Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task

The objective of this task is a continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

180 degree rule

180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule is a filming technique, it's when a line is imagined between the two characters this line is referred to as the axis of action. The cameras can be used from any angle on one side of the the characters. However, it should not alternate to the other side of the characters because this can leave the viewers to feel disorientated and it doesn't make the dialog between the two characters clear. 

My 180 Degree Rule Video

This is my short video that portrays the 180 degree rule. I chose to have no sound with this video because then the video is more focused on the facial expressions and the camera angles that was used with the 180 degree rule technique. 

Brief

shot reverse shot

Shot Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot is an editing technique that uses multiple shots edited together which shows both sides of a conversation and it alternates between the characters. This technique usually happens between the dialog of two characters. This can be made by an over the shoulder shot or from a long distance. 

This editing technique also gives the viewers a sense of the surrounding that the character's are in and possibly the distance between the two characters. 

To make this shot there are usually 3 cameras that are involved. A camera which is placed behind both of the characters and another camera that is a wide or medium shot of both of the character. This also intertwines with the 180 degree rule to retain continuity. It does this by not distorting the viewers sense of location of the characters between the different shots.   

Also it is normally filmed at eye level which will immerse the viewers s that they feel involved with the dialog between the characters. Furthermore, produces have now found ways of dramatically enhancing shot reverse shot angles this makes it more stylistic and makes it seem more pronounced. 

Here are some examples

of this editing technique:

1. 'Friends' 
This scene starts of with an establish shot therefore, we as the viewers can have a clear perception of the location of the two characters and the distance is clearly shown between them. Some of the shots are from over the shoulder however, this camera angle alternates because in some other shots the shoulder is not shown. I think that this was a good technique to use specifically in this scene because of the comedy aspect of it therefore, we get to see this emotion in the facial expression of the character. 

2. 'Kingsman The Secret Service' 











My Shot/ Reverse Shot
This is my short video using a shot/ reverse shot technique. I chose to have the camera angle over the shoulder so it gave an insight to the perspective of the characters and how much distance was in-between them. I also used an establish shot in the begin to give the viewers a sense of the surrounding location. 

top 5 favourite music videos

Top 5 Favourite Music Videos

Eminem 'Beautiful' 

This is one of my favourite music videos because unlike the other 'gangsta' rap videos he has produced, this one has a deep emotional meaning to the artist and it is visually shown throughout the video. For example, it is filmed where he grew up and in this video his hometown is in ruins which is shown by the vandalised buildings therefore, we see how patriotic he is about his place of birth which I think evokes a response from the viewers, I also like the close up shots of the different people because it adds diversity to the video. 

Kodaline 'All I Want'

This has a place on my favourite music videos because I like the meaning to the video and that it is obvious so that people can recognize what it is about which is that it's okay to be different. This video gives us an insight to the life of a man who has some facial deformities this is denoted from the start of the video.Throughout the video it shows that this character has to put up with a lot of negative things in his life, this is evidently seen when it focuses in and out of the background and foreground which shows other people watching him in disgust. 

  

Ed Sheeran 'Thinking Out Loud'  

This is one of my top 5 favourite music videos. One of the main reasons is because of the dance choreography I find it entertaining to watch and I think that their facial expressions also makes it feel more intimate. Furthermore, I like how creative this music video is with only using one room. Also I like the how the camera alternates because close up shots and shots further away. 

Black Eyed Peas 'Where Is The Love'

I like this video because of the visual message that it is portraying about love and hate. Also I like how there is a similar representation of all the different ethnicities and how it deals with real issues in the world and how when unified everything seems better. Another thing I like about this video is the close up shots they have of the children lip-syncing the words because it shows this aspect of innocence which is a stark contrast to the violence. 

Daughtry 'Waiting For Superman'

Waiting For Superman is a music video I like because of the gallant main character that we see. This video shows that not everyone person receives gratitude for the heroic things they've done and that they don't need to take credit. It also shows how people are quick to judge  situation without reviewing it first. I also like the landscape views of New York City and I also like the use of the bright lighting in this film which the connotation could be this idea of hope and heroism. 

Top 5 favourite films

             TOP 5 FAVOURITE FILMS                                                           

My initial thought for this task of listing my 5 favorite films was to ask myself, what actually makes a film one of my favourites? To me I think that your favourite films are ones that you can watch over and over again without getting bored of the same film. Also good music and soundtracks are also aspects that appeal to me in films. With that in mind I have narrowed down my top 5 favourite films: 

 The Breakfast Club(1985)

Director- John Hughs. Other films: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty In Pink, Home Alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkX8J-FKndE

This film is one of my favourites because I love the story line of five individuals who all have  completely different backgrounds and they bond over a Saturday detention, and as the story progresses they start to learn more about each other and how some of the characters normally put on a facade but then they start to let that go when they get to know each other better. Also I like the soundtrack to this film.When people see a picture of the ending scene they associate that with the song 'Don't You Forget About me' that was written by Keith Forsey for the film,which the Simple Minds band sung after Billy Idol and Bryan Ferry turned down the offer.   

Reservoir Dogs(1992)

Director-Quentin Tarantino      Other films: Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLPJSmUHZvU

Reservoir Dogs is one of my favourite films for many reasons: It has a good story line, the chemistry between the characters is varied, it has a good soundtrack and it has an unexpected and unusual ending.
Also another thing I like about this film is that in the beginning it takes place after the event of the diamond heist and throughout the film it shows us the different perspectives  of what each person did previously one by one. It also deals with trust mystery and betrayal in this film.   

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Director-Gil Junger other films: If Only, beauty and the Briefcase, Black Knight. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7qjQlfoRs

10 Things I hate About You also makes it onto my top five favourite films. Similar to The Breakfast Club this film might appeal to me because of the similar age range to the characters therefore, it is easier for me to empathise with them. It is a light hearted comedy which also deals with prejudice.  This film was originally based around Shakespeare's play,  The Taming of the Shrew which they incorporate into the film. It also gives us an understanding that people are wrongly perceived and how 
judgements  can speculate without knowing anything about the person. 

  










Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back(1980)
Director- Irvin Kershnerother films: Robo Cop 2, Never Say Never Again, Eyes Of Laura Mars. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNwNXF9Y6kY
As soon as I heard the title of this task I straight away thought of Star Wars. However, it's my top 5 favourite films not trilogies. It was a tie between Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes back. I mean come on, who didn't like the cute yet dangerous Ewoks in Return of the Jedi? However, I then remembered the spectacular  scenes in The Empire Strikes back such as the snow scene and one of the biggest cinematic reveals of all time. Also in this film I like the character's development and snide remarks.

Now You See Me(2013)

Director-Louis Leterrier other films:The Incredible Hulk, Clash of the Titans, The Transporter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzJNYYkkhzc

This film is one of my favourites because I like the way how they have taken what most people think to be a childish concept (magic)and turned it into something serious that involves higher authority such as the FBI. Furthermore, I also like the chemistry between the characters and I like how this film has a good balance of comedy and seriousness.  Another thing that I very much like about this film is the theme song which was performed by Brian Tyler who is an American composer, he has also worked with and composed music for a lot of the Marvel films. Also the sequel to this film I think is as good as the first one so I highly recommend that you watch that one  as well.

Thank you for reading my top 5 favourite films.

Introduction post

Introduction Post 

Hello, my name is Emily and I'm studying AS Media Studies. In this blog I will be recording my coursework.  



I chose to study Media because I think that media is a big influence in our lives and it is something that I find interesting and in some ways, also compelling. Posters, magazines, films, advertisements we see these everywhere and it is something that is close to unavoidable however, this shouldn't be perceived as a bad thing, instead through media we are able to promote things and express certain views.

 

Some aspects of  media that interest me is the social side of it. I find it fascinating how an amusing panda video can be shared and go viral then it becomes well known and yet some people still don't know the inventor of the website that the video is shared on for example, that Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook.

In my free time I like to play guitar, read and listening to music.