Continuity Task - Storyboards

This is the storyboard for our task which depicts all the frames from our sequence. These shots have been envisioned by the shot list which was incredibly helpful when illustrating the storyboard.

In regards to the storyboard, it helps us as film-makers by providing us with an outline for a basic visual presentation on what our sequence should looks like. The storyboard will ultimately act as a guide and insight to how in which the camera should capture those specific shots.

As a result, this specific task was compelling in regards to the development and planning of our sequence due to the fact that the storyboards allow us to decide on the look of the project and if need be; we can simply make alterations before principle photography has commenced. This experience has provided us with experience and knowledge in association with planning and development which we will incorparate within our coursework. 

Continuity Task - Shot list

Shot list

1. (MS) Character #1 (Aayush) slowly walking towards the camera whilst on the phone.
2. (ECU) Of the phone displaying a text message received by character #2 (Ashley) telling (Aayush) to meet him in the cafe.
3. (Tracking Shot) tracking (Aayush's) movements from his location to the cafe, then meets (Ashley).
4. (Pan) round (Aayush) to reveal character #2 sitting down as character #1 takes a seat opposite character #2.
5. (MS) cut-in = Character #1 sits down. He begins to talk to character#2 
6. (Over Shoulder Shot) shot over character #2's perspective as character#1 talks
7. (MS) character #2 responds to the dialogue.
8. (CU) character #1 expresses facial expression 
9. (CU) character #1 clenches fist
10. (MS) camera placed behind character #1 as he swings his arm to punch character #2.
11. Over shoulder shot of character #2 as he reacts to the punch.

This is the shot list for our sequence specifically stating the shot types that will need to be captured for that certain shot ; whilst elaborating on key aspects involved within the shot. This will provide us with the visual presentations needed to be illustrated within the storyboard.

This shot list is important due to the fact that it will provide us with specific moments that need to be captured during filming whilst also allows us to envision the way in which the sequence will play out.

Continuity Editing Task

This task requires our group to establish our capabilities and skills required to effectively shoot a scene whilst ensuring that the continuity of the scene is effective. 

In order to successfully complete the task, we must ensure that our sequence incorporates all of the following points listed on the task sheet.

Before we begin filming our sequence; we must plan and storyboard our idea for our sequence. This task will be an insightful due to the fact that it will allow us to practise these skills needed within the planning and development process which will be vital for our coursework project.

Exam Practise

'Note taking' grid for exam analysis

Within lessons, we have been practising our writing techniques by attempting past examination questions. These exam questions require us to watch a brief clip from a television drama chosen by the exam board and then write a 1000 word essay based upon the question given to us.

This has allowed us to develop our writing techniques and adapting our vocabulary to incorporate all of the new media terminologies to ensure that our essays are as accurate and as detailed as the mark scheme acquires us to make it; this will help us gain achieve to our full potential.

In addition to our exam practices, we've been learning to take note within a form of a grid which breaks down the clip into segments based on its technical aspects ; also dividing it into sequences.     

Binary Opposition

Binary opposition is a theoretical idea round the facts related to terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning. With the media, there are many examples of binary opposition which we as an audience can identify almost immediately.

Examples of binary opposition:

• Good/Evil
• Man/woman
• Rich/poor
• Fat/thin
• civilised/primitive

This theory was developed by two french theorists, Claude Levi-Strauss and Roland Barthes based the idea on the fact that reality can only exist in the form of ideas which binary opposition presents those notions and fixations of our reality by presenting opposing aspects of our society. 

Within media, this can act as a compelling way of engaging audiences within the piece of media due to the notion that it draws them to depict their own society and therefore making it a relatable topic for the audience to witness.

Brainstorming concepts

This is a discussion that I recently had with my fellow group members in which we sat down to talk about our own individual thoughts and ideas on what concepts we'd like to pursue; whilst brainstorming and infusing our ideas to form a concept that we as a creative team are happy to indulge our minds to create and produce a particular concept.

As we delve more into the discussion, we ultimately realise why in fact we have chosen to go with our final concept due to the complexities and narrative conventions which have we have realised are too far fetched simply because they are not thrilling.

The Evaluation Questions

In order for our group to gain as much marks as possible from our coursework; we have to make sure that the final cut of our product does in fact include factors from the mark scheme whilst allowing us to have answers to follow the evaluation after production. 

As a member of my group, I must ensure that I fully understand what each question is specifically asking me in relation to my product.
Within the evaluation, there are many questions which our group must answer.

The evaluation questions are as followed:

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

• How does your media product represent particular social groups?

• What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

• Who would be the audience for your media product?

• How did you attract/address your audience?

• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

• Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I feel that with our opening sequence, we challenge forms and convention which are typically re-presented within the media. 

The ways in which we will do so is through the main subject of the piece whom at first you'd associate to be a form of radical, however as the sequence ensues then we learn his motives and intentions are that of noble cause. 

This is ultimately causing a challenge in forms and conventions by perceiving the audience to view the main character as a form of rebel on the verge of committing extremist act but then audiences will feel sympathy or possibly empathy for the character due to the vast themes and ideas of our controversial society resulting in the audiences understanding the character's mental motivations for his acts.

With our product, due to the controversial messages behind racism and the way we as a society stereotype races; I would imagine institutions may wish to distribute our sequence to act as a form of anti-rascial presentation which could possible be screened across  social-networking sites such as: Facebook,twitter, youtube in order to help spread the message behind the video. 

Due to the mature themes and ideas behind the sequence, our audience would tend to be aged from 15 and above simply because of the concepts and messaging presented in the sequence revolves around the idea of our capabilities to commit horrific acts of violence. 
Which is why I believe that our product will in fact lure in the attention of our audience specifically due to the compelling topics our product touch upon.

Project Development

Due to the progress our group has made in terms of research on our potential thriller sequence; we have developed a concept for our sequence which we are currently happy with in regards to our current fixation on the direction we wish to take. We have therefore begun planning and developing our concept by deciding the various codes and conventions we wish to include in order to help portray and depict different forms of social groups amongst us in this day in age.

This decision has ultimately caused us to delve into the hybrid genre of the political/thriller.Where we trust that through this specific type of thriller, is where we can emulate a particular style that will truly help us as film-makers re-present our target stereotypes in an  interesting perspective which will bring a large amount of depth to the character but most importantly will cause the audience to be captivated by the direction of the character which will help immerse them and engage them in our opening sequence.

As we continue to develop this concept, we'll be gathering research on the political/thriller genre and analysing the various styles the directors have chosen to present their openings. By highlighting and depicting the various conventions they have chosen to include, we can learn the effects they may have in relation to what impact those particular conventions may have on the audiences' understanding of the sequence in order to for us to learn and emulate these techniques and innovate the genre.