Prelim Task

We used a short script of people pressuring the other person to do something. Our group chose, in a previous planning lesson, for this to be setting a fire alarm off at school. We got an actor and actress and asked them to read the script out. We filmed the whole thing in wide shot like we talked about when we practiced using the camera. We then got behind the shoulder shots of both the actors/actress so that the audience could see what the character was seeing. This would perhaps make them feel tense as if they were also being pressurised. Or feel sorry for the person being pressurised. We also did close ups of their faces in parts to make it more exaggerated and tense. As well as faces we did a close up of the actress nervously fiddling with her jumper. This would give a sense of tension yet again, showing that she really didn’t want to set the alarm off.  We also used a close up of the alarm, ready to cut the film and place the shots we want next to each other to create juxtaposition.

Connotation and Denotation

I learnt that the meanings associated with what we see are often different. We use the term denotative to refer to the actual process of seeing an object and we use the term connotative to refer to the meanings associated with what we see. If you make the connotations that the producer of the media text meant to make, this is called a preferred reading. If you make different connotations from those the producer intended, then this is called oppositional readings.

Denotation of fire would be Combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.

However connotations could be danger, smoke, death, or even warmth and comfort for some people.

Learning About Camera Angles

First we learnt about the different camera angles and how the present different feelings for the audience. We watched the first scene from the film Pleasantville and wrote notes about the different camera angles and why the director has decided to use them. The film opened at a wide shot so that the audience knew you were in a school with a lot of teenagers walking around. Then the camera angle changed to a close up of the boys face. The camera then changed to p.o.v of the boy, and the shot changed to what the boy is seeing (the girl). This gives the audience the feeling that the boy and girl are having a conversation. The camera angle then changed to an over the shoulder shot of the boy. This allows the audience to see what the character of the boy is seeing. From the director doing this shot, the audience realise that the boy and the girl were not having a conversation. Instead the boy was imagining he was, but the girl was on the other side of the set. The director then chose to change the camera angle to a high angle shot; this makes the audience feel sorry for the character of the boy as they are looking down at him.

Another angle that would make the audience feel something is point of view shot. This pictures makes you feel as if the girl is being followed. During a point of view shot like this the camera movement can also add to the suspense and creepy feeling. This can be done by the camera replicating the stalker looking around a corner or through something. This would make you see what the stalker is seeing, and his point of view.

Practicing Using The Camera

We used what we had learnt in the first lesson about how to set the cameras up and film a scene. The scene we set up was simple, as this allowed us to put more of a variety of angles into it by using the 180 degree rule. We filmed a wide shot of the whole scene, then a close up of the hands typing, and then a close up of the face concentrating. These could all be cut together later to give a more interesting view then just one shot of the whole scene.

Learning About The Camera

In my first lesson in the studio we learnt how to put a camera together, setting it up with its tripod. We also learnt the main functions of the camera so we would be ready to film for the next lesson. We were taught about White Balance, how to zoom and focus on an object so that it gives a clearer picture. I reviewed what I had previously been taught in one of my photography lessons about exposure. The aperture and shutter speed and how they need to allow the correct amount of light into the camera so that the film looks life like and not strange. We also learnt about the time code so we will know how many frames per second are being filmed and how many frames we have left whilst filming.

Introduction To Me

My name is Leah, I’m 16 and I’m studying Media, Business, Photography and Psychology at Hurtwood House. I chose media as a subject as I’m interested in how films and music videos are made. Media is becoming more and more important in my generation and I think it’s a useful subject for me to have, as well as one I will enjoy. I’m looking forward to filming my music video next year as this will give me a better understanding of this industry and if I would want to look further into it. I am extremely interested in Photography as a hobby and I think that taking it as an A level will  help with my media as they are both working with cameras and exploring a more creative side of myself.