28th January 2010

Today we carried out the filming for our preliminary task which was to:
Film a sequence involving a character opening a door, entering a room and sitting down opposite another character with whom he/she exchanges a few lines of dialogue.
We had to show that could use the 180 degree rule, match on action and shot/reverse shot combination.

Once we'd decided what to do, we chose where in college to film it and set out to make a start. Almost two hours - and an exhausing number of identical shots - later, we arrived back to the media classroom to watch it back.Time to have a go at editing it on Tuesday so we'll see then how well it actually went!

26th January 2010 - Analysis of possible locations.

Still unsure of what we want to do for our main task and how to film it, we visted Manchester's Garment District with a stills camera. We took a collection of photos to help establish possible locations and to demonstrate the importance of framing and planning the composition of shots.
We decided that we wanted a location that was isolated or desolate to give a sense of danger so that we could possibly film for a murder mystery of some kind. We also liked the areas where it was older because it seems abandoned and often mysterious which is good for an opening as the mystery leaves viewers asking questions.


The tall buildings on this street make it look closed in and intimidating which adds to the sense of danger felt already because there is no other signs of people around and it's isolated. The fact that the stairs to the fire escape are way out of reach suggesting being trapped without any escape.


Again the tall buildings impose on the shot making any characters or this red van for example look small in comparison. The red is very bright and stands out against the bleak surroundings. It is very symbolic of danger or anger.

This photo shows a very desolate and isolated looking street. It's not somewhere you'd expect to find many other people which is good because it increases any sense of danger created as there seems no means of help or escape. The streets are narrow also and closed in which give the impression of somewhere mazelike where it's easy to become disorientated and lost by yourself.

We liked the idea of filming by the canal as it's often by canals that crimes and murders, etc. are committed in films and on television. This area in particular we liked because it's very bleak, only greys and blacks as well as the reflection in the water. The day was dull and cloudy and very still which makes it look eerie. Again, here looks very deserted of people and you wouldn't expect to find someone here alone.

We liked this picture mostly for the irony of the No Parking scratched onto the wall when there were at least a dozen cars parked here. The colours were really effective, grey, blacks and reds. It is like a reminder of some sort of organised crime to find so many expensive cars on a deserted city backstreet and would be good for creating unanswered questions.

21st January 2010

Hey we're Ife, Fiona, Caroline and Nina. This blog is basically to document our progress as we complete our coursework tasks.

Today we made a start on planning. We've looked at film openings of different genres to help us choose an acheivable genre for our own main production. We watched the opening sequences of Love Actually, Hancock and Four Weddings and a Funeral and observed the introductions of characters, titles of companies, plot and location to give us an idea of what should be included in our own film opening for the main task.