EXERCISES

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Week 01 - Week 5
2024.xx.xx - 2024.xx.xx

Qistina Nuralya Maria Binti Azly / 0354180

Video and Sound Production / Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Exercises


Table of contents

1. MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET (MIB)

2. LECTURE/CLASS MATERIAL NOTES

3. EXERCISES

3.1 Editing Exercise 1 & 2

3.2 Understanding Framing

3.3 Editing Exercise 3

3.4 Three-act Structure Exercise

4. REFLECTION

1. MODULE INFORMATION BOOKLET (MIB)

This is the Module Information Booklet for this module:

File 1.1 Module Information Booklet (PDF)


2. LECTURE/CLASS MATERIAL NOTES

Week 1

For our 1st class, Mr. Martin briefed us on Video & Sound Production as a module which included briefly talking about our upcoming projects:

Project 1 : Audio Dubbing

Project 2 : Shooting Practise & Editing

Final Project : Stop Motion

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Shot Size, Angle & Framing


Fig 2.1 Different Shot sizes (Source)

Shot sizecamera angle, and framing are elements of visual storytelling utilized in film, television, and other visual media.

  • Shot size : the amount of space visible within a single shot or frame. Different shot sizes convey various types of information or evoke different emotional effects. For instance, a close-up shot captures a small area in great detail, often highlighting a character's emotions or reactions, while a wide shot displays a larger area, typically used to establish the setting or context.
  • Camera angle : the camera's position relative to the subject being filmed. Various angles create different perspectives and convey different information. For example, a high-angle shot looks down on the subject, creating a sense of vulnerability or powerlessness, whereas a low-angle shot looks up at the subject, suggesting power or dominance.
  • Composition : involves arranging visual elements within a shot or frame, including the placement of characters or objects, use of color and lighting, and the overall balance and symmetry. Effective composition creates visual interest, directs the viewer's eye, and conveys meaning or emotion.

These three elements—shot size, camera angle, and composition—are crucial tools for filmmakers and visual storytellers to create meaning and communicate ideas to their audience.

The Quiz for this week is under 3.2 Understanding Shot size & Framing -

Reflection: I think it's quite fun to learn about how most stories are structured. After learning about it, I started analysing the movies I recently watched (Godzilla x Kong, Kung Fu Panda 4) through the the 3-act structure! It's overall very interesting.

Week 2

We were told in Week 1 that we had no classes for Week 2 because Mr. Martin had an interview to go to so we had to go through the class materials on our own time. This week, we learnt about the three-act method of story telling. 

Three-act Structure Storytelling

Fig 2.2 Three Act Structure (Source)

The three-act story structure, widely used in storytelling, especially in film and literature, divides a narrative into three main parts: the setupthe confrontation, and the resolution.

Act One, known as the Setup, introduces the protagonist, their world, and the circumstances they're in. It typically concludes with an inciting incident, a significant event that disrupts the protagonist's life and compels them to take action.

Act Two, referred to as the Confrontation, is the longest and most intricate segment. Here, the protagonist encounters a series of obstacles and challenges while striving towards their objective. This act often consists of two halves: initial progress towards the goal followed by setbacks and complications. The second act usually concludes with a major turning point, forcing the protagonist to reconsider their approach due to a significant setback or crisis.

Act Three, the Resolution, is where the story reaches its climax and eventual resolution. The protagonist faces their ultimate challenge or conflict and must overcome it to achieve their goal. The climax is the most intense part, with high stakes and peak tension. The resolution serves as the conclusion, tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion to the protagonist's journey.

In summary, the three-act story structure offers a strong structured framework for storytelling, enabling writers to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.

Quiz

Fig 2.3 My quiz results (Three-Act Structure)

I managed to get 10/10 for this quiz! I'd say this was more easier to do since I'm currently more to narrative writing than the technical camera shots/angles/etc.

Reflection: I think it's quite fun to learn about how most stories are structured. After learning about it, I started analysing the movies I recently watched (Godzilla x Kong, Kung Fu Panda 4) through the the 3-act structure! It's overall very interesting.

Week 3

Storyboard in Film Making

Fig 2.4 Storyboard example (Source)

storyboard in filmmaking is a graphic representation of a film, animation, or video game, similar to a comic strip. It consists of a succession of pictures or images displayed in order to pre-visualize a film, animation, motion graphic, or interactive media sequence.

Storyboards are used to organize shots, understand narrative flow, and communicate ideas with the production team. They may include camera angles, character movements, dialogue, and even remarks on special effects or sound. This allows the director, cinematographer, and other crew members to picture the sequences and prepare for the shooting process.

Storyboarding is an important element of the pre-production process because it allows filmmakers to test multiple visual approaches, detect potential difficulties, and make required changes before filming begins, saving time and costs.

Quiz

Fig 2.5 My quiz results (Storyboard in Film Making)

I managed to get 10/10 for this quiz! Which was sort of a relief since I remember as a kid I would study so many storyboards of cartoons I watched at the time so it was be embarrassing for me to NOT know what storyboards were haha

Reflection: I actually had a dream to work as a storyboard artist in an animation film so it was interesting to learn what would've entailed if I'd pursue that dream. Honestly, I still think it's something I'd like to do but I still want to experiment on creating animations first before I fully want to focus on organising the shots or characters in the film I'd work on in the future.

Week 4

Production stages

Fig 2.6 Production stages in Filming (Source)

Filmmaking involves three key phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. Here’s a concise summary of each:

  1. Pre-production: This is the planning phase where all preparations are made before filming starts. Activities include scriptwriting, storyboarding, casting, location scouting, set and costume design, and hiring the crew. 
  2. Production: During this phase, the actual filming occurs. The team collaborates to capture all necessary footage, following the plans laid out in pre-production. This stage can be demanding, requiring the coordination of a large crew and adherence to a tight schedule.
  3. Post-production: In this phase, the filmed footage is edited and compiled into the final version of the film. This involves cutting and arranging scenes, adding music and sound effects, color grading, and incorporating visual effects. Post-production is meticulous and crucial for refining the story.

After post-production, the film may proceed to distribution and marketing, though these are not part of the production process.

Production Crew

Fig 2.6 The Production crew of Bridgerton (Source)

The production crew is a team of specialists who collaborate to create a film or video. Each crew member has a specific role and set of duties critical to the production's success. Here are some key production crew members and their responsibilities:

  1. Director: The director oversees the entire production, ensuring the project's creative vision is achieved. They work closely with the cast and crew to plan scenes, direct actors' performances, and make creative decisions regarding the film's look and feel.
  2. Producer: The producer handles the logistical and financial aspects of the production. They secure funding, hire the crew, manage the schedule and locations, and ensure the project is completed on time and within budget.
  3. Cinematographer: Also known as the director of photography (DP), the cinematographer is responsible for the film's visual style. They collaborate with the director to select the right camera, lenses, and lighting to create the desired look and mood for each scene.
  4. Production Designer: The production designer oversees the film's overall visual design, including sets, costumes, and props. They work with the director and cinematographer to create a cohesive and immersive visual environment for the story.
  5. Sound Designer: The sound designer manages the film's audio elements, such as recording and editing dialogue, sound effects, and music. They work with the director and editor to ensure the sound and visuals are well-integrated.
  6. Editor: The editor assembles the footage into a coherent and engaging story. They collaborate with the director and sound designer to shape the film's pacing, tone, and structure.

Many other roles, such as grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and stunt coordinators, are also essential, but these are some of the key positions in the filmmaking process.

Quiz

Fig 2.7 My quiz results (Production Stages)

Hooray!! I got correct on this whole quiz!! I sometimes do watch film analysis videos and they mention about the production stages quite a bit so I think that helped my overall understanding a lot.

Fig 2.8 My quiz results (Production Crews)

I unfortunately got the first question wrong for this quiz because I was confused of whether the Director was also in charge of visual aesthetic since they're also directing how the film would look like. But now I realise that its actually the cinematographer's job to supervise the film's visual style.

Reflection: Reading this helped me to understand what really goes through a single film and how many people are really needed to create a single working idea. It goes to show how important each production role is whether it be the major directing job or the more "minor" editing job. (minor is in "" since editing is still quite a big role in post-production)


3. EXERCISES

3.1 Editing Exercise 1 & 2

Week: 1

First editing exercise instructions:

  1. Download footage: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LI54P6zPIcdXOPpzChp637Fk3NRvVdoW?usp=sharing
  2. Create NEW Premiere Pro Project
  3. Import footage into Premiere Pro
  4. Arrange shots on timeline with proper order
  5. Export video

Process:

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