List of technologies I have used so far (In last year's coursework) that will aid me again this year...
Hardware
Camera (Moby) - A borrowed Professional camera. Shutter-speed was slowed down for "ghosting" effect.
Boom mic - to capture dialogue clearly and closely.
Redheads - Main source of lighting in filming.
LED head lights - to get rid of shadows and highlight certain features for a "sun kissed" look.
Mac Computer - For the post-production process.
Microsoft Computer - Used at home to create production logos.
(Mouse, Keyboard, Tower, Server included)
Computer Microphone - For recording voice over.
Software
iMovie
This was used for the Post Production of both the prelim "Catch 'Em All" and "Poker's Advocate", and other features within the programme such as...
- Uploading Clips and cutting 'good' clips and putting 'bad' clips into the trash
- Cut and Paste - to put clips in a (narrative) sequence
- Volume - turning down the soundtrack at certain points so the dialogue could be heard better
- Ghosting (transition) alike to slowing down shutter speed
Swish Max3
This was a animation software that I downloaded off the Internet, and used whilst on a trial period (You had to pay for the software). I used this to create two of the Production houses logos featured in Poker's Advocate.
For this software I have learnt how to...
- Change the speed of package animation effects
- Animated images uploaded from files/Internet
- Upload other GIFS and animations found on the Internet
- Apply multiple animation layers
- Time animation settings accordingly
- Place 'blocks' to stop certain GIFs that are on loop
A2 Production Skills Evaluational essay
In the AS Media Studies course I learnt a range of technical skills. This was first practiced briefly in our prelim film opening, but honed in my coursework practical project; Poker’s Advocate (PA), taught me the importance of lighting and how different moods can be created from it. As my team used professional filming equipment borrowed from a friend’s dad, safety whilst handling the equipment correctly was an issue we had to learn. The tip of the boom-mike had to face the speaker, and by opening or closing the bandoleers/“barn doors” of the Redhead lights to intensify/spread out the light, different tones of light and shadow could be created to set a mood. For example; the character of Luke wore aviators (…despite being indoors…?) needed to be illuminated along with one side of his face. To do this, a small LED light torch was shone on his left side and the bandoleers on the back of the “Redhead” lights were kept open but dimmed down so that a faint halo-like glow illuminated the outline of his head.As for camera work, I learnt how to hold a professional camera (model name unknown) and use its various settings such as shutter speed and grains to create certain effect. In one of the shots for PA, the shutter speed was lowered to give each character an almost ghost trail effect. It can be used to represent the passing of time or as an alternative slow motion effect. Using different camera angles/shots, the 180 degree rule and the effect different angled shots (match-on-action, over-the-shoulder) give was also used well.
Post-production is the most time consuming part of the practical production process. iMovie was a simple editing package to use as instructions are clear and precise. I can upload, import, and export shots, as well as throw unnecessary ones into the trash. I dabbled in shuffling sound bars and syncing audio to the clips, however it is not my forte so I did little of this in my AS coursework. Although, I did take screen shots of the characters, changed them to black and white, and applied them before their “debut” clip and placed a text title over it displaying the actor’s name. This style was meant to be similar to the way “Train spotting” introduced its characters in the beginning sequence. I also did the titles and credit sequences, and assorted the correct clips by cutting them and placing them into the timeline. In terms of working with transitions in iMovie, I learnt how to change the saturation and apply ‘Peepholes’ to the clips.
Pre-production skills were practiced in AS; I planned schedules and did storyboards effectively. In PA we drew storyboards by hand but later made a digital one by taking photo stills of where the actors would be placed and what kind of shots/angles would be used. Creative-decision making was practiced as during planning, the target audience and conventions of film had to be kept in mind. Other pre-production skills include relevant researching and preparing the correct costume, props, and equipment before filming. For example; in the prelim video we made at the start of the course, we prepared a skateboard to film a running-tracking shot. This was a mistake as a trolley would have given much better results. However, we learned from our mistakes.
In the future, for the A2 media course I would like to continue improving my production and post-production skills. Although time consuming and no doubt difficult, I would like to create some stop-animation effects using a whiteboard, moulding clay, or post-it notes. Although I may not be skilled enough to use 24 frames per-second yet, it’s worth a try. I had little input in the voice-over recording work and sound-syncing in the last project, so I plan to learn and practice how to do these things. iMovie is a simple programme, so I would also like to use Final Cut HD or another editing software that we could not use last time. As for software, it would be interesting to include Photo shop into the A2 project, as I did not do the magazine option and cannot use Photo shop at all. For camera work, I plan to learn how to use more settings correctly, or at least alternative ways to create certain settings/styles. In the last project it was discovered that blurring the background of a shot and keeping the character clear in the foreground was difficult, so it would be ideal to know how that is done.
As the last practical project was done indoors, it would be interesting to work with natural light outside and film in actual locations. I would also like to learn how light can be used and directed in alternative ways to lighting equipment – carrying three Redheads across different filming locations would be difficult without a portable energy box.
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