AS Production checklist
This is a rough list of the basic tasks you should have completed for a level 4 you will be expected to have done more.
• Research other products
• Research and address your target audience
• Storyboard
• Shot list
• Script using prof format
• Your blog should be up to date
• Production schedule evidencing the organization of actors, locations and props
• Prelim ex (with the stated techniques included in your main task)
• Recce trip to locations
• The sourcing and organizing of appropriate actors, costumes, and props
• Character profiles
• Sound scape– including tracks and SFX to be used
• And all tasks completed for the presentation
many thanks Nina.
Monday 20 September 2010
A2 Production
Hello everyone,I hope you are all now clear about what you are doing and how to go about doing it? The following is a comprehensive list of what you are required to produce for the Pre-Production stages of this film project.
so you should all have your brief and realise that you have two ancillary tasks complete alongside your main short film task. As you are now A2 students you will be expected to carryout your research with a critical perspective, this means you should be analysing a large number of other media products that are suitable for your chosen project. The following provides a list of tasks you must complete, this list is the bare minimum expected at A2 level & so if you are aiming for a good grade you must do over & above this.
Pre-production checklist
• Demonstrate a clear knowledge of Forms and conventions – this must include the general forms & conventions of short films (or lack of!!)and ALSO genre specific forms & conventions of your chosen genre (this must be clear as starting point on your blogs), you can also state whether you are following those conventions or subverting them
• Hyperlinks / embedded posts of at least 6 short films that you have analysed (any genre) and hyperlinks to a further 8 that you have analysed of the SAME genre as your title sequence. So this is 14 short films in total that you have analysed and written about – 6 general, 8 genre specific, (this is a basic number requirement, you should/could analyse many more and they should all be added to your blog – links & your analysis) The framework for your analysis should include the following – mise-en-scene, what sound was used – to what effect and when during the sequence it was played (include dialogue), what the film was about, the characters, location, genre, time, mood etc, etc, where any themes developed? What colour schemes were used, Was any imagery used or inter-textual references made? Did they use signs and symbols (Semiotics)to convey their message further?
You also need to apply narrative theory to your analysis, for this you must research Todorov, Propp, Vogler,
again you also need to apply genre theory so research daniel chandler and go to the aberystwyth university website & search for 'genre theory' & narrative theory' (make sure the search box is selected to all aber web pages not just the courses.
You will also find appropriate research here about audience theory and representation all of which must be discuss in your analysis. This work will also prepare you for the exam work we start when your production is completed. It is complex and complicated but you need to make notes for yourself and apply what you can as I will be explaining everything in much more detail for the exam. However as A2 students you will have to carryout substantial research on your own and to a high standard in preparation for university.
• Your synopsis and any influences (other films etc that you have worked from)
• Links to sample sound files that you may use and how / why you would use them
• Sample screen page layouts to include an image with sample titles placed over it in the positions that you may use in your sequence
• A mood slide that should be made of images (any from the net), colour schemes, fonts, words and sound that portray the intended ‘mood’ of your short film like a PowerPoint collage
• Who your target audience are – age, gender, location, interests, How you are going to attract them, Why you know they will be interested in your film – past films, fans of specific musical genres etc etc, where they will be able to see your film (if it was real), you must apply your research on audience theory to this
• Classification and what that means in relation to what you can show
• Storyboard
• Script - using professional format
• Production schedule/planning - these should be elaborate and organised
• Up to date blog covering all of the above and all other work you have carried out
• Character profiles
• List of locations/ photos if you have them
You should analyse at least 3 film posters, discuss the layout, colour scheme, imagery, fonts, what information is given, symbols used and how the poster relates to the film
You should also create 3 sample page layouts (drafts) for your poster
You should also listen to and analyse 10 radio film adverts, note the types of sounds used, the 'hook' of the advert, the duration, what information was given and what dialogue was used. This is a link to the aber site Good luck!
so you should all have your brief and realise that you have two ancillary tasks complete alongside your main short film task. As you are now A2 students you will be expected to carryout your research with a critical perspective, this means you should be analysing a large number of other media products that are suitable for your chosen project. The following provides a list of tasks you must complete, this list is the bare minimum expected at A2 level & so if you are aiming for a good grade you must do over & above this.
Pre-production checklist
• Demonstrate a clear knowledge of Forms and conventions – this must include the general forms & conventions of short films (or lack of!!)and ALSO genre specific forms & conventions of your chosen genre (this must be clear as starting point on your blogs), you can also state whether you are following those conventions or subverting them
• Hyperlinks / embedded posts of at least 6 short films that you have analysed (any genre) and hyperlinks to a further 8 that you have analysed of the SAME genre as your title sequence. So this is 14 short films in total that you have analysed and written about – 6 general, 8 genre specific, (this is a basic number requirement, you should/could analyse many more and they should all be added to your blog – links & your analysis) The framework for your analysis should include the following – mise-en-scene, what sound was used – to what effect and when during the sequence it was played (include dialogue), what the film was about, the characters, location, genre, time, mood etc, etc, where any themes developed? What colour schemes were used, Was any imagery used or inter-textual references made? Did they use signs and symbols (Semiotics)to convey their message further?
You also need to apply narrative theory to your analysis, for this you must research Todorov, Propp, Vogler,
again you also need to apply genre theory so research daniel chandler and go to the aberystwyth university website & search for 'genre theory' & narrative theory' (make sure the search box is selected to all aber web pages not just the courses.
You will also find appropriate research here about audience theory and representation all of which must be discuss in your analysis. This work will also prepare you for the exam work we start when your production is completed. It is complex and complicated but you need to make notes for yourself and apply what you can as I will be explaining everything in much more detail for the exam. However as A2 students you will have to carryout substantial research on your own and to a high standard in preparation for university.
• Your synopsis and any influences (other films etc that you have worked from)
• Links to sample sound files that you may use and how / why you would use them
• Sample screen page layouts to include an image with sample titles placed over it in the positions that you may use in your sequence
• A mood slide that should be made of images (any from the net), colour schemes, fonts, words and sound that portray the intended ‘mood’ of your short film like a PowerPoint collage
• Who your target audience are – age, gender, location, interests, How you are going to attract them, Why you know they will be interested in your film – past films, fans of specific musical genres etc etc, where they will be able to see your film (if it was real), you must apply your research on audience theory to this
• Classification and what that means in relation to what you can show
• Storyboard
• Script - using professional format
• Production schedule/planning - these should be elaborate and organised
• Up to date blog covering all of the above and all other work you have carried out
• Character profiles
• List of locations/ photos if you have them
You should analyse at least 3 film posters, discuss the layout, colour scheme, imagery, fonts, what information is given, symbols used and how the poster relates to the film
You should also create 3 sample page layouts (drafts) for your poster
You should also listen to and analyse 10 radio film adverts, note the types of sounds used, the 'hook' of the advert, the duration, what information was given and what dialogue was used. This is a link to the aber site Good luck!
AS & A2 Filming advise
The following info is really important if you want your film to look professional. You need to learn all of the below (even if you dont use everything in your film) as you will need it for your exam work (both A2 & AS) You also use it to inform your blog writing please. Thanks NIna
When you’re making a film you should use the camera and editing to help your audience know what’s happening and what your characters are doing, thinking and feeling.
You need to make sure that you have a variety of shots, usually including
• long shots
• mid shots
• closeups
Things you can use to help you plan are
• a script
• a storyboard
• a shot list
Camera movements
Camera movements should be used for a purpose, not just to avoid editing! If you do need movements, make sure the movement is smooth and goes in only one direction. Tracking shots ¬ where the camera itself moves ¬ usually look much better than zooms. For smooth tracking, mount the camera on a wheelchair, skateboard or trolley.
Shot duration
When you’re filming, each shot should last longer than you want it to appear in the finished film: editing longer shots down is much easier then refilming missing footage if the shots are too short to use. When you’re editing dialogue, you may think all you need to use is each character’s line, but significant pauses can add hugely to the tension and dramatic impact of a scene.
Continuity editing
In continuity editing everything is filmed so that the viewer thinks they are seeing continuous action. As well as following the rules below, you will need to ensure that characters’ appearance, the set and the lighting (colour and direction) remain consistent from shot to shot.
Shot/reverse/shot
If you’re shooting two characters talking to each other, here’s how to do it.
• Film it once with a ‘master shot’, which shows both characters
• Film it again with the camera in closeup on one character
• Film it again with the camera in closeup on the second character. Matching eyeline
You need to ensure that the direction of characters’ gazes stays the same ¬ so if one character is taller than the other, the smaller character should be looking up and the taller looking down.
Editing
You can edit a shot reverse shot scene or single-camera interview by splitting a clip into subclips (eg by using iMovie’s ‘Split clip at playhead’ command) to divide up the clip into the lines you want, then putting the clips in order so they alternate between characters, then trimming the clips. It’s easier if you rename the clips so that you know which clip has which line of dialogue.
If you don’t mind fiddling with the ‘Extract audio’ command (in iMovie), you can even include ‘split edits’ and where the picture and sound change at different points. If you're using a professional programme such as Final Cut Pro or Premiere you will need to unlink the sound and video tracks of your clip to do this.
You should edit movement (eg a character running) ‘on the action’ and make sure that the character has clearly moved forward between shots, rather than having the action appearing as if it’s repeated.
Transitions
Fades and dissolves (or ‘cross-fades’) can add to the meaning of a sequence.
• Dissolves can be used to provide a slow, relaxed way of linking shots ¬ eg in a ‘montage’ of different shots within an opening sequence.
• They can also be used in continuity editing to show that we have moved forward in time and/or space.
• Fades to black and back are usually used to show that a more significant period of time has elapsed between two sequences.
• Wipes and other unusual transitions are best avoided!
Thinking in shots
To start thinking in terms of individual shots, try planning and filming an action sequence while following the rules below:
• MORE CLOSE-UPS: Don’t go more than three shots without a close up.
• NO ZOOMS: Don’t touch the zoom button when the camera is running ¬ just use it to set the framing for the shot.
• NO CAMERA MOVEMENTS: Frame separate shots rather than scanning the scene.
Montage
Not all editing is continuity editing. Title sequences often use ‘montage’, where the combination of contrasting images builds up meaning.
• Film individual shots of each character in ‘big closeup’ when you need to show strong emotion.
You can also include other shots, such as mid shots, if you need them.You can film an interview in the same way with just one camera:
• Film the interviewee, while your ‘production assistant’ make notes of the questions
• Then film the interviewer asking the questions and nodding occasionally
Rules for continuity editing
180 degree rule
It’s important not to cross the ‘line of vision’ between two characters, unless the viewer actually sees the viewpoint move across the line. Otherwise the viewer may not be able to make sense of the scene. The same rule applies to a moving subject: keep to one side of the direction of motion.
30 degree rule
If the camera angle changes by less than 30 degrees (with the same framing) viewers may notice a visible jump cut.
When you’re making a film you should use the camera and editing to help your audience know what’s happening and what your characters are doing, thinking and feeling.
You need to make sure that you have a variety of shots, usually including
• long shots
• mid shots
• closeups
Things you can use to help you plan are
• a script
• a storyboard
• a shot list
Camera movements
Camera movements should be used for a purpose, not just to avoid editing! If you do need movements, make sure the movement is smooth and goes in only one direction. Tracking shots ¬ where the camera itself moves ¬ usually look much better than zooms. For smooth tracking, mount the camera on a wheelchair, skateboard or trolley.
Shot duration
When you’re filming, each shot should last longer than you want it to appear in the finished film: editing longer shots down is much easier then refilming missing footage if the shots are too short to use. When you’re editing dialogue, you may think all you need to use is each character’s line, but significant pauses can add hugely to the tension and dramatic impact of a scene.
Continuity editing
In continuity editing everything is filmed so that the viewer thinks they are seeing continuous action. As well as following the rules below, you will need to ensure that characters’ appearance, the set and the lighting (colour and direction) remain consistent from shot to shot.
Shot/reverse/shot
If you’re shooting two characters talking to each other, here’s how to do it.
• Film it once with a ‘master shot’, which shows both characters
• Film it again with the camera in closeup on one character
• Film it again with the camera in closeup on the second character. Matching eyeline
You need to ensure that the direction of characters’ gazes stays the same ¬ so if one character is taller than the other, the smaller character should be looking up and the taller looking down.
Editing
You can edit a shot reverse shot scene or single-camera interview by splitting a clip into subclips (eg by using iMovie’s ‘Split clip at playhead’ command) to divide up the clip into the lines you want, then putting the clips in order so they alternate between characters, then trimming the clips. It’s easier if you rename the clips so that you know which clip has which line of dialogue.
If you don’t mind fiddling with the ‘Extract audio’ command (in iMovie), you can even include ‘split edits’ and where the picture and sound change at different points. If you're using a professional programme such as Final Cut Pro or Premiere you will need to unlink the sound and video tracks of your clip to do this.
You should edit movement (eg a character running) ‘on the action’ and make sure that the character has clearly moved forward between shots, rather than having the action appearing as if it’s repeated.
Transitions
Fades and dissolves (or ‘cross-fades’) can add to the meaning of a sequence.
• Dissolves can be used to provide a slow, relaxed way of linking shots ¬ eg in a ‘montage’ of different shots within an opening sequence.
• They can also be used in continuity editing to show that we have moved forward in time and/or space.
• Fades to black and back are usually used to show that a more significant period of time has elapsed between two sequences.
• Wipes and other unusual transitions are best avoided!
Thinking in shots
To start thinking in terms of individual shots, try planning and filming an action sequence while following the rules below:
• MORE CLOSE-UPS: Don’t go more than three shots without a close up.
• NO ZOOMS: Don’t touch the zoom button when the camera is running ¬ just use it to set the framing for the shot.
• NO CAMERA MOVEMENTS: Frame separate shots rather than scanning the scene.
Montage
Not all editing is continuity editing. Title sequences often use ‘montage’, where the combination of contrasting images builds up meaning.
• Film individual shots of each character in ‘big closeup’ when you need to show strong emotion.
You can also include other shots, such as mid shots, if you need them.You can film an interview in the same way with just one camera:
• Film the interviewee, while your ‘production assistant’ make notes of the questions
• Then film the interviewer asking the questions and nodding occasionally
Rules for continuity editing
180 degree rule
It’s important not to cross the ‘line of vision’ between two characters, unless the viewer actually sees the viewpoint move across the line. Otherwise the viewer may not be able to make sense of the scene. The same rule applies to a moving subject: keep to one side of the direction of motion.
30 degree rule
If the camera angle changes by less than 30 degrees (with the same framing) viewers may notice a visible jump cut.
Filming basics
Filming basics
Get organised
You need to be organised when you are filming. Make sure the camera has a tape in, is turned on, is in the right mode (video camera rather than still or playback mode, and that the lens cap is off. Refer to a shot list or storyboard so that you know which shots you are going to film.
Framing
Normally it's better to use a tripod. If you can't use a tripod, it's easier to hold the camera steady if you zoom out and get in close to the subject.
If you're filming with a still camera or cameraphone, remember you still need to keep the camera in 'landscape' mode. If you film in portrait mode your shots will be on their side, and you won't be able to rotate them unless you have a professional editing program.
Shoot separate shots rather than reframing and waving the camera about while you're filming.
If you do use camera movements, have the camera moving smoothly in one direction. If you're using a camera that uses heavy compression, like a basic cameraphone, fast movement will badly affect image quality and smoothness.
Don't zoom while you're filming.
Check the light
Try to film where there is plenty of light, and don't mix different light sources such as daylight and fluorescent light as this will make the colours appear strange. Don't shoot into the light or against a very light or dark background.
Shoot enough material
Shoot at least ten seconds of each shot (count one second, two seconds etc or watch the counter in the camera viewfinder.) For drama or acted scenes, it's best to follow a drill (LINK TO BE INSERTED).
Don't keep rewinding the camera to check your material as you will probably record over some of your good stuff.
Visit For more details on lighting the media edu site for more details
Get organised
You need to be organised when you are filming. Make sure the camera has a tape in, is turned on, is in the right mode (video camera rather than still or playback mode, and that the lens cap is off. Refer to a shot list or storyboard so that you know which shots you are going to film.
Framing
Normally it's better to use a tripod. If you can't use a tripod, it's easier to hold the camera steady if you zoom out and get in close to the subject.
If you're filming with a still camera or cameraphone, remember you still need to keep the camera in 'landscape' mode. If you film in portrait mode your shots will be on their side, and you won't be able to rotate them unless you have a professional editing program.
Shoot separate shots rather than reframing and waving the camera about while you're filming.
If you do use camera movements, have the camera moving smoothly in one direction. If you're using a camera that uses heavy compression, like a basic cameraphone, fast movement will badly affect image quality and smoothness.
Don't zoom while you're filming.
Check the light
Try to film where there is plenty of light, and don't mix different light sources such as daylight and fluorescent light as this will make the colours appear strange. Don't shoot into the light or against a very light or dark background.
Shoot enough material
Shoot at least ten seconds of each shot (count one second, two seconds etc or watch the counter in the camera viewfinder.) For drama or acted scenes, it's best to follow a drill (LINK TO BE INSERTED).
Don't keep rewinding the camera to check your material as you will probably record over some of your good stuff.
Visit For more details on lighting the media edu site for more details
AS Bloggers get ready!
YOUR BLOG MUST INCLUDE:
- Critical analysis of the work of Saul Bass
- Evidence of research into similar media texts and analysis of their forms and conventions
- Evidence of how you have planned your project
- A logline for your film idea/concept and or a mind-map exploring narrative/character development
- Draft storyboards, title page layouts and plans
- A comprehensive set of posts outlining the processes in the development of your film and the decisions and revisions made during this time
- Your prelim task
YOUR BLOG SHOULD INCLUDE:
- Location shots
- Casting Shot
- A filmed animatic with camera movement/cuts and sound
- Second/third draft storyboards
- Music choices discussion and analysis with audio extracts
- The first cut of your sequence with analysis
- Detailed critique of the developmental process with reflective commentary on the decisions and revisions made.
- Exploration of why opening title sequences are so important to the film industry?
- Photographs of the shoot - you in action!
- Shooting schedule
- Mini-evaluative postings showing reflective thought processes throughout the project
- Evidence of audience profiling
YOUR BLOG COULD INCLUDE:
- Thorough audience research exploring the relationship between opening title sequences and spectator responses to film.
- A detailed audience profile drawing upon sociographic and psychographic profiling techniques.
- Audience responses to your finished film.
- Evidence into 'Film Production' processes undertaking a case study into a specific studio or film and tracking its production, distribution and marketing strategies.
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