180-Degree Rule Exercise

 In order to inculcate in us the importance of the 180-degree rule when it comes to filmmaking and editing, our teacher gave us an exercise to complete with the help of our classmates. The 180-degree rule states that two characters (or more) in a scene should always have the same left/right relationship with each other. The rule dictates that you draw an imaginary line between these two subjects and keep your camera on the same side of the 180-degree line, to provide cohesion to the cuts made in the scene.

The assignment we were given was to mark a 180-degree line in a classroom and then shoot a dialogue scene from 3 different angles while observing the 180-degree rule and shoot another piece of footage shot without using the 180-degree rule. We then had to use the footage to cut and edit the scene in two ways; One person had to make the video completely using the footage that was made using the 180-degree line and one person had to edit the video including the footage that broke the 180-degree rule, in order to illustrate the difference. 

I shot the footage on my camera and edited the video that showed the 180-degree rule being broken. Included below are some behind-the-scenes pictures that I took, along with the two final videos.

Behind the Scene Photos:

Following the Rule Video:

Breaking the Rule Video:

"Cutting" Exercise

 As a way of letting us get used to using Adobe Premiere Pro for editing videos and as a way of getting us to practice our editing skills, our teacher sent us a link to raw footage meant to be used as a short horror film, provided by an education filmmaking project named Cinsetudy. This is the link to the project and footage - https://cinestudy.org/2019/09/24/interactive-project-horror-movie/.

By using the raw footage provided of the multiple takes shot, and the given horror sequence editing script I created my edited sequence by cutting the footage to fit the script and picking the best takes.

I was quite happy with the way the footage came out, however, I should have worked harder on refining the ending to make it more impactful and in certain parts the cut should have been made a few seconds earlier or later. 

Taking Part in a Film Competition

Towards the end of the year some of my school friends studying media were asked to create a short film for a nation-wide competition. I was mainly in charge of writing, the script, but I also assisted slightly with camera work and editing. 

Storyboarding Exercise

 To introduce us to the concept of storyboarding our Media Studies teacher first showed us a clip from Psycho and then showed us a storyboard of that clip via a site called Studiobinder.

Therefore, I understood that a storyboard is an effective way of helping you map out your film and organize your sequences so that it is much easier to shoot. By deciding on each shot according to the scene in advance, you have a far better-organized production.

The activity that we were then given was to draw a storyboard of our own, making our way backwards through the process by first analysing a film opening and then creating a storyboard of the opening itself. The film opening that I was assigned to make a storyboard of was Scam 1992 which is an Indian TV Drama. The opening sequence is attached below:

We were told to research the films and shows that we were given, to give us a better understanding of what type of content the show consisted of and why certain shots, movements and mise-en-scene elements would have been used within the openings. For example, Scam 1992 is a biographical thriller, which is why it uses many different fast-paced shots and gripping visuals such as the stacks of money falling from the sky and the chains wrapping around them. The first few shots happen in quick succession with fades to black in between, giving a flickering effect that helps to give the viewer a sense that the show is a thriller.

Furthermore, the story itself is about how Harsad Mehta became a bigshot figure within the financial sector and then shows how he fell from his high position. This sequence of events is figuratively shown within the two-minute sequence, portraying Harshad as a large and powerful figure, standing atop a skyscraper ad looking down at the city before him. Close-ups of his sleek silhouette and watch and car are shown. 

Then, suddenly the buildings start to crumble and slowly break apart and Harshad begins to fall as large stacks of money and chains fall from the sky, the stacks slowly overtaking the cityscape he was observing. This portrays Meta's eventual fall into disgrace after his sins are discovered, and the resulting loss of his financial kingdom. 

By understanding the reasons behind why certain shots and placements were used, I was able to attempt to create the storyboard of the opening, which is shown below.

Introduction to Premiere Pro

 To familiarise us with using Adobe Premiere Pro for editing, our teacher instructed us to take some videos at home, which had to be compiled into an edited sequence. This is the list of shots that we were asked to shoot at home:

1. Wide Shot
2. Medium Shot
3. Close-Up Shot

We were then instructed to edit the footage using Premiere Pro and add music that fit the sequence as well. My final sequence is included below. 

I struggled with getting good-quality footage using just my phone camera, and it was also slightly difficult to navigate using Premiere Pro for the first time, which can be seen through the quality of the final sequence since I didn't know how to export the final footage in a way that ensured good quality by using a format such as mp4. However, I was quite happy with the music I chose as I felt it fit the sequence of the video well.

Camera Shots, Movements and Angles

 To learn the different types of camera shots, movements and angles we were assigned a task that consisted of making a presentation which featured our own shots of the various types alongside a small description of when and why the shots, angles and movements are used

A few examples from this task are included below.

Stage 1

• Shots:

Medium Shot

Extreme Close Up Shot

Close Up Shot

• Camera Movements:

Pan

Zoom

Tilt

• Angles:

Low Angle

High Angle

Canted/Dutch Angle