Technical codes for an effective film

Right so we are nearly about to film and have already practiced filming. However their are a few things we need to keep in check to get good shots.

1) Rule of thirds

The theory is that if you place points of interest in the intersections or along the lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will enable a viewer of the image to interact with it more naturally. Studies have shown that when viewing images that people’s eyes usually go to one of the intersection points most naturally rather than the center of the shot – using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image rather than working against it.

2) Framing

Framing is were we focus on an issue than a particular topic. Basically meaning that we lean our attention to events and place them withing a wider context of meaning. Framing is important as it can determine the outcome of how people perceive the object or issue.

3) composition

Composition is basically in simple terms how the elements of an image are arranged. Such as the image below. The camera is placed far back which makes the trees look extremely big and archy as you can see the whole composition, however if you were to take a picture close up the effect would be rather different.

4) Headroom

Headroom is the distance between the top of the subject to the frame. Leaving headroom gives a sense of space and context. Depending on how much room the person or object takes up determines how much headroom is left form the head to the frame. For example if the shot is taken close up the less head room is needed. Below is a diagram of amount of headroom needed for this mid closeup shot.

Dolly shots

Homemade dolly ideas!

So basically we really want to do a shot of the girl coming towards the camera and us going back. This would usually be created via a dolly, however due to our limited resources this is not possible to obtain a dolly. However after much research I've found a few ways we could possibly make a dolly!

Dolly one

This idea involves a dolly on a ladder which creates a tack to go up and down. Here is a video to explain further how it works and how to make it. Although this is a genius idea it sounds to complicated and I don't think our group would have the time or the money, as I don't see anyone donating me a ladder!





Dolly two


This idea of a dolly involves using a skateboard! We would attach the dolly to the skateboard and using a piece of string pull the dolly back. however after trying this idea out in my back garden the resulting film was very bump and often sidetracked. However this is still a good idea we just need a smooth surface. This idea is still a possibility. Here is an example of this dolly:



Dolly three

This idea of a homemade dolly involves a bike! I really think this idea would work as you could hold both handle bars whilst one person perching it on top of the bars. We have decided to use this idea in the park scene with the protagonist walking towards the camera lip syncing!

Walk over shot

In Our group discussion today we were thinking of a way how to create an effect of the protagonist walking over the camera then filming then walking of. After much research into we found a video on YouTube of an AS music video of the effect we want to do!



Who ever is filming will lie on the ground across the path that the protagonist is walking. The camera will be facing the protagonist so it looks like a low angle shot. As they approach the camera the shot will look lower and lower until they step over and the camera will follow the step over, until there is an upside down shot of them walking away from the camera. I think this will be an effective shot as it gives power to the protagonist which also links in with the feminism idea of the women in charge. Below is a picture of an example of how we would film the shot.

Analysing technical codes in pop music videos.

Camera Work:

The camera work in all music videos is very important to send across to the audience the right message. You pick up a lot of the meaning from the camera works with the use of high angled shots, low angled shows and closeups to determine the emotions. As in a pop music video there will be probably dancing, walking and generally allot of movement therefore camera movement will be needed to accompany the movement of the performers.




Close up predominates

Close ups are a must have in all music videos. Especially pop because of the desire to create emotion and intimacy and to connect with the audience to get them hooked.
In pop music videos close ups are often used to create a fun and hook emotion into the song. In our music video we'd be using lots of close-ups and various different shots.



Editing

The most common form of editing in music videos is fast pace montages which grasp the viewers attention. However slow pace editing is also used in music videos to create intensity and emotion. Here are two videos showing different paces to create a mood:

Coldplay - Violet hill




This video by Coldplay (violet hill) uses faster pace editing to created a montage of the characters moving in the band. This grasps the audiences attention to keep watching the video. This is an effect my group and I would be interested in using when the girl is walking down the path and the clothes would change. This would be done by filming the girl walking, then changing their clothes and cutting to the next shot in the same position.

Radiohead - No surprises





This song by radio head (no surprises) creates a more tranquil mood till the coldplay song. This used very slow pace editing with few transition and cuts. The camera movement is more framed and still therefore gives a more subtle and quite scene.


Digital effects

The use of digital effects in music videos really make the videos unique. Effects play on the original footage to enhance the viewing and make it more enjoyable to watch. Here are a few effects which really grab the attention of the audience:


Radio head - Street Spirit






I really like the fact that this video is in black and white for a start. However I absolutely love the very slow and cautious movement of the characters. For example when the character falls, but its in slow motion, and when he falls in his chair and its in slow motion. I really like the random quick flashes in between the shots aswel, however I must say one of my favorite shots of all if when the paint is thrown over the young boy but its in slow motion and passes past him. I would really like to re-create this shot applying it to our own pop song.


Black eyed peas - Boom Boom Pow




In this video I really like the computerized effects, however this video has a twist as the effects are actually filmed. I think this video has a really contemporary feel to it with its various digital effects and the upbeat rhythm.