Evaluation - Preliminary Task

Q1: Planning:

Initially, we had to decide what storyline would be used as the basis for our short films and at first we came up with the idea that it should be based around the theft of an apple - of which we decided isn't really realistic and wouldn't be taken seriously. After some more discussion we decided to use all the same ideas but instead base the plot around the theft of a phone.

As a cinematographer, the first stages of the planning were getting an idea of which shots we were going to use and at which points they would be used in the film in order to ensure continuity throughout.

We initially chose a room in the school study hall for our shooting location but it wasn't deemed suitable as there was too much happening in the background of our shots and we were worried about it causing too much of a disturbance to the others around us - eventually we decided a computer room would be the most suitable location for our film as it was a more realistic place for the confrontation to be happen and didn't have many people nearby which made it easier to get the shots that we needed.

Q2: 180 Degree Rule: 

The 180 degree rule is used to ensure that the camera is always positioned on the same side of the action in order to avoid confusing the audience. Sometimes the rule is broken deliberately in thriller films to disorient the viewers (such as in Stanley Kubricks 'The Shining') but in circumstances such as football where following it is absolutely crucial to the viewers understanding, the rule is never broken.

Q3: Camera Shots: 

A wide range of shots were used in our film and were all used to achieve different outcomes. For example, in the opening shot we feature a birds eye tracking shot (with a black and white filter applied later) of our main character to create a sense that he is being watched - perhaps by a CCTV camera. During the shooting process we experimented with a similar shot which was slightly inspired by the opening sequence by the film 'Halloween' and to have the camera shooting through the window, but unfortunately there were too many reflections on the windows for it to achieve it's desired effect.

One of the most notable shots we used was a 'Vertigo shot' or 'Dolly zoom' which was implemented to create a sense of distortion and anger with a character. We were aware of this shot and had seen it being used before but didn't initially know how it was done but that was overcome quickly by experimenting with the zoom and focus of the camera.

Towards the end of our sequence we used a selection of Spaghetti Western inspired close ups on the eyes to show how the characters were looking eachother. This technique is easily recognizable and was most famously used in the final duel sequence of Sergio Leone's 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". The way this was achieved in the Sergio Leone western was by slowly cutting between close-ups of the characters eyes - so we decided to implement a similar technique (The images below demonstrate this)

Q4:  

I feel much more confident in using a digital camera now and learnt some crucial techniques during filming. Adobe Premiere is extremely user friendly but I feel creating the thriller film will be a much smoother process now we are more acquainted with the equipment that will be used in future.

Summer Task

In the following I am going to discuss the similarities and differences between the opening/title sequences of LA Noire, a 2011 video game published by Rockstar games and LA Confidential a 1997 crime drama.

Themes:
Both of these clips contain voice-overs which are presented as being very similar to traveling ads. Despite having been released on different forms of media, these scenes appear to be very similar. Firstly, they both start off with a idealistic view of 40s/50s LA and have strong emphasis on promoting the American Dream. Both the clips place strong emphasis on freedom as being a defining aspect of LA. One of the clear differences is that LA Confidential is more interested in showing the more natural scenes such as orange groves, beaches and gardens and  uses the phrase "the orange groves stretch as far as the eye can see" whereas, LA Noire is more interested in presenting the city's urban features and interestingly uses the phrase "A city that has no boundaries, that stretches as far as the eye can see".

LA Confidential gardens

LA Confidential Apple groves

In the opening of the LA Noire sequence it places strong emphasis on the car as a symbol of freedom "A city, based not on the man but on the automobile".

Both of the clips place strong emphasis on productivity and movement throughout to promote the idea that LA is a lively city with lots jobs and productive output.

Mise en scene:

In terms of mise en scene, both of the clips are extremely similar in what is shown in the shots. Firstly, The buildings and scenery generally feature warm and natural tones whereas the colors of cars, clothing and other man-made objects are in typical 50s style and comprise of bold and vivid which creates a contrast between the two. Some of the included scenes in LA confidential are black and white to give it a sort of found footage feel throughout.

The clothing the characters wear in the sequences are very similar and they are mostly showing wealthier citizens in formal attire and what at the time would have been fashionable new fashion to which suggests that LA's citizens are generally very affluent and modern people.