Editing The Bag Swap.

Following filming our short sequence, we then had to edit our clips, in order to create a flowing and professional looking clip. Because we had 48 clips to edit, we had a little bit of trouble deciding on which clips to use, which means that we now have a lot of out-takes. We used the Apple program Final Cut Pro and after lots of tough deliberation, we finally decided on 7 clips to use.

I think that, after edited the clips together, our short scene was very successful, because our group worked very well together and we each gave equal contributions. I think that i has given us some well needed experience in:


Planning what to film and different shot types
Following a plan when filming
Editing using the Mac computers
Using the camera and tripod equipment safely and to it's full potential.

Filming The Bag Swap.

In Annabel's lesson, we proceeded to film our short clip. Max and Sharmin were the actors, whilst I took the role of setting up the tripod and filming. To be honest, we didn't really write much down when planning, during the previous lesson, and that became clear when we began to film.


To begin with, we filmed in the basement corridor of the college (as we were limited to within college grounds). We chose this location as it is very dark, and therefore in keeping with the thriller theme. However, after shooting about four shots, we realised that although it was dark, its small size was very limiting and uninteresting, so therefore not the best location to film our bag swap clip.


We decided to move to the staircase, so although it was well lit, due to the large windows, suspense was still created, due to the bright light levels, which created an air of mystery. The stairs were also a very good location for shooting different types of shot, which made our clip very interesting, for example the point of view shots, when Max and Sharmin were walking up and down the stairs, and i was able to shoot low and high angle shots.


Things that I think went particularly well:


Using the tripod to create steady shots, and for panning
The different use and wide variety of shot types, especially over the shoulder and point of view shots.
The use of zooming to create suspense.


Things that didn't go as well as they could have gone:
We shot too much- we got slightly carried away when filming and ended up with a grand total of 48 shots when we were asked for 12!
Safely balancing the tripod on the stairs, it was quite risky, so somebody had to hold it, which made it awkward, because it meant that there was a risk of reflection in the window.

The Bag Swap Clip.

Before we begin filming our thriller opening, we must try to get as much experience with directing, editing and using cameras as is possible, so that everyone in our group is 100% comfortable with the tasks that lay ahead of us.


In Bernard's single lesson we were given as short, uninteresting film to shoot about two people swapping a bag. Our task was to make the short scene as interesting as possible, and in keeping with the thriller theme. We were given a storyboard with 12 or so frames on it, and we had to plan our short film on it, to film in the following lesson.


We planned to use a wide range of short types, to make it as interesting as possible. Some of these shot types included: 


Over the shoulder shot
Extreme close up
Mid shot
Two-shot
Point of view shot.


To contribute to making the scene part of the thriller genre, we also planned to film our scene in a dark location, to give it an air of mystery and suspense.

Camera Skills.

Before we begin to film our actual thriller film opening, we have to learn how to use the cameras properly, and gain confidence in using them. this is so that when we come to filming our real thriller openings we can make them as best as they possibly can be. The media technician Micky showed our class the basic skills of using the video cameras. 


We were shown:


How to insert the two memory cards
How to adjust light levels
How to change focus, in order to variate between soft and hard focus
How to safely remove the battery and turn the camera off
How to safely attach the camera to the tripod
How to use the tripod for panning and other things.


Micky also advised us on different camera techniques, so that our films would looks as professional as possible. He advised us to not follow the actors with the camera as they travelled across the scene, to take a few takes of each shot, in order to gain optimum results and finally to use a wide variation of shot types to make the film as interesting as possible.

Thriller Sub-Genres.

'Thriller' is a broad genre, which uses suspense, excitement tension to create a fast paced atmosphere. There are many smaller sub-genres of thriller, that incorporate other genres. Some sub-genres of thrillers include:


                                                    Conspiracy thriller

                                                    Crime thriller

                                                    Disaster thriller

                                                Supernatural thriller

                                               Psychological thriller.

Definition Of Suspense.

Basically, suspense is where the audience are drawn into the film, creating tensions and viewer's interest. It keeps the audience guessing and makes them ask questions about the storyline. It should keep the viewer on the edge of their seat.


When our group make our thriller film opening, we aim to use a lot of suspense, to create the best thriller possible. =]

Gummy Bear Project - Animatic

On Monday’s lesson, we had a go at doing storyboarding, in order to have an idea of the planning we have to do before filming our opening sequence. But instead of drawing the storyboard, we did it using a camera and gummy bears! 

Each gummy bear represents a person (as you may have guessed!) and we tried our best to do a little mise en scène, using blue tack and a tissue. We have decided to keep it simple, as this was just a practice for us to realise how important a storyboard can be.

We had a set story and several types of shots to do, like in our practice film “The Bag Swap”.

And here’s the result

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to put any sound in our video. But this isn’t a main issue, as this exercise was meant for us to understand how to plan our real film.

And here’s a little “making of” gathering all the pictures and short videos I have taken “behind the scenes”!

... And if you want to know what happened to all the Gummy Bears (notice how we ended up with two in the end? ...) ask our stomachs. To be honest, they weren't even that good!