Part 1 - Edit

Use of subtitles - The use of the subtitles enforce the fact that the video is an opening to a film clip. By positioning them lower on the screen, it still allows the audience clear visibility to the action within the frame.
I made sure the colours of the subtitles were white so that the black and white film noir theme was uncompromised. It also does not detract the audiences eye away from the action as much.

High angle shot - shows the characters status and inferiority.

Close up of drinking - shows lighing reflect of glass - film noir style. Also close up of drinking shows the drinking has a specific significance and could possibly suggest that this will have meaning in the future.

Simple cuts - were used to make sure that the pace of the scene is clealy established early on.

Film noir shot - through the glass - possibly connoting he has something to hide as he is shown behind / through the glass. Use of voyeurism to create tension.

Use of cross dissolves - to switch between parallel editing clips. Also for a slight mystery effect.

My Camera Shots

Day of the Filming

After getting the actors in the right places and making sure there was nothing that would ruin the continuity of the opening. I then made sure i filmed each clip and action atleast twice. The filming was not done in order. as with the parallele editing, the light outside would be different at the end of the film to what it was at the start. The filming was split into two parts, indoor filming and outdoor filming.

The outdoor filming was done first, but as I was in the shot as an actor i had an assistant hold the camera as steady as possible. This was because the tripod could not capture the angles required. Extra footage was taken, to ensure there was no need to re-film. Two whole minuites of footage was taken just outside with the use of a varity of shots.

I then took the camera indoors where I filmed the indoor shots. First I filmed the shots without the two villainous characters. But then when they enter I tried to make sure the camerawork was slightly different.

Overall it was very effective and easily had enough footage, so there was no worry about re-filming.

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Props that were used:

Things to include

Many films in the noir style usually have a vast range of shot types - from cantered angles to extreme close ups. So before I make an attempt at filming anything, I need to start with a shot list in an order that I want. That way when I come to filming, i'm prepared and will make the film opening look more professional if the camera shots are thought of before filming.

List of shots to include if possible:

- Cantered angle
- Close ups (more than 2)
- High angle
- Low angle
- Medium shot
- Any shots that use voyeurism
- Extreme Close ups

Editing is going to be the most time consuming task after filming everything. However the main point of editing is to clips to seamlessly flow smoothly without the audience noticing, unless for a specific, intended reason.

Some editing effects to use:

- Fade in / Fade out
- Cross Dissolve
- sharp cuts for pace
- Stop dissolve
- Subtitles - fade
- Black and white - Film noir effect
- eyeline match
- 180° Rule
- shot reverse shot

Sound takes a massive part in making sure the atmposphere, pace and tension is set. An epic soundmix will be the stand or fall of this opening i think.

Therefore i will try to keep these things in mind:

- Simple music
- Original Sounds (copyright free)
- Sound build - synchronous to action within the frame
- Simple sound layout - quiet > build up > crescendo > Build down > Quiet > Hint of a build up again at the end

- Amplified sounds to exaggerate actions within the frame ie: loading of the gun / gunshot / car engine
- It is paramount that the music is synchronous with the action. No good having a gunshot 10 seconds too late for example
- Possibly a voice over unless it does not aid the scene in any way.

Mise en Scene is very important as this helps provide detailed representations of characters and helps the audience understand the plot, without the use of words. It also helps in reducing continuity errors.

- lighting - constant lighting - especially outside
- lighting - use of shadows - film noir effect
- clothing - dark clothes contrast to lighter clothes and light ( black and white )
- clothing - supporting character stereotypes
- foreshadowing - use of props to suggest future violence (eg: guns)
- Props - Realistic looking props, used to create tention or for a specific action

After considering all these things i will now be ready to start filming as i know exacly what i must try and include. It may be impossible to include all of these features however i will try to include as many as possible without it effecting the plot or original idea.

Group Discussion - group split

After seeing some problems within our communication and organisational coordination, myself and Karl decided to split up when filming our original plan. We both felt that we would be able to work better if we worked individually, as we both are able to work at different times and could both spend more time working the filming individually. It was a major problem for us both, but as we are good friends we were mature about it and under good advisement, split up to allow one another to try and reach our own potentials.

This way we thought that we could make two different variations on the original plan, so that we could study and compare each others work and ultimately, learn more.

Group Discussion - 21/01/09 -

After planning the concept behind the clip, we found it now necessary to think about where the filming should take place, which will ultimately effect the settings within the film. This is a very important part of the planning and we feel that it should not be rushed as it is paramount to the success of our work.  

Therefore we have discussed possible places where we could film that would be suitable. The location must be indoors with and a table and chair must be in the room. Also the best location would presumably be a fairly plain room so that there are less distractions from the character within the frame of each shot.  We have talked about the use of blinds as a common feature of film noir examples. We may be able to use iMovie to give the effect of shadowing in the way that the blinds would give. However this is uncertain and so we may need to include the blinds into our possible location ideas.

Ideas:

- 6th Form Rooms

This was our first idea as it is easily accessible for filming at most times of the day. However this is a very bad idea overall as it looks cheap and unrealistic. Also the it would be extremely hard to change the location to suit what we want it for. The room we want is to be plain, but also should look homely and 'lived in'.

- Local snooker hall

This was a bit off the wall, however it had many of the features that we would want, especially when considering the mise en scene. The dark and gloomy which is the effect that we want to convey. This is a possible location but its not perfect. 

- House

This is a good location simply because it looks lived in, however finding a room that has a simple background or a room that can be converted into a set would be hard. However if the room does need to be changed to suit what we want, it is the best place to do it. It is also accessible at all times in the day or night for filming. This is looking like a strong possibility for the filming set. 

- Cafe

This was a strong idea also, however we simply would not be able to film there for longer periods of time as it is a public place. Also if we wanted the man to be smoking then we would be violating the the anti public smoking law. For this reason I do not think we will use this idea. 

At the moment the best idea is just using a normal house for filming as it is flexible and  can be altered for a desired set. Sample filming of a very short extract of our clip will be used at this location as a test to see if it is really the best place to film. 

Character sketches / concept art

After the discussion, and designing of the notes for the main task, my colleague Karl, decided to begin on the ideas of the clothing for the characters involved with the filming. He designed a sketch of both the main character, showing how he looks rough, as if he has lost everything, but also of the suspicious character in the trench coat. For information about the characters see ''Detailed notes on main task''.