Filming!

Today we started to film our opening sequence for our coursework. Recently there has been lots of snow and ice but thankfully the ice had mostly melted so we took the opportunity to film. We filmed the first part up to the phonecall then the third part after the phonecall.
To save alot of time going to start editing the film that we already have, and hopefully soon we will get all the filming done, start to edit and thinking about how to present the titles.

Risk Assessment

1. No filming in inappropriate locations.
2. Check safety of locations e.g. roads.
3. Minimise risk of theft or equipment.
4. When filming on location ensure teacher or responsible adult know where you are and have a telephone number and a time of when you will return.
5. Check all equipment is working before you leave.
6. Ensure you have permission for filming if necessary.
7. Always film with at least one other person.
8. Ensure you have permission of those you are filming

Risk Assessment Sheet

Programme Title: The Search Engine

Client: AS Media Studies Coursework

Writers: Ezekiel Ignacio and Jessica Pye

Producer: Colin Chafer

Director: Luke van Gelder

Date: 31/01/2012

Major Issues:

Filming at:

Robert Clack Upper site A18

Local phone booth at Fiddlers

Solutions:

We made appointments with actors to get ahead of their busy work schedule and to book when to film, which is at morning times between 9-10:30 and after school times when students (and other background) won’t cause too much of a disruption.  

Contacts:

Mr Johnson Head of Media Studies

Emergency services:

On Site Services: Going to be accompanied with and adult at all times as actors are adults (teachers)

Local Police: Metropolitan Police at Dagenham East

Local Fire: near Central Park

Local Hospital: Queens’ hospital in Romford

The Art of the Titles

The Art of the Titles is all about honouring as well as going into detail of film opening sequences and titles seeing how they're made and key elements that make them memorable.

The Art of the Titles is "a compendium and leading web resource of film and television title design from around the world. We honor the artists who design excellent title sequences. We discuss and display their work with a desire to foster more of it, via stills and video links, interviews, creator notes, and user comments. 

Featuring opening title design for film and television from Croatia, New Zealand

The British Board of Film Classification

Our thriller opening sequence for coursework, including film titles, must be aimed at 15 or 18 certifcate audience. Knowing that I did some independant research into what makes a film a 15 or 18 certifcate on the http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ website.

Suitable only for 15 years and over

"No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work."

Discrimination

The work (as a whole) must not approve or support discriminatory language or behaviour.

Drugs

Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

Horror

Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest  terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

Nudity

Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex

Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

Violence

Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

Suitable only for adults

No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema.
No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

Crime

If the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence.

Behaviour
Where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts.

Drug use
or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals.

Violence
This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault.

Sex
There are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’would normally be confined to that category.

Film Language: Thrillers

Every different genre of film will have its own conventions which help us to identify what type of film it will be. Film language is a big part of this as the scene is set, props in place and actors ready - these features help to foreshadow what's to come.
So what features do we see in thrillers?
Themes:
- action
- violence
- horror
- tension/suspense/shock

Camerawork:
- slanted camera angles
- tilt shots to show disorientation
- angled shots
- extreme close-ups to show fear


Editing:
You could use:
A straight cut which is most used in any editing/films
A fade-out to show time passing
A dissolve which is the blending of two scenes creating a linking sense in the story
A wipe cut; but these are rarely used
or finally a jump cut to draw the audiences attention and create tension/disorientation as an object/character is brought to our focus attention

Lighting:
Normally low key lighting would be used to create shadows and give a chiaroscuro effect to create a dark foreboding effect. However high key lighting may be used to create a contrapuntal effect by having a normal setting which is more effective as it's more realistic.


Sound/music:
Something minor or discordant sounding  to add suspense/uneasiness and prepare the audience for what is to come or to mislead into a sense of security using contrapuntal music to contrast the events to come.
For example one of the most famous pieces of film music of all time is in Psycho in the famous 'shower scene'

Ident

Interviews

For further target audience research we interviewed seven media studies students and one of our media studies teachers. We asked six questions and filmed the responses.
After editing in Final Cut Express the video is now complete, here's the video: