Friday, 28 May 2021
Thursday, 29 April 2021
Technical Skills: Lighting, Camera and Sound
In order to get a feel for the single camera unit, we got into groups and experimented with the main three elements of media production: Lighting, camera and sound. For each task, we used the same extract from the same script to get us familiar with the material that we were working with.
Camera
The first task we did as a group, was the camera task. This involved experimenting with the difference between single camera and multi camera. Single camera is pretty self-explanatory and involves only using one camera for a whole production. This is typically used in films, and can be hard work as the scenes would need to be re-filmed from multiple different angles at a time. Continuity is essential when shooting with one camera as things have to be the exact same in each shot, which we later discovered with this task. Multi-camera on the other hand, is the use of more thamn one camera; this is easier and is usually used in television shows.
For the task at hand , we started with multi-camera which involved setting up three different cameras on tripods, but putting them all at different angles. (One behind the actors, one to the side of the actors and one at the door which pointed inside of the room. All cameras started recording at the same time so we had three different viewpoints of the same scene. This is handy because it means in editing, the cameras can keep cutting from the different angles to get multiple different perspectives. We did this a few times so we made sure we had plenty of footage to choose from.
We then tried single camera. This entailed setting up one camera in one position throughout the whole scene. This meant that we had to get loads of different shots, and continuity was important because if we wanted shots from different angles, since we were only using one camera, we would have to make sure everything was the scene. For example, making sure that props were held in the same hand or making sure that the actors were standing in the exact same place for continuity purposes so it didn't look wrong or different when the camera would cut to different angles.
Sound
The next aspect of production we tried, was sound. We used multiple types of equipment for this, which included: a TASCAM (hand held and non-handheld), a Boom Mic, shotgun mic, power pack and the actual DSLR camera for in-camera sound.
Friday, 5 February 2021
Research Portfolio
Primary Research
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LT9VDNL
Questionarre Responses (lockdown challenges)Tuesday, 12 January 2021
Research Dossier
Submission Of Work
An example of a screenwriting competition that young writers can submit their scripts to is the 'Academy Nicholl Fellowship'. This competition, held annually, up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. Writers have to complete an entry form, and write an original screenplay which is no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages. This competition is considered quite prestigious which makes it quite competitive. Another example of a screenwriting competition is called 'Bluecat Screenplay Competition'. This competition is also designed to discover the works of amateur screenwriters; it is exclusively judged by Gordy Hoffman and is now on its twenty third year. Every script submitted will receive its own complimentary written analysis. The grand competition winner will win $5000 and the Feature Screenplay Writer, Pilot and Short Script winner will win $2000. For writers outside of the US, the Fellini award will give the winner $1,000 and can be from any category.
https://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/
An example of a commissioning body based in the UK, is the BBC, writers can get their work comissioned by the BBC. This would involve pitching your idea to them and hoping they like it enough to take it further. The BBC themselves clain that the BBC 'commissions world class content with a distinctly British perspective and we want to work with the best producers and creatives to tell stories which excite, educate and entertain.'
Background Material
Sometimes, to get an idea for a script. a screenwriter will need inspiration or background information to influence their ideas. Writers take inspiration from all varieties of sources which helps their work greatly. Some examples of resources they can get their ideas from are actual events, for example the 1997 film Titanic was based around a real life event that changed the world; the producers and scriptwriters would have needed loads of resources and as much information as they could get as the whole movie is specifically about this event. This means they would have used news articles from the time of the event, books and recounts about the event etc. This would then make their film as historically accurate as possible.
Another resource of inspiration for a writer, is a general interest in a certain topic or subject. Using 'Titanic' as an example again, James Cameron had a general love and interest for shipwrecks and the actual inspiration for the film, came after he shot footage of the actual wreckage from the Titanic. So sometimes seeing things or having interest in a particular subject can be more than enough to inspire a writer.
Books can be a massive inspiration for screenplays. They can be written solely based off a book as a film adaptation but maybe with a few tweaks. An example of this is the 'Harry Potter' franchise. All of these movies, were based off of books written by J K Rowling and there are eight movies altogether, all inspired by the books.
Music can surprisingly have a big impact on inspiring people. Listening to music can give you a variety of ideas and help your ideas flow. A great example of this was Steven Spielberg's idea for a scene in 'Jurassic Park' coming from listening to an 'Earth, Wind and Fire' song whilst sitting in his car. This song inspired the famous scene where the entire car shakes, including a glass of water, before the T-Rex shows up. This is just one amazing example of how music can inspire your ideas.
Research
When it comes to research, there are two different kinds. These are called 'Primary' and 'Secondary' research from primary and secondary sources. Both sources of research are essential in getting the correct information and every screenplay needs at least a little bit of research. First, we will explore actually are these kind of research and examples of each. Primary research, first-hand research. This is usually conducted by the screenwriter themselves or their production team. This kind of research is usually used to find out information about the people around you or who you have contact with.
Some examples of primary research include: surveys, questionnaires, interviews, polls, focus groups etc. These ways of research are good for getting information quickly and more remotely. They also give you a more personalized response . More specifically, interviews are good because you can get information from a specific person; this person may be someone you are basing your screenplay around (to find out information about them and their life) or someone who is in the group you wish to target with your screenplay( to find out interests of the target audience). Surveys and polls are good for getting responses in a certain quantity and number. Focus Groups are good because they answer questions posed by the researcher. These groups normally consist of demographically similar people who discuss and give feedback on a product or television show.
The next type of research, is 'Secondary Research'. This research is research that you gain from an already-existing source. Somebody has already written this information and conducted this research, therefore, you are getting second-hand access to the information. This kind of research is best when trying to get information about a historic event or a celebrity that you cannot access, or even just to find out more information about your subject for confidence. Some examples of secondary research include: newspaper articles, documentaries, films, books, websites etc. These are all resources created by another person for research purposes.
For my own screenplay, I researched articles based on lockdown and the figures around zoom meetings to see how popular they were during lockdown. I also watched some horror movies to gain inspiration for my own.
Prepare Material
Like everything, primary and secondary research have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of primary research, is that it is conducted by you, so you know that all information gained is accurate and you know where all of it is coming from. It also allows you to get more personalized responses in a higher quantity. You also know that all of this research is up-to-date.
Secondary research's advantages are that you can gain loads of information about events in or people in history which would be much harder to gain on a primary basis. It is also much quicker to access as it is already existing and online or in books whereas with primary, you actually have to go through the process of gathering the research. It can all be done from home since all information is accessible as long as you have an internet connection and a device and it can be done at a relatively low cost.
However, as said before, some disadvantages come with both resources. For primary research, these include being more expensive than secondary research and also more time consuming. The time required to effectively plan primary research, carry it out and analyze the data is much greater than the time taken to conduct secondary research. Some questions from surveys may also be biased or the respondents may not understand the question posed, therefore leading to inaccurate or misleading responses.
One of the main disadvantages of secondary research, is that since other people have written and conducted it, information could be wrong or inaccurate as they could have got their primary research wrong. When it comes to secondary research, its just a matter of trusting the resource is right; sometimes the best way to go is fact-checking information with another secondary resource to make sure they match up. Research, especially when it comes to statistics, may also be outdated therefore making your research inaccurate. There is also a risk of not being able to find the exact information that you are aiming to maintain as the specific thing you want to know may not be online.
For my screenplay, I have relied on other shows and films to help shape my ideas. This includes articles surrounding covid-19 and lockdown. This was good for background information about lifestyle and how many people used websites like 'Zoom'. Also, other statistics like the amount of cases overtime. I have also been watching horror films like: 'Unfriended' and 'One Missed Call'. These were great to inspire me for creating a horror movie, as I could look at the conventions and structure so I had a breif outline of how I could eventually go on to structure my own screenplay. I managed to get plenty of inspiration from the screenings I watched which will help benefit my screenplay in the long run. For example, in 'Unfriended', the whole film was set up as if it was on a computer screen to give it a cyber kind of feel. The sound effects of messages and emails were incorporated along with the dialogue from characters. I liked this because it was as though you were the main character on her laptop, you are seeing things from her point of view and exactly what she is seeing. This gave me huge inspiration for my screenplay and it gave me ideas of doing some of my scenes in this format.
Also as part of my research process, I watched an episode of 'Diagnosis Murder', which was entitled 'Rear Windows 98'. This episode was all about somebody who was murdered whilst being on webcam. This is very similar to the storyline of mu screenplay, so I was able to get good ideas from this episode.
Personally, I am managing the data and information I collected by writing down on paper. This is the most effective way for me, because I have it in front of me for when I write my screenplay. As for the best ways to store research for both primary and secondary, there are plenty of different ways; however, for primary research, it is better to store your data on a computer. This is because primary research tends to be surveys and polls. Therefore, if you store it digitally, the information is easier to access and get to quicker. Also, if stored online/in your computer files, it would be presented neatly and the results from the surveys/polls would be statistically calculated and changed when new people take the survey/poll.
Secondary research however, is easier to write down and have physically in terms of storage, so you can write down any information you find and you have it in front of you. In terms of gaining the information, it is better to collect from the internet as their is a limitless amount of information that you can find.
When it actually comes to writing a script, the best font to use is courier 12.pt font. This is because it allows for executives to be able to tell the length of the film just by the amount of script there is. There is also a high chance that if handed in in any other font, executives will not even read the script as they don't accept anything otherwise so it is important that the script is laid out in this font.
(https://blcklst.com/help/script_standards.pdf)
Friday, 8 January 2021
Nature and Purposes Of Research In Creative Media Industries
Research is essential in the creative media industries, especially when wanting to create a production that is factually correct and accurate. There are plenty of research types and various different ways to conduct this research which will be furtherly explored in this essay.
The first kind of research is called 'Primary Research', This research entails gaining information from primary resources such as other people. You as the researcher, have to conduct the resaerch and gather the results yourself. Its a way of gaining fresh information more tailored to the media product you are making. This can be more helpful in some instances and is conducted by yourself personally so it is self generated and is described as' Techniques of original data collection or research direct from the target respondents.' from a website called 'Oxford Reference'.
This is an example of primary research that I have collected; this is a survey I have made to gain responses to whether or not people of the target audience for my screenplay would be interested in the idea of my screenplay. I did this by asking both quantitative and qualitative questions, to find out information about my respondents such as age and what kind of films they are usually interested in. I also took a section from my synopsis to give my respondents a flavour of what my screenplay is about.
A great example of primary research in films, is a test screening with an audience. This is a great way for film makers to know what others think of their film or television show, so they can make adjustments and improvements to their work. This also a great method because you are getting real feedback from real people who reflect how your actual audience may be. A perfect example of this in the professional film and TV industry, is with the popular TV series 'Friends'. When shown the pilot episode, viewers thought it was 'not very entertaining, clever or original' an the characters were portrayed as 'smug, superficial and self-absorbed'. Overall the show originally scored 41 out of 100 (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/file/friends-anniversary). The show continued on for various seasons so producers and writers must have taken into consideration the bad reviews for it to be the success it is today.
Secondary research on the other hand, is research conducted and gathered by other people, meaning it is already existing. It comes in many forms such as: News articles, books, websites, TV shows and documentaries. A website called 'Formplus' described it as 'a common approach to a systematic investigation in which the researcher depends solely on existing data in the course of the research process.'
Secondary research I've had to conduct includes my Depict unit from last year; this unit heavily relied on secondary research. An example of this research I had to conduct was watching previously made Depicts to get inspiration for my own. I then wrote about my five favourites.
This is the link to my research post: https://erindunntvandfilm.blogspot.com/2019/10/depict-research.html
An example of how secondary research can be used is for historical purposes. This is important especially when making a movie because if you wanted to make a movie about a historical person or event, in most cases, you cannot speak to this person or people that experienced the event. Therefore, to make your film or TV show accurate, you will need to gather pre-existing research. An example of this in the media industry is: the film '1917', which is a film about the first world war and the soldiers involved. The writer of this film, Krysty Wilson claims that she 'spent a huge amount of time' reading personal accounts from the first world war whilst she was researching for the film. She also visited IWM (Imperial War Museum) London to review documents and visit First World War galleries, stating that 'to get this story right and to be believable and to pay tribute to the men who fought and died in that war, I needed to read all the first-hand accounts I could'. She also watched films and documentaries and read books. From carrying out all of this secondary research, Krysty knew that the film tribute that she wanted to make was all factually correct and realistic to the hardships that were faced in World War One.
Pros and Cons
Like everything, both primary and secondary research have their pros and cons. Sometimes primary is better than secondary and sometimes secondary is better than primary. For this report, I will look at it in a general aspect.
The pros of primary research, are that it is up-to-date information you are accessing since you are conducting it specifically for the project you are working on. It is also allows you to get more personalized responses and you know where all responses are coming from . It also has its disadvantages such as being more expensive and time consuming to carry out, analyze etc. Primary research can be time consuming because you have to actually physically gather the data from scratch. This could mean creating your own surveys and polls which would take time to create because they would have to be presentable and laid out to a professional standard. Conducting your own secondary research, also comes with its expenses. If you needed to interview a special individual or celebrity, you would have to pay them in order to get this interview. Price ranges can vary from celebrity to celebrity depending on their level of fame. Also, travelling to certain locations to interview them will end up costing you, as sometimes the celebrity may live in a different country to which it is you as the interviewers' responsibility to get to the venue.
Secondary research is better than primary research in this aspect because all of the material is already laid at for you and you don't have to actually spend time gathering it. However, there is a chance that since it was conducted by someone else, you don't know where they got their information from, therefore information could be incorrect or outdated if it is an old secondary source of information. Secondary is also cheaper and anybody with a device and internet access can conduct secondary research.
Overall, I think that secondary research is better in the long run because the research is more accessible and quicker to find along with also being cheaper. In some cases though, the best type of research depends on the type of project you are creating. If it is historical then secondary, but if it is about a current event or in general set in modern-day then primary may be better.
Quantitative Research
Quantitative research, is a type of research that is presented in numbers or figures. It is usually a result of research carried out to groups of people and presented in figures. As stated by scribbr.com 'Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analyzing numerical data. It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal relationships, and generalize results to wider populations'. Some examples of quantitative research, are: box office ratings, programme ratings etc. These are all things that require numerical results.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9H8DZDK
A good example of quantitative research in the creative media industry, would be box-office ratings for famous movies. For example, the data was collected that between its release in January 2018 and August 2018, 'Black Panther', produced by Marvel studios, grossed a total of $700,059,566 . This research was beneficial in terms of knowing how successful the movie was, which would help future Marvel movies and is also a great example of quantitative research. (https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2992866817/)
Qualitative Research
Qualitive Research, is the name given to a type of research that requires a more personalized and specific answer. This type of research is not limited to numbers and/or 'yes' and 'no' answers. Also stated from scribblr.com, 'Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research. Some examples of Qualitative research, are: Film reviews, Game reviews, responses to advertising campaigns etc.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9H8DZDK
A good example of qualitative research from the professional media industry, is the website 'IMDB'. This website includes movie and television reviews written by normal people and is a great example of qualitative research because this is feedback received from real people on media products which would then help the producers for future movies and also other audience members who are wondering whether they should watch the film or not.
Data Gathering Agencies
A 'Data Gathering Agency', is an agency that records data on media consumption. Examples of the data collected by these agencies are the most popular shows in a certain period of time,
Thursday, 31 December 2020
The Role Of The Writer and The Comissioning Process
In this essay, I will explore the role of the writer when it comes to screenwriting and I will also be focusing on the commissioning process.
Commissioning
The commissioning process, is a term given for getting a script into production. There are plenty of job roles in the commissioning process, these include: commissioning editor, director, script editor, agents and writers. I will individually explain what each role entails.
The commissioning editor, has the final say in whether an idea will go into production or not. Producers on the other hand, have a massive impact on the commissioning process; they are the financial and creative heart of a production. They are responsible for coming up with storylines and ideas; they also hire writers and also option the script. Optioning, is the process of securing rights to a script. They have control over the finance of a production, deciding on the overall budget of the film and source financing from investors, studios and distributors. They approve locations and hire a production team to help the production of the film run smoothly. The health and safety of the cast and crew is a major responsibility of the producer legally when on set. The producer also solve any problems that occur over the process of production.
Directors focus on the more creative side of the production process. Hired by the producer, its the director's job to visualize the script and bring it to life. They work closely with the producers and casting directors in order to chose actors and actresses for the film or television show and compare notes about script changes and camera shots. They also instruct other aspects of production such as lighting, wardrobe and makeup. Some directors also like to rehearse before filming begins, 'blocking' the characters. This enables them to make necessary changes and so the actors know where they are positioned. At the end of the filming process, the director will create a 'Director's cut' where they will take control of the editing of the film. From there, the final cut will be made when reviewed by the producer and financers. A good example of a director who is well-known in the film industry is Steven Spielberg. Spielberg is the name behind many poipular films including: 'Ready Player One', 'War Horse' and the 'Indiana Jones' movies. He has been in the film business since 1969 when he was hired to direct one of the segments from the pilot episode of 'Night Gallery' (1969). He is well-known as one of the most commercially successful directors in history, however has had setbacks throughout his career for example in the early 1970s when he unsuccessfully tried to raise the finance to his low-budget films, so he turned to writing screenplays with other writers before then directing them. His first majorly successful film was 'Jaws' (1975) which made 472 million USD in the box office which then lead to the production of 'Jaws 2' which was released in 1978. Spielberg is a good case study because he has been in the business for a long while and has had a fair few setbacks which is expected in any successful career. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Spielberg)
The next job role in the process is the Script Editor. The role of the script editor, is to find new scriptwriters, create and develop new storylines and also make sure the script is suitable to go ahead for production. The script editor is usually hired by the producers and works closely with the scriptwriter to ensure that there are no mistakes in the script and suggesting improvements that can be made. This job role is also more permanent as they work with the producer.
Agents are another important role, specifically literary agents. The role of a literary agent, is to act in the interest of the writer. The literary agent helps to push the writer's work by promoting it and working closely with publishers. An example of a good literary agency is 'Janklow and Nesbit Associates' literary agency, co-founded by Morton. L. Janklow who is one of the world's most famous and well-known literary agents. They match writers to quality publishers, the legal team ensure great contracts.
( https://www.janklowandnesbit.com/people/morton-l-janklow)
Lastly, another important role in the commissioning process, is the writer themselves. The role of the screenwriter, is to write the perfect script that will go into production. Screenwriters can base their writing either off of original ideas, adapting an original story or joining an existing project. They work closely with producers and directors to make sure their script is to good enough standards, working to tight deadlines. Screenwriters normally write three drafts of a script or screenplay; the third of which gets pitched to a producer or film company. This draft is known as 'the polish'. On the other hand, screenwriters can be commissioned by a film studio or producer to write a script specifically for them. Once picked up by a studio, more screenwriters can be added to the mix. These screenwriters may share a credit with the original or even sometimes replace the original screenwriter. A good screenwriter to look at, is Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino has helped written films including: 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Kill Bill vol.1'. He is known for writing his scripts in longhand, not outlining plot twists, setups or pay-offs.
(https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/100-greatest-screenwriters-of-all-time-ranked.html)
https://screencraft.org/2019/07/22/timeless-screenwriting-wisdom-from-quentin-tarantino/#:~:text=Quentin%20Tarantino%20is%20known%20for,and%20dramatic%20flow%20of%20another.
Another vital part of the commissioning process, is the commissioning body. A commissioning body, is the part of a company which decides which scripts (sent from outside their company) go into production. Depending on the type of commissioning, the process and success rates will be different. For example: whether you enter a competition or send your work in. Some examples of commissioning bodies are corporations such as the BBC. The BBC hold competitions in order for aspiring screenwriters to get their work noticed and possibly into production. An example of a screenwriting competition held by the BBC, is 'BBC Writer's Room'. Writers have to submit their script in a certain window of time, this reflects and also gives them experience for life as a screenwriter as they would have to get used to tight deadlines. Contestants have to submit up to thirty pages of a script. They also need to fill out an application when submitting their script. At the end of the process, a group of between ten and fifteen writers will be chosen to join the Script Room writer development group for 2021. Scripts with the permission of the writer, could also be taken furher into development and used within the BBC.
The next way a writer could get their script commissioned, is through an independent production company. An independent production company, has a different system to a major film studio, however, they do their own script editing and sometimes receive funding from bigger corporations in return for some of the revenue at the end of the commissioning process. If you go with an independent production company, it is better that you are a less known writer as these companies have a lower budget, however are a great way to kick off your writing career. Some examples of these companies are: Amazon Studios and A24. An example of an independent production company, is 'Warp Films'. They are supported by ITV global, and have shows in the pipeline for channel 4. It was founded in 2001 and was initially financially supported by NESTA. Writers and directors work with them and they don't support certain genres or formats .(http://warpfilms.com/).
As well as independent production companies, we also have more major big production companies. These companies, as opposed to independent production companies, have their own facilities such as a studio which they can use to make the films. Studio productions are also likely to be more expensive and involve higher-paid actors. An example of a film studio is: 'Columbia Pictures'. which was founded in 1918. Some well-known movies produced by this film studio include: 'The Karate Kid', 'Spider-Man Homecoming, and Venom.'
https://millennialstudios.co.uk/blog/film-production-company-vs-film-studio/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_Pictures
Independent directors on the other hand, have a much easier job producing their own scripts, however, you need to be in a good position financially to independently produce your own work as it isn't cheap. Some independent directors seek involvement from other directors. The same can be said for independent producers, they perform the same roles as a studio movie producer, however they need to find investors and are answerable to these investors if their project doesn't succeed. They also need to hire writers etc. An example of an independent film director is
Organizations also have a major role in script development. Although they don't fund projects, they are always there to offer support and advice throughout the way. They really help writers improve their work and allow it to be seen. An example of an organization is 'The Script Factory'.
Working as a Writer
When it actually comes to working as a writer, there are a load of factors that need to be considered. All of these factors enable for a perfect script and commissioning process. The first of which is Agent Representation. To kick off your writing career, and be a successful writer you will need an agent. Literary agents help push your work and get you recognized as a writer. They do this by representing your work for film producers and studios etc. They also deal with sales and negotiate prices. They are usually involved in every step of the process and would mostly be needed by unrecognized and independent screenwriters. An example of an agent is 'Knight Hall Agency Ltd'. All agents have expectations when it comes to approaching them, the first being to have read a piece of your work before they work with you, you also need to write a little bit about yourself and your work when you send it to them.
The next stage of the writing process, is optioning and payment. To 'option' a script is to keep a script on hold for a certain price and amount of time. During this time, the writer can not sell their script to anyone else. Also during this time, the buyer can make any changes they wish to the script. When the time is up, the screenplay is returned to the writer. This if often done when the screenwriter does not have the sufficient funds to turn their script into anything bigger.
When it comes to professional presentation, there are certain standards that a screenwriter has to live up to. Their script has to meet professional standards which requires using the correct software. A good example of an effective scriptwriting software is 'Celtx'. This if a free software used by many screenwriters and offers a simple interface and layout. It also writes in courier 12 font which is essential when it comes to screenwriting and is the go-to font. Other general information about the professional layout of a script, is that scripts normally can't exceed one hundred and twenty pages and should be above ninety. Scripts can't have any information un-related to the script in general, such as camera angles, and descriptions of characters or settings can be no longer than two lines. Having all of these rules in place gives you as a writer have a much higher chance of getting your script accepted. When it comes to shooting a script, if there are any changes made (normally motivated by budgeting) then Page-lockdown is essential. Page-lockdown, is the process of coding any changed pages, instead of changing it manually. Pages are individually sent out and renamed to page '1A' which replaces the original '1'.
The last crucial aspect of working as a writer is time management. Writers often face very tight deadlines so it is crucial that these deadlines are met. Especially when working with other people (producers and directors) it is essential that the writer has the script in on time in order to not let any of the production team down.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
As well as writing the best script to your ability, as a writer, you need to consider the legal side of things. If not done properly, you could be taken to court. The first legal aspect of scriptwriting is copyright. A writer owns copyright to anything that is written by themselves. Having copyright over your work does not hold your general idea, however it stops someone from stealing your specific piece of work. Copyright includes a whole glossary of rights which include: Electronic rights which is the right to publish or allow others to publish electronic versions of your work and Exclusive rights which is the right to publish your work without the work appearing elsewhere at the same time. To be eligible enough to copyright your own work, you have to prove that is is in fact an original piece of work. If copyright is breached, then the person responsible may have to pay the original owner the profits of what they have made from selling the text, or even a court order where they hand over all copies of the text before attempting to sell the copied work.
The next aspect is Bias. Bias is the idea of being more in favor of one side of a story when trying to get a message across to an audience or readers. As a screenwriter, it is important to be unbiased towards a subject, you need to write about a subject in a way that allows the reader to form their own opinion and not enforce a certain view upon them. This ties in well with another term called 'Libel'. Libel is the term referring to the idea of writing in a way to present someone in a bad light. This then inflicts hatred on that specific person through the way the writer has conveyed them or more specifically their opinions of them in their text. This can be done deliberately for this effect. To avoid legal issues, writers will often make up fake characters to make a point and can exaggerate them as much as they would like to.
Watersheds are another important legal aspect when it comes to scriptwriting. Watershed is the term given for the time where it acceptable to show more mature, non-child-friendly content. This time usually lasts between 9pm and 5.30am. This is important to consider as a screenwriter because depending on what content you put in your writing may determine what time it will be shown.
Lastly, the final thing to consider is Plagiarism. This is the act of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as your own. Doing this could get you in legal trouble, with the person with the person who owns the work suing you, plagiarizing someone's work could also lead to a prison sentence.
Thursday, 26 November 2020
Tuesday, 17 November 2020
Tuesday, 10 November 2020
Monday, 9 November 2020
The History and Development of Editing
Editing is the splicing together of media (both visual and audio) which make a film a film. It is the post-production process of making a film and is very important to get right as it is a crucial aspect to film making.
Editing first started in the early 1900s and was a physical process, which would include cutting a positive copy of a film negative with scissors and splicing it back together again. This is where the term 'cut' derives from. Unwanted film would be discarded, just like it is now digitally. It was then fed through a machine called the 'Moviola' which allowed for the editor to watch the film whilst editing. Editing would have to be very precise, if editing wasn't done properly, film would have to be reprinted which would cost money and put the film at risk of damage. Once the film had been cut good enough, it was then used to make an editing decision list. Whilst the negative was being processed, this was what the negative cutter relied on and it split shots into rolls which were then contact printed to produce the 'answer' print.
However, nowadays, the invention of digital editing using programmes like 'Final Cut Pro' or 'Premiere Pro', has made the editing process so much easier. Digital editors skip the whole positive film workprint altogether and like before with the positive film which allowed the editor to experiment, editors can digitally manipulate the film however they'd like without the risk of damaging film. This is a quicker less time consuming way of editing.
With digital editing, you can be much more creative and precise. If you are not happy with the way you have cut a particular clip, you can undo or delete the editing. Whereas with physical film, you did not have this advantage and you had to be careful where you were cutting and splicing film.
The invention of digital editing also brings more techniques to help develop your editing. These include effects known as 'transitions' which help smoothly move a scene on to another scene. These include 'wipe, dissolve, fade' etc and are a very effective addition to editing.
Another method of editing, is 'in-camera; editing. This is where the filmmaker shoots the shots or sequences in the exact order they will appear in the film. This is instead of editing the clips with a software later on which is an advantage, however there are lots of things that need to be considered when using 'in camera' editing. One of which being you need to know exactly how you would like the shots to turn out and in which order you would precisely like them in. This requires a lot of planning beforehand as unlike with digital editing, you can not move clips around or re-shoot scenes. As soon as the last scene is shot, the production for the movie is completely over. This is good for low-budget films or filmmakers as it more affordable, however it is a lot more work and effort.
Combining footage into sequences can help develop a narrative for a film or TV show and help us understand how characters are feeling. An example of combining shots to create meaning is 'The Kuleshov Effect'. This includes using the same shot of a man however changing what he's looking at by cutting to a different picture/scene each time which changes the mood and perspective of the first shot as we assume his emotions.
An example of a movie scene that uses continuity editing is this scene from 'The Greatest Showman' ( (25) The Greatest Showman | "Who's That?" Clip - YouTube ). The scene starts off with a slow-motion medium shot of Phillip and Anne, whilst she is doing her trapeze. (00:4-00:7). The slowing down of this shot, shows the significance of this moment, how seeing her for the first time makes him feel as though time has slowed down, and highlights how this could be an important relationship in the movie.
The next important part of the scene, is the eyeline-match when Anne notices Phillip for the first time. We see Anne looking up, and then it cuts to Phil looking back at her. This kind of shot helps the audience understand what the character is looking at, by cutting to the person or thing they have their eyes on. Also by the expression on Phil's face, we can see that what he is looking at has a great effect on him; and as an audience we are intrigued to know exactly what is making him feel this way, which is achieved by an 'eyeline match' shot.
The film then cuts to the next scene, which opens with a tracking shot, which follows PT and Phil to introduce Phil to Anne and WD. This is an important technique used on film, because it establishes where the action is happening and also which characters the audience should be following. In this case, the audience knows they should be following PT and Phil, as they walk down the stairs of the busy circus, with a lot of action happening behind them, but we know that it is them that we should be following.
After he has shaken hands with WD, there is a moment where his focus has shifted to something/someone else. This can be shown by the camera panning to an over-the -shoulder shot where we see the back of Anne's head and we instantly know what his attention has shifted to. A pan in important in film, as it illustrates when the characters or us an audience need to shift our attention to something else.
Following on from the pan, is an over-the-shoulder shot. This is mainly between Phil and Anne and is important in film as is signifies when a conversation is being held between two characters and helps us establish that the characters are staying in the same place.
Another crucial aspect of film making is the 180 degree rule. This is quite possibly one of the most important rules when it comes to film and it involves placing an imaginary line in between two characters or in a scene. The camera must not cross the line or else it could lead to dis-orientation and confusion from the audience.
This rule is followed in my selected scene as the camera always stays on the same side of the shot, even when the shots variate between over-the-shoulder, the line is never crossed. This makes it easier for the audience to follow and helps with continuity.
In conclusion, this scene follows a lot of the conventions in film making and editing, this is in order to intrigue the audience and help them understand the storyline and identify with the characters and their relationships. This helps bring an understanding in for the whole movie.
Thursday, 15 October 2020
Sherlock-The Blind Banker
1. . Does the episode follow a 3 act structure and / or classical Hollywood narrative?
2. Howb does Binary Opposition apply to this episode?
Binary Opposition applies to this episode because we are shown binary opposites (a villian and a hero)
3.Can Propp’s character types be applied to the narrative and if so, how do they help to shape the plot?
Tuesday, 13 October 2020
The Crazies
In 2010 film 'The Crazies', a toxin causes an infection to spread and for people to become blood-thirsty. This is discovered when citizens start behaving strangely and out of character for instance: when Rory enters the baseball game with a shotgun to which David is forced to shoot him.Other strange behaviour is noticed too like repetitive speech.
Thursday, 8 October 2020
Battle Royale
Friday, 18 September 2020
Animation Documentary
In class today. we watched a documentary which discovered animation the early days up until modern day (2003). It looked at the development of animation and the pioneers of the genre, some of it focused on the early days of Disney and how the animation 'Steamboat Willie' was the first big step into Walt Disney's career and how it fascinated audiences. This then lead on to animations such as 'Snow White' and 'Bambi'. The documentary later focused on computer animation and how back in the 1980s, one of the animator's of what would be 'Pixar', suggested the idea of animations being done digitally and the idea of things being 3D which was originally rejected with him being told if computer animation was 'cheap' and 'simple', then they would consider it. However, later on with films such as 'Toy Story' and 'Finding Nemo' which grossed millions at the box office. Animation using Plasticine was also looked at, an exampke being 'Wallace and Gromit'.
Tuesday, 15 September 2020
Thaumatrope
What Is a Thaumatrope?
A Thaumatrope is a disk with two separate images that when
spun combine the images together to create a nice animation.
How To Make A Thaumatrope
1)
Cut out a circle
2)
Using a pencil, you could draw a line through
the middle of both sides to help with the drawing
3) Draw an image of your choice on one side, flip the circle upside down and draw another image to correspond with the first image
4)
Whole punch a whole on both ends of the circle
and thread some string through both wholes and tie.
Friday, 3 July 2020
Documentary Mini Task
A documentary, is a media text that gives insight into a certain way of life or lifestyle; its purpose is to educate an audience and normally shed light on an issue or important subject. There are many different styles and forms of documentary; these all take different approaches into exploring their subject but all achieve the same aim to educate the audience. These include: Expository, Observational, Interactive, Reflexive and performative. These all have different components and techniques which we will explore.
An 'Expository' documentary, speaks directly to an audience. Typically through the use of narrativization. This may sometimes effect the authenticity of a documentary as this voiceover is persuading the audience to think a certain way and may manipulate their views. The narration and image in an expository documentary normally have a direct relationship, with the commentary being about what is happening on-screen.
An example of an 'expository' documentary, is David Attenborough's 'Blue Planet'. This is a series of documentaries that discovers wildlife in the ocean. This is an expository documentary because throughout the documentary, David is narrating with facts about the animals on-screen. Every single frame is justified by the narration.
An 'Observational' documentary, does not include input from the filmmaker such as voiceovers, or inerviews. Instead, it just shows things as they unfold. This allows the viewer to watch the documentary and form their own opinion as it is non-biased. In editing, music is normally used to make it more interesting to watch.
An example of an 'Observational Documentary', is 'Children Underground'. This documentary is about Romanian children who were born victims of the nation's reckless population growth policy during its communist era. This is observational because it shows their lives without narration
An 'Interactive' documentary, involves constant interaction from the filmmaker, this includes interviews between the presenter and others. There can be manipulation trough editing to emphasise a point or way of life.
A good example of an 'interactive' documentary is 'Louis Theroux: The Most Hated Family In America'. This documentary involves showing the lifestyle of an American family at the core of a Baptist Church that don't believe in homosexuality. The whole documentary is about Louis (the documenter) learning about their way of life and their beliefs as he frequently interviews people where he questions the way they live and if they think they're wrong at all. There is also interaction between Louis and the audience as he narrates over the documentary when he explains where he is going or what he is doing. Arguments are presented between him and the people he meets when he is challenging their opinions and views, protests are also shown. For example: when they stand on the streets holding up signs of hate towards the homosexuals; we are also shown what Louis' opinion of all this is.
A 'Reflexive' Documentary, oftens include the filmmaker within the film. Most creators of reflexive documentaries make no attempt to explore an outside subject. Rather, they focus solely on themselves and the act of making the film.
A 'Performative' documentary, emphasises the filmmaker's involvement into a production.This is the opposite to an 'Observational', where the aim is the subject of the documentary.
Wednesday, 24 June 2020
Documentary Formats: Findings'
Expository Documentary
This style of documentary typically has a voiceover or narration which directly addresses the audience to let them know what is happening. The documentary that falls into this category, is 'We are The Lambeth Boys'. This showed members of a London Youth Club, and follows them learning, working and doing activities. This is expository because at the beginning of each scene, there is a narration explaining to the audience what is happening.
Observational Documentary
This style of documentary, presents a slice of life however with no intervention of a filmmaker or director. It just shows things in a neutral way which allows the audience to feel how they wish. An example of this is 'High School', as this documentary just cut between scenes of what was going on in an American school. Without any narration, it allowed us to watch things how they happened and form our own opinion.
Interactive Documentary
This style of documentary, includes a lot of input from the filmmaker, whether this be through interview or just talking with people. This kind of documentary normally involves manipulation of a certain point of view through editing, and there are more than likely going to be arguments as people involved have strong opinions on a subject. 'Louis and the Nazis' followed this format because Louis (the filmmaker) was in every scene, discovering the Nazi way of life and interviewing them. He also had strong opinions which lead to arguments between him and the other characters involved.
Reflexive Documentary
This style of documentary exposes aspects of everyday life however contains the filmmaker in the documentary. The documentary is more about them and the act of making the film. An example of a 'reflexive' documentary is 'Powwaqatsi', which followed different cultures.
Performative Documentary
This style of documentary, focuses more on presentation than content. A perfect example of this documentary format is 'The Thin Blue Line'. This is because there were plenty of flashbacks and re-enhancements played by actors and actresses