Preliminary Production

'Blurred Lines' is a very short and concise preliminary test film. The video demonstrates various conventional filming techniques, while also highlight a few key areas in which we can make improvements in the final piece.

The video demonstrates Match on Action, the 180' Degree Rule, the Rule of Thirds and other basic camera movements such as the Tracking and Arc shots. These are vital techniques in any film, especially the 180' Degree rule in a dialougue setion.

One of the areas where can improve is during editing, some of the cuts are not perfectly timed, detracting from the fluidity. More time in editing, and a more refined approach would resolve this when making the final production. Also, camera quality is relativley weak, and we will be sure to use a higher calibre of camera in the future.

Apart from a few flaws, this fiilm does its job as a preliminary test, and has laid down the foundations for our final piece, as we know what to include, what to remove and what to improve upon. 

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such. The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.

^{The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section. The main reason for observing the rule of thirds is to discourage placement of the subject at the center, or prevent a horizon from appearing to divide the picture in half.}

We Were Soldiers

WE WERE SOLDIERS- The opening sequence depicts French troops ambushed and defeated by NVA forces in the Vietnam War. After a brief fragment of dialogue between two officers, to familiarise the audience with two characters, the French, including the two officers are ambushed and killed. The decisive NVA victory sets up the the idea that the NVA are a powerful and formidable enemy, who the main characters must face later in film. This adds a sense of foreboding that is carried throughout the film, as the audience knows that a formidable enemy awaits the heroes.

In terms of camera work, the opening sequence is filmed handheld, adding intensity and realism, while immersing the audience in the scene, as it seems as if they are on the ground with the troops. This is a common technique in the war film genre. The sound is a sort of drum rhythm, but ultimately, it is the sounds of battle that prevail, adding to the realism and immersion once more. A large part of war films is realism, as they are based on historical events, it is deemed almost essential to capture the period realistically. 

Basic Camera Shots

ESTABLISHING SHOT
This is also known as an extreme long shot, and takes a very 'far out' perspective of a scene in order to establish setting and atmosphere, but also to ease the audience into a scene.

LONG SHOT
The long shot is used to give a head to foot perspective of a character. This establishes the character, and also displays some of the surroundings. The long shot may also give a better view of the action, as the audience can see the whole character.

MID SHOT
The Mid-Shot is usually taken from the waist up of a character. Often used in conversation, or a characters action. This adds a closer perspective of the character, allowing audience to watch the body language.

TWO SHOT
This is where two characters are in frame. Usually in a conversation, it allows the viewers to see both characters. It helps in a fast paced conversation, as it avoids constant cutting.

CLOSE UP
A close-up is a commonly used shot. It gives an intimate connection between character and audience, and draws the focus to facial expression.

POINT OF VIEW SHOT
This shot is taken from the characters point of view, like a first person perspectives. In shows the characters take on a scene, and gives a closer relationship between character and audience, almost making them one and the same!

EXTREME CLOSE UP
Extreme Close Ups focus on a specific bodily feature or prop, emphasising their importance.

EXAMPLES

Basic Camera Movements

TRACKING SHOT
This shot is used to track or follow a characters movement, it adds a sense of motion, which say, in an action scene can add a lot of intensity.

TILT SHOT
The tilt is simply where the camera is tilted up or down. This can smoothly show, for example, a prop and then a characters reaction to said prop in a fluid motion.

ZOOM
Zooming in and out is a common feature in film. It can create tension, yet also calming. It may also draw attention to a prop or character.

ARC SHOT
This gives a sense of motion and perspective of a scene, moving around the character in an arc, the audience is able to see the scene from different angles.

CRANE SHOT
A shot taken from a boom that van move both horizontally and vertically. Allows the viewing of a scene from a different perspective.

PANNING SHOT
The camera moves slowly across the scene, revealing elements of the set and allowing the audience to view a whole scene smoothly, with no cutting.

Film Techniques

Match on Action: Sometimes referred to as Cutting on Action is an editing technique in which one shot cuts to another shot portraying the action of the subject in the first shot. The action carrying through helps create a 'visual bridge' which gives the impression of continuity.

The 180' Rule: This is a filming guideline that enforces the left-right relationship between on screen participants. Filming takes place in a 180' angle which is not to be broken. This helps the audience have a better sense of location within the scene.

Shot Reverse Shot: This is a continuity technique used when two characters are having a conversation, or just looking at each other or an object. A shot showing a character looking at another, then another shot of that character looking back. The Shot Reverse Shot ties in with the 180' rule.

Welcome To Vietnam

This blog will document the entire process of my AS Media practical production process. My group and me will be making a short film introduction, and this blog will go through our journey from gathering the skills, getting ideas, researching films, planning, the film itself, and finally an evaluation of our practical production.