Monday, 17 November 2008

Sound

Diegetic sound

Sound whose source is visible on the screen or whose source is implied to be present by the action of the film:
.voices of characters
.sounds made by objects in the story
.music represented as coming from instruments in the story space ( source music)

Digetic sound can be either on screen or off screen

Non-diegetic sound

Sound whose source is neither visible on the screen nor has been implied to be present in the action:

.narrator's commentary
.sound effects which is added for the dramatic effect
music

Non-diegetic sound is represented as coming from the a source outside story space.


Synchronous sounds

sounds which are synchronized or matched with what is viewed. For example:
If the film portrays a character playing the piano, the sounds of the piano are projected.

Asynchronous sound effects

these do not match with a visible source of the sound on screen. Such sounds are included so as to provide an appropriate emotional nuance, and they may also add to the realism of the flim. Eg:
A film maker might opt to include the background sound of an ambulance's siren while the foreground sound and image portrays an arguing couple.

Sound Motif

A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea through the film. The sound motifs condition the audience emotionally for the intervention, arrival, or actions of a particular character.

Sound bridge

Adding to continuity through sound, by running sound (narration, dialogue or music) from one shot across a cut to another shot to make the action seem uninterrupted.

Voice Over

The term voice-over refers to a production technique where a non-diagetic voice is broadcast live or pre-recorded in radio, television, film, theater and/or presentation.[1] The voice-over may be spoken by someone who also appears on-screen in other segments or it may be performed by a specialist voice actor. Voice-over is also commonly referred to as "off camera" commentary.

Mode of adress

Modes of address can be defined as the ways in which relations between addresser and addressee are constructed in a text. In order to communicate, a producer of any text must make some assumptions about an intended audience; reflections of such assumptions may be discerned in the text (advertisements offer particularly clear examples of this).

Direct adress

A direct address is the name of the person who is being directly spoken to

Sound Mixing

The combination, during the phase of postproduction, of three different categories of film sound-dialogue, sound effects, and music.

Sound perspective

Sound perspective refers to the apparent distance of a sound. Clues to the distance of the source include the volume of the sound, the balance with other sounds, the frequency range (high frequencies may be lost at a distance), and the amount of echo and reverberation.

Dialogue

In a dialogue scene, a constant sound perspective, despite picture cuts, helps maintain continuity

Soundtrack

soundtrack is a contraction of "sound track" and is an audio recording created or used in fim produtcion or post production. Initially the dialogue, sound effects, and music in a film each has its own separate track and these are mixed together to make what is called the composite track, which is heard in the film.

Film score

A film score is a broad term referring to the music in a film which is generally categorically separated from songs used within a film. The term film score is frequently synonymous with film soundtrack, though a soundtrack may also include the songs used in the film while the score does not. A score is sometimes written specifically to accompany a film, but may also be compiled from previously written musical compositions.

Incidental Music

Incidental music is music in a play, television program, radio program, video game, film or some other form not primarily musical. The term is less frequently applied to film music, with such music being referred to instead as the "film score" or "soundtrack."Incidental music is often "background" music, and adds atmosphere to the action.

Editing

Transitions

Dissolve

A dissolve is a gradual transition from one image to another. In film, this effect is created by controlled double exposure from frame to frame; transiting from the end of one clip to the beginning of another.


Fade in/fade out

Fade, as it relates to film, is the process of causing a picture to gradually darken and disappear, or reverse. This is fade in and fade out.


Wipe

In film editing, a wipe is a gradual spatial transition from one image to another. One image is replaced by another with a distinct edge that forms a shape. A simple edge, an expanding circle, or the turning of a page are all examples.

Superimposition

In graphics, superimposition is the placement of an image or video on top of an already-existing image or video, usually to add to the overall image effect, but also sometimes to conceal something.



Long Take

A long take is an uninterrupted shot in a film which lasts much longer than the conventional editing pace either of the film itself or of films in general, usually lasting several minutes. It can be used for dramatic and narrative effect if done properly, and in moving shots is often accomplished through the use of a dolly or Steadicam.


Short Take






Slow motion

This is a technique in film-making whereby time appears to be slowed down.It can be used for replays in sport etc.




Elipsis and expansion of time

An ellipsis is an apparent break in natural time continuity as it is implied in the film's story


Post Production

Post-production occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, videos, audio recordings, photography and digital art. It is the general term for all stages of production occurring after the actual end of shooting and/or recording the completed work.


Visual Effects

Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot.

Monday, 3 November 2008

Opening Credits



Every Movie will thave differant opening credits and the credits will vary depending on what type of movie it is eg. Comedy, thriller, horror or action. Opening Credits are also used in Tv programmes and video games.Opening credits give a list of actors, crew members and directors and are usually accomponied by music.
In movies and television, the title and opening credits may be preceded by a "cold open", or brief scene, that helps to set the stage for the episode.

Heres an example of a "Good" opening Credit












In the opening of a thriller movie or horror the opening credits tend to be differant to the opening of a comedy or action.

When opening a thriller or horror movie the music will be sharp and dramatic. The credits font may tend to be sharp and clear with dramatic transitions. Also when moving into the movie this type of movie will jump immediately into the "action" and begin dramatically.




In a comedy film opening credits tend to be more light hearted and fun. The fonts used will be larger and more colourful. After the credits the movie may start with humour and may introduce characters rather than jumping into the storyline.




Tuesday, 21 October 2008

soap and hospital drama

Similarities in Hollyoaks and Casualty.

Micro:
There were many similarities between the two in micro and macro forms. Both the drama's used alot of two-shots, mid-shots, over the shoulder and close-ups. Cross-cutting is also popular, usually switching from scene to scene. The scenes in both Casuality and East Enders both use alot of conversations throughout hence the continual use of two-shot. Both use digetic sound and also contain characters of the same class. Both drama's have many story lines going on at the same time.

Macro:
Relationships are popular in both drama's and the storylines used are like reality only exageratted! I noticed the majority of the doctor's in casuality were male which carries the male steriotype and all the patients in this particular episode were female making them seem almost "helpless".

In this particular episode there was actually only 2 real patients, one the old alcoholic woman and the other the man who's hand was wounded. The other two patients were linked to the dramatic story line. This shows that the programme should consentrate more on injuries and "hospital life", this will make it seem less like a soap. The majority of the programme didn't actually take place in the hospital.
I think casuality should focus on only one or two storylines at the same time which strictly relate to the hospital.The story lines are also very unrealistic, The black girl who is a criminal (black steriotype?) manages to cause a police car crash which has 3 police officers including the driver. Then she has time to open the window with her arm (injures it-hospital bit) and fight off two policewoman before escaping-less of that!

Wednesday, 1 October 2008

Holyoaks case study

http://www.channel4.com/catchup-player/player.htm?brandId=hollyoaks&contractId=44579&episodeId=194

The clip I selected is from an episode of holyoaks which is about a teenager who becomes pregnaant to her sisters ex-boyfriend. The main story line goes into the problems he faces in becomming a father. This is the more serious part, the more light-hearted part is about a teen goth and his relationship with his father, It is quite comical at times.

The clip I selected runs from 3:45-7:40

The more serious scene comes first and contains a worried mother arguin and advising her pregnant teenage daughter. The serious scene and light hearted scene are not directly one after the other. Immediately after the argument It gives us a quick view of the gothic teen. Then it skips to a friendly conversation among friends which lasts around 45 seconds and then it jumps to the light hearted scene which contains a father trying to cheer up his son with dancing and activities(trips out) The immediate quick close up shot of the teen lets the viewer know what the next scene will be about. The conversation which bridges the two scene gives us a little break between the two scenes and lets us relax a bit and get a view of the 'normal' day in work.

In the first, more serious scene there alot of close-ups of each character. There are also alot of over the shoulder shots and point of view shots as the characters are continually talking (shouting) at each other so it is continually jumping from one character to another. The cross cut is also used effectively here as the camera jumps from character to character.The backround is very quiet which creates tension between the two characters.

The lighter hearted scene immediately begins with music and also involves music from a radio during the scene also.Both scenes contain non-diegetic sound, this is the only sound holyoaks uses,this involves narrator's commentry, sound effects and mood music wheras diegetic sound comes from characters voices, sounds made by objects and music from instruments.

the less serious scene contains more two shots and medium shots. It also in this case contains three characters rather than two. The camera also pans across the room. the first shot of this scene is a medium shot and the camera tilts up and the second shot in the first scene is a close up which shows the teenager being depressed.

Monday, 29 September 2008

shot/reverse shot

Two or more shots edited together that alternate characters, typically in a conversation situation. In continuity editing, characters in one framing usually look left, in the other framing, right. Over-the-shoulder framings are common in shot/reverse-shot editing. Shot / reverse shots are one of the most firmly established conventions in cinema, and they are usually linked through the equally persuasive eyeline matches. These conventions have become so strong that they can be exploited to make improbable meanings convincing








cuts

The cut is the most common type of video transition. It simply means replacing one shot instantly with the next.
When you shoot video footage on your camera, there is a cut between each shot, i.e. between when you stop recording and start recording the next shot. Although some cameras do offer built-in transitions, most recorded footage is separated by cuts.




Cross cutting

Cross-cutting is an editing technique used in films to establish continuity. In a cross-cut, the camera will cut away from one action to another action. Because the shots occur one after another, cross-cutting is used to suggest simultaneity of action. However, it can also be used to link significant actions that do not occur simultaneously.





Jump Cut

A jump cut is a cut in film editing where the middle section of a continuous shot is removed, and the beginning and end of the shot are then joined together. The technique breaks continuity in time and produces a startling effect. Any moving objects in the shot will appear to jump to a new position.







matching

Action match

A cut which splices two different views of the same action together at the same moment in the movement, making it seem to continue uninterrupted. Quite logically, these characteristics make it one of the most common transitions in the continuity style. Here is an example from Traffic (Steven Soderbergh, 2000)











Graphic match

Two successive shots joined so as to create a strong similarity of compositional elements (e.g., color, shape). Used in trasparent continuity styles to smooth the transition between two shots













Eyeline match

An eyeline match is a popular editing technique associated with the continually editing system. It is based on the premise that the audience will want to see what the character on-screen is seeing. The eyeline match begins with a character looking at something off-screen, there will then be a cut to the object or person at which he is looking. For example, a man is looking off-screen to his left, and then the film cuts to a television that he is watching.









Thursday, 25 September 2008

shot types


ooooo close up

The Close Up Shot shows a detail of the overall subject or action- ie. the head or hands if it is a person. Close ups of characters are a good way to engaging the audience into the character emotionally. We should also note, as we get closer to the character, we begin to lose the background information, therefore emphasising the subject, rather than the background.









The convention of the Medium Shot , is (when framing a person) approximately half of their body is in shot, ie. from waist up. More subtle perfomances and detailed actions can be seen. The Medium Shot is a good framing for conversation scenes between characters, especially if hand movements are part of the performance.






Aerial shots are usually done with a crane or camera
attached to a special helicopter to view large landscapes. This sort of shot would be restricted to exterior locations. A good area to do this shot would be a scene that takes place on a building If the aerial shot is of a character it can make them seem insignificant or vulnerable.






In the wide shot, the subject takes up the full frame. In this case, the chiefs feet are almost at the bottom of frame, and his head is almost at the top. Obviously the subject doesn't take up the whole
width and height of the frame, since this is as close as we can get without losing any part of him. The small amount of room above and below the subject can be thought of as safety room — you don't want to be cutting the top of the head off. It would also look uncomfortable if his feet and head were exactly at the top and bottom of frame.



2 shot

There are a few variations on this one, but the basic idea is to have a comfortable shot of two people. Often used in interviews, or when two presenters are hosting a show.




In the Extreme Long Shot, also known as the Wide Shot (WS), the subject is small in the overall image. This framing is sometimes referred to as an Establishing Shot and is perfect for emphasising the background and environment the character is against, especially as the first shot within a sequence. When shooting at this kind of distance, it is hard to see the subtle dramatic performances of the character - (so gestures may need to be played big if this wide framing is to be continued for a long length of time).







check out this Longshot!

In a Longshot In the Long Shot the whole subject is in frame. The usual convention of the Long Shot is the character's head and feet
are nearly touching the top and bottom of frame. As we are now closer to the subject, it is easier to identify aspects of the character and their performances, but also retain the audiences' awareness of the overall environment they are in, which makes the Long Shot a good framing for action scenes and observing social groupings.

angles

canted angle

Sometimes the camera is tilted to suggest imbalance, transition and instability . This technique is used to suggest POINT-OF-View shots (ie when the camera becomes the 'eyes' of one particular character,seeing what they see - a hand held camera is often used for this).




high angle

Not so extreme as a bird's eye view. The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview. High angles make the object photographed seem smaller, and less significant (or scary). The object or character often gets swallowed up by their setting - they become part of a wider picture.







low angle

These increase height (useful for short actors like Tom Cruise) and give a sense of speeded motion. Low angles help give a sense of confusion to a viewer, of powerlessness within the action of a scene. The background of a low angle shot will tend to be just sky or ceiling, the lack of detail about the setting adding to the disorientation of the viewer. The added height of the object may make it inspire fear and insecurity in the viewer, who is psychologically dominated by the figure on the screen.















how i consume musiic

How I consume Music!!!


The majority of my music, i admit is illegally downloaded from programmes such as Limewire and Azurus. This is a fast and easy way to enjoy music and to be honest its hard to get caught with. Just like cd replaced vinyl it seems music downloading is going to replace cd, maybe not immediately but as the years go on more and more people will stop buying in the shops and start buying on the net.

In most cases downloading illegaly is the easier option, no credit cards, no questions from parents and no parental advisory on the cover! When you download music it will go straight into your itunes library and it is easy to obtain album art. This will save you ripping the cd to your computer and when this is done why do you need the cd itself anyway, who uses cd players anymore? In my view downloading music is easier than buying the cd in a shop but is there really that much of a differance in the quality between music that has been downloaded ligally and ilegally?

To be honest i would prefer to pay for the music i listen to but its so much easier to download illegally and to me the quality is the same. Most of the music i download is rap/hiphop and i would share this with a friend by burning him the album onto a cd (again so simple) and he would do the same with dance/trance/electro music.

I would listen to my music basically all day everyday, on my ipod on the bus, when im on the computer and in my room.

Sometimes i do feel sorry for the artist and their producers and record labels. Its their music and therefore they deserve most of the money but illegal downloaders are basically robbing them of this. I would try to pay back for my illegal downloading by attending there concerts but i can not do this with every artist/band i like. One solution is to reduce album costs because piracy and music sharing will never be stoped.



In my opinion both sides will never be happy, the artists will probably never get all the money for the music their music and the fans will not be happy for having to pay for every peace of music they want, there will never be a compromise!

Tuesday, 9 September 2008

More Shots

Depth of field 
This is the range of distance within the subject that is acceptably sharp. The depth of field varies depending on camera type, aperture and focusing distance, although print size and viewing distance can influence our perception of it. This section is designed to give a better intuitive and technical understanding for photography, and provides a depth of field calculator to show how it varies with your camera settings.




depth-of-field2.jpg



The Focus Pull
The focus pull (AKA rack focus) is a creative camera technique in which you change focus during a shot. Usually this means adjusting the focus from one subject to another.
The shot below begins focused on the plant in the foreground, then adjusts focus until the girl is sharp.











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dolly shot
Basically, dolly-shots-in-the-air. A crane is a useful way of moving a camera - it can move up, down, left, right, swooping in on action or moving diagonally out of it.






The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds (both horizontally and vertically)

The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot - using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.






The hand-held camera was invented in the 1 950s to allow the camera operator to move in and out of scenes with greater speed. It gives a jerky, ragged effect, totally at odds with the organised smoothness of a dolly shot, and is favoured by filmmakers looking for a gritty realism (eg Scorsese), which involves the viewer very closely with a scene. Much favoured by the makers of NYPD Blue.






reverse zoom.This shot moves you farther away into a Medium Shot or a Wide Shot. If you have a close up shot of a flower, and want to see the entire field that the flower is in, you will reverse zoom.




A zoom is technically not a camera move as it does not require the camera itself to move at all. Zooming means altering the focal length of the lens to give the illusion of moving closer to or further away from the action. Here is an example of a hand held shot and a zoom.




pan shot

A pan is a horizontal camera movement in which the camera moves left and right about a central axis. This is a swiveling movement, i.e. mounted in a fixed location on a tripod or shoulder, rather than a dolly-like movement in which the entire mounting system moves.









A tilt is a vertical camera movement in which the camera points up or down from a stationary location. For example, if you mount a camera on your shoulder and nod it up and down, you are tilting the camera.










track shot is a shot in which the camera is mounted on a cart which travels along tracks.










Sharp focus
Sharp focus keeps one plane in deep focus and the other in sharp focus. This directs attention to one element.













A steadicam is a stabilizing mount for a motion picture camera, which mechanically isolates the operator's movement from the camera, allowing a very smooth shot even when the operator is moving quickly over an uneven surface. Informally, the word may also be used to refer to the combination of the mount and camera.







































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Its time for some medium shot