Studio Lesson: Learning the basic principles of Filming

In this studio session, we were taught the basic principles of filming. This included a number of things such as consistency, the “studio lingo” (such as Standby, Roll, Rolling, Action), the notion that ‘time is money’ and the 180 degree rule.

First of all, we were instructed that every scene should first be filmed with a wide-shot. The purpose of this was simply to ensure that the film’s narrative could continue should we happen to run out of time for whatever reason and be unable to shoot any close-ups; after all, there’s no use of having just a really cinematic shot of some shoes, for example, when it actually lends nothing to continuing the story. Once the wide-shot has been filmed, then we can worry about thematic close-ups and detail-specific shots…

This practise is closely related to the notion that time is money. Important scenes must be filmed first, and should never be re-watched whilst on set. Instead, we should simply just keep re-filming until we are confident that we have a good take. By re-watching our footage, we risk wasting time - which thus wastes money - and potentially has the capability of making the actors self-conscious upon seeing themselves, thus risking their reliability in future shots. As such, it is easier and more effective to just keep repeating the scene until we are sure that there is a good take amongst our expansive plethora of footage.

   

The 180 Degree Rule

An important rule was taught to us during the session: the 180 degree rule. This effectively means that when shooting a scene, all takes must be done on the same side of ‘the line’ (or more specifically, ‘the axis of action’). The purpose of this is to ensure that no matter the angle or perspective of the shot, the characters, or objects, will always be facing the same way; this is to give the audience a sense of geographical placing within the scene. For instance, when a football or rugby game is being filmed, all the cameras will be on the same side of the pitch to assure that when a change of shot occurs, the players will always still be going in the same direction, thus saving the spectators a lot of confusion.

In small groups, we attempted our own endeavours at filming a short scene following such basic principles. Likewise, with each take we made sure to use the correct lingo as a way of getting us into good practise. 

In my group, we filmed someone walking on screen, checking their phone, and walking off. As instructed, we began with a wide-shot and after which delved further into re-doing some more peculiar, interesting shots - such as one over our actor’s shoulder so that we could see the messages on her phone.

Whilst we never got the chance to edit our footage, it was incredibly useful to be able to practise all the things we learnt in our previous studio lesson as well as to actually have the opportunity to film something. I was especially thankful for the pointers as to how to create the best shot as possible, such as filming at object-specific height, and the rule of thirds.

Textual Analysis of ‘Saw’ (2004) Poster

The poster appears quite minimalistic when it comes to the layout and photography, consisting for the most part of a deep, dark black. As black is often associated with death, evil, and mystery, and has negative connotations to fear and the unknown, it can be safe to assume that the film will play with some very dark themes, immediately suggesting towards the horror genre.

Looming in the centre of the poster is the portrait of a single figure, a woman, wearing some sort of imposing metal contraption upon her head. Whilst the majority of the figure’s visage cannot be seen, it is clear from her worried gaze that she is anxious and afraid. This explicit indication towards fear, a very real and relatable emotion, and purposeful disregard to whatever has inflicted such a feeling upon her, provides the poster  with an odd sense of suspense - why is she so afraid? The use of the ebon black field that enshrouds her begets the well known sensation of fearing whatever may or may not be stalking within the shadows, and as the picture is also entirely in greyscale, the whites of her face and the scary contraption she’s encaged in are in stark contrast to the darker tones that make up the rest of the poster. As such, the image equally suggests towards the horror genre, and thus confirms the earlier suspicions that were had.

Written in the bottom right of the poster is the film’s title, “SAW”, written in blood red capitals. The use of capitals implies the word is meant to be intimidating and the use of a blood red reaffirms connotations to the horror genre. Above the title is the film’s three main stars, Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, and Monica Porter, which will have been mentioned as a way of generating a fan base and audience prior to the film’s initial release, due to many people tending to view films which have their favourite actors in.

To the top of the poster is a question, simple and unassuming, and in my opinion, this is in attempt to almost throw the poster’s viewers ‘off-guard’. In reality however, the tagline actually says, “How much blood would you shed to stay alive?” which is a very deep and disturbing thought, and once again strongly related to the horror genre; it also serves to present a new philosophical perspective to the poster, and to some will echo on in the viewer’s head for hours, if not days, to come. This, as such, successfully serves to keep the film fresh in people’s minds and thus has the possibility to spread on via word-of-mouth due to having successfully made an impression.

Consequently, it is clear that the poster is advertising a horror movie as a result of the sinister themes and dark connotations present, cleverly making use of the poster’s simplistic nature as to allow the viewers to more carefully absorb the poster’s information.

Studio Lesson: Introduction to Cameras

Sony NX5

Sony FS100

In Thursday’s lesson we were allowed into the studio where we were shown three different types of cameras: the Sony NX5, the Sony FS100, and the Canon 5D.


It was a very interactive lesson with us being taught as to how to set up, and correctly use, each camera and their matching tripods. The teacher spoke slowly and thoroughly, being careful to ensure that everyone was up to speed with every step of the assembly and functioning of the cameras, which thus served to assure that everyone was comfortable with all the equipment we were handling and dealing with.

The lesson commenced with our teacher showing us how to set up a tripod - this included how to set up the legs, axis, mounting plate and the head, and after doing it ourselves, he then went on to also teach us as to how we went about adjusting all of the aforementioned features of such. After they were correctly set up, he taught us how we set up the three different types of cameras.

Canon 5D

Regarding such, we learnt a number of useful skills, such as how to insert the battery and place on the lens, as well as a number of basic function techniques (such as: on/off, zoom, focus, and the setting of white balance) upon each of the individual cameras. After which, we were able to practise such techniques ourselves, which I personally found incredibly useful, as it insured that I, alike the others, actually understood what I was doing. The practise gave a good sense of how the cameras should be handled when, and when not, in use.

In my opinion, the session was incredibly useful as it gave us all a good understanding and awareness of/towards the equipment we will be using extensively over the next couple of years.

Scooby Doo (2002) - Opening Sequence Analysis

The movie opens as all Warner Brothers films do with their golden emblem proudly on screen; however, immediately the film breaks away from tradition when a large bite is taken out of it, followed by Scooby Doo’s iconic giggle. Here on in, the classic Scooby Doo theme song begins to play and the production company is credited as being “A Mystery Inc. Company”. We then see a bright moon high in the sky, denoting night time, and the real titles begin to play. During this period, the theme song fades into more dramatic music, and the actual opening sequence begins with one of the windows to the Wow-O-Toy Factory being smashed by the Luna Ghost soaring through, Daphne within his clutches. She says phrases such as, “Fred! Velma! You guys hurry it up!” the dialogue reintroducing us to some of Mystery Inc’s most beloved memories - most of the movie’s watchers likely having been fans of the series before watching such a movie. For such an audience’s sake, the characters are also in their iconic costumes as a way of reminding them as to who is who. Trademark phrases of each gang member are also said, furthering this idea of reintroducing fans to the series, such as Velma’s “Jinkies!”, Shaggy’s “Zoinks!” and Scooby’s “Ruh-roh!”

Fred and Velma exchange a quick conversation via walkie-talkies where they reveal to the audience that they have hatched a plan to capture the Luna Ghost. At which point, we see Fred checking himself out in the mirror, thus revealing one of his characteristics - vanity/arrogance. Likewise, the exchange reveals Velma to be the brains of the operation.

From there, it cuts to Scooby and Shaggy hiding within a barrel and their dominant characteristic of fear is revealed on account of their relentless shaking. Classic events and lines within the original programme are regurgitated here when Shaggy says to Scooby, “Like, there’s a ghost right behind me, isn’t there?” and his iconic running on the spot before finally getting away.

Throughout the sequence pleonastic sounds are used for comedic effect.

Classic mayhem henceforth ensues with Scooby and Shaggy fleeing in their barrel (Daphne still in the Luna Ghost’s clutches), and Fred and Velma falling victim to their own unsuccessful plan. Here, more fun music begins playing, implying the fun of the situation despite the danger the characters are actually in, as Shaggy and Scooby begin skateboarding throughout the factory, pursued by the Luna Ghost. Therein, they crash into one another and collapse into a pile of Pamela Anderson dolls.

Speaking of which, following the quick regathering of Mystery Inc., Pamela Anderson drives through the factory walls in the iconic Mystery Machine, swarmed by a group of adoring teenagers and thus denoting the fame and success of Mystery Inc.

The sequence finishes with the iconic reveal of whom the ‘monster’ is, with the gang collectively revealing that the Luna Ghost is none other than “Old Man Smithers” (“the creepy Janitor”). Velma reveals how he is able to fly - once again signifying her intelligence. Smithers professes how he would have got away with it, if “it weren’t for you meddling kids, and your dumb dog” to which Scooby says a very cheery, “Rooby dooby doo.”

Scooby Doo is my favourite film due to its fun-loving and loyal-to-the-source nature. The plot challenges a number of stereotypes, resisting classic plot lines within the original series and exploring them in new, fresh ways.