Storyboarding

Why are storyboards so important for planning your film? How does the script relate to the storyboards?

Storyboards dictate what kind of shot, what kind of angle, and what kind of framing is going to be done on set. The entire film is going to be referenced to this, even if the final film is not a complete replica of this storyboard. This also tells the kind of movement that is needed for the story, so the filmmaker knows exactly what kind of shot is needed for the scene. The script relates to the storyboard in that it becomes a baseline for what the shots in the storyboard will look like. The person who is making the storyboard must reference the script a number of times in order to make sure the type of shot matches the movement and lines of the actors specifically written in the script.

3-Act Structure

In your own words, summarize each act of the three act structure and explain what it's role in the story is.

Act 1: Set up

Act one refers to the basic introduction of the story. Here, the main characters are introduced, as well as the environment and the overall reality of the setting. The point in time the story takes place needs to be clear during this first act. This opens up space for creativity of the filmmaker. No matter how odd the setting created in the act 1 is, it is usually accepted by the audience. Act one also acts as a hook for the entire movie; it must make the audience excited for what is to come.

Act 2: Confrontation

This act is the longest, and it is placed in between the introductory acts and the climax of the storyline. Although there are no more elements in the story to introduce, the filmmaker must keep the story moving forward. On may use a subplot --a minor story layered under the main narrative-- in order to add a three-dimensional aspect to the characters despite it not being directly relevant to the main plot. Some foreshadowing that leads to the climax may be done here as well. An action defined as a midpoint is important to be included in the second act to make the goal of the film clear to the audience.

Act 3: Resolution

The resolution is the final act of the film that is followed by the denouement. The climax or conflict must be settled during this act, and falling action will happen in a short amount of time. The writer must "tie up loose ends" by this act in order to keep the audience satisfied. There should not be any unintentional confusion left at the end of the film.

Outline, Synopsis, or Treatment?

In your own words, explain the differences between an outline, synopsis and a treatment.

Story outlines are general guidelines of the plot for the story. This does not have to be thought out or detailed because it is simply a collection of notes to help remember an idea. An outline of a storyline can be altered to a great extent by the end of the pre-production phase. If writing an outline for a TV series, it would be effective if the audience is presented with significant moments also known as "beats." A synopsis, on the other hand, is a description of the story summarized in one paragraph. This paragraph should be able to concisely summarize the plot, characters, and the overall idea of the film. A treatment is distinctly different from a synopsis in that they are much longer and more in detail. Often times, the treatment can range from 2 to 30 pages worth of writing. Because the treatment should feel like a shorter version of the script, the writing should be in present tense.

What is a Pitch?

What is a pitch? Why is it so important to the rest of the film? What are three things that you learned about pre-writing and the pitch in yesterdays keynote?

A pitch is a presentation to another party about an idea regarding a plot of the new story for a film. This is important to the rest of the film because this idea dictates what the film is going to be about. Although the story may not be exactly how the pitch was explained due to the necessity of adjusting to the specific circumstances or to enhance the story, the general idea of the story comes from the pitching process. 

1. Prewriting can start as a cluster of ideas from an ideal journal

It is important to keep an idea journal whether it be digital or physical. Making a personalized system to jot down ideas can help you come up with ideas when presented with an opportunity to pitch. This can be as detailed or broad as one desires, but it will be important to leave out unnecessary details when pitching to another party.

2. Determine a target audience

Having an audience the film is specifically intended for is crucial to pre-production. A specific audience is necessary because it dictates what kind of jokes and appeals will be appropriate for the story to progress.

3. Just Write

The creative ability is a practiced skill. Although first ideas, pitches, and brainstormings may not be great, it will improve as long as one continues to create ideas. Simply jotting down notes in an idea journal is all it takes to start practicing the creative process of pitching.

Pitching

What are three major tips from this article that you took away on how to create a great pitch

1. Don't tell the whole story in detail
Being able to tell an idea concisely and clearly is important when pitching a story. Specific details can always be discussed later, but big ideas and concepts need to be understood during the pitching process to get an idea approved. All pitching needs to include are basic characters and their personalities, how the story is going to be followed by the audience, and the general plot line. However, the resolution of the story should not be explained to create suspense.

2. Begin by revealing how you came up with the idea
Knowing how an idea was created, even if it is a brief explanation, will add to the understanding of the story for whoever is listening to the pitch. This strategy adds an interesting introduction to the pitch rather than a blatant start to an explanation of a story.

3. Finish your description with the title and the log line

Including the title and the log line at the end of the pitch will be much more effective at the end compared to if it was added at the beginning of the pitch. At the beginning of the pitch, even if the audience is presented with the title, they will have no idea how it relates or symbolizes the plot. A title is simply ineffective to catch the attention of the audience especially in the beginning. However, if the log line and the title is presented at the end of the pitch, the audience will fully understand how the words relate to the story as a whole, therefore being able to understand and appreciate the title more.

Pre-Production Intro

What is pre-production? What are the steps that a filmmaker must take to transfer an idea in their head into a form that is ready to be filmed on camera?

Pre-production is a step in filmmaking that helps prepare for the day of the shoot. A filmmaker must first create a story. This refers to pitching, outlining, writing a treatment, writing a script, story boarding, and then writing a shot list. When in the process of pitching, a group of people must come together to collect each other's ideas for the story. This is simply a rough draft with no specific shots or scenes planned. Shot lists are created in order to have an idea what shots are needed to create the story planned during the pitching process. The document may include the angle or direction of the camera in relation to the character and the location. The second step to pre-production is planning the day of the shoot. This will require deciding which characters appear in what shot, blocking the action, and planning the lighting set up. Blocking the action will dictate what specific actions or movements the characters will need to take to fully become the created characters themselves. This will become even more important in action films.

Composition in the Real World

Now that you've learned about framing, angles and composition, how has it improved your appreciation of watching films and television? What are 3 examples of how you've seen these principles in play out in the world?

Angles taught me that filmmakers must keep in mind the the eye line of the characters in the scene. If the angles are off, one character may be looking down at another character, but it may make it seem like they are looking in the opposite direction. The most prominent use of angles can be seen when using a low angle on one of that characters while using a high angle for another. This can portray the power difference between one character and another. Framing is important when composing a shot without dead space. This applies to an effective use of head room, lead room, and nose room. Unless done intentionally, the awkward amount of dead space can confuse the audience. For example, in a car chase scene, a car must have a reasonable amount of lead room to convince the audience that the car has a destination instead of running into a wall. Good composition can be found in the fibonacci sequence. This is the golden rule where the fibonacci spiral circles around to ultimately focus the audience to the subject in the middle of the spiral. This can be found in the natural world but it can also be intentionally be made by placing people in a spiral such as the cowboy scene in the keynote.

Composition Summary

What are three things that you've learned about in the camera and composition unit? What are two things that you still have questions about? What is one thing you want to learn more about?

I learned how to adjust the white balance on the camera using the buttons and a white surface, use an ND filter when it is too bright outside, and follow the Hitchcock rule when appropriate for the time and story. I especially found the Hitchcock rules interesting because his rule made so much sense and nearly applied to all filmmaking.

I still have questions about the different menus and the functions of some of the buttons on a camera. There are many button on the camera that that serve the same function as another button on a camera. I don't understand when to use one over the other. I also do not understand what the difference is between an EX1 and an EX3 besides the shape of it. Is one better for one purpose and is the other better for another purpose?

I want to learn more about screen direction. It was very interesting to know that antagonists usually move from right to left, as opposed to protagonists who usually move left to right. I was curious about the other different theories regarding screen direction.

The Hitchcock Rule

What is the Hitchcock rule? How does it apply to filmmaking? What is one example of when you put a close up of a detail in your film? Why did you choose it?

The Hitchcock rule says that the amount of space the object is taking up should correspond with the importance of that object to the story at that time. This applies to filmmaking when you want to show an environment, a relationship, or detail. An environment or a establishing shot may be needed when the character goes to a new location the audience is unfamiliar with. In this case, an establishing shot is much needed to enhance the story. A medium shot that displays a relationship can be used with the Hitchcock rule because each of the objects in relationship to the other object should have different sizes depending on their importance to the story. A shot showing closeups is the most obvious use of the Hitchcock rule because it can only be used if the small detail is vital to the story. I filmed a closeup of the buffet of food when I made a video about my senior trip with my class. I included this because the delicious food was such an important aspect to our trip as whole. Since this buffet was one of the most memorable, I had to include a closeup of it. 

Screen Direction

What does the video narrator have to say about how characters should enter and exit the frame? What happens if these rules are not followed? How does this apply to diagonal movement in the frame?

The video narrator says that if a character goes from left to right in a certain shot, then the corresponding shot must have the character moving from left to right. In addition to this rule, he also states that if a character is taking up a large portion of the frame in the previous scene, the character must also take up space in the second scene. (graphic continuity) Characters entering and exiting the frame correctly allows videos to have video coherence and continuity. However, if this rule is not followed, it makes the audience think that the character changed directions. In order to avoid this, it is important to keep the 180 degree rule intact. The rule still applies to a diagonal movements in the frame. If the character exits screen left, then the character must enter screen right.

Angles

What are the differences between a high and low angle shot? What do they mean you show them on screen? How is an eye level different?

High angle shots are placed above the character, as opposed to a low angle shot that is placed below the character's eye line. Using a high angle shot displays the character's inferiority or weakness. If a low angle shot is used on a character, they can seem to be more powerful and confident. A shot reverse shot of these two types of shots can be used to clearly identify which character is in the position of power by matching their eye line in each shot through angles. The eye level shot is different from these two previously discussed shot types because the camera is placed exactly in the height of the character's eye. These types of shot are usually used when the angle of the camera does not want to take away from the character because the eye line shot is the most common and comfortable shot angle to the eye. It is also natural for the actors because looking straight forwards is far more comfortable than looking up or down.

Framing Shots

What are the key differences between full, medium and close up shots? How does this apply to over the shoulder shots? Two shots? How do different lenses effect these shots?

Full: Shows the entire body from head to toe. Does not cut off any part of the body

Medium: Framing above the waist area

Close up: Frames just the subject's head

Over the shoulder shots can have a closeup over the shoulder, a medium over the shoulder, or a full body over the shoulder. Two shots can also have variations such as the closeup two shot, medium two shot, and a full body two shot.

Using different lenses for different types of framing of a shot adds or takes away from the depth of the scene. For example, a medium shot using a 50mm lens tends to have a more blurry background compared to a medium shot using a wide angle lens. The framing of the shot has nothing to do with the type of lens one is using, but it provides unique feelings to each shot. When using different types of lenses, one must make sure that they are standing in the correct position for their desired framing because each of the lenses have different degrees of magnification.

Filmmakers and Framing

Write an in depth paragraph using the vocabulary that you have learned so far during the lectures on the following prompt:

What are 3 reasons that you think filmmakers might have for framing their shots differently? Justify each reason.

Framing a shot is one of the most important aspects of filmmaking because the mise en scene determines the subject in which the audience sees. A filmmaker may alter from different types of framing due to contextual reasons, emotional reasons, or to add depth to the shot. An example of shot framed with contextual reasoning is such as an extreme long shot used to establish the location of the scene. This informs the audience where the scene is taking place, what kind of environment they are surrounded by, and the general idea of when the scene is taking place. (year, time, etc...) A filmmaker may frame a shot based on emotion when framing an extreme closeup. These types of shots emphasize the facial expressions of a character, displaying their emotion directly to the audience. An example of a filmmaker framing a shot to add depth is such that composes the shot with a blurred foreground, a middle ground in focus, and a background. This creates a three dimensional image on a two dimensional screen by displaying all of the depths of objects in one frame. Framing a shot in different ways has different contextual evidence, emotional impacts, and artistic approaches.

Movement

Movement in film can be used in a variety of ways. What are some that you noticed are mentioned in this film? What ways are they used? What are some films that you like that you could go home this weekend and study for their movement? What aspects of their camera movement interest you? Please explain.

Dolly paced with the character: No specific meaning, displays the character's conversation in a simply effective way

Handheld shots: Maintain the kinetic energy in the film

Crane Shots: Allows great vertical shots that reveal the setting in a seamless fashion

Slow zoom: Focuses the attention on the subject the camera is zooming towards

Panning: Gives a feeling of getting watched, a secretive conversation

I would like to go watch Everything Before Us by Wong Fu Productions to study their movement. The way they use handheld shots and stable shots at different types of scenes are interesting to observe. 

I'm interested in the emotional involvement or assumptions the audience makes about the character or scene simply through camera movement. For example, panning from a far point from the character is able to give a sense that they are being watched. I would like to learn other theories of camera movement like the effects of panning.

Zooming v.s. Dolly/Trucking

What is the difference between zooming and dollying? What does dollying and trucking add to the shot?

Zooming: Zooms into the subject without moving the camera by magnifying the image. The depth of field does not change.

Dollying: Decreases the distance between the camera and the subject physically. Creates a three dimensional feeling and displaces objects by moving through space.

Dollying and Trucking shots displaces the objects. However, compared to the dolly movement that becomes increasingly closer to the subject therefore creating a different depth of field, trucking shots' depth of filed remain the same.

Camera Perspectives

Summarize what an objective, subjective and POV shot are. What are the key differences between an objective, subjective and POV shot? Why are they different?

Objective: a shot that consists of the characters in the story from a observer's point of view

An objective shot allows the audience to feel included in the story, but as an "invisible" being or a "fly on the wall" that cannot be noticed from the character themselves. This is a way of composing a shot that is least involving for the audience.

Subjective: a shot that seems to be looking through a character's eyes

As opposed to the objective shots, a subjective shot actively involves the audience into the story as if they are one of the characters. This type of shot can be used to cause additional emotional involvement from the audience. 

POV shot: displays what the character sees, but also includes the character themselves

POV shot is the combination of both an objective shot and a subjective shot, because it involves the perspective of the character while including the actual characters themselves. This creates a more objective view of a character while maintaining an invisible stance.

Framing a Good Shot

What is headroom? What is look room? What lead room? Why are each of these important for your composition?

Headroom is the space above a subject's head. An improper amount of headroom leaves a subject either sinking into the bottom or bumping into the upper side of the frame. When considering headroom, one must make sure the head is not popping up by itself, but has enough room for shoulders in order to avoid a "severed head on a platter" look.
Look room is the area between the direction the subject is looking and the side of the frame. Without a proper amount of look room, the subject can look suffocated into a small room. Look room provides a space that suggests a conversation between subjects.

Lead room is similar to look room, but it defines the space between the direction of a moving subject. This lead room implies that the subject has a destination. Without proper lead room, the subject can appear to be impeded.

Rule of Thirds

What is the "Rule of Thirds?" How is it used in video production? How should you compose your subjects in the future in the frame? Why?

The "Rule of Thirds" is a general composition rule that divides the shot into nine equal parts by using horizontal and vertical lines. This rule emphasizes the importance of placing a subject in one of the intersections of the lines or the lines themselves. I will make sure to keep the rule of thirds in mind so my shots are not awkwardly symmetrical. This technique can create an interesting shot that is pleasing to the eye, and focuses the attention of the audience to the subject placed on the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is an easy guideline for amateur filmmakers to create interesting composition.

Zooming

What does zooming do? Is it overused? Why?

Zooming increases or decreases the visual distance between the camera and the subject. This can be done either by using the ring for a manual zoom or the servo zoom for an automated zoom feature. This technique is overused because it is one of most the basic and easy techniques of videography. It allows the camera operator to achieve a different compositions without moving the camera. It is also a quick and easy way to achieve a closeup shot. Nauseous feeling the audience gets from the unnaturally zoomed image is easily forgotten when the shot is composed. As a general rule, this effect should only be used when purposefully intended to be included as a part of the story telling process.

Focus and Exposure

What does focus and exposure do? How do you check to see if your subject is in focus when shooting? How do you check to make sure your subject is exposed correctly?

Camera focus adjusts the depth in which a subject is crisp and detailed. In order to check whether or not a subject is in focus when shooting, the camera operator must first zoom in as tightly as possible to the eye of the subject, then proceed to focus until all of the details of the shot can be identified. Focusing the subject can be done through rotating the focus ring in either direction. Finally, one must zoom out of the eye in order to reframe the shot. 

Exposure measures the amount of light that goes into the camera. In order to assure the image is exposed correctly, one must open or close the iris to adjust the exposure level. Although only practice can perfect exposure levels, recent cameras have a zebra stripe feature in the camera to help the operator judge the lighting.

White Balance

In your own words, please explain what color temperature is. What is white balance? What color is outside lighting vs. inside lighting? Why is it important to white balance your camera?

Color temperature is how warm (orange) or how cold (blue) a footage looks depending on the type of light the subject is exposed to. White balance adjusts these extreme temperatures by adding either colors in order to resemble what the scene looks like to the human eye. Outside lighting appears to be blue, while indoors lighting appears more orange. It is important to white balance your camera because it allows the footage to obtain the colors the human eye sees. Without correct white balancing, the shot will have an unnatural color that is displeasing to the eye.

3 Camera Unit Goals

Take some time and type up three goals that you have to complete during this unit. How do you plan on accomplishing these?

1. Become familiar with the camera and be able to operate it with ease

Practice. I will need to practice setting up and using the camera multiple times before I become fully familiar with the camera. The different types of buttons on the camera, as well as the tools and features will need to utilized with ease.

2. Master white balance

In order to understand correct white balance, I will need to first learn the basics of color in a film. In addition to basic knowledge, I would need to know some of the technical features on the camera that manipulates white balance.

3. Understand exposure, gain, and shutter speed

Although these can be learned through a keynote, I believe a deeper understanding of these concepts will only be obtained when one practices with the camera. While operating, I will need to be aware of these settings.