When planning the preliminary match cut there were a few requirments we had to first do. Firstly, we created a written storyboard by numbering shots and explaining what would happen in each shot. Then before filming, we wrote up a small script to memorize in order for there to be continuity when matching scenes. To give us many options, we shot the same scene many times from different angles i.e. over the shoulder from my perspective, then from Beverley's perspective. Once we had finished filming, using Final Cut Pro, we uploaded all the clips into the browser section on the left hand side, and dragged the ones we wanted to use into the timeline. Then using the razor tool in the toolbar, we removed particular parts of the clip, simply by clicking at the start and end of the desired section and the placed the cropped clips next to eachother to create a match cut and continuity between clips. A match cut is a cut in film editing from one scene to another, helping to establish a strong continuity of action.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Wednesday, 10 February 2010
Skills Audit: Livetype and Sound- Nahuel
In todays media lesson we used both soundtrack pro and livetype on the mac's to create our own musical composition and titles.
Soundtrack pro
It was a simple process which required for us to listen to the variety of sounds from the choice menu, and then drag them. Once we all individually created our own compositions, we chose which one we thought was most cohesive with our thriller opening. It is a software that allows one to edit music and use a wide range of sound effects and musical instruments to create a composition. The layout of Soundtrack pro is fairly simple; on the left hand side is a section for adding the video so that it can be previewed with sound, and centre of the screen, is the timeline where one drags there desired sound to and can edit the length, time etc. There is a toolbar on the right hand side which has a number of features including the razor tool, which we used often to remove a particular part of the sound, simply by clicking at the start and end of the desired section. There are three different ways to find a sound; search-which has different categories to accurately find the right sound, browser- which allows one to open up a sound found from another programme or software and favourites- which is any sounds saved to favourites.
Livetype pro
Livetype pro is a software created by Apple in which one can create animated title sequences for video projects. The software offers a range of fonts, objects, textures, effects and templates. All attributes of the titles can manipulated and changed such as the size, shadow, glow, outlin, opacity and tracking of the text. Any media file can be imported onto the canvas for the titles to run over. There are many effects to chose from which can be customized or new effects can be created aswell using keyframing. LiveFont is one of the program's key features. It has a range of fonts with animated characters, for example, smoke writing.
Using Livetype was a fairly simple process. To the left is the canvas where you preview your titles and below is the timeline which displays the text and the effects and the length etc. To the right is the editing bars which is where adjustments such as colour, font, size, shape etc are made, and above the editing bars is the section where you enter your text and it will appear on the canvas. Next to the editing bars is the media browser where one searches for all the effects and templates from the different tabs available i.e. 'Livefont'. The tabs in the media browser have sub-catergories to make searching more specific; the tabs available are font, textures, objects and effects, which has sub-categories such as grunge, zooms and caricature. Clicking apply below, will add the effect to the title and appear in the timeline. To export the titles so they are in front of a media file, simply go to 'file', then 'export', then 'for livetype' and save it as a new clip before going back to Livetype pro and going to file and 'placing background move' and then opening the titles which are saved as a file.
I followed this process to create our titles for our completed thriller. After typing what I wanted to be there, using effects and timing, titles were completed. I kept the background of the titles as a blank canvas in order to import the completed thriller opening behind it.
Soundtrack pro
It was a simple process which required for us to listen to the variety of sounds from the choice menu, and then drag them. Once we all individually created our own compositions, we chose which one we thought was most cohesive with our thriller opening. It is a software that allows one to edit music and use a wide range of sound effects and musical instruments to create a composition. The layout of Soundtrack pro is fairly simple; on the left hand side is a section for adding the video so that it can be previewed with sound, and centre of the screen, is the timeline where one drags there desired sound to and can edit the length, time etc. There is a toolbar on the right hand side which has a number of features including the razor tool, which we used often to remove a particular part of the sound, simply by clicking at the start and end of the desired section. There are three different ways to find a sound; search-which has different categories to accurately find the right sound, browser- which allows one to open up a sound found from another programme or software and favourites- which is any sounds saved to favourites.
Livetype pro
Livetype pro is a software created by Apple in which one can create animated title sequences for video projects. The software offers a range of fonts, objects, textures, effects and templates. All attributes of the titles can manipulated and changed such as the size, shadow, glow, outlin, opacity and tracking of the text. Any media file can be imported onto the canvas for the titles to run over. There are many effects to chose from which can be customized or new effects can be created aswell using keyframing. LiveFont is one of the program's key features. It has a range of fonts with animated characters, for example, smoke writing.
Using Livetype was a fairly simple process. To the left is the canvas where you preview your titles and below is the timeline which displays the text and the effects and the length etc. To the right is the editing bars which is where adjustments such as colour, font, size, shape etc are made, and above the editing bars is the section where you enter your text and it will appear on the canvas. Next to the editing bars is the media browser where one searches for all the effects and templates from the different tabs available i.e. 'Livefont'. The tabs in the media browser have sub-catergories to make searching more specific; the tabs available are font, textures, objects and effects, which has sub-categories such as grunge, zooms and caricature. Clicking apply below, will add the effect to the title and appear in the timeline. To export the titles so they are in front of a media file, simply go to 'file', then 'export', then 'for livetype' and save it as a new clip before going back to Livetype pro and going to file and 'placing background move' and then opening the titles which are saved as a file.
I followed this process to create our titles for our completed thriller. After typing what I wanted to be there, using effects and timing, titles were completed. I kept the background of the titles as a blank canvas in order to import the completed thriller opening behind it.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Intro to Cameras & Health and Saftey tutorial
In my media lesson, we had a tutorial on how to use the video camera and the precautions to take when around them. Our teacher touched upon how to record and film safely and properly whilst keeping the subject in focus. We first learnt how to add the memory card in the video camera and were given two (A and B) both of which stored an equal amount of filming time and learnt how to switch from one to the other. We were given rechargable batteries as opposed to using electrical sockets. This not only allowed freedom of movment whilst filming but it also was for health and safety reasons. One of the things we learnt which was highly important was how to correctly use the tripod. We learnt how to extend or lower the height of the tripod depending on the level of filming and also how to create a balance so that filming would be even, steady and on a straight level. We also learnt that when the camera is on the tripod, the tripod should always be locked to prevent any accidents, and to take further cautions when moving the tripod around by ensuring the camera has been taken off it. This prevents any accidents i.e. the tripod falling and then the locked camera falling aswell.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
News and current affairs events- Nahuel
The Aftermath of the Haiti Earthquake
Who needs help?
Who needs help?
A devastating earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, 12 January, including the densely populated capital Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding area. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, greatly increasing the risk that people will suffer or die in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Since the earthquake, many humanitarian organisations have galvanised aid, and assistance to ensure survivors get food, clean water, emergency shelter, medical care and other support.
Who is considered to be the most at risk in an emergency; children, women, the elderly, the sick, everyone?
While there is no doubt that all of the above are vulnerable as in the case of the recent disaster in Haiti, statistics clearly show that women are disproportionately affected in emergencies.
Around 37,000 pregnant women are living in the earthquake-hit region. At least 10,000 of them will need delivery services in the coming months
The lives of thousands of expectant mothers in Haiti and the lives of their unborn babies are at risk after the earthquake left the healthcare system in tatters, leaving the women with no choice but to deliver their babies in emergency camps.
Even before the earthquake, Haitian women faced the highest risk of dying in childbirth in the region with one in 44 women dying in childbirth compared to one in 8,200 in the UK. In normal circumstances 15 per cent of all pregnant women experience a complication requiring medical interventions but in a disaster situation that percentage is much higher.
Many newborn babies will also be in danger as the first 24 hours of a child’s life are the most vulnerable period for a baby.
Women and girls face other specific risks in disaster zones. Women and girls are more likely to be raped or sexually abused in camps, partly because they often have to wash or go to the toilet in exposed, insecure areas. Specific female needs for items like sanitary towels are often overlooked in an emergency and women often miss out in aid distributions to men who are considered stronger.
Children are the next group who are vulnerable as they are ill prepared to fend for themselves, let alone in the confusion and fear in the aftermath of the earth quake.
Thousands of families have been separated in the chaos of the earthquake, but the vast majority of the children currently on their own still have family members alive who will be desperate to be reunited with them and will be able to care for them with the right support. Taking children out of the country would permanently separate thousands of children from their families - a separation that would compound the trauma they are already suffering and inflict long-term damage on their chances of regaining a ‘normal life’.
“The extreme poverty in Haiti already makes children extremely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, and new unregulated adoptions could open the door to child traffickers” -Justin Byworth, World Vision’s Chief Executive.
The earthquake has affected many elderly centres and residences and hospices; this has left many of the dozens of elderly Haitians still begging for food and medicine in a downtown Port-au-Prince slum, barely a mile from the international airport where tons of aid are pouring in.
"It's as if everybody has forgotten us, nobody cares," said Phileas Julien, 78, a blind man in a wheelchair who has appointed himself spokesman for the 84 surviving residents of one of the above mentioned centres. "Or maybe they really do just want us to starve to death."
These aftermath of the earthquake could possibly be made into a disaster thriller. This is because it would highlight the enourmous scale of disastrous events spiraling into chaos and misery.
Thriller sub-genres- Nahuel
A thriller is a genre of story, film or play in which suspense and tension is integral. The aim is to mount anticipitaion which leads to mystery by making the viewer feel anxiety about possible outcomes. Thrillers include many sub-genres which have similar elements to other genres. They are:
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Horror Thriller
Disaster thriller's plots often focus on a natural or artificial disaster of some sort such as flood, hurricane, earthquake for natural and a nuclear disaster for artificial.
Drama thrillers are usually slower paced and more suspensful. They focus on character development as well as psychological factors. The plots usually have a twist on the main conflict.
Action Thriller
Action thriller is a mixture of action and thriller content; it has elements of action implemented onto the thriller method of story telling, but also shares elements of mystery and crime films. It is generally fast-paced, violent and has a definite plot. The plot often revolves around character development and there is usually a heroic figure and a villain.
Conspiracy thriller
A conspiracy thriller (also known as paranoid thriller) have dramatic potential. There is usually some sort of a heroic figure who challenges a theory or confronts a powerful group whose true extent only they recognise. It is likely to have a plot that weaves complexities that only the participants operating in it will understand to the exclusion and implication of everyone else.
A conspiracy thriller (also known as paranoid thriller) have dramatic potential. There is usually some sort of a heroic figure who challenges a theory or confronts a powerful group whose true extent only they recognise. It is likely to have a plot that weaves complexities that only the participants operating in it will understand to the exclusion and implication of everyone else.
Crime thriller
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Crime thrillers share elements from both crime films and thrillers. They create suspense and anticipation from the focus on crimes, whether they are failed or succeeding. There is usually more of a focus on the criminal, their issue and the law, than the police. There is often a strong theme of action and the plot is usually in relation to a murder, robbery, chases etc.
Horror Thriller
A horror thriller relies on suspense for the 'scare factor'. It is usually alot more gruesome and the main character is usually in danger and is triumphant against his enemies who are usually an unrealistic evil character.
Disaster thriller
Disaster thriller's plots often focus on a natural or artificial disaster of some sort such as flood, hurricane, earthquake for natural and a nuclear disaster for artificial.
Drama thriller
Drama thrillers are usually slower paced and more suspensful. They focus on character development as well as psychological factors. The plots usually have a twist on the main conflict.
Erotic thriller
It consists of both erotic and thriller themes, and therefore focuses on the relationship between characters in a suspensful manner.
Legal thriller
Its a sub-genre of crime fiction and the major characters are usually lawyers and their employees. These main characters are usually heroic and are confronting the enemies both in and out of the court. This usually results in them being in a position of danger. The legal system is the structure of all legal thrillers.
Medical thriller
Medical doctors or personnel are the main characters in this sub genre and the main conflict is usually the struggle/fight to solve an expanding medical problem. Medical thrillers are often very informative as they can be based on realistic events only exaggerated and embellished for entertainment.
Political thriller
A political thriller is a thriller centered around a political power struggle. The plots vary but usually have a consistent idea in which someone has political power and has opponents who are trying to stop them. The scenarios vary from national to international.
Psychological thrillers
Psychological thrillers borrow elements from both mystery and drama genres. It focuses on the psychology of the characters rather than the plot and in a psychological thriller, the characters are exposed to danger on a mental and emotional level rather than a physical one. They also play into peoples fears inorder to create tension. The suspense also comes from two or more characters preying upon one another's minds. It can also come from a solitary character where conflicts are resolved in their own mind. Deceptive games often heighten the anticipation of a psychological thriller.
Spy thriller
A spy thriller generally features a hero who works for the government who takes violent action against rivals. Spy thrillers often create tension from their fast paced and quick scenes. There is a 'race against the clock' feel to spy thrillers.
Religious thriller
In religious thrillers the plot always has some sort of relation to religious beliefs. Controversy often arises as it may challenge religious teachings or highlight them in a certain way that probes mixed responses. The suspense is created from a combination of conspiracy and psychological tricks. There are also philosophical issues involved.
Suspense- Nahuel
Suspense
The Oxford Dictionary defines suspense as 'a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what might happen'. Suspense is often an emotion supported by the mount of tension or worry. Many factors can affect the building of suspense, and it isnt only subjected to to the negative connotations i.e. the build up to a killing, it also can work in a situation where there is a lead up to a big event i.e. a surprise birthday party. In a fictional sense, suspense is integral for the escalation of drama or thrillers. Many films use technical aspects such as camera, sound, mise en scene and editing to increase suspense i.e. a scene may use an epic non-diegetic low key piano sound contrasted with dark unsympathetic lighting, stedi-cam to create a dysfunctional vibe and make the viewer feel uneasy, and the use of a match cut to dramatically build up tension between the two scenes and establishes something the audience might know but the character does not. Many thriller films which feature suspense i.e. 'Psycho' or 'The Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock only use a few shocking moments to create more of an impact with tension and suspense. The effect of using limited amounts of actual shocking scenes is to prevent the story from becoming too predictable and less entertaining as the film progresses. No director managed to equal Alfred Hitchcock's fame that earned him the title 'Master of Suspense' with his thriller masterpieces such as 'Vertigo' and 'North by West' in 1959. So to conclude, suspense is an emotional response of anticipation, which can result from any aspect i.e. film, book or reality of life.
The Oxford Dictionary defines suspense as 'a state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what might happen'. Suspense is often an emotion supported by the mount of tension or worry. Many factors can affect the building of suspense, and it isnt only subjected to to the negative connotations i.e. the build up to a killing, it also can work in a situation where there is a lead up to a big event i.e. a surprise birthday party. In a fictional sense, suspense is integral for the escalation of drama or thrillers. Many films use technical aspects such as camera, sound, mise en scene and editing to increase suspense i.e. a scene may use an epic non-diegetic low key piano sound contrasted with dark unsympathetic lighting, stedi-cam to create a dysfunctional vibe and make the viewer feel uneasy, and the use of a match cut to dramatically build up tension between the two scenes and establishes something the audience might know but the character does not. Many thriller films which feature suspense i.e. 'Psycho' or 'The Birds' by Alfred Hitchcock only use a few shocking moments to create more of an impact with tension and suspense. The effect of using limited amounts of actual shocking scenes is to prevent the story from becoming too predictable and less entertaining as the film progresses. No director managed to equal Alfred Hitchcock's fame that earned him the title 'Master of Suspense' with his thriller masterpieces such as 'Vertigo' and 'North by West' in 1959. So to conclude, suspense is an emotional response of anticipation, which can result from any aspect i.e. film, book or reality of life.
Monday, 1 February 2010
AS Media Skills audit bait tutorial
We had a Final Cut pro-Bait tutorial which helped us learn the basics of editing in Final Cut pro.
Firstly we learned how to set the in and out points on any of the clips. First double clicked the clip I wanted to use in the left hand side window which has the inventory of clips that have been imported into the project. It then appears in one of the two screens, it appears in the left screen. Here you will be able to set the in and out points. To do this, you play the the clip and when you want it to come in you use the keyboard shortcut "i" then to set the out point you press the keyboard shortcut "o" .
After the in and out points have been established you can then drag the clip down onto the timeline. When you drag it down you have place in the middle where there is a downwards pointing arrow then let go off the mouse button and your clip will be on the timeline ready.
We also learned how to edit the videos by cutting them withe the razor tool. First you have to select the razor tool from the right hand side toolbar and then cut the clip on the timeline on the point that you want to cut the clip. These were the basics we learnt to get us to become more familiar with Final cut pro.
News and current affairs and events
There are quite a few news stories that I've heard and read that would make a good basis for a plot of a thriller movie. I picked a few of my favourites:
The recent Terrorist activity holda some inspiration for good thriller films for example, A few weeks ago a Nigerian born, UCL student named, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up a Transatlantic jet. He was seen trying to detonate a powerful explosive on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit with 290 people on board. The explosive had been sewn in to the lining of his trousers. Authorities made alegations that he might be in connections with extremist groups such as Al Khaeda. I think this could be a good idea for a religous/political thriller .
Another good thriller film idea is an article I read online about a mother killing her two young children. This is a very sad, chilling story but could make a good film. Here's the article for it: Tests are being carried out today to determine whether two children allegedly murdered by their mother were drugged with Nytol before they were smothered.
Fiona Donnison walked into a police station on Wednesday and told shocked officers she had killed her son Harry, three, and daughter Elise, two.
An initial post-mortem carried out yesterday on the bodies of Harry and Elise revealed that they had been asphyxiated less than 24 hours before they were found.
The bodies of Elise, 2, and Harry, 3, Donnison were found in the boot of a car in Heathfield on Wednesday. A post mortem revealed they had been asphyxiated
Officers are investigating whether Mrs Donnison gave the children the sleeping drug Nytol before suffocating them a few hours before they were found, the Sun newspaper reported.
However the results of toxicology tests won't be known for several weeks.
A Sussex Police spokesman yesterday confirmed that officers had had 'previous contact' with the Donnison family 'within the last few months'.
It also emerged last night that Mrs Donnison, 43, suffered the agonising cot death of a baby daughter six years ago.
Mrs Donnison and her husband Paul found their world falling apart after their first child - Mia Florence - died at just ten months.
Although they had two more children, the rows and spells of depression grew more frequent until Mrs Donnison took Harry and Elise and moved into a rented home several months ago.
Friends spoke of a 'history of allegations and counter allegations' between the couple, who had both been married previously.
Last weekend Mr Donnison, 46, an accounts manager, was arrested over claims that he assaulted his estranged wife during a bitter argument.
Fiona Donnison walked into a police station on Wednesday and told shocked officers she had killed her son Harry, three, and daughter Elise, two.
An initial post-mortem carried out yesterday on the bodies of Harry and Elise revealed that they had been asphyxiated less than 24 hours before they were found.
The bodies of Elise, 2, and Harry, 3, Donnison were found in the boot of a car in Heathfield on Wednesday. A post mortem revealed they had been asphyxiated
Officers are investigating whether Mrs Donnison gave the children the sleeping drug Nytol before suffocating them a few hours before they were found, the Sun newspaper reported.
However the results of toxicology tests won't be known for several weeks.
A Sussex Police spokesman yesterday confirmed that officers had had 'previous contact' with the Donnison family 'within the last few months'.
It also emerged last night that Mrs Donnison, 43, suffered the agonising cot death of a baby daughter six years ago.
Mrs Donnison and her husband Paul found their world falling apart after their first child - Mia Florence - died at just ten months.
Although they had two more children, the rows and spells of depression grew more frequent until Mrs Donnison took Harry and Elise and moved into a rented home several months ago.
Friends spoke of a 'history of allegations and counter allegations' between the couple, who had both been married previously.
Last weekend Mr Donnison, 46, an accounts manager, was arrested over claims that he assaulted his estranged wife during a bitter argument.
This would be a good Psycological/crime thriller where the mother mistreats her children, maybe because of mental issues and maybe they end up dying due to be mistreated or as a twist they could get saved by someone.
The last story that I'm going to talk about is the recent earthquake in haiti. It was tragic natural disaster that killed thousands of people.
A massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti.
The extent of the devastation is still unclear but there are fears thousands of people may have died.
Haiti's worst quake in two centuries hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings.
A "large number" of UN personnel were reported missing by the organisation. Many people have spent the night outside amid fears of more aftershocks.
The Red Cross says up to three million people have been affected.
Describing the earthquake as a "catastrophe", Haiti's envoy to the US said the cost of the damage could run into billions.
A number of nations, including the US, UK and Venezuela, are gearing up to send aid.
The quake, which struck about 15km (10 miles) south-west of Port-au-Prince, was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.
The tremor hit at 1653 (2153 GMT) on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said. Phone lines to the country failed shortly afterwards.
There is still no official word on casualties and the extent of the devastation is only now becoming clearer with dawn breaking.
China has already indicated in reports in state media that eight of its peacekeepers are buried and feared dead, with another 10 unaccounted for.
I think hundreds of casualties would be a serious understatement
Rachmani Domersant, operations manager, Food for the Poor
The AFP news agency quoted the Jordanian army as saying three of its peacekeepers had been killed and 21 wounded.
The Brazilian army said four of its peacekeepers were killed and a large number were missing.
A French official told AFP about 200 people were missing in the collapsed Hotel Montana, which is popular with tourists.
There have also been some reports of looting overnight.
Rachmani Domersant, an operations manager with the Food for the Poor charity, told Reuters that overnight the capital was in total darkness.
"You have thousands of people sitting in the streets with nowhere to go. There are people running, crying, screaming.
"People are trying to dig victims out with flashlights. I think hundreds of casualties would be a serious understatement."
Earlier, bodies white with dust could be seen piled on the back of a pick-up truck as vehicles tried to ferry the injured to hospital.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds.
The extent of the devastation is still unclear but there are fears thousands of people may have died.
Haiti's worst quake in two centuries hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings.
A "large number" of UN personnel were reported missing by the organisation. Many people have spent the night outside amid fears of more aftershocks.
The Red Cross says up to three million people have been affected.
Describing the earthquake as a "catastrophe", Haiti's envoy to the US said the cost of the damage could run into billions.
A number of nations, including the US, UK and Venezuela, are gearing up to send aid.
The quake, which struck about 15km (10 miles) south-west of Port-au-Prince, was quickly followed by two strong aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.
The tremor hit at 1653 (2153 GMT) on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said. Phone lines to the country failed shortly afterwards.
There is still no official word on casualties and the extent of the devastation is only now becoming clearer with dawn breaking.
China has already indicated in reports in state media that eight of its peacekeepers are buried and feared dead, with another 10 unaccounted for.
I think hundreds of casualties would be a serious understatement
Rachmani Domersant, operations manager, Food for the Poor
The AFP news agency quoted the Jordanian army as saying three of its peacekeepers had been killed and 21 wounded.
The Brazilian army said four of its peacekeepers were killed and a large number were missing.
A French official told AFP about 200 people were missing in the collapsed Hotel Montana, which is popular with tourists.
There have also been some reports of looting overnight.
Rachmani Domersant, an operations manager with the Food for the Poor charity, told Reuters that overnight the capital was in total darkness.
"You have thousands of people sitting in the streets with nowhere to go. There are people running, crying, screaming.
"People are trying to dig victims out with flashlights. I think hundreds of casualties would be a serious understatement."
Earlier, bodies white with dust could be seen piled on the back of a pick-up truck as vehicles tried to ferry the injured to hospital.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds.
This Would be a good Disaster thriller, Maybe it could be a thriller where we follow a couple or a family facing the disaster and their lives after the earthquake if any of them survive.
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