Conventions of Action

Evaulating the Preliminary Task

 In our Preliminary task we tried to stick to three main rules; shot reverse shot, match shot and the 180 degree rule. Match shot was the most difficult to achieve as we had to ensure that we match the two different shots perfectly so the door opening was not jolty. After this we focused on shot reverse shot in order for the camera to follow the conversation that was taking place. We had to film this part twice to allow the camera to position over the shoulder without seeing a camera person filming. Whilst filming this we had to ensure that we did not break the 180 degree rule or it would begin to look unnatural to the viewer. Once we had got all of the required footage we had to edit it together making sure the shots were perfectly timed with one another.

The strength of our filming were the match reverse shot being timed so the viewer can follow the character through the door as if they were there at the time. Also as Hannah is walking down the corridor we positioned the camera in the middle of it. As Hannah is in the middle of the corridor the lines on the walls make it look neater because the viewer’s eyes immediately focus on the action happening between the lines. However we could have used another shot behind Hannah as she was walking up the corridor to emphases her movement towards the door. Also there is a slight jump cut from Hannah walking through the door to the conversation. To improve this we could have followed Hannah to the chair with the camera in order to prevent this from happening.

Preliminary Task

Evaulation of 'What are you doing here?'

In this we decided to use three different locations and three different shot types. Our first location was a high angle long shot on the stairs; we used a long shot to allow the viewer to see the whole location and the body language. Another location was outside on the path, we positioned the camera at the bottom of a bank to create a low angle long shot. This therefor enabled us to portray a new setting and different people within the shot. Also by using a low angle shot it creates a different effect to the previous shot which was of a high angle. The final shot we used was a medium shot through a set of doors this introduces the viewer to a new location and makes the scene more realistic as the two people are bumping into each other. The sound in the film included diegetic sound saying ‘What are you doing here?’ which was said in a surprised manner making it more realistic. Between each of the shots we used fade to black to illustrate the passing of time and changing of location.

The strengths of this task were that we used three different shots to create different effects on the audience. We used these three different shots to introduce the viewer to a new location and a new set of people. This made the scene more realistic and was similar shots to those used in television dramas. However the weakness of our clip was the sound as we shot it from outside and from a long distance it became difficult to hear all the sounds particularly in the low angle shot. To prevent this from happening we could film the clip and then recorded the voices again so it’s clearer. Then we would just insert the voice over the top of the clip making sure it matches up.

When editing the clip we used Adobe which was good as it allowed us to cut our clips, increase the volume of the dialogue and edit it to have a cleaner finish. To start with we had to experiment with different things to figure out how Adobe worked and what would work most effectively on our clip. Adobe was quite challenging to use to begin with but became easier over time. It allowed us to make our clip look much tidier by inserting text over the top and using fade to black in between shots.  

What are you doing here?

Dirty Dancing (1987)

In this opening there is non-diegetic sound used to convey the genre of romance, the music is very upbeat and jolly, singing about love. The camera is very close up so we can see that the characters look very happy in each other’s arms and are situated very close to one another. As the scene is in slow motion it allows the audience to focus on the characters facial expressions, showing how happy they are, also as they are dancing and singing it highlights to the audience that this film is going to included lots of dance. As it involves lots of different people in the opening it express the fact that love can come in all different shapes and sizes, it’s a common factor shared between all of these people. This opening scene is in black and white meaning it is not a modern day film, although is still popular. The main shot type used in this opening scene is close ups and mid-shots this is because it allows the audience to focus on their body language and facial expressions. Although these shots are close up we can still see a large group of other people dancing behind them suggesting this is some sort of dance group. The non-diegetic sound gradually fades out very slowly so is not noticeable to the audience.

Conventions of Romance

Love Actually (2003)

In the first shot we follow a lady walking through a large crowd to her boyfriend where they are reunited and hug. This shot is very close up so we can see the relief and happiness on the mans face when he is hugging her. There is then a mid shot of a women returning to her children, this shot is then zoomed in so we can see the happiness on this child's face, this tells the audience that this film is going to be based on all different types of love. While this montage is taking place there is very calm relaxing music being played in the background, this allows the audience to completely focus on what is happening on the screen. With the montage still taking place there is then a voice over taking place explaining about love and how it is everywhere although not always commonly seen, the videos emphases what he is saying. Everyone in this film opening are very close together, with mid shots and close ups used to covey their facial expressions of love and happiness to the audience. They are all wearing different clothes and from different ages and ethnicity's but they all share one common thing and that is love. As the words 'love actually is all around' also come up on the screen it highlights that this film is going to focus on different types of love and how it is always there even if its not easily seen.

The Notebook (2004)

The scene starts with a long shot looking at the sun set with some very calming peaceful music playing in the background this immediately indicates to the audience that this is going to be a romance film. As the camera zooms into a mid shot we can see the silhouette of a person rowing a boat which is a common cliché of films of this genre. There is multiple shots of the lake which make the audience feel very calm and relaxed. Fade to black is used a few times throughout the scene to create a smooth transition between the clips, this being very smooth is what us as an audience would expect from a romantic film. The reddy/orange colour of the sun set makes every clip look much more romantic as red is a colour commonly associated with love. An other the shoulder shot is used of a women looking out over the lake, as she is the first person we have seen closely we assume she is going to be a key character in the film. Followed by this is a low angle long shot of a house which introduces us to the setting. The lady seems to be looking at the man rowing on the lake making the audience assume that they film is going to follow the two of them. we gradually zoom closer in to the ladies face to clearly show the audience her facial expressions. The camera is still focused on the women's face when we see another person appear behind her, as she says 'lets get you ready for bed' we assume she is a carer. The characters are all very apart making the lady at the window seem more distant from the rest of the world. We know that this set late because they are dressed in their pyjamas and the sun is setting.