Strength
 |
| Strength |
Poverty
 |
| Poverty |
Purity
 |
| Purity |
The British opinion is highly diversified. However in recent times the British media seem to have forgotten about the crisis, even though refugees are still arriving by the boatload everyday. This is where the inspiration from our work has derived from. To find out more about the opinions of normal people, from different age groups, and from different backgrounds.
The way we shall achieve this is through, some organised, some on the spot, interviews of different people.
Some of these people will include the elderly, the teenage, and the young, hopefully giving us a insightful, opinionated, short
documentary on the views of the British public.
documentary on the views of the British public.
Salt
Salt is a 90 second short sketch about a married couple. At the start it seems that the marriage is an unhappy one, and that the wife dislikes the husband. So when she is making the husband lunch and too much salt is added to the husband's meal, she proceeds to pour in the rest of the bag. However more is revealed when the husband asks if the wife is eating, showing concern and compassion, and lies that the meal is "delicious". It all comes clear however that in the last moments of the sketch that they both sit down and laugh together at the ordeal.
I believe Salt's audience are teenagers to elderly. It is an amusing comedic, sentimental, feel good short film that could appeal to anyone. It is relevant to all of our lives, highlighting the effect of love and relationship on us human beings, and has the ability to crack a smile.
The sketch is very well made, the acting is impressive and the use of mine en scène effectively tells the story of an elderly couple living their retired days together. There are lot of varying shots used, from close ups, to long shots. There is no music or dialogue in the opening seconds of the sketch, giving the air of an awkward silence, or faded love, between the couple. This has the added effect of making the audience feel just as awkward as the couple, and perhaps kept in suspense until the very end.
Make Music Not War
 |
| Make Music Not War |
Make Music Not War is a hard hitting reflection on the Ukrainian conflict, and the effect on the country's people, and infrastructure. The film starts off with seemingly innocent shots of the Ukrainian countryside, as well as people going about their normal lives. This is accompanied with a brass band, adding to the peaceful vibe given off by the natural scenes. However another seemingly similar shot then begins to focus on a metal barrier, damaged by gunfire. The brass band continues, giving a contrapuntal effect. The film goes on to show more effects of the conflict, not often shown by Western media. The last scene of the film is a hastily scribbled "need help" sign fixed to a fence adorned with barbed wire. This a poignant message to, perhaps, face criticisms about the influx of refugees into Western Europe.
I think that the audience for this piece are teenagers to adults. It is a informative, emotional, short film that highlights the effect of the conflict on the Ukrainian people. It can be used to make us reflect on our lives, and the relative peace that we live in. The shots are used to show as much of the devastation as possible, using low shots to make the ruined buildings look bigger, and more important. The contrapuntal brass band makes the audience feel very uncomfortable, making the film all the more memorable.
How to Tell When a Relationship is Over
 |
| How to Tell When a Relationship is Over |
How to Tell When a Relationship is Over is a minute and a half comedy detailing when people should be able to tell that the relationship is over. The sketch starts off as what seems to be a genuine, informative piece. However that assumption quickly fades when some more abstract advice is given. For example, we are told that when a dead pigeon appears on our kitchen table, we should assume that our relationship is over. At this point we can confidently assume that the sketch is a comedy.
I would say that the audience for this sketch is teenagers. It is a comedic, humorous short film, disguised as an informative message. Only one shot is used, a medium shot, from in front of the two characters. This could have been used to show stability, and a monotonous relationship. There isn't any music, just dialogue, indicating a boring, silent relationship.
Evaluation
So we made a video. Our team was given a set of criteria that was to be met in order to introduce us to various media techniques. The following is the criteria that was set, what we used it for, and how successful we were in using it.
Mise-en-scene
 |
| The location |
Mise-en-scene is a French expression which loosely translates as 'placing on stage'. This describes the scenery and design aspects, or in other terms, everything that is in front of the camera. This includes costumes, props and location. We used mise-en-scene to help the narrative and story of the film to flow smoothly. For example we did not leave camera equipment, such as tripods or lens caps, where the audience would have been able to see. We did not have a wide range of costumes or props available to us but we still managed to use a toy duck and a jacket effectively. The toy duck was used as an important part of the narrative and the jacket was used so that the audience could identify who the 'suit guy' was.
Lighting
 |
| Over-exposure |
Lighting refers to the lighting and exposure during a film. For example a lower lighting could be used to show fear and horror. In our movie we had many scenes which had high levels of lighting, some of which were over-exposed. In hindsight we could have lowered our exposure so that the details of the scenery could have been seen. All of our outdoors scenes was with ambient, natural lighting which meant that shadows were created, giving high contrast between shadow and bright sunshine. Our indoors scenes were filmed with artificial light. This meant that the scenes were darker and with less shadows.
High or Low Camera Angles
 |
| Low Camera Angle |
Camera angles can impact how the audience perceives a character. For example if the camera is positioned high above the character, the audience perceives the character to be less powerful due to the character seeming smaller than either the audience, or another character. In our movie we positioned the camera low down when we revealed the 'suit guy' in a medium-shot. This gives the perception that the 'suit guy' is powerful and influential, maybe more so than the 'hoodie guy'.
Different Shot Distances
 |
| Varying Shot Distances |
Different shot distances create a variety of effects that can be used within a film. For example we used an extreme long shot at the start of the film as an establishing shot. We also used close ups, medium shots, long shots and extreme close ups. This meant that there was a variety of shots which meant that the audience remained interested, and created an ever-changing point of view for the audience. I think we used a good amount of different shots to meet the criteria effectively.
Fades or Dissolves
 |
| A dissolve transition |
A fade or dissolve transition is used to smoothly cut between two different scenes. This is usually achieved through one scene dissolving into the other, like we used, or a scene fading into a colour, such as black or white. I think we have been successful using our dissolve transition as it meant that the two scenes could smoothly fit together, without it being jarring or jumpy.
The 180 Degree Rule is usually used in over the shoulder shots, mainly in conversations or, in our case, a staredown. The rule helps to maintain continuity and keep the audience from being confused or uncomfortable. The rule says that the camera must stay on the same side of the characters and cannot cross the 180° line between the two people. For example in the diagram below, the green cameras are within the parameters of the 180° line. However the red camera isn't, and as a consequence the shot would look confusing or disorientating.
The Continuity System
180° Rule
 |
| Over the shoulder shot |
 |
| Helpful diagram :) |
Establishing Shots
 |
| An ELS used as an establishing shot |
Establishing shots are used to set the location, and are usually shot as an extreme long shot (ELS). These are used at the start of scenes so that the audience know where the following action will take place. It can also be used to break up the action and be used as a transition between scenes. We used our establishing shot at the start of the video to set the scene.
Match Cuts on Action
 |
| Match Cut on Action |
A match cut on action is a technique where the shot cuts from one shot, to another view that matches the first shot's action. For example in our video, we used the 'suit guy' accepting the incoming call and placing the phone to his ear. We used this effectively as it continues the flow of the film, as well as showing more about the narrative.
During our few hours of shooting and editing I have learnt more about the production and post-production process that goes into making media. I'm now more aware of shot types and editing techniques, as well as working under time constraints. I have enjoyed post-production the most, as I feel more comfortable editing and selecting a soundtrack for our work. To make our work better next time I need to be more organised, as well as planning more effectively, and using my time better.
Evaluation
 |
| A Gif Evaluation of My Time Directing |