Foundation Portfolio handbook

Media Studies Foundation Portfolio Dec – Jan 2015-16

Preliminary Task in Continuity Editing

 

AS Media coursework - COURSEWORK REPRESENTS 50% OF THE AS LEVEL     What When Worth Main Task Opening to thriller film Jan – April 2016 50% Prelim Task Continuity editing task Dec 2015 – Jan 2016 You have to Complete and PASS   Group task Group Task     The Preliminary Task. The specification states that this must be: ‘ A continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue.’ The sequence must last no longer than one minute.   This task should demonstrate:   Match on Action Shot/Reverse Shot The 180 degree Rule   You will also have to incorporate Music, lighting, dialogue (recorded separately on a lapel mic and voice recorder)  and sound effects into your film   All filming and editing must take place on campus, using College equipment. Each group will set up a blog onto which you will record  the entire process

 

All Textual Analysis lessons and Videogames lessons, will be devoted to this task.  You will also have to use your own time.

 

 

Week Beginning – November 30^th (lessons 1-2)

Stage One

 

Form your groups.  Groups consist of 3 or 4 students.

 

Stage Two

 

Set up your group blog. 

Fill in the Sheet given to you by technicians and return this.

Ensure everyone in the group knows the URL and PASSWORD

Use a template that shows the archive in a sidebar.

Use a clear labelling system on posts.

 

Blog Posts ONE TO FOUR

 

Post 1) A copy of “The Preliminary Task”

Post 2) The 180 degree rule – explain –  (Illustrations, text, video commentary, embedded video)

Post 3) Shot/Reverse shot – explain (Illustrations, text, video commentary, embedded video)

Post 4) Match on Action – explain (Illustrations, text, video commentary, embedded video)

Blog Post FIVE  Allocate the tasks below to group members.  Blog these decisions.

 

• Camera operator - assign the person most skilled at this to this task.
• Sound recorder

• At least two people should take responsibility for filming.
• Storyboard artist/s (draws storyboard to group’s plans)

• Location Scout/s (selects locations and organises to shoot there)
• Prop Manager (organises props for shooting)
• Casting Director (organises actors where needed)
• Director of filming (calls lead in and out to start and end filming)
   
  It is likely that most tasks will be undertaken quite collaboratively.  However, if someone has particular skills, then utilise these. 
   

(Lessons 3, 4, 5 and 6))

Stage Three  - Planning the sequence. 

 

Match the brief to a simple storyline – As the main task is a thriller, this is an opportunity to practice shooting and editing to this genre. 

 

Location – Where will you film? Is it available? Photograph/film it for the blog.

Costume – be ambitious and dress characters appropriately

Props – again be ambitious.  Source your props.

Lighting – Use lighting as much as possible, not just for low key lighting effects.  It will transform your work.

 

Storyboard the 1 minute sequence – use the storyboard tiles attached in the booklet.   Consider :-

 

• shot distance,
• angle and movement,
• transitions,
• at least, the 3 continuity techniques mentioned. 
• 180 rule, S / RS, Match on Action, Eyeline match
   

In addition, include :-

 

• timing in seconds for each shot,
• exact lines of dialogue,
• sound effects and or music. 
   
  Post Six – Upload your storyboard to your blog
   
  Stage Four – before you film
   

• Exchange mobile phone numbers
• Identify coinciding non teaching periods on group members timetables.
• Organise a time to do your filming.
• Who is responsible for various aspects of Mise en scene - props, locations, costumes, make up. 
• Organise all equipment (camera, lighting, tripod, mics and sound recorders)
• Remind yourselves of WHITE BALANCE, FRAMING OF SUBJECT, MAKING A SANDWICH,
• Conduct a risk assessment for your shooting locations and record this on your blog.
   
  Post Seven
  Record all of the above on your blog under a title of Pre-Production planning (apart from phone numbers).
  (Lessons 7 and 8)
  Stage Five -  The Filming.
   
  There is an unwritten rule in filming – the best films tend to have the most waste footage.  Shoot each shot several times, as well as from a variety of positions. Make absolutely certain that you have sufficient footage to edit successfully.
   
  Make sure that you allow plenty of recorded time BEFORE AND AFTER the part of the shot you intend to use.  Create a “Sandwich”.
   
  Make sure the ‘rushes’ are on the mac network and saved in the appropriate file.  Check with Matt or Sophie before saving your work!!  You have to Log and save footage immediately after filming – camera memories will be wiped on return to the technician.
   
  Record EVIDENCE of your filming process whilst filming.  Use your phones for this and then record it on the blog.  This is to prove that you made your film and that all members of the group were present!  If you can, record a group conversation explaining what you have learnt from the process – what went well, not quite so well and why?
   
  Document yourselves setting up your lighting – capture images showing the differences between lit and unlit scenes.
   
  Document yourselves setting up the recording of your sound using the lapel mics and voice recorders.
   
  Post Eight – blog the evidence of your filming (lots of images or embed your own video footage) having taken place and evaluate this – what went well and not so well – why?
   
   
   
   
   
  (Lessons 9, 10, 11 and 12)
  Stage Six – You will receive a refresher on how to use the editing suite.  Edit your sequence.
   
   
  On completion, place your finished product in the “Completed Work” directory for your particular AS block
   
   
  Post Nine – again, blog evidence of your editing process.  (Have imagery or embedded video).  This will show that you have all been involved.  Document key editing decisions and effects that you have used. 
   
   
   
  Lessons 13, 14, 15 and 16 (first week back after Christmas)
  Stage Seven
   
  You will also have to sound edit – Create your diegetic sound with dialogue (recorded separately), sound / Foley effects, ambient sound and any Non diegetic music or voice overs.
   
  Post Ten – Blog discussions about your sound editing – Using Garage band, using sound recorders, how you chose music, how you recorded dialogue, making your own foley effects
  MEDIA STUDIES PRELIMINARY EXERCISE DEADLINES
   

DEADLINE ONE: Pre-Production planning Blog posts 1 – 7   By End of lesson 6 (Tuesday 8th December)

 

DEADLINE TWO:   Complete all Filming Blog Post 8   By End of lesson 8 (Friday 11th Dec)

 

DEADLINE THREE: Complete all Image editing Blog Post 9   By End of lesson 12 (Friday 18th Dec)

 

DEADLINE FOUR Complete sound editing Blog Post 10   FINISHED PRODUCT MUST BE SAVED TO THE COMPLETED WORK FOLDER – AS Prelim 2015-15/AS BLOCK ?/ Your full names. GROUP BLOG MUST BE COMPLETE TO FINAL STAGES   FINAL DEADLINE IS January 8th.

 

This is an exam requirement.  Any student not doing so will have to complete the task separately and complete to a satisfactory level before being able to progress to main task. 

 

Key things to remember

 

• Always reset your white balance when repositioning your camera
• Consider the framing
• Always return equipment to a technician.
• Always create a film sandwich “Camera Rolling”: “Speed”: “Action”: “Cut”:
• Record each shot several times
• Record dialogue separately

 

Health and safety – don’t put yourself or others at risk:  No Hoodie’s or stalkers:  No weapons.  If using lighting, follow necessary precautions.  Don’t leave the campus.  Please be mindful that other students will be in lessons.  Leave any settings that you use, as you found them.

 

Your Blog – blogs have a particular format.  Rather than walls of text, you should adopt a multi media approach.  Use lots of embedded video, import images, hyperlinks, write text as bullet points, use sub titles, colour etc.  Be creative!