KamLucyBella preliminary task

PRELIMINARY TASK WRITE UP:

The preliminary task was to film and edit a conversation. This had to include a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting in a chair opposite the second character, then exchanging dialogue from a pre-prepared script. This was achieved as i used all of the required elements and used relevant filming rules and made the conversation look interesting, with a range of shots and continuity editing.

In preparation for shooting the task we first created a storyboard to illustrate the order of the different shots we would film, for example an over the shoulder shot of the characters in conversation and the time length of the shot. We also made a floor plan to plan the positioning of the cameras and the placing of the characters, from the route the character walks into the room to where both of the characters are sitting. The floor plan was used to ensure we didn't break the 180 degree rule, although this was achieved during shooting the walk, we did cross over the line in the conversation scenes as the camera was placed on the opposite side of the character to the line. But when we edited it we flipped the image so the characters are on the correct side of the 180 degree line.
The third part of the planning stage was to find a script to use for the dialogue. For this we chose to use a script from a conversation scene in House of Cards.
Additional planning could be used for short films such as character profiles and planning the props and locations.

During the filming I used a range of techniques for example the shot reverse shot which is commonly used to film conversations, we used it by switching the camera between the characters after each line to show that they're talking to one another. Also we used different camera angles such as low angle shots of the first character's feet as they walk into the room. This shot is a subtle first appearance of the person but can reveal their character.
We also filmed long shots and mid shots. The mid shots ensure there is head room and nose room; the purpose of the head room is to allow for space in the image so that the top of their head isn't cut off the screen.

This shot also uses the rule of thirds which signifies the characters' equal position in the film.
Overall there are 13 shots in our film. The changes in shots makes it more interesting for the viewer to watch and get a clear idea of the characters and the theme, for example the long shots can make the characters seem more isolated, and the close ups intense.
During the editorial process me and Kam were the main editors. We first saved all the camera shots onto the program and put them in order to create the whole film. Then we  used quick cuts to cut any unnecessary filming such as when there were loud noises in the background. Also we used this technique to cut into the middle of one of the shots (when they open the door and walk through it) so that we could place the second shot in between both of those parts.
Once the film was in order, with continuity editing, I added in a cross- dissolve to the end so that the ending fades into dark. To finish it off we altered the colour on the image so that it gives it a sense of chiaroscuro lighting. This creates a higher contrast, therefore more shadows and highlights.

The preliminary task was useful for preparing for the thriller project because i learned about using the camera and other filming equipment. I mostly learned about how to edit, through using the software and practising using the editing tools such as the colour effects and how to create quick cuts using the computer keyboard and then how to process and upload the film.
From the planning i learned what aspects of planning you need and how to create a floor plan which I can improve on next time so that we don't break the 180 degree rule from misplacing the camera. Also this helped me with working in a group as it showed us which roles we each suited for making the film.The task also helped with learning about the techniques and rules of filming such as head room and shot reverse shot which were important for filming the conversation. Also it allowed me to experiment with different camera angles such as low angles and close ups; This taught me how to establish a character, through a shot of them walking possibly from behind them or of their feet.
For the thriller project I will remember to avoid the mistake of crossing the 180 degree line and to check the sound quality of the location.

How do directors film a conversation..

How do directors film a conversation?There are specific rules and camera angles that directors use when filming a conversation. There are usually cameras placed with one focused on each character and one on both of the characters in a mid shot. They use the 180 degree rule where the director must face all of the cameras to one side of the characters and the imaginary line, to show where everything in the scene is. There's also the rule of thirds where the characters are placed along lines that divide the camera shot into thirds to signify their power or focus on their dialogue. Directors must consider head room which makes sure there is enough room on the screen for the character's head so that they don't get cut off the screen. Lead room/ nose room ensures that there is a space next to the character on the screen in the direction the character is facing or moving so that it gives a sense of distance to where the subject is facing, it also makes the shot less claustrophobic.Also directors use the shot reverse-shot rule where they film a shot of the character looking at something/ someone then a shot of the thing they're looking at, to create suspense and continuity editing which makes the editing between shots smooth.

Coffee and cigarettes: In this clip from Coffee and Cigarettes the director films a conversation using all the rules and tips such as the 180 degree rule because the camera angles don't cross the imaginary line and the shots stay on one side of the characters. Secondly they successfully use continuity editing for example when the camera angles change from a mid shot to a shot from above when they are pouring the coffee, their arm stays in the same position on the rule of thirds, this creates a smooth change between the shots. The director also ensures that there is head room and nose room on the screen to give an accurate picture to clearly show what going on. 

  

In the conversation scene from Pulp fiction the director uses similar filming techniques such as shot reverse- shot when the camera angles switch from one character to the other, this gives the awareness of the characters in conversation and their surroundings. Also the director: Quentin Tarantino uses a diverse range of shots including over the shoulder, mid shots and close ups. This keeps the conversation scene interesting. There is an intense atmosphere when there is an uncomfortable silence between the characters and during this the camera angle changes from a profile view of each character to a side view, this seems to isolate the characters. Finally the director uses the rule of thirds as both characters are on a line of thirds which signifies them as equals and that there is a balance of power between them.