Hello Everyone!! In today's lesson, we uploaded the footage from last friday onto the laptop just to see if we had to rectify any mistakes such as the camera shaking, keeping me in the centre of the frame etc. Fortunately, we have handyman Afolabi guided by our very own media-maestro Sheikh in JAWS which meant that all the shots were PERFECT! Well Done Afolabi and Sheikh. =>

The group also composed our soundtrack on iGarageband. Later on today, we will shoot the remainder of "Revenge".

Keep it up boys.

Waseq Hossain
13AL2
JAWS PRODUCTIONS

Props

Props - this factor within our storyline wasn’t that hard to come across. Based on our storyline we decided what sort or props would be most suitable for our production. As we used Waseq’s beautiful ( :D) house for the opening scene, we decided the props used remained adequate. For example, at one scene Waseq is lifting up weights. This would illustrate which type of character he is/going to be. This time, using props wasn’t much an issue because as a group we felt that we didn’t need as much for our story. But the main reason we suggested so is because they have to initially be used is to demonstrate the meaning into the production.

‘Afo’labi

13ab3

Generic Conventions

Let me define the phrase, “conventions of the genre”; all this expression is telling us is that there are characteristics which are typical of a specific genre for example, in a typical romantic comedy, the audience targeted are females, the storyline would go something like this; two protagonist characters would be diffident about committing to each other, the two characters part due to a misunderstanding or disagreement, have a dramatic reunion where the man makes “the grand gesture” which inevitably results in a happily ever after ending. Classic “romcoms” are, 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001) and Pride & Prejudice (2005).

The genre we chose was action-comedy however, due to lengthy absences in JAWS through illness and a hectic exam schedule, we were left with no choice but to change our genre to action. We decided this because, the conventions of action-comedy compared to action, were harder to execute in the short time we have left.

Action movies are a film genre where there are fast-paced activities and clashes, such as intense fights, shootouts, chases on foot to speedboats or explosions taking place regularly throughout the film which in effect develops the plot and characters. The action typically revolves around the hero.

The genre has finally picked up pace on the British scene in last 20 years with hits such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and most recently, RocknRolla (all directed by Guy Ritchie). It has also seen the development of the legendary, James Bond 007. The match-on-action editing technique and shot-reverse-shot are typical features of this genre.

We have observed the openings of a few action movies to gain knowledge of this genre to come up with ideas for our storyboard.

One of the openings we looked at was from the film, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The first thing we saw was the company who funded the film, “summit entertainment”. We were then shown the main character, who’s name is Bacon. As he is trying to con a group of vulnerable shoppers for their cash, the camera shot starts off as a medium-long shot, slightly to the left of the huddle, which ends up as a central close up of Bacon’s face as a result of the camera's movement. His partner in crime, Eddie, is then introduced as the first buyer. As he hands over the cash to Bacon (who is still banging on), the soundtrack plays softly. As the soundtrack gradually gets louder, we see the shot-reverse-shot slowly but surely repeat itself twice franticly until Eddie shouts, “Bacon! Coppers!”. We then sees a chase in action with the two main characters fleeing from the police.

We have decided to open our film with just one credit, “JAWS PRODUCTIONS” which will fade out into the first shot of the movie which is a long shot ending up as an extreme close up of the location as a result of the camera movement. Also, instead of having an intense chase, we will have a fight scene where the main character (which is myself) and his accomplice (which is John) beat up their arch enemy (Sheikh) and steal his bag.

We also looked at the film, iRobot. Detective Del Spooner (the hero) wakes up after his alarm clock goes off, he then sits up in bed frowning with the camera at a low angle to the left of him. He switches his music system on. While the music is playing, he exercises and has a shower and before you know it, he is out of his apartment onto the busy streets of New York.

In our movie opening, as soon as the alarm clock goes off, I will sit up and stare ahead with a facial expression of anger with the camera at a low angle zooming into my face. Next, I will exercise and get dressed. The fact that I will be exercising is a definite characteristic of this genre. When we edit the footage, we will add the soundtrack to the exact point when I get out of bed. The artists of the soundtrack is The Prodigy and the track is called, Charlie.

Waseq Hossain
13AL2
JAWS PRODUCTIONS

Preliminary Exercise Self Evaluation

Preliminary Exercise - Self Evaluation

“The Box” consisted of the following team, John - Actor, Afolabi - Cameraman, Waseq - Director, and Sheikh - Actor; thus, JAWS PRODUCTIONS.

At the end of a task, an evaluation is completed by a person or group. It is a detailed summary of where the person/group assesses their strengths and weaknesses, pros and cons, what could be avoided and what should be continued the next time the task is done.

In the preliminary task, I was asked to show the following skills; the ability to complete a storyboard annotating each frame (type of shot, , length of shot, dialogue etc), using a range of different shots with the camera while using a tripod (shot reverse shot, 180 degree rule, close up etc), and finally, upload and edit the footage onto the laptop using transitions, credits, cutting clips to create the effect of match on action etc.

We used props such as a box, table, comfy blue chair, grey plastic chair, and wooden plank for maximum effect. The fact that John is sitting in the middle of the room in a comfy blue arm chair while Sheikh is sitting in a plastic chair with no arm rests, gave the impression that John had a much higher status than Sheikh. The size of “The Box” was important as we wanted to keep what was inside, a mystery; too big would suggest a piece of equipment or technology, too small would suggest a gift or money, just right would keep the suspense going.

Dialogue was kept to a minimal, which was how we wanted to keep it. There were short exchanges of dialogue. We did this to show that the two characters have no friendship at all. This created a tense atmosphere which again, built suspense as well.

The effect of the fadeout on Sheikh’s face at the end generated a number of unanswered questions in the viewer’s mind such as; Who is that with the bat? Why did he hit him? Where has the box gone? What is in the box?

I use cameras a lot as my mobile phone has a camera. I always use basic functions such as zoom but, what I was not fully aware of (until I drew up my storyboard) is that by zooming out, I was creating a long shot. I have always uploaded my video footage to my laptop via USB and viewed it without editing it. However, it is a different story now. I have learnt a vast amount in this short time as I now know how to cut clips, use transitions as well control the length of it, create the effect of match on action and much, much more.

My most significant contribution to the construction of the film has to be directing the film. This meant I had to draw up the story board plus annotate each frame, organise my team in a productive as well as time efficient manner, and finally make sure the acting, camerawork, and setting was adequate. I would say this is most important because, if I had not taken charge of the team, we would have failed the task and each other miserably. I feel proudly of what we have achieved individually in addition to progress as a professional media group.

The only target I would set for JAWS PRODUCTIONS is to ensure we complete our main task to the fullest of our ability as we did in our preliminary task because, if we do the same, we will flourish in flying colours, yet again.

Waseq Hossain
13AL2
JAWS PRODUCTIONS

PRELIMINARY EXERCISE