Projects

Projects

Welcome to the Media Project! This isn't an actual unit per say but rather a massive page filled with evidence which we have used in other areas of our blog. This project will be ongoing while we complete our main units, completing small projects and certain topics relevant to the course in our spare time.

As part of this project me and my group (Lee Davies, Lewis Jenkins, Sophie Walker and Ryan Walker) will produce, direct, shoot, edit and star in a series of 4 or 5 very short films to demonstrate our knowledge and skills that we will have learnt over the course. Obviously, as time goes on and we grow more confidant, the ideas will become a lot more creative and the production value will become bigger. So you should clearly see the progression made through each short film, both through the quality and the storytelling.

There's also a whole host of extra content available on this page that covers many, if not all of the other units answering a lot of their sub elements. I will reference what unit and sub elements I answer as I go on.

I really had fun with working on these projects and I hope it shows throughout my work.

Enjoy!

Projects Trailer

I created a trailer for two reasons. One, this gives you a small preview of what's to come with regards to the content on this page. The second reason, which I think is more important, is that it allows me to show my editing skills to a point where I can prove that I can create a dramatic, suspenseful and professional looking trailer by only using a handful of clips, background music accompanied by bold font. This small project allowed me to be creative with what I had available. You can watch the trailer for the Project page below:

Shot Types

There are many different shot types that we have the ability to use effectively. Through research I have understood why certain shots deliver the emotional impact that they do. They can make a huge difference in whether a movie is rated good or bad. Below are the definitions of some common shot types along with a pictured example to match:

Wide Shot

The wide shot is commonly used in film. The subject takes up the full frame so if a human was in the frame, we would be able to see there whole body; from their head all the way down to their feet. Obviously the subject doesn't take up the whole width and height of the frame. This shot, though simple to film, often gets mixed up with the very wide shot as they are similar but by comparing the two you can see the obvious differences.

Very Wide Shot

As you can see from the photo below, the very wide shot is further away from the wide shot. The subject is still visible here but only just so the emphasis is very much on placing the person on the environment. This often works as an establishing shot in which the audience is shown the whole setting. The very wide shot also allows plenty of room for action to take place or to have multiple subjects in the frame at once.

Extreme Wide Shot

In the extreme wide shot, the view is so far from the subject that it is sometimes barley noticeable. The point of this shot is to show the subject's surroundings. This shot is often used as the first shot of a new scene as it introduces the setting. This shot is also very popular for action movies because, for example, in a sci fi movie, the scope and scale of the action can be seen in every section of the frame through clever CGI (Computer Generated Image) effects.

Close Up Shot

In the close up shot, a certain feature or part of the subject takes up most of the frame. A close up of a person usually means a close up of their face. Close ups are mainly used to show emotion which the audience can share and helps to draw focus to a particular subject. 

     

Extreme Close Up Shot

An extreme close up shot shows extreme detail. You would need a specific reason to include this shot as the opportunities are very specific. It is too close to show general reactions and would really only be used in very dramatic scenes where the focus is on a character's eyes or surrounding facial expressions. 

Mid Shot

The mid shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough that the audience feel they are still looking at the whole subject. This shot works well when the lower body is not doing anything so you don't needed to show it. For example, if you were having a casual conversation the audience would be more interested in what you were saying rather than what your feet were up to. This shot is appropriate when the subject isn't conveying too much emotion.

Two Shot

A two shot is basically what it says on the tin; there are two people in the shot having a conversation. This shot is useful for establishing a relationship between two subjects. An example would be if you see two presenters on a game show standing side by side, facing the camera, you would realize they are co hots. But in film it is sometimes used to naturally introduce two people.

Over the Shoulder Shot

As you can probably see by now, many of these shots are called after what they do; this shot is no different. This shot is filmed behind a person's shoulder usually during a conversation. It can imply a connection between the speakers as opposed to the single shot that suggests they are distant from everyone else.

High Angle Shot

A high angle shot is where the camera looks down on the subject from a high angle. This technique is generally used to make that object small and insignificant.

Low Angle Shot

Unlike the high angle shot, where the camera looks down on the object, this camera technique is positioned low, looking up towards the subject. The effect of the low angle shot is that it makes the subject look strong and powerful in the shot.

Point of View Shot

This type of shot explains itself. It's a shot taken that is made to look like a person's perspective (what they see). It is usually edited in a way that is obvious to the audience who's POV it is.

Ariel Shot

An Ariel shot is an exterior shot filmed from the air. A common example of this is an Ariel shot of the buildings in a city. This shows the scope and depth of the environment. Like I said, they are often used to establish a location. On a side note, it is a fact that all 1970's movies started with one!  

Establishing Shot

The establishing shot is commonly used at the beginning of a scene to depict the setting and normally comes after the Ariel shot. It is pretty self explanatory.

Consent Forms

We created some consent forms which we then distributed to our potential talent (people in front of the camera) who signed the contract allowing us to film them and distribute it however we liked.

Copyright free form.

Along with talent/models consent forms we needed to have location release forms which basically allows a film crew to shoot on private land or land which isn't owned by them. To do this they need to get the manager or the owner to sign this contract, giving permission to the production company. If you were shooting a documentary or a film where there is a factual significance then this form may not be needed because, under the law, you can not be prosecuted for filming on private land if you argue it is in the public's interest. Buy proving that in court, you can film anything at that location without anything stopping you. Obviously the moral implications can come into play in this scenario because a production company could put people off if you run a business, making the manager loose profit. It is therefore crucial to ask whether, in this case, the filming on this location is needed especially when you have all this aggravation.  

Copyright free form

Finally, you would also be required to have minor consent forms for children, even if they are in the background and are just extras. Fortunately, we will not be including any children in our film project so this type of consent form is not needed. It was important that we considered the use of minor consent forms because in this day and age of camera technology and with recent news about related incidents, some people may be weary about having their child on camera. So this form, signed by the director, the parent and the child who will be on screen will allow us to film them under both moral and legal rights.

Camera Shot List

When we came to the actual filming, we needed a physical sheet informing us what we were going to do and how we were going to do it. This is why we downloaded a template in which we wrote down the shot number, shot size/angle, movement and a notes section in case there was anything we missed or needed to include. With all this information we would be able to successfully shoot the film. Please bear in mind that the actual completed form includes notes that we wrote down with the purpose for our eyes only. Your welcome to read them but, be warned, they might not make a whole lot of sense.

Below is the template for the camera shot list we used:

All credit goes to www.filmsourcing.com 

Music

When we came to adding background music in our projects we had to be very careful not to put any copyrighted music in the films because, without permission from the owner, we would be stealing their music which is against the law. All music that we use in our short films are royalty free meaning they are in the public domain and are free to use. A number of websites specialise in selling background music for fair use.

Short Film #1

In order for us as a group to get use to how you film and edit at a professional standard, we produced a short 2 minute film that demonstrated the skills we have learnt with regards to understanding shot types along with the importance of consistency. These skills include using a range of shot types efficiently and also successfully editing by adding music and sound effects. The video is rather of an amateur level but hopefully, as we progress, the quality improves.

Three Act Structure

Setup

The setup in this film which is mainly used for exposition, was brief, as you would expect for a short film this length. It starts in the opening shot of the Community Zone exterior and ends just before the photo copier stopped working. It gives you the basic premise of the story as well as introducing the main characters.

Conflict

This begins immediately after the exposition ends where you see the character frantically trying to fix the broken machine. The expressions on his face show great turmoil and anger that he is going through. Conflict ends after he realizes there is no hope of repairing the machine.

Resolution

The third act takes place in only one shot but carries on through to the credits. We see a deflated looking employee slam the door in frustration followed by a cut to black. We are then presented with the credits which are also displayed on a black background.

The music plays a prominent role in the atmosphere of the film. In the beginning the music is happy and cheerful whereas when the machine doesn't work it changes to a more dramatic, depressed tone that is relevant to what you see on screen.

Motifs

Motifs are usually used in movies to portray a certain theme or mood of the movie. They are normally subtle hints that give the audience clues as to what the mood is like and if it changes. This example was used in our short film. Two motifs were used in our production. These were the flowers and the rubber bands. Now, the motifs used in this short film are not very subtle at all, in fact they're blatantly obvious but the point of putting them in there was to see if we understood how to use them. The flowers showed that the theme was happy supported by the cheery music. The mood soon changes when the machine fails to work prompting a jump cut to a box of rubber bands. This cut helps the audience to understand that the characters life is unorganised and tangled as well as a mess portraying a dreary, gloomy mood. At this point the score changes into a more dramatic melody.

Below you can watch Short Film #1:

Even though this film was at one location and short in length, we had to do a lot of planning in order for things to run smoothly. We had to make sure we filmed at a time when the franking machine ("the photo copier")was not in use as it is accessed by the admin office who use it to print stamps on envelopes. As it is a public building any external shots had to be carefully planned to avoid any filming of children that might walk by and also to cause the least amount of disturbance possible to staff and visitors in the building at that time. A small risk assessment was carried out to outline potential dangers such as boxers on the floor, leading to a trip and fall hazard.

Short Film #2

For this short film project, a lot more planning had to go into the pre-production stage as we were filming outdoors. First, once we chose a suitable location that was not private land, all four of us visited the location to take photos of the surroundings and to complete a risk assessment form. Below are our findings at the location of our next short film.

This part of the project is answered in Unit 17 under the sub element 3.3 where it asks us to assess the shooting environment at a shooting location. I thought I would mention it because some pictures are used both in this unit and Unit 17.

This is the main feature out our location and will serve as a background. Although we can not enter this building, there are plenty of possibilities with regards to the exterior that we can work with. This is not private land so we did not need permission to film on the premises.

The grassland surrounding this derelict building has holes in the ground which is a health and safety risk. It is also littered with wrappers. Care should be taken when moving around the location to avoid injury.

Another thing to point out is the amount of grassland/countryside that can be seen past the bushes and thorns. Beyond the field we have houses that can be seen from afar. This could show the theme natural vs realism meaning the setting is and old, disregarded piece of land that has been forgotten by everyone. But not far away there is civilization, thriving. This therefore creates a great contrast.

Taking a closer look at the building we can see old pieces of wood, worn bricks and a sort of damp atmosphere creating a very sombre tone. This has the potential to become a very dark and unhappy scene with that as the backdrop. When filming round that area we will ensure nobody is put into any significant danger. We will also make sure we are careful as it is very easy to trip and fall over bits of rubble if you are not looking where you are going.

Next to the building we have a small, yet interesting little bricked hole. It is engulfed in shrubbery but is another feature which we could play around with and somehow include in our story.

We found the corner of the house to be the most dangerous location to film because of all of the undergrowth and bits of broken glass on the floor. We decided not to film at that location because the risk to health and safety was high.

Risk Assessment Form

Three Act Structure

Setup

The setup starts after the opening credits when Adam walks into the frame. Through a sequence of specific shots such as the pan shot, the tracking shot and the close up shot Adam makes his way slowly to the old building. It ends when Adam touches the wall of the old building which demonstrates the sadness he is obviously feeling. The closing line of the exposition is "I'm sorry". Again this indicates Adam is feeling remorseful and maybe guilty. The shot then fades to black for a brief moment as the second act begins. 

Conflict

The second act's purpose is to create conflict and this short film definitely achieves that. We see a deranged bully (played by Lee Davies) through no obvious reason start to abuse Adam, both physically and verbally after he followed him to the location. A number of close ups are used to outline the anger that is present. The conflict ends when Adam unintentionally hits Lee across the face resulting in him falling and braking his leg.

Resolution

The final act follows with any loose ends being tied up. We find out that his phone has ran out of battery resulting in Lewis (played by Lewis Jenkins) asking a shocked Adam to call an ambulance. As Adam snaps out of his trance he reaches for his phone but hesitates remembering the grief Patrick has caused him. Instead he panics and decides to get as far away as possible from them as he can. That is when the third act concludes and thus Short Film #2.

Motifs

Unlike Short Film #1 the motifs used were of a subtle nature meaning they weren't just put in there for the sake of it. Well ok, they were put in there for the sake of it but they were intertwined with the story a lot more than Short Film #1. The motifs used were the cigarette/lighter and the pot hole. The pot hole was shown a couple of times during the short film which signals the likelihood of it playing a prominent part in the story. When something is refereed to a number of times, the public are aware of what you are showing them so they expect to see whatever you showed to play a bigger role in the movie. Here it is no different. As for the cigarette motif, that was used as a symbol of danger which worked because the main character was attacked soon after so the audience are able to link both scenes together.

The Script

For this short film a script was needed to show the whole team what the characters said and did. Lee Davies wrote Short Film #2 and created it using a screenplay software program called Celtx. For convenience we uploaded the script as a slide share document. Also it is worth mentioning that a bit of improvising and improvements were used when when we were actually filming. Nevertheless, here is the final script:

The Old Farm Written by Lee Davies

Shot List

Lee also devised a shot list which provided the rest of the team with a clear and concise shooting schedule. A shot list was needed so we didn't miss any shots out by mistake.

Storyboards 

Lee Davies created these storyboards using Adobe Photoshop. It was important to share the amount of work equally around the group so we all could get involved with the project so it wasn't just handed to one person. Using the shot list Lee created earlier he was able to design the storyboards from this while also referencing his script.The point of these storyboards was to help the rest of the team visualize what the shots would look like and how we would capture them. I think that was accomplished because we all understood what we wanted to achieve with this short film. You can also view them in their physical copies by looking in my folder in the Media Projects section.

 

Finally, after drafting a shot list sheet, completed a risk assessment form, a script, some storyboards and had taken some pictures of the location we were ready to start filming. As we expected, the shoot took longer to get done than one day so instead we filmed on three dates. By using the plan we created we were able to tell which shots we had not filmed and so were ready when we eventually returned to the location. 

Below is our second short film and I think it is a lot more dynamic than the first one:

As you can see, more techniques were used in this film than the previous one. One thing that needs to be improved urgently from this project is the quality of editing as well as making sure all shots are in focus. I personally think the storytelling and structure of the narrative were handled really well but the quality side of the production let it down considerably and needs to be improved. This is something we are definitely considering and preparing for. Audio was used in this film which was another challenging task that we had to work with because in the edit we had to make sure the background noise did not overshadow the characters dialogue. It was also the first time we used an external microphone. The land we were filming on was public property however we had to be cautious when working around the building because it was old and worn down.  

Behind the Scenes 

We took some photos of us working with the cameras behind the scenes. These photos showed how we filmed and set up the camera equipment. They also show evidence of team work, team motivation and us enjoying the filming experience.

Below are the behind the scenes pictures:

Bonus Stuff

Finally, to finish this short film project off I wanted to show you additional photos of me and my team working with new equipment that we haven't used previously.

Here you can see all the equipment which has been put in the same place to avoid the possibility of anything going missing. When we first arrived on location we get the equipment set up (lenses put on camera bodies, tripods adjusted to the right length). We also checked the batteries within the camera body to make sure they were fully charged. Charging batteries is something we normally do on the night before the shoot.

As stated before, it was the first time I had used external audio on this project but I quickly got the hang of it thanks to some help from my team mates. The external mic records much better sound than the internal camera mic and during editing, we were able to sync both mics together to give the audio more of a natural feeling.

As for the camera, that was securely fastened onto the handle bars which allowed for a much smoother transition with regards to tracking shots.

Short Film #3

When we came to the 3rd short film we had a number of goals that needed to be reached in order for us to improve on what we had already achieved. The main goal we set was to have a balance of quality and storytelling. In the past 2 short films the storytelling side of the production has dominated about 70% of our efforts with a 30% focusing on the quality side of the production such as the focusing, stabilising and editing which was average at best. For Short Film #3 we wanted to have 50% storytelling and 50% quality because we thought it was important not to loose the storytelling aspect of the films which show our creativity just to compensate for good quality and impressive shots.

So with that said, let's discuss Short Film #3:

Risk Assessment

Three Act Structure

Setup

It begins with Andrew Logan waiting for Josh Martin to arrive for his interview. When Josh does arrive, the interviewer starts by asking very typical and general interview questions. This allows the viewer to be aware of who the characters are as well as their reasons for being there. This also helps to establish the setting/location.

Conflict

As the interview for the job continues, it becomes clear that Josh is extremely nervous. Clues are planted visually for the viewer to find as to why Josh is anxious. As the interviewer changes his tone Josh becomes increasingly erratic resulting in a shocking outburst and an unexpected revelation. When all the pieces of the jigsaw have been put together Josh finally gives up his defence. This is the part where so much information is given to the audience.

Resolution

The film slows down after that and Andrew is outside the building. He makes a call to the police department informing them that he has caught Josh. They say they will send a car to pick him up. Andrew puts the phone back in his pocket and smiles before walking out of frame. Camera then fades to end credits. These shots outside help to slow down the film and give the audience enough time to reflect on what has just happened. 

Motifs

I have included motifs in my other two films and this movie isn't any different. Only this time the motifs may not become clear to some people unless viewed a second time. The two motifs in this film are the use of the lighting and the glasses. First, the lighting effects were used extensively throughout this 9 minute production to illustrate the main theme of the movie; secrecy. You'll notice that Josh Martin is surrounded by darkness in some shots; this was intentional. This is a metaphor for danger prompting suggestions that he could be harbouring secrets. Near the end of the video we see Andrew Logan, the protagonist, consumed by the shadows suggesting that he too has got something to hide which he does as it is revealed that he is an under cover police officer. Secondly, the glasses were a motif for the movie's second theme; fear. Whenever Josh displayed the emotion of fear Andrew had his glasses on. The glasses are suppose to represent a metaphorical mask someone may wear to give the deception that they are strong and fearless. When Andrew takes his glasses off Josh is more relaxed showing that he has let his guard down.    

The Script

With Lee Davies writing Short Film #2 I decided to write Short Film #3 so I could demonstrate my skills with producing a screenplay in a narrative style. I also created the shot list and storyboards.

The Interview Written by Adam Cooper

Shot List

Storyboards

 

 

Below is Short Film 3: The Interview. I think this film is the best we have done so far. The focusing is better, the stabilising has improved (though not perfect), the plot is engaging and the editing is smoother than the previous two.

I personally believe the storytelling remained alive for this film but the ratio between plot and quality was 50% each, So we concentrated 50% of our efforts on quality (shots, focusing) and the remaining 50% on storytelling.  

Short Film #4

Unlike the first three films, this project has been completed solely by myself. This film did not feature much of a narrative but instead used the key words and shot techniques to the limit. I was given a choice as to what type of film I wanted to make by my tutor John Stockton. The choice was to either pick "Space" or "Confinement"; two completely different videos which had to be at least 3 minutes long. Under that we have the sub headings which interlink perfectly with the theme. These include the music, colour scheme and filming techniques. The full table is listed below:

After much deliberating I decided to choose space as the theme for my video, strictly because that one was the one that I had the most ideas for. You'll notice that under space on the first page are words that relate to the theme of space. So if I include most of these sub themes in my video I will have successfully completed the task.

Research

I thought it would be beneficial to search for the appropriate music to accompany the footage first. In the table above you can see what type of music style I had to go for. Also, in this instance, I believe the music is more essential then the film footage because in a short film with no dialogue it's very hard to establish atmosphere. So, the music will help to do this.

I also quickly researched some of the key words in the table so i understood their meaning as well as how to use them. This would save time later down the line when researching the locations as i would know what features I had to look for when choosing locations.

Speaking of locations, that was the last thing on the list that I needed to cover. After I had chosen "Space" as the theme for the video I needed to film in places that represented this topic. After a week of deliberating I came up with the idea of filming most of the footage in Greece as I was travelling there on a family holiday. I had not been to Greece before so I obviously had to hope that there were suitable locations for me to film. And when I got to Santorini (Greek Island), it became clear that there were. About 40% of the footage was shot back in the UK and was filmed in and around my house.

Story

The general premise of the story is this: A depressed and stressed man who has to complete work to unavoidable deadlines travels to Greece for a short holiday to change his mind set. There he witnesses stunning views, abandonment and overall a different way of life. When he returns home he finds that his refreshed and although not overly joyed about his predicament, caries on with his work anyway.

You can watch the short film below:

Looking back at the table again I can see most of the words being crossed off as I have included them, in some shape or form in this film. Firstly, when the character travels to the Greek Island of Santorini I have used "Freedom" and "Release" to show that he has received a different life from the one he had back in the UK. He has escaped from the realities of work and travels to a more relaxing location. There are some shots that show the "Deserted", "Discarded" and "Forgotten" places around the island which includes the unfinished "Solitary" building, the random pile of rocks on the street corner and of course "Empty" paint cans. The purpose of the holiday was so that I would feel "Renewed" for when I came back home and I think it displayed that during the 3 shots on the balcony. The flowers and the glorious Sun rise/set displayed being with "Nature". Secondly,  I included relevant shot techniques when filming. These included the infamous "Pull Out" shots like the notes as well as the closing shot. Some of the shots (beginning and end) were "Static" meaning they were stationary. I used a "Triangle" shot movement when establishing the location. "The Number 3" was referenced a lot including the clock which displayed 3 o'clock and the post it note on the door read 3rd July. Many of the shots lasted for only 3 seconds; another way to fulfil the requirement. Next, the music I chose mirrored the tone of the movie. It was "Ambient" "Quiet" and had a "Minimalist" feeling to it. Finally, the colours "Blue", "White" and "Green" were the dominant colours. Evidence of this can be found by looking at the buildings as well as the flowers. I increased the saturation of these colours to make them stand out.

Projects Bloopers

During the filming of the four movies we made quite a lot of mistakes. As a final note, I have encompassed some of those mistakes (plus some of the mistakes from the "Detention Pitch") in this blooper video:

(Warning: Strong language throughout video)

Conclusion

Finally, after months of research, planning and filming myself and my team (Lee Davies, Lewis Jenkins, Ryan Walker) have completed what we set out to achieved. This was to expand our knowledge and skills in the media sector while also showing a trail of progression and improvement. The first film "The Photocopier" required the least amount of planning and the cinematography was amateur at best. Despite this, we still told a narrative story that included motifs and included suitable background music and sound effects. "The Old Farm" and "The Interview" were both massive improvements because a lot of planning like storyboards, scripts and shot lists were drafted to increase production value. The quality and storytelling aspects were averaged out more than the first film. The final short film, aka "The Holiday" was the most ambitious to produce as it was filmed in two countries and was set by my tutor. Working within the set parameters I had to create a silent film that had a story, motifs, smooth filming, new camera techniques and the editing had to be smooth. You can definitely see the improvement by watching each film one after the other.

This huge project had provided me with additional evidence to back up other units and you will noticed content and references from this page in other areas of my work wherever appropriate. I have enjoyed completing each short film and the planning that goes along with it. This course has ignited a fire within me, a passion for filmmaking, a passion I do not want to extinguish.