Preliminary Task

The Preliminary Task:

Our Preliminary task includes the use of the 180-degree rule, match on action and shot reverse shot. 

• The 180-Degree Rule- It is usually used when 2 people are having a conversation. This is when an imaginary line runs through the 2 and the camera must remain on one side of the line, filming the people at the 180 degrees. It's important because it makes the scene look professional, also it has to look like the characters are talking to each other, and not facing away from each other. So you film in the 180 degree angle to keep it this way. 
• Match On Action- This is when the shot you use follows the action that the person is doing. it gives you a sense of continuity within the shot and it makes a visual bridge between shots and draws the attention of the people watching away from the cutting between shots. 
• Shot Reverse Shot- This is usually used to show a conversation between people. Say one person was talking, the shot would be on them, then when it was the other persons chance to speak, the shot would go to them, then back to the other person when it was their turn. This creates a shot-reverse-shot. 

The reason we did the task, was to show off what we could do with a camera and learn the basics that we may not already know. It also allowed the teacher to see the skills we had and how we would need it to be improved. 

I found it difficult because as the person who was operating the camera, I had to make sure my hand was steady- which as you can see at the beginning of the 180 degree rule one, and shot reverse shot my hand was a little unsteady. It was also difficult to make sure I stood in exactly the same place each time I had to shot a from the same place as a previous one, with the match on action you can tell, quite clearly, that I didn't stand in the same place. So when it comes to filming the real thing, I will try to be more precise and maybe even leave little markers for myself so I know where to stand, so it looks ultimately more professional.

I found when editing that iMovie was a little difficult to use seeing as I have never used it before, and neither has anyone in the group I was working in. By doing this preliminary task, it has helped us to learn the basics and the longer I spent messing around with the application the easier I found it to use. I hope that this continues so I can really understand what I'm doing on the it and make our final project look a lot more professional. 

Ultimately, I found the task quite difficult and I hope that I will find the main task a little easier as I would have a little more experience with it. 

Here is the preliminary task:

Conventions of Thriller Openings

Conventions of Thriller Openings

There are a few main conventions of Thriller openings these include; camera shots and movements, sound, and lighting  

• Camera shots and movements- It's important to include camera shots and movements that fit with the genre because they help to create a feel for the film and give you a sense of body language and emotion. The majorly use close-ups, this helps to see reactions of your characters and to build tension, establishing shots, they help to establish the setting and area so you get a feel for what may happen based on the surroundings. Also, long shots play a large role in opening sequences of thriller films because they show all the action in the shot. The idea is to show the audience things that maybe the 'victim' may not see, giving the scene and the audience a sense of tension throughout. 
• Sound- The music that you use has to fit the genre and the scene. The music shouldn't be used to add tension if you don't want there to be tension in the scene, it shouldn't be too loud and overbear the actors if there is dialogue. It also needs to fit the genre so it should be eerie and tension building. 
• Lighting- There must be low key lighting to fit the genre of thriller. If the scene is set in a dark place like the woods, then the lighting shouldn't be high because it needs to fit and not look out of place. 
• The build up of tension is important to a thriller opening, it sets up the atmosphere for the rest of the movie. Tension should be in every thriller movie. 
• In many thriller films, there is an equilibrium at the beginning, giving people a false sense of security this can be used to make the big event that is to happen a little more dramatic. For example, in the Sixth Sense, everything seems to be okay with Anna and Malcolm as they are celebrating his work as a child psychologist, this gives us a false sense of security as when they go upstairs he gets shot. 

Why I chose AS Media

Why I Chose AS Media 

I chose AS Media because I took it for GCSE and I really enjoyed the course. I would like to do something to do with English and Media at University in hopes of getting me into a career to do with journalism or publishing, so hopefully AS Media will give me an idea of whether that is something I would enjoy doing. 

It also goes nicely with my other subjects, English Literature, Geography and Government and Politics. I think media lets you express yourself in ways other subjects do not. It is your own work that you can create and you have full creative control over which, for me, is very important.