Camera Shots In Our Opening Scene

My role in our group is camera work I decided to research the types of shots that are usually associated with TV dramas as they can be used for dramatic effect and be either denotative or connotative. The most common types of shots used are:

• Establishing Shots
• Close up
• Mid shot
• Long shot
• Point of view 
• Wide shot
• Two shot 
• Shoulder shot

The type of shot used at a certain point is really important as it can be used to represent gender, class/status, ethnicity and sexuality. Shots can also have a denotative meaning where they have a literal meaning and can tell straight away what it is showing or they can have a connotative meaning where we have to read into the image with the help of colour, location, costume and props. For example an establishing shot helps us to identify the location but we can also make assumptions of the location by reading into it. 
By doing this research it means I have a clear idea of the different shots to use and when they are appropriate to get the best effect we can.

Synchronised Sound

In one of our lessons we were taught about synchronised sound and how to use it throughout our own film opening. 
Synchronised sound refers to sound that has been recorded at the same time as filming and is a very common way to make sure the sound is clear. First of all we used a microphone to record a conversation to make sure we ended up with clear dialogue to use. Once we had the dialogue we plugged in the microphone and inserted the SD card with the footage on. We then opened up Adobe Soundbooth and checked the sound so that it was clear and edited right to fit with the footage, before then transferring it to Premiere Pro where you then check it is in sync with the footage. To help us know exactly when the dialogue was about to start we got someone to clap so it was easy to identify the sound wave. 

By learning to do this it gives us something to consider when it comes to the sound in our own opening sequence, as it will ensure that all are dialogue is clear but still synced properly.

Location Shots

These are a couple of pictures we have taken of the different locations we will be using for our final piece.

This is a shot of Barton Farm, the house where Genette lived

This is a shot of the nearby village hall that we may also include while Genette is on her way to collect newspapers

This is the sign post that leads you to Withen Lane where her bike was found after she had disappeared 

These are shots of the bridge where Genette was last seen talking to two teenage girls

This is a shot of the lane just a little up from where her bike was found, this is the shot where we will film the teenage girls walking towards the abandoned bike before the screen goes black

This is the shot of where her bike was found. This will be our final shot with her bike lying on the floor with newspapers scattered around it.

Rough Cut

This is our one minute of footage that we filmed to help us with our film opening. By doing this we were able to see a rough plan of what we would like to do when it comes to our final piece and what order we would like each shot.

Actors & Costume

Two Teenage Girls

Lissy Moore:Millie Swales:   

For the two teenage girls we have decided to use my sister and her friend as they are both 14 years old which is around the same age as the two girls were. As they don't have a min role in the opening they don't really have any representation, but like Genette you could say they are counter stereotypes. 

Genette

Eleanor Tarr:

Again for Genette we have used one of my sisters friends because she looks around 13 which is the same age Genette was. We have also used all three of the girls as they are natural looking which we kept in mind when it came to costume as this makes Genette appear vulnerable and an easy target. We wanted Genette to come across as vulnerable so the audience wold feel sorry for her. Stereotypes of Genette are: 

• Iphone = popular phone, most teenagers have them
• Clothing = Everyone has the hoodie that she is wearing and it is typical clothing you would expect her to be wearing

Counter stereotypes are:

• Cycling = she is active, healthy. Not something people usually associate with teenagers 
• Newspaper round = manages to keep a job, whereas people usually expect teenagers to be lazy and hanging around parks, therefore it creates a positive portrayal of her

Kidnapper

Matt Ross:

For the kidnapper we decided to use one of our friends as he is a 16 year old male and you can't actually see the kidnappers identity. 

We have used my sister and her friends as it makes filming easier as they are reliable and also means that transport to locations would be easier. 

Lighting Workshop

In our lesson today we had a lighting workshop so we were able to understand how important lighting is when it comes to our film opening to create a certain atmosphere or mood. Below are a few of the different techniques we learnt.

High-key lighting
High-key lighting is usually used to create an upbeat mood. It involves using lights to create a bright seen with a lack of contrast and the light being relatively even in the scene. 

Low-key lighting

Low-key lighting is the opposite of high-key where a darker contrast is used with lots of darker areas throughout the scene. It is also good at highlighting and contouring certain things within a scene. It is usually used when there is drama to create tension and suspense.

Three point lighting

This is one of the most common and basic techniques which involves using a back light behind the character to separate them from the background, a fill light used opposite the key light as it is softer and a key light which is aimed on the character.

Backlighting

Used to highlight the character from behind and are usually either natural or artificial.