Our First Experimental Film

This film was created with the Flip Camera, on a photography tripod. It was the first time either of us have used this type of camera and we found it very simple and easy to use. We went outside the college and began to play around, and took one shot of each thing possible on the list. I think all of these worked quite successfully first time around, however they did turn out quite jumpy. We then went indoors to shoot the list again twice, each time doing a different action so we could experiment better with timing and framing. 

The list was:

• X  Pan shot from left to right 
• X  Pan shot from right to left (different shot)
• X  Close up shot, i.e. a tight shot of someone's face clipping off the top of the head
• X  A wide angle shot taken from a low viewpoint looking up
• X  A tilt shot from low to high
• X  A tilt shot from high to low (different shot)
• A shot which manual focuses on a person walking towards the camera and retaining focus
• A shot which manual focuses on a person walking away from the camera and retaining focus
• A 'Pull Focus' shot moving from a static shot onto another static shot i.e. from a branch to a person in the background

We were able to complete all the shots with an 'X', however we didn't have a manual focus option to complete the rest. 

The film goes as follows:

• 0.00 - 0.13: A tilt shot from low to high
• 0.13 - 0.23: A tilt shot from high to low
• 0.23 - 0.35: A tilt shot from high to low
• 0.35 - 0.38: Close up shot
• 0.38 - 0.39: Close up shot
• 0.39 -  0.40: A tilt show from low to high
• 0.40 - 0.53: Pan shot from right to left
• 0.53 - 1.06: Pan shot from left to right
• 1.06 - 1.09: A wide angle shot taken from a low viewpoint looking up

My opinions on the film and the shots we produced

Overall, considering it was our first time using these cameras, and producing films in general, I think the final outcome was very successful, and covered all the points it needed to. I think it goes a bit slow, and doesn't have as much interest as it could, but it effectively shows our experimentation. Because it was our first time, we decided to just learn the techniques as well as we could, rather than making an interesting video. Hopefully we will get the chance to use our new skills as I feel we've progressed a lot.

I particularly like the shots of the feet traveling up and down the staircases. I like the framing and how the feet are the only part of the body visible. When we use the more professional camera we will be able to try the rest of the techniques, and after our experiments with the Flip camera I am confident we will work okay on the last few techniques.


How we created the film once it was on the computer


We imported the film using iMovie, and everything we had shot appeared on the bottom of the screen. We then looked through it all to decide which bits showed the techniques better, and deleted what wasn't necessary. We definitely saw how important it was to try each shot more than once, as the more we tried the better we got, and the third shots were mostly better than our first attempts. We also noticed the importance of leaving 10 seconds either side of the shot, so it had a steady beginning and end, and we could add transitions to the still parts.
Once it was in iMovie we moved the shots around so it was in an interesting order that flowed well enough, and deleted most of the 10 seconds still shot either side of the shots. We then added transitions between the different shots, and they overlapped the remaining still shots so part of the film wouldn't be missed or not visible. Once we had finished putting it together, we exported it using QuickTime and saved it as a small file, so it would be suitable to go onto blogger. If we had wanted to use the film for something like going onto TV or a projector, we would have saved it as a bigger file so there is more definition. A small file is all that is necessary for a blog, and it isn't too big of a file that it will take too long to load.

What is Pan, Tilt and Zoom? Manual and Auto Focus? Pull Focus?

Panning is when you move where the camera is facing, from one side to another. For this you keep the camera in the same position, and using a tripod if necessary rotate it around for the distance required. You can use this to follow a subject that is moving, or to show the surroundings, or to move between two subjects at the same height.

Zooming is when you keep the camera in the same position, and using controls on the camera, get closer/further away from the subject. This can be used to get close to a subject you can't get to, to emphasise a subject, or as a transition/ending to a shot.

Tilting the camera, is when you keep it in the same position on a tripod and move where it is facing up and down. You can use it to move between two subjects, follow a subject that is moving, or to show the surroundings. It is similar to panning, with only the direction being the difference.

You can either focus the camera automatically or manually. There is usually a setting on the camera to choose what you need. Some cameras, like the flip camera, do not have this option and it is completely automatic. When it is on automatic, the camera decides what it thinks is the main subject and keeps it focused when you or it is moving. Manual focus allows much more choice and creativity. You can use techniques such as pull focus, where you keep the camera still, and move the focus from one thing to another. This can create very interesting effects, and makes the viewer look at whatever it is you want them to.

CISCO Flip Ultra HD Camera and Photography Tripod/ Sony HDV 3CCD Camera and Video Camera Tripod

This is the Flip UltraHD Video Camera. It has 4 GB of memory, and you can record up to an hour of film at one time. It shoots 30 fps and has a digital zoom. I found it pretty simple to use, and it's small size was very handy. There is a big red button in the middle to start and stop recording, and 4 buttons to the top/bottom/left/right of this button. The top and bottom button zoom in and out, and the left and right enable you to look between the video's you've recorded.

 We attached it to a normal photography tripod, and this kept it as steady as we needed it to be, although it was tricky to keep the movements smooth. To get your video off the camera, there is a usb on the side which flips out and goes straight into the computer. It is very important to eject the camera properly as to not break it. 

Health and Safety Considerations:

• Make sure the tripod is secure and on a steady surface
• Keep the tripod/camera out of public way
• Do not eat/drink around the equipment
• Be sure to pack away the tripod correctly
• When carrying the equipment hold it in an appropriate way so it is out of the way of the public and yourself

This is the Sony HDV 3CCD Camera. It is a lot more complicated than the Flip Camera, as it is aimed to be for the more professional market. There are a lot of different settings and techniques you are able to use with this, and the manual focus allows you to play around with the techniques we weren't able to do on the Flip camera. Although it appears very complicated to work, it also has basic settings so anyone can use it, such as auto focus and simple, easy to find buttons to record, stop and play. The screen makes it easy to see what you're recording, and clearly tells you when it is.
We attached it to a specialist tripod, which is for video camera's. It was fairly simple to use, and was much smoother than a photography tripod when we were trying to move the camera around during filming. To get our movie off the camera, we attached it with a usb cable and downloaded it to the computer. We then put it into final cut to begin editing.

Health and Safety Considerations:

• Carry the tripod carefully, keeping it out of the way
• When carrying the camera, be sure you have it securely and with both hands
• Do not eat/drink around the equipment
• Keep everything out of the publics way
• Make sure where you are set up is stable and secure
• Make sure the camera is attached properly

Introduction to Film

For this section, I have been asked to experiment using film/video cameras. I will be using a flip camera, and a Sony HDV 3CCD. I am going to research and experiment with both if possible, and I have a list of techniques to practice.

Words to consider:

• Reflection
• Line
• Vertical
• Colours
• Scale
• Opposite
• Frame

For each technique or shot, I have to take 3 versions, to ensure I don't have to go back and reshoot if I find one shot isn't well composed. At the beginning and end of each shot, I must let it record for 10 seconds to make sure it is smooth, and if I want to add transitions there is time to put them over the still shot.

Final Stop Motion Film

When we were set the task we originally decided to do a music video, and began thinking of songs with particularly strong emotions in. After looking around YouTube for while we decided to do something by 'The Script', and thought the meaning of 'Man who can't be moved' could possibly create a very interesting video, and we all had idea's which we wrote down. After creating an in depth script of what we could do, it was apparent there was not enough time to complete such a long and complicated film, so looked for something else.

Within the original script, we had the idea of moving the camera around the model to create a 360 clip, and developed this to have the camera staying still and the subject moving. We first tried having a hat moving around the models head. To do this we had one person taking the pictures, and one moving the hat, so the pictures would flow better as the model and camera would not have to move and be placed back in a similar position. We then carried on experimenting with what else we could do with a hat and model to create an interesting effect. We then did things such as tying the strings, and having the hat stay in the same position but the model moving.

After this we introduced another model and a different hat, with the same kind of motions going on, and also with hat's running off and onto the models head, ending on the second model with the first hat on.

For the end sequence we have both models in the images, with the opposite hats to what they began with. They then get a bit angry with each other until they get their own hats back and are happy :) We decided on a simple and clear credits, with a black background and white writing in a simple font.

We then added in a piece in the middle for the transition between the changing of models. We printed off the last image of the first model, and the first image of the second. We scrunched up the image of Model One, and then swapped it for the second image so when we unscrunched it, it appeared to be a different image of a new model.

After this was finished we started looking for background music. We came upon a song called 'Cross to Bear' by Tricky. I think this works really well for the video, as the tempo and beat go well with speed of the film, and it creates an atmosphere that doesn't create a confusing and mixed atmosphere. To get the song from YouTube, we used the website 'SaveTube'.

We then created the video and added the soundtrack using iMovie. Each shot is up for 0.4 seconds, and there are 225 shots in total.

There were 5 people in our group, I was the first model, directed the second half of the movie, and took some of the photographs. Katie Dove, was the second model, and was the photographer and helped direct the first half. Kat Alcock, was the director and photographer of the first half. Clair Shepherd, took some of the photographs throughout the movie. Alex Wood, created the end credits.

Overall, we all think the film is a success. I think it flows and blends well, and shows creative ideas. As a  group we worked well together, and the final video shows that.

Health and Safety in the Studio

There are many things to consider when working in the studio, the main points are as follows:

• Be aware of the tripod
• Keep all cables as tidy as possible and along the floor, in the most out of the way direction
• Do not eat or drink within the studio
• Pay attention to what is going on at all times
• Be careful when moving heavy equipment
• Make sure everyone knows if you are changing the lighting
• If you are bringing things into the studio, make sure they are stable and secure
• The camera must be attached securely to a tripod if one is being used