Camera Workshop

In the camera workshop I learnt the features of a HD Canon camera in preparation for filming my short film. I put the knowledge which I learnt from this workshop to use and took many shots. I also practiced tracking shots, pan, arc and many other shots. This gave me a clearer insight into what filming my short film will be like and how these shots will enhance my film. As well as this, it also got me familiar with the equipment such as tripod and dolly, which will ensure that my filming will be smooth and will produce a clearer product.

Things I learnt from the workshop:

• Whilst in the camera workshop, I quickly came to find that the proximity of characters had to be closer than usual. This is because the distance of characters does not correlate to real life and it comes across as further away. In order to solve this, I positioned my actors to be closer together and to appear in the frame as they would in person. 
• In the camera workshop we experimented with over the shoulder shots and how they should be positioned in the shot.  I learnt that using rule of thirds made the shot look more professional and effective and also not wasting space in the background. I was able to make the viewer to be in the "point of view" position.  
• When filming, I noticed that starting the scene would have to be 3-5 seconds in after pressing the record button. This is because you need to leave yourself room when filming as it allows more cutting time and allowance. This leaves you with a professional finish and clean cuts. 
• To apply variation to your shots, I enabled that using a range of angles and camera shots it will enhance your final product as well keep it advanced.
• When filming I will ensure that I take plenty of shots and footage. This will make my editing easier as I will have shots to choose from and editing will come more natural as you have multiple takes of the same frame. 
• I also learnt about the importance of how you use the tripod and dolly.  Hand held shots can look messy and unorganised; unless that is the effect you strive for. So with  the tripod, the camera is held still. The dolly makes the filming glide without any bumps etc;.
• Lastly, I learned that when doing an over the shoulder shot, you have to film on the right of each character. This was because the shot will look out of place and it would be most effective on the right. 
• High angle shots will highlight vulnerability on a character and low angle shots will create dominance for a character. 
• The rule of thirds is an important feature when it comes to filming/taking photographs. This is because the appearance of a shot is highly important. This means the positioning and proxemics between characters is determined by the rule of thirds.
• As well as this, I also learnt that head room is severely important. This is because you should leave enough space above a persons head when filming etc;. 
• Looking/walking room is important as well. This is because you should leave space before someone when walking and talking. This is because it needs to look like they're walking/talking into a space rather than away from it.
• The lighting is very important when filming and taking photos. Use the light to your advantage. Also consider when you film depending on weather. - This is a vital thing to remember when you need to go back to the same place on another day to re shoot some footage.  
  

----This tracking shot and arc shot was done in our camera workshop group. Although this was done as a group we learned how to properly use the camera and the logistics of filming. 

Final StoryBoard

Whilst finalising my story board I wanted to take my target audience research and apply it to all of my frames and entire short film. From my research I gathered that to commence the film a extreme closeup of the protagonist's eyes would be the most effective. I also thought that the first few scenes being the protagonist would also be a good decision as the voiceover as well as the frames of Zara would establish to the viewer that Zara in the frames is also the person speaking the voiceover.

In the second page of the story board, it is just establishing who the two characters are and how the story is building up through these different frames. Furthermore, from my target audience research I gathered that the oblivion of what is going on is important and how the audience know more than what one of the characters do. 

As the story board pages continue, I have started to use more descriptive frames and open up into the protagonists life. 

I wanted to use a variety of camera shots and show many descriptive frames as I can.

Here, I used objects more in the frames to give the viewer a clear understanding of the Mise en scene. - this will give the viewer an idea of what is surrounding these characters and how their actions could be possibly impacted by this.

In this story board page, its slightly opening up the actual storyline and how the film progresses. 

In my survey the majority of the people who answered the survey said that a plot which unravels would be the most effective. This is what I am trying to portray in this story board page.

In my film, I wanted to viewer to have an insight into the protagonists mind and to see what no one else does see; Very similar to "Donnie Darko".

"Tension, drama and plot twists" is one of the answers that I have taken from my survey results to help me with this story board page. This is because the deeper into the film the more dark and twisted it becomes.

Some of these frames are slightly disturbing. But this is what ultimately moulds our protagonist into the perfect character. This character has a normal surrounding environment; however her thought processes are abnormal. This abnormal mind will be conveyed simply through simple frames.

This is the page of the story board which visually shows what the protagonist is up to and how her 'plan' is coming together. 

In this page, the antagonist's presence is taken note. Her features are exposed more and more and she is now a main character as her character determines the ending of the short film.

Finally, the film ends but with quite a sad tone. This will leave the audience in shock and ultimately feeling self reflective. The film will end with a black screen but with foley sound of a splash. This is a disturbing frame within itself.

Story Board - Draft

This is my draft storyboard for my short film.  The story board includes 37 frames. However, these timings will be altered as I edit/film the short film. This is because the shots I will use will be a variety and I want this to be reflected in my short film. Comparing to trailers, short films tend to have less frames as each frame will be longer and more descriptive. 

Psychological Short Film - Survey Results

From my survey results, I concluded with some further decisions. This has made it a lot easier for me to determine how my short film will be executed. This gives me a clearer idea of what my target audience desire to see in the final product. 

An Extreme closeup will be the first frame of my short film.

I will have scenes where you can sense what's coming and insight into the characters diegesis. 

I will have a plot that will unravel.

I will have a few characters (2/3).

I will include dark, dramatic scenes which will include a death.

The music will be calming/soothing but have connotations of evil intentions.

My short film will include, tension, disturbing characters, disturbing subject and a plot twist. 

I will have a voiceover and music in my short film.

I will have a female teenager as the main character in my short film.

At the end of the short film, I strive for the audience to feel self-reflective, surprise, and the story will be playing on their minds.

Psychological Short Film Survey

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Short Film Analysis - Guilt

Camera Shots

To commence the short film, this use of a long shot within the car is a effective camera shot. This is because it gives a small idea of where the film is set. It has also gave connotations of a thriller; hence the blood on the window screen. Furthermore, in the shot, we associate the driver as a murder. This makes the audience's opinion on the main character to be negative. 

Additionally, this over the shoulder shot & long shot creates more tension within the film. This is because you cannot see the other character; the identity hasn't been revealed. Furthermore, the long shot shows the mysterious surroundings more than the characters.

Lastly, the Close up shot lets in the suspense within the short film. The close up gives more detail to the audience and represents the genre of a psychological thriller successfully. 






Sound

Music - Throughout the entire short film, the same hollow music is played. This adds apprehension to the film and for the audience. This non diegetic music creates a sense of mystery and an upcoming climax. The music enhances the sense of the unknown and adds to the suspense. Additionally, the music helps to highlight the genre of psychological thriller. As well as the mis en scene hinting a thrilling ending, the music implies this also. 

Dialogue - At 4:30 the injured man repeats the words "you sorry?". This adds a plot twist to the short film. A plot twist is essential for a psychological short film as it messes with the audiences minds and adds an inevitable doom. This is highly effective as we felt empathy for the other male previously. Now we know the injured man may possibly be the protagonist. Secondly, the words "you sorry?" highlight guilt and irony; hence the name of the short film.

Foley - In the short film, at 4:51 the sound of a glass bottle breaking is emphasised. Not only does this create chaos and mayhem the accentuation of the bottle breaking connotes a tragic ending for the un injured man. The bottle breaking also represents the pain and impact an accident has on the victim and will always have on the suspect. This use of foley ensures that the thriller aspect of the film is displayed clearly.

Mise en scene

Setting - The short film being set in a mysterious under ground car park, instantly sets the scene to be a thrilling one. This is because the audience knows nobody is around and it is late at night. The dark gloomy car park also implies that something bad will happen soon. The fact that nobody is around highlights the inevitable danger the male will be in; as no one will be there to rescue him if he is in any danger. 

Costume - The males attire is causal, dark and seems laid back. However, this laid back image is not portrayed in his mood/personality in the short film. He is on edge and seems uptight. The attire we view however does display a lack of interest in what he has done and represents the hegemonic stereotype of a young rebellious male.  This casual plain outfit does not reveal too much about this male; so us viewers cannot make assumptions on what type of person he is.

Editing


Shot reverse shot - In the short film, a shot reverse shot is used. This is included just to show the diverse camera shots and extreme emotions on each of the males faces. It switches several times to create a flow between the two. - they may be similar in age etc;. 


Jump Cut - A jump cut is used throughout the short film from the main character's face to the other male in an establishing shot. This jump cut creates suspense and carries on the conventions of the psychological thriller aspect. This jump cut also creates a jumpy mood and increases the thriller aspect of the short film. A jump cut is essential in a psychological thriller. 

Short Film Analysis - Hallucinations

Camera Shots

This camera shot being more than one, creates a more complex first scene. The camera shots involved are: 
- Close up
- Medium Long Shot
- Over the shoulder

These camera shots all emphasise the psychological aspect. This is because the blonde woman is the lady talking. We assume this because her character is more prominent and closer to the audience. This lets us viewers know that the brunette woman in the background is possibly not meant to be there or is not wanted. 

In this scene, the camera shot being a two shot, highlight the difference between the two characters; the one in need and the one viewing the weak character. Furthermore, the lady grieving for someone to understand also makes the therapist stand out significantly. This is because the man has judgmental body language.

This being the first Big close up of the brunette girl, informs the audience that the story has been flipped and has a alternative plot. If the short film was to be kept to a normal structure, it wouldn't of showed the brunette girls face. This is because it would of wanted to kept the mystery. Instead of this, it opens up a whole new story line. Revealing the "antagonist" facial features, opens up the endless psychological possibilities of the short film.

Sound

Voice Over - At 0:13 - 0:21 the voice over merges in with the girl talking with her therapist. This brings reality to the story line. A voice over at the start of the short film opens up a real life aspect of the psychological short film. This is effective for a psychological short film because of the audience being excepted into viewing the mind and the inner thoughts rather than judging this by their facial expressions etc;. 

Inner Diegetic Sound - 1:39 - 1:44  The sound of sped up inner whispering voices is played quickly. This adds to the psychological aspect of the short film and also creates a sense of madness. This madness added to the film, helps the genre of psychology to be portrayed. 

Music - At 1:48 there is music played. This music is deep and sounds empty. This music being played at this specific part of the short film conveys how the two characters minds are hollow and seems rather like a fantasy due to the hallucinations they appear to have. 

Mise en Scene

In the therapist office, the brunette girl is sitting in the waiting room. This highlights how every human has individual thoughts and mental health differences. As well as showing this, it also displays how the brunette girl was also seeing the therapist but we assume she was following the blonde character. This waiting room represents the common pattern of people recognising their inner thoughts possibly being irregular

Secondly, the pills in the short film represent how most people view these kind of thoughts as an illness and to be only relieved by drug therapy. The pills convey how mental illness is seen to be the same as curing physical illness. 

Lastly, this scene conveys how humans are overall the same. The brunette girl looking into the mirror and seeing the blonde girl just proves how similar they both are. They have been avoiding each other with fright but are each others duplicates. This may imply how they're running away from themselves?

Editing

 Shot Reverse Shot - In the short film, a shot reverse shot is used. This is highly effective as the reality of her hallucinations is presented on the blonde girls face. When the therapist recommends that she increases her dosage, the girls reaction is the reality of mental health. This instantly informs the audience of how she is perceived in reality. (As well as mental health). 

Jump Cut - In the short film, a jump cut is used to make abrupt frames and to pick the pace of the film up. This carries on the conventions of a psychological short film. The jump cut from the brunette girl to the blonde girl, shows the similarities between the two and highlights the likeness between them both. This creates a theme of how the hallucinations they are both appearing to see is creating multiple story lines and lenses.