Monday, 9 November 2015

Point of View Shot and Continuity

Point of View shot - This is a technique where it will show the scene from the characters point of view, so you can see the events from their perspective, allowing the audience to feel involved in the film because they can see it as if they are there.

The Point Of View shot is used here, it is done to show the current events taking place from one characters perspective. It is done to see the events from the eyes of the character.



Continuity




Continuity - A sequence of shots done to entertain the audience, to create a story in a linear sequence. It was invented by D.W Griffiths, through trial as error, as he would try something out and see if it worked. Continuity came from the US, fighting between them and Soviet Russia, who created montage, continuity proved more popular with audiences as it was just done to entertain the audience, unlike montage, which is designed to make the audience think.



Jump Cut/Metric Editing

Jump Cut

This technique was accidentally discovered by George Melies when he was filming a bus on busy road then the camera jammed midway, after he got it working again there was a horse infant of the camera instead of the bus. So when he watched the film back it looked like the bus mysteriously turned into a horse. He later on used this technique to make it look like people were disappearing in his films.
This is an example of a jump cut. It can be used to show insecurity within character through a break in continuity which

Metric Editing

Metric editing also known as editing to the beat is a form of montage editing created by the soviets. It is a technique that often follows the beat in music videos or sets a pace for films.
In this music video it follows the drum like so it looks like it is running smooth and fits in well with the montage sequence




180 degree rule

180 degree rule is an technique that show the relationship between two characters in an film as well as keeping them on screen. This type of editing technique was used by D.W Griffith (one of the film pioneers) who used this through trial and error as he was discovering different techniques while making films in the 1900's.

Transitions

Transition cuts are used when we film a shot or a scene we use transitions to cut out and cut in different transitions such as cut in and cut out. The was in which these were gradually developed was from George Melies as in his films he used jump cuts and transitions to create a sense of atmosphere or the viewers. there are also shot dissolves for example in the film psycho which was directed by Hitchcock in the shower scene were we see the victim get ruthlessly murdered we see the plug hole and it uses a dissolve transition and cuts to her eye. this shows us she's dying as the plug hole shows darkness.  So the transition technique was used mainly by Alfred Hitchcock were he used two transition types in his film Psycho. 


Motivated Cut


Motivated cuts or also known as Motivated editing is when a scene in the film cuts to an another scene that was not in the frame at previous scenes of films but this is done quickly for the audience because they could think that the use of continuity editing has been broken. This is usually used in narrative terms in movies for example: flashbacks where this technique is used to create tension of what is going to happen next in the film but the pioneer that came up with this technique was again D.W Griffith as he was discovering other techniques which are associated with Continuity editing. Also the purpose of this technique is to show what happening in the next scene that was not in the frame in the previous scene of a movie.







An eye-line match is simply an editing technique which falls under continuity editing. It involves one shot of the character's gaze and the next shot has to be the object the character is looking at. This technique was discovered by D.W Griffiths who is the 'father' of continuity editing.


 

Eyeline match was used in one of his films called The Sealed Room which was released in 1909 where the characters had a rightward gaze which signifies that the next scene was beginning at the right side.

Seamless editing or also known as invisible editing is when the cuts matches with the action. This means that there is no editing involved at all just cuts in between shots so it matches the action of what is happening in the film in a certain scene and continues to have the flow without breaking or ruining it but this certain technique was used by D.W Griffith.

Parallel Editing

Is the edit of continuously alternating two or more scenes that often take place together but in different locations. It is used to create tension as it shows multiple points of views and can create dramatic irony when the characters in the production are unaware of an even/plot unfolding beneath they’re eyes. This technique gained notice from Edwin S. Porter in the film, The Great Train Robbery (1903). Porter only introduced the concept of parallel editing; allowing future directors to build on the technique. D.W Griffith developed the technique to develop suspense, he did this in the film, The Lonedale Operator (1911). 
Cross Cutting 
Is similar to parallel editing, however, this technique allows the director to cut between different sets of action that can occur simultaneously or at different times. It is largely used to build suspense. and establish continuity.  The purpose of using both edits is that it creates motivation for the production as the cuts allow the audience to believe something intense, dramatic or highly interesting will take place. Moreover, it has a storytelling effects as the two unique scenes engage the audience as they wonder what will eventually happen in the production.







A mainstream film technique where one character is shown looking at another character, and the other character is shown looking back at the first character. As the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the audience will assume that the characters are looking at each other.
Shot/ Reverse shot establish continuity as it shows a conservation between two or more people to make it more realistic. D.W Griffith discovered Shot/ Reverse shot and other techniques through Continuity. As Shot/ reverse shot is a form of Continuity, this mean it should not violate the 180 degree rule. 




















Friday, 6 November 2015

Analysis of three short films

The smiling man:

There are many different types of camera shots used during this film, for instance, in the shot below we can see that they have used a close up on the character. This is done for the audience to see the emotions on the characters face, it is also done for the audience to feel the characters emotions as it happens, so in this shot, when the character is in danger, it creates tension and nervousness throughout the viewers because throughout the film hey have built up a relationship with the protagonist and they fear for the character.


The mid shot is used here, this is done to establish what is going on, like a long shot, we can see background around the character, to establish where he is, although it does not show the full picture, hinting to the audience that there may be someone watching him. It is at the beginning of the film, it is edited by using cuts from one scene to another linking the story together. The lghting is low key, at night time here also, this gives the impression of danger to the audience. Making them already unsure for the characters safety.


This shot is an extreme close up, it is used in this scene to get a detailed facial expression or emotion from the character, it is done for the audience to follow the live events from the eye line of the character, this creates tension throughout the audience because they know something dangerous is about to happen, it also creates mystery among the viewers, this is because they understand something bad will happen bu they are not sure what as they are looking at it at the same time as the character.  During this scene, we also see the lighting is low key, this is done to add to the suspense within the audience, as they are unsure of the next events that will occur. This matches the horror conventions, by creating tension and mystery throughout the audience.

An over the shoulder shot is used here, this is done to create mystery throughout the audience, as they can see that the protagonist is being watched. The over the shoulder shot is used to make the audience undertsnad that the character is being followed and is in danger, this is represents in the scene becuase camera pans across as the protagonist walks past. This represents that the character is in danger, matching the codes and conventions of a horror film, creating tension and mystery among the audience members.

The lighting in this film is always low key, this is because it is at night time, this is a typical aspect of a horror film, when it is dark, the audience almost know that something bad will take place. It ceates tension in the audience, this is because they are unsure whether the character is in danger or not. It creates mystery also, this is because the antagonist is crouching down on the floor, this is not an ordinary thing to do so it makes the viewers suspicious of the characters intentions.

Cut to black is used here, it is at the end of the film, just before the credits, the sound during this scene increases and becomes more eary, making the audience scared as they understand that the protagonist is in serious danger, after the non diegitc sound comes through, the scene cuts to black, emphasising to the audience that the character is in danger and is likely to die.
The lighting in this scene is very dark, this is low key lighting, it is used in this scene to put the viewers on edge and to create a sense of tension as they are unsure on the circumstances that may follow, it is done to make it more suspenseful for the audience. By using low key lighting, it follows the correct conventions of a horror film.
This shot is a canted angle (dutch tilt) this is when the composition of the shot changes, in this film, it goes from one shot to another angle very quickly, this changes composition, it is done to add effects for the audience and to create tension as the audience are unsure on what is happening. The camera is also hand held during this scene, this is done to add drama to the scene as it portrays the actions as if the audience are there with the character running. It makes the audience feel as though they are with them, creating tension among the audience because they know that the protagonist is running from danger.

The editing in this scene is done by using quick cuts, by using quick cuts, it keeps the audience entertained as it jumps from shot to shot, this is done to make the scenes lively and o create enthusiasm throughout the viewers.















Long shot is used here for the audience to see everything in the scene, including the antagonist.

During this short film, we hear many different forms of sound, both diegetic and non diegetic. An example of diegetic sound used in the film is he soft wind whistling, this is diegetic sound because both the audience and the character can hear it. The whistling wind is used o create a dramatic effect on the audience, as it makes them feel tense and unsure of the events that may follow. It implies to the audience that something dangerous is about to happen, because all is quiet. The viewers can also hear the footsteps of the antagonist, the footsteps are extremely loud, this may be done to emphasis that the character is out of the ordinary, it also is done because it shows that the antagonist is getting closer and closer, worrying the audience because they care for the protagonists safety. The other types of diegetic sound used is the dialogue of the character as he questions the antagonist. There is also non diegetic sound used in the film, this is the music that was used, it was used at the beginning and the end, towards the end the music becomes eary, representing danger to the audience as they don't know whether the character is safe or not. The music at the beginning of the film is much calmer, this in itself represents danger to the audience as the scene is using low key lighting to help emphasis with the non diegetic sound that it is a horror film, matching the conventions of a horror film, o make the audience feel tense, insecure and creating mystery.


Coffer:
This close up is done to emphasis the characters facial expressions and to show the audience her feeling as the events unfold, the cuts are quick in these scenes because it cuts back and forward from her face to the chest, creating tension among the audience because they don't know what will happen next.

There is a close up on the characters hand use here in this scene, this is done to create tension among the audience as it makes them ask the question of what is insode the box and wether it is safe or not to open it, as it is a horror and the conventions of a horror film is to create tension, the audience  know that it would not be a good idea to open he box.
This is a high angle, it is used in this scene to portray the character as more dominant to the audience, although in this case, we know that the angle is not relevant and we know that the woman is in danger.
This shot below shows that the character is tense and nervous as she does not know what is inside the chest. It is a mid shot because we can see some of the background, almost to show her hiding. The lightning is low key, the scene is in a light place, although when forced on the woman looking at the chest, the scene looks darker.


Low key lighting is used in this shot, this is done to emphasis the danger to the audience, creating mystery as they like the characters do not know the circumstances that could come from looking down the dark hole, it also creates tension because the viewers want the character to stay safe and be ok and they know that there is danger looming within the scene.
This mid shot is used in the film to portray the box which is now open,Mathis is done to represent the danger of what imminent the box to the audience, creating mystery among the viewers because they know something dangerous is in the box, but they are not sure what, this also creates tension because they do not want the woman to walk towards the box because they know the dangers, they also know thisp because of the film genre, as it is a convention of horror films create tension and suspense forplay the audience.

This mid shot portrays the woman in her house, showing her personality through her belongings, this is done for the viewers to gain a relationship with the character and to make them care for her safety in the film.

Porcelin rising:


This shot is a close up of the child, cuddling a teddy bear, this is important as we can see that the girl is vulnerable, this portrays her to the audience as weak and feeble minded as she cannot defend herself, this also immediately makes the audience care for her as she is only a small child. The teddy bear is also used to make the audience root for her from the start.
This is also a close up shot showing the danger within the film, this scares the audience as it creates tension among the audience, this is because they have begun a relationship with the characters, especially the little girl, meaning they care for them and do not want them to be harmed, the doll represents demonic traits, making the audience fear the doll just as much as the characters.
The lightning is used here to create mystery, it makes the audience unsure on what the doll can do to the characters, it is low key lighting used, however, the lightning brightens it up, making it even scarier for the audience becuase the lightning represents danger and is a classic horror convention.
The mid shot of the girl under the bed is done to represent the girl as vulnerable, as she is hiding under the bed, there is low key lighting used here, representing she is alone and in darkness, this is done to make the auaidence fear for her, creating suspense and tension. The shot shows how small and young she is to the audience as she is hiding under the bed.


The close up of the hand is done here to show that the girl I in saner, making the audience tense and worried or the characters safety, the lightning is used to help emphasis the demonic danger in place in te scene, this is also part of a succession of quick cuts, linking from one scene to another showing two points of view from both characters, which are the girl in trouble an the dad trying to help her. They are done to keep the audience included and engage within te film, keeping them entertained whilst at the same time creating tension and suspense as they care for the characters and do not wan them to be harmed.
This is an extreme close up, it is used to frighten the audience member as they are worried for the child's safety,  The extreme close up is also used for the audience to see the venets from the eye vision of the character, without seeing anything, the viewers following the girls eyes, knowing she is in danger. It is done to create tension as the audience worry for her.
The lighting in this shot is high key lighting, this is because of the lighting, it is done to show the audience what is jn the room but also done to scare them because lightning is a convention of horror films, meaning that te audience will feel tense when te lightning strikes.
The editing in this scene is fast, by using quick cuts, they piece together moments for the man, this is done to make the audience understand the order of the story, also it is done as it shows the audience that the character is working something out quickly in his head, so the quick cuts make it more interesting for the audience so, this is becuase it engages them and makes them feel involved
There is low keg lighting used in this scene, this is because it empathises the fact that the girl is in danger as we can see the doll loom down, the darkness portrays the evil in the scene.


During this short film, there are many different kinds of sounds that are used, both diegetic and non diegetic, they are both there to make the audience feel engaged in the story, the non diegetic sound in this film tells the audience that something is going to happen, letting them know before the character, whereas the diegetic sound is the sound that everyone can hear, both the audience and the characters, for example in this film, there is much diegetic sound that was used, these were the lighting noise, this is diegetic because the character can hear it as well as the audience, by using lightning, it is a typical factor that is used in horror film, done to scare the audience and to make them feel tense giving the feeling that something bad will happen. The screaming that was used is diegetic, the screaming is used because it emphasis to the viewers that the little girl is in danger. The dialogue from both characters is also used, this is when they are in danger, also when the two are talking.

The non diegetic sounds used in this film are the music that was used, the music in this film is used to create tension, there is only music at the end, but as the film ends on a cliff hanger, the music portrays that the characters are still in danger.