Preliminary task.

In my preliminary film I really enjoyed the new skill of learning how to edit and direct a film. I also really enjoyed working with everyone so I was able to get feedback as we filmed each scene working together. I was determined to make my first prelim task and spent a lot of time trying to time everything to a level that I was very satisfied with. I think from what I've learnt from this task, in my next one I have new tips and tricks on how to make it even better. We thought that the natural setting of the woods would help build the level of tension to suggest to the audience that the film is full of mystery and tension. However when we got to filming the questioning of the suspects it took a few attempts to make sure that we fit in the camera shots that we thought would fit in e.g over the shoulder shots, close ups, mid shots etc. One struggle I did have however was finding the right sort of music that I thought fit well.

Camera Angles

The term camera angle means slightly different things to different people but it always refers to the way a shot is composed. Some people use it to include all camera shot angles, others use it to specifically mean the angle between the camera and the subject. We will concentrate on the literal interpretation of camera angles, that is, the angle of the camera relative to the subject.

Eye-Level

This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.

High Angle

A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low Angle

This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Bird's Eye

The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't.

The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.

Slanted

Also known as a dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.

Some other angles include:

Over the shoulder shot

Wide angle

Close up

Mid shot

Long shot

The Road

                                         The Road

 

Camera

In the opening scene of ‘The Road’ It shows a low angle shot straight away of the wife in a spring/summers outfit which straight away gives the connotation of fertility and a new life. After this scene it goes further on down the line and the wife is clearly pregnant which backs up the idea of fertility in the first scene. Also when he wakes up in the night he runs a bath, to show he knows something bad is coming and that's why he's getting some water ready for whatever happens.


Sound


During the opening scenes of 'The Road' it starts with the warm Spring sound of bee's buzzing etc. Then later on when the man wakes up you can hear people rioting in the back with people panicking over whatever has happened. Then you can hear the calm sound of the bath water running in contrast to the mayhem.

Book of eli Documentry

1-What questions are posed by PA movies?

Who would lead us? How would we rebuild humanity? Who would lead us to the future? If the worse were to happen what would we do? How would we strive to rebuild humanity?
2-What are the "Walking dead"? How have they been used in other films?
People that are numbed, dazed, etc. They can see but not say. They're used to show the people that are missing something inside them.
3-What might be the key to survival in PA movie narratives?
The skills that were needed 50 odd years ago, before technology. How to start a fire, make power, ect.
4-How far will Eli go to survive?
He will go as far as he needs to survive and keep the book safe.
5-What would survivors of the apocalypse ask?
Is there a gum?
6-In the book of Eli, what has happened to Bibles and why?
People turned against faith and religion so people destroyed bibles in anger.
7-How is religion used in Book of Eli? How is religion used in reality?
Used as a symbol of knowledge that someone holds.
8-How do societies in reality avoid catastrophes?
Democracy, Altruism - positive, you give to others.
9-Who will the future leaders be in post apocalyptic scenarios?
The future leaders will be the people with the good inside them. The people with the intelligence and humanity inside to do good. They will also be the people that avoid stuff that they don't want to do and get others to do it for them.
10- What does Eli represent?
Eli represents faith and hope to rebuild of humanity once again.

Codes and Conventions

In post apocalyptic films we tend to have a expectancy on what we will see throughout the film. Whether its a zombie to a gun. Props and main characters have a expectancy or role to fill though no matter what sort of post apocalyptic film it is.

Location

In my mind I tend to think of a post apocalyptic film to be set in a big city to show how deserted the world now is, for example in 'I am legend' it is set in new York however you wouldn't recognize it as new York with how empty it is.

Costumes

For costumes I expect to see baggy,dirty,ripped clothes that the characters haven't washed in a long time.

Props

For props you except a gun to be owned by one of the characters to enhance the idea of survival through out the film. I would also expect any food to either be tinned or recently got when hunting for example in 'the book of Eli' when he shoots a bird with a bow and arrow to have that night.

Sounds

For sounds I expect there to be some sort of screaming at one point to show that a characters in danger. Also depending on the threat whether its a zombie or group of scavengers, I tend to think that some sort of threat will be heard from scavengers shouting to zombies grunting. 

Lighting

I also tend to expect a dark dim lighting that shows there's little light left in the world after what's happened.

Mise en Scene

A French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame.