. The cameras are set up on rigs around the studio. Camera men film certain parts of the show and the producer switches live from one camera to another. This brings me on to mention the limitation of sets when using a multi camera set up. With a single camera you are not constrained in any way, shooting on location is easy. However, a multi camera set up requires a extensive array of rigs to control the camera shots, this limits locations to indoor settings or sets.

I recently went to see the new Quentin Tarantino film ‘Inglorious Bastards’. This is a perfect example of a director who uses single camera techniques at their best. Tarantino is known for his ability to really capture the audience, single camera techniques are one tool he uses. The opening scene involves a conversation between a French Farmer and a Nazi Officer, who his hunting for ‘enemies of the state’, the tension that is built up through already conceived ideas of Nazi’s and the overall tone of the conversation is aided by the use of a single camera shot throughout, which pans below the floor boards to revel a Jewish family taking refuge. The reason I mention this scene is that the atmosphere and expert mise en scene couples with the use of the single camera method to create such deep tension and tear jerking emotion, without the use of any star vehicles or spectacular effects.

An example of a multi camera set up would be a live situation such as a football game. Cameras are placed surround the pitch, more than one at certain high action areas such as near the goal posts. While the game is on, a producer will control what camera too feed to the public. The benefits are obvious and undeniable when it comes to using multiple cameras during a live game as no one has any way of knowing what is going to happen. However, this does put a lot more pressure on the producer as they really need to be on the ball.

[1] http://www.cybercollege.com/tvp062.htm

Task 2 (P1, M1, D1)

Single Camera Drama

Single camera dramas are separated into several categories, primarily; Series, serials and single dramas. A Series is a program that continues on average for 7 to 10 Series’ that contain a number of episodes. Doctor Who, with its seemingly endless number of series (today it is at it’s 30^thseries and its 753^rd episode) and Shameless are two examples of a successful series. A serial however is just like a series, however it has a set number of ‘parts’ and the program ends after that. ‘The Quatermass Experiment’ [is] ‘one of the oldest surviving pieces of BBC television drama.’ This BBC serial ran for 6, 30 minute episodes and gained great success. [1] Today, high quality serials are still being produced which the likes of ‘Harpers Island’ a successful American crime drama and Dead Set which was a 5 part horror serial. Single Dramas are one off programs, rather like films.

To elaborate on my example; Doctor who is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running science fiction series show in the world.[2] It was originally broadcast in 1963 and the newest series is scheduled for 2010. Doctor who is a perfect example for describing a series, it’s episodes all have their own stories and it has been on since well before I was born as still shows no sign of stopping.

Dead Set was broadcast on E4 on the 27 October 2008 and ended on Halloween night. This BAFTA nominated program ran for 5 hour long episodes which introduced a horde of Zombies to the Big Brother house. This excellent combination of an existing famous TV show and a gory zombie feature brought E4 just fewer than 1.5 Million viewers and an 8.3% total audience share.[3] The fact that the narrative took place over all 5 episodes and that Dead Set ended for good on the 31^st is a great example of the compressions between a Serial Drama and a Series.

An example of another highly successful series is ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’. This crime drama follows a group an elite forensics team as they solve crimes in Las Vegas. This series was broadcast on the 9^th June 2001 in the UK and the upcoming 10^th series, which will be broadcast on Channel 5, is due for 2010.[4]The narrative arch for each episode is a different case that the team have to solve, each episode ending in with the criminal in jail and the case closed.

The one off Docudrama, The Road to Guantanamo was aired on the 9^th of March 2006. Its emotional insight into the lives of detainees at the ‘detention’ (concentration) camp at Guantanamo, Cuba opened the eyes of many to the sick, barbarous and un-lawful treatment of the people who are held there. It won the Prix Italia [5] and a Silver Bear at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival. [6]

[1] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_drama

[2] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who

[3] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Set_(TV_series)

[4] - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0247082/

[5] - http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/single-drama/198880.article

[6] - http://www.channel4.com/film/newsfeatures/microsites/G/guantanamo/index.html

Task 3 (P1, M1, D1)

Narrative Structures

Narrative structures are the way that the story is told. Using different techniques, directors can deliver a narrative in many different ways. Fight Club is a seminal film within the media industry. Its complex narrative structures put audience in and a difficult position, where they don’t really know what is going on. At first glance fight club seems to have a sequential narrative, however it is being told from the restrictive point of view of the main character in

the form of a flashback. As the film goes on the audience are subjected to the main characters mental

subjectivity and the narrative structures begin to blur as even the character is confused about the structure of his own life. The film deals with realists themes of insomnia and schizophrenia yet, due to the subjective narration and restricted plot, they audience get an almost anti-realist reading. It is obvious that Fight Club purposefully breaks the conventions of narrative structure, this is emphasised by the change of pattern throug

hout the film. At the start, it seems the point of the story is Jack’s goal of getting out of the typical rat race life that he is in, and getting over his insomnia. However, as the story progresses it turns into an investigative story as Jack try’s to figure out what is going on, when this ends the true purpose of the story is revealed as Jack has undertaken a meta physical journey. Another point is that Propp’s theory is played about within Fight Club. The main character is set up as a Damsel, the one who needs help. Tyler is set up as a hero who brings Jack out of his dead end life style however as the film progresses, Tyler becomes the antagonist (Who then turns out to be part of Jacks imagination). These narrative structures all work together to break existing conventions, in an attempt to get the audience engaged. Also, they are used to put across the main characters confused feelings.

A contrasting narrative would be the story of the first Star Wars film: A New Hope as the narrative structures of this film are clear, concise and stick to the conventions of narrative. Almost instantly the audience are introduced to the villain, damsel, hero and several companion characters, a prime example of Propp’s theory. The use of typical conventions gives the audience a sense of knowing, and this helps the director sell the genre. The unrestrictive narrative lets the audience see what all sides are doing. They see Darth Vader (the antagonist) hunting for the Droids, which Luke (Our protagonist) has just bought. Fear of the inevitable fate of Luke puts the audience at the edge of their seat. The story is the journey of Luke Skywalkers path to becoming a Jedi, a physical as well as meta-physical journey is undertaken by the Protagonist. A sense of attachment is created with the hero, which is heightened by the film being open ended (No surprise when you consider the 2 sequels and 3 prequels)

Task 4 (P1, M1, D1)

Camera, light, sound and editing

The re-enacted clip from seven demonstrates how camera techniques, lighting, sound and editing to deliver an effective scene that anchors the feelings of a character. Firstly, the camera techniques are used to set the scene with a long establishing shot. A close up shows the girls tears, connoting her sadness. Extended signification suggests that there is something wrong, creating an enigma. The lighting is high key which gives the scene a surreal feel but also contrasts with the feelings of the character. It works well to highlight the change from colour to black and white.

The enigma is played upon with use of black and white flashbacks. The choice to use black and white represents the flashbacks separation from reality. The use of non-diegetic sound during theses scenes is also distorted, furthering the surreal connotations.

Towards the end of the clip, the surreal flashbacks start to make sense and the conversation starts to build up to something. This something is represented with church bells, which connote that it is ‘time’ for something. Also, church bells have connotations of death, which turns out to be the case. The main character jumps onto the train tracks and a shaky camera speeds up to her. The use of editing (shaky camera, speed) signifies the train. This is set in stone with sound effects of a train.

Task 5 (P1, M1, D1)
Audience

The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people. ~Karl Marx

In 1920, the first commercial radio station was opened.[1] The golden age of radio had hit its peak with 22 Million American homes with a radio by 1935 .[2] After World War II the new demand for luxury that was denied during the war opened the flood gates for television.[3] During this era, media was limited to the newspaper, the small number of radio stations and even smaller number of television stations. Audiences then were easy to capture due to this mass audience and their fascination with new technology. Today 99% of people (in the US) have a TV in their house, and on average spend 9 years stuck to its screen (based on a 65 year life). The 1990’s saw the explosion that is known as the Internet, and today a quarter of the earth use it. [4]

With this continued advancement media is literally forced into every single area off life as access to it becomes incredibly easy, people have the ability to watch/play/read/ what they want, where they want, when they want, how they want and even if they don’t want. This leaves audiences diversified and much harder to target by producers and advertisers.

“Every day new technology is tearing down old ways of doing business, in the process it is driving us away from a mass media where news and entertainment was centrally controlled.” Rupert Murdoch (Obviously upset about his loss of power can control)

There is no question about the vast rate at which Humans consume media. Yet the way in which they do it is amazingly varied; Independent news groups can broadcast over the internet giving people a different point of view. A phone can store thousands of songs, browse the internet, watch TV and play games making it impossible to be targeted due to the difference sources of media. Sky’s ads can be paused, then fast-forwarded, on their own technology. It’s a wonder why advertisers pay them. However due to this the corporations are forced to up their monopolisation and attempt to capture the advancing technology which is hopefully going to stay one step ahead of them.

[1]- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_broadcasting

[2] - http://www.cybercollege.com/frtv/frtv018.htm

[3]- http://www.tvhistory.tv/1946-1949.htm

[4]- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet

Task 6 (P1, M1, D1)
Audience profiling

Below is a chart that profiles certain audiences via social staus. Click to view larger.

http://www.thinkbox.tv/server/show/nav.914

From the infomation contained in that chart is is easy to see the diverce audience that now spans todays media. We can see that the more upper class male citizens are much more consirned with more high brow or intellectuall media, programs such as Question Time and Broadsheet newspapers. Compared too amles of a lower class who focus more on sport and reality TV. In my opinon, this sheads a little light on the British class divede. Richer folk spend alot more time consirned about the way the world is whilst the poorer people would rather have that all taken care off whilst they sit and watch shows that make thier lives a little more bareable. Quite convient for the upper classes.

However, whilst similar the lines between women of differnet classes are slightly more blury when it comes to media. Partialy beause house wives are common throughout the class system and this creates and audience off women at home with children, regardless of class. However, when it comes to reading ABC1 women are rarely read the news paper whilst C2DE women tend to read The Sun newspaper, although it's only for entertainment. Again all women enjoy reading magazines, with more upper class women reading beauty mags rather than gosip and celebraty mags that C2ED women seem to prefer.

Task 7 (P1, M1, D1)
Production; Equipment and Persons

Task 7 – Production; Equipment and Persons

People

When producing content for the screen, many things have to be taken into consideration before hand. Who? What? Where and when are all essential in producing quality footage. Now I will create a short report on the equipment and software we will be using, also the people and places involved.

First of all, we need to put faces into the production. We are working in teams of three (Me, Eddie Lawson and Curtis Pearson), so naturally we will make up the actors. As there are four characters in our production, one person will need to take up the role of ‘The Ninja’ whilst taking the part of ‘Gangster 1’ in another scene. The remaining members of our team will play two other characters, ‘Boss and Gangster 2’. The garage door featured in the last scene is not automatic so we will need a stagehand to open the garage door from the outside as too create the last scene.

Props and costumes

The props and costumes for each character can be easily obtained. The ninja’s costume will be created from black clothing and a t-shirt tied around the head to create that ninja look. Eddie’s Martial Arts hand wraps and a scarf around the waist will add a much more authentic look. The Ninja sword will be obtained from Eddie’s sword collection, which is a great convenience as otherwise it would have been a difficult job getting a good-looking sword. The costumes for the Gangsters are going to be made up of various items of clothing that we will collect, a cheap shirt would need to be bought so that it can be ripped and bloodied up for the final scene (through the use of fake blood, which I have left over from Halloween), this will be bought from one of the many charity shops around the local area. Eddie will be providing most of the smart clothing that will create the gangster look. Other props, such as a chair will be obtained easily as they are everyday items that can be found on location.

Equipment

Once everything and everyone is in place, we need technical equipment to record the production. For filming, school will provide a Panasonic AG-DVX100B video camera. This camera has several

features that we will take advantage off, such as ‘Edge enhancement for easy focusing’ which will be a great advantage when filming quick actions scenes, ‘Precision wide-angle Leica Dicomar lens with Servo/Manual Zoom’ is another feature that will allow our film to have greater quality and control over shots, plus a firewire connection is essential to connect to the Mac computers in school.[1] Theses are just a few features that make the AG-DVX100B a brilliant piece of kit for our needs. As well as the video, we will need to record the audio separately to ensure a high quality of sounds. For this, school will provide an Edirol R-09HR, Wave/Mp3 recorder, this fantastic piece of equipment records high quality audio with its high-sensitivity stereo condenser microphone. It compact and light weight build makes it great for taking out and about whilst filming.[2]

Software

Once the production is filmed we will need to edit it into the final product. For this, two main programs were used. iMovie HD Mac’s prime video editing software. We used this to import the footage, cut it down to the best takes and put it in sequence. iMovie was adequate for simple editing, however for a more extensive array of effects and greater control over the editing processes, Adobe After Effects was used. This program has a much more wide range of footage manipulation effects when compared to iMovie, it also gives the user much more control over how the effects are used and applied to the footage. Unfortunately, the overall quality of the footage will be lessened with the transfer between different programs, however it is a small price to pay for a far superior program.

[1] - http://catalog2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ModelDetail?storeId=11201&catalogId=13051&itemId=94944&surfModel=AG-DVX100B

[2] - http://www.amazon.com/Edirol-R-09HR-High-Resolution-WAVE-Recorder/dp/B0016MLUKU

Task 8 (P1, M1, D1)
Proposal

Objective: Below is the proposal for a short film that aimed to use a simple, obvious narrative of a chase too create enigma, action and demonstrate the advanced editing software, Adobe Aftereffects. This will be achieved through the use of varied conventions, some typical and some broken, this will add to the enigma as well as help portray the action.

Setting: The majority of the scenes are in a shadowy, disused garage. The chase scene is set in a forest, which isn’t as safe as it seems.

Time Duration:

Description: Overall, the film is about ‘The Suitcase’ and the attempts of one suspiciously shady individual to get a hold of it. As the film pans out, the audience realise that this man is in fact in complete control of the situation, playing both sides of the coin. The film is made up of four distinct parts, comprised of several scenes. Firstly, a slow paced interrogation scene will set the scene and explain the situation, these shots will use low key lighting too add to the shady and mysterious feel. Plus, the camera will be directly on the character in the chair, deliberately cutting out any distinguishing features of the ‘Boss’, adding even more to the enigma.

A fast past chase scene makes up the action and is put together using a variety of camera shots. Two tracking shots, cut into each other at a fast pace will signify the chase. The shot of the Ninja running will feature fast paced music and a shaky camera, whilst the shots of the gangster making his way through the forest unknowingly will use a still shot, with very slow, peaceful music, This juxtaposition is used to add a sense of tension, also the contrasting music and nature of the characters offers a level of comedy. The final scene returns to the opening location, only this time with a new Gangster in the chair. The final scene is highly emotive, and uses edited lighting to portray that. As the ‘boss’ leaves the scene, high key lighting signifies his accomplishment.

This short film is also an attempt at using advanced editing software. Two major effects were used, one to highlight the Ninja Sword and another in the final scene to enhance the lighting. These effects give the production an air of professional editing, as well as offering experience.

Remarks:

· The identity of neither the Ninja or the Boss is never revealed

· The contents of ‘The Suitcase’ are never revealed; this is done as homage to Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Pulp Fiction’ in which a similar suitcase is used and never revealed.

Proposed Sequence Sample of Events:

1. Opening flashback that introduced the ninja and his target, loud heartbeat, black and white, heavy on distortion effects to connote that everything not necessarily as it seems.

2. First interrogation scene, Character being asked about ‘The Suitcase’ by the unidentified ‘Boss’, who has him killed by the Ninja.

3. Wide shot of field, Ninja appears as if out of nowhere and runs towards Camera

4. Two tracking shots quickly cutting between each other fast and slow paced juxtaposed.

5. POV shot, the Ninja watches his target approach

6. Panning shot that end up at low angle shot of Ninja. Pans from the suitcase on the floor, up the Gangsters body to reveal the Ninja in a tree above who draws his sword.

7. Second interrogation scene, this time with the Gangster from the previous scene who has obviously been attacked, the Boss had him killed by the Ninja, at this point it should be obvious that the Boss had been controlling the Ninja as well as the Gangsters, all too his own gain.

8. The Boss proceeds out of the Garage, suitcase in hand.

Closing screen shots: Logo fades in and out leaving only the title behind, credits roll.

Task 9 (P1, M1, D1)

Storyboard

Task 10 (P1, M1, D1)
Production Schedule

Task 11 (P1, M1, D1)
Risk Assesment

Task 12 (P1, M1, D1)
Evaluation

Our purpose with La Valise was too produce a short film that paid homage to several genres such as Film noir and suspense/thriller. We tried to achieve this through effective use of costume, effects and shots. Secondly, we wanted to use narrative tools to tell a story that got the audience to think. Personally, I feel that the overall purpose was achieved, in that we successfully applied conventions that signify genre. Also, in my own opinion I felt that the way we presented the narrative successfully gave feelings of enigma and suspense. Unfortunately, I knew what the story was so I could not give a unbiased opinion on weather the narrative was perceived that way to an audience.

Once we gathered some feedback from our audience, I felt that the narrative (or the way that it was presented) confused the audience, which achieved the goal of making them think, but in an oppositional way to what we wanted. On the other hand, I think that this could be avoided in future with better acting and more explanative dialogue, because as it stands the dialogue is a key point that I feel was let down with our team’s poor acting skills. Nether the less, Praise was given to the cinematography and the audio used in the production. This was always a main focus point of the production, with narrative taking a back seat. I believe this is obvious from feedback we received.

Whilst producing our short film, the issues of representation were not taken into account as we were not aiming to give out a message. However, in hide sight I believe that the characters involved stuck to existing expectations of how such characters are portrayed, such as a Ninja being a fast, nimble assassin. The music played a huge part in connoting the mood of a scene. An example would be the chase scene which was characterised by the juxtaposed music beds. Another would be the last scene which has The Boss leaving the scene, with suitcase in hand. The use of a very emotive music bed added a layer of atmosphere to the final scene which helps connote the mood of The Boss.

Locations were just as important. The interrogation scenes took place in a garage and was shot too make it look a lot smaller that it was, this was too connote the gritty, dark and mysterious mood that we wanted from the scenes. For the chance scene it was important to have a wide space, and for the two characters to be isolated. The wood that we filmed in was perfect. Also, this gave us the advantage of using a more exotic location, when compared to previous productions and the surrounding area.

As previously mentioned the dialogue was an essential part of progressing the narrative and I feel as though it was let down through acting, however it was appropriate and gave a sense of character, through The Boss character having much more authoritative dialogue, and with the other Gangsters having more broken and fearful speech, as if threatened. If the acting was improved then this would have been much more effective. Lastly, the look and feel of the production mirrored the genre that we wanted to play homage too, for example the interrogation scenes were purposefully filming in low key lighting and edited to be B&W in an attempt to emulate the look of Film Noir, which was backed up by the costumes used. However, as we wanted to play around with the conventions of genre, not all the film was shot in this way, and by the end colour seems to fade back into the screen, signifying the ending and good fortune for The Boss.

As our aim was to play homage to different genres whilst still having a sense of uniqueness about the production, we had to take into account the conventions that are typical of genres such as Film Noir and Thriller/suspense. Things such as low key lighting and Black and white effect were used to emulate the look of film noir. Whereas the emphasis on music bed to connote the mood and quick action are typical of the thriller genre. All of theses things were used within our production and I believe that the cinematography and key elements would have been very similar in a professional product. The use of enigma was a very key aspect in our production. This was put to use through several aspects such as a non-chronological narrative and not showing The Boss’s face. I think that this helped enforce the aspects of suspense that we tried to apply, as well as enhance the audience experience. Although, I think that the non-chronological narrative was one of the main reasons some people were confused. Those, coupled with bad acting, were the only faults that brought about the confusion. As our production was a short film, we didn’t have enough space to establish characters or a multi strand narrative, both of which would have been applied if we had more screen time to work with as they can be applied to add more enigma and genre conventions.

Personally, I feel that this production has given me a few new skills, such as better camera controlling skills as for the final shot I had to pan and track, whilst making sure to get the suitcase in shot. It was difficult and involved several takes, but I feel achieved with the final product. As a team we are used to working together so everyone pulled their weight and listened to each other. However, as time constraints were becoming an increasing issue I feel that without me pushing the team then we wouldn’t have completed the product in time. In the end, each member played a key role and the final product would not have been possible without everyone working together the way we did.

For our next production I think that we need to focus a lot more on believable acting and effective story telling, as this is what let this last production down. It would be a consideration to involve a wider team as to gather more skills and the possibility of better acting. Apart from that, I feel that we were very successful with the production, and the final product is something I have pride in, which means a lot to me.