Question 6

From using a digital camera I learnt a number of different skills for shooting a video. These include:

Using the tripod – We had to use the tripod wisely so we were able to get the exact height and angle for each shot to look effective. We had to make sure when using the tripod that it didn’t shake to disrupt the continuity editing.  Too frame a shot effectively, we made sure that the shots were according to the plan. The shots only include what the plans wanted such as just the victim and not focusing on the background as it could spoil the introduction towards the audience.

Lighting – This was tricky because we had to keep the lighting similar for every shot to add continuity. The lighting creates tension during the thriller as it sets the scene due to the brightness ranging from very light to dark. The lighting was a huge problem during the thriller as it was filmed inside so the sunlight entering the house differed over time and not being consistent. To prevent this we decided to cover the windows but add the indoor lights and during the editing change the brightness of each clip to keep the continuity editing.

Location – The location that we filmed was very important. This is because it is the main place it will be set for the film. The location must be the same such as inside a house for continuity editing. Also there are other factors which could affect the location such as the change in weather ruining the continuity editing between cuts.

 

This is the house we filmed at in a quiet neighbourhood to add vulnerability towards the victim.

Composition and framing – We used the rule of third into the introduction. We decided to include it in the breakfast scene when eating so the audience are directed into the centre of the shot where the victim is eating.

Camera movement - We used a tracking shot because it was used for continuity editing when the victim is walking along the corridor so the audience can clearly see where the victim is going.

Camera shots:

There were a number of camera shots that we included to make the introduction look more effective. These included:

Close up: We used close up shots because it hides out anything behind the camera. This raises mystery because the audience don’t know what’s beyond the frames a they cannot see it. We also used them so the victim’s facial expressions are clearly seen

Medium shot: We used medium shots for when the victim is walking around the house (e.g. towards the kitchen.) We used medium shots so the audience could clearly see what victim walking and the Mise-en-scene behind him and the location he is walking too and from.

Extreme close up: We used extreme close up shots during the breakfast scene where the egg is cut open. This is because we wanted the audience to only focus on the egg as it links in with the future murder about to take place and gives the audience false impressions along the way.

 

Once all of the shots were finished, we then imported them onto the computer for editing. The skills that I learnt for editing include:

IMovie – We used a software programme on the mac to edit the video and found a number of characteristics for editing. These include:

Importing the video- we imported the videos onto IMovie by connecting the camera to the mac and selecting all of the shots we filmed and converted them onto the mac.

Editing structure – Once all of the videos were converted onto the mac, we then selected out the clips we felt were the best and most suitable for our introduction and converted the selected clips onto IMovie. Once done we then dragged each clip at a time in the correct order.

Transitions – Once all the clips were placed, we then added transitions to the clips to add continuity editing. We cut the clips at their suitable spaces and added a few quick transitions that aren’t overused which might ruin the effect of a psychological thriller.

Visual effects – We then added some visual effects. These were in the scenes showing the dead body of the victim as we changed the lighting to look like a flash-forward which is different to the usual lighting. We also did change the brightness on some scenes so the lighting matched adding continuity editing.

Non-diegetic sound – We added a soundtracks to the opening. This had been created by me using music software and converted onto the mac to play in time with the video.

Exporting – We then exported the final video by converting it onto mp4 and onto a memory stick. Then once onto the memory stick, I went onto YouTube and uploaded the final video onto YouTube to access the easiest way and for the public to visit for free. Along with YouTube, I added the link and video onto Blogger which is another ease of access to view the final product.

Here is the final product viewed on YouTube: