Practice on Two Way Conversation with Class 2

Practice Filming in Studio

In Manolo's lesson, we did another little practice again with the Two Way Conversation before we start filming. As a class, we all came up with the set of the scene and just had a settee but made it look like it's been set in a living room looking homely. I volunteered to be the actor for this little practice run with Miriam and we both had to make up a break up story from scratch as we didn't have a script. The photo below shows me and Miriam on set.

I then wanted to swap and had a go again of being the Camera Operator as that's my role for the next film to have a bit more experience using it and getting to know the camera. It also helped me by thinking of what shot types and angles I could use with help from my lecture. The pictures below show what the set looked like that we all set up together and also showed the roles that everyone took part in. I enjoyed these lessons as they are practical and also a massive help when it comes to making films and putting ideas together.

Practice on Two Way Conversation with Class

Practice in the Studio

Today's lesson with Dave, we all had a practical lesson and all had to come up with an idea together for a two way conversation. We were given this task to get us all going for our next group film which is the two way conversation.

We were split into two groups and had to decide on what role we wanted to take part in. I was the boom operator and my job was to positioning the microphone so that the Sound Mixers can capture the best quality dialogue and sound effects. I decided to put tape on the end of the microphone as it would help me and also the camera operator know if the boom gets in shot, if it does then the camera operator would of to tell me as obviously we don't want the boom to be in shot in our film but I have to make sure that its above the actors for when they talk. I then swapped over and became a camera operator for the last bit as for when me and my group make the two way conversation, I will be on camera, so managed to have a little practice with it before I task the next film.

From this lesson, we all worked well together as a team and stuck to our roles and I really enjoyed. It definitely has helped all of us to develop ideas and to be prepared for our next task.

Camera Operator

My Role

For our upcoming project on the two way conversation, my role is being the camera operator. I think it is important that I should  research more on my role and also I took out a camera from the university store and had a practice using the camera to get used to before we film.

Useful Research - http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/291_camera_operator_studio_and_ob

What is a Camera Operator? -

A camera operator is someone who records images that entertain or inform an audience. Camera operators capture a wide range of material for TV shows, motion pictures, music videos, documentaries, and news and sporting events. Most work in the motion picture industry or television broadcasting.

What does a Camera Operator do? -

A camera operator will typically do the following:

• Choose and present interesting material for an audience
• Work with a director to determine the overall vision of the production
• Discuss filming and editing techniques with a director to improve a scene
• Select the appropriate equipment, from type of camera to software for editing
• Shoot or edit a scene based on the director's vision

Many camera operators have one or more assistants working under their supervision. The assistants set up the camera equipment and may be responsible for storing it and caring for it. They also help the operator determine the best shooting angle and make sure that the camera stays in focus.

From researching useful information, this will help for when I film because I would have some knowledge of what to do. Also, I will be taking the camera out from stores in university to practice and have a look at Lynda.com for tutorials.

Lighting Paperwork for Film Noir

I could not fill this in because I didn't know that I had anything to fill out. After we had already finished and shot our Film Noir in the studio, we were given the paperwork late which caused few problems and worrying moment for me and my group as we all didn't have no paperwork as we didn't know. I was also unsure of how to fill in a lighting paperwork as we haven't been shown before but I went to see one of the lectures Kylie for help on how to fill in a paperwork and she showed me how to do it for when I'm a camera operator in our next film which is the two way conversation.

Photos Filming for Film Noir

Pictures took during Film Noir

Here are some pictures  below that were took during our shoot, filming for Film Noir in the studio in Mount Pleasant. During this filming, I was in charge of lights and the boom, Liam was Director, Rhianwen was on sound and Emily was on camera. It was a long day filming for this but we all enjoyed making the film.

Project 1 - Film Noir Analysis

Film Noir

As part of our first filming for our assignment, we were set into groups to create a short minute film on Film Noir. Here a list of who's in my group and the roles within the group:

My group:
Director - Liam King
Lighting/Boom Operator - Kimberly McClarnan
Camera Operator - Emily Barresi
Production Sound Mixer - Rhianwen Davies

Actors:
James Colvin
Alex Jones
Jamie Brown

Lighting -
My role during this first filming was setting out and being in charge of using the lights. My job was to follow the directors instructions on where he would like to place the lights to create the dark film noir setting. By learning the basics of the three point lighting is a good start as they are mainly used for lighting the face for terminology as noir setups. Some of the lighting the director wanting was 'hard lights' which leave sharped edged shadows which is created by a single point source of light where the light rays are running more or less from a single point in space. It almost defines the film noir look which is alternating patterns of dark and light slashes.

Boom Operator -
Another job of mine was being the boom operator which is an assistant of the production sound mixer. My responsibility of the boom operator is microphone placement using a boom pole with a microphone attached to the end and my aim is to hold the microphone as close to the actors or action as possible without allowing the microphone or boom pole to enter the cameras frame.

Overall Performance -
In my opinion, we all worked well as a group. We all stuck to our roles and got on well and followed instructions and we all helped each other out. I found the lighting ok as all I had to do was set them up and move them to the place the director wanted it to be but mainly most of the work I did was being the boom operator which was good but at most times tricky as for the amount of time I had to hold the boom pole above me for long which made my arms ache but overall I enjoyed the roles I took part during this project and this would help me in the future for more upcoming projects. I didn't really enjoy working on lights and I think I wouldn't want to work on lights in the future but I enjoyed being boom operator also but it was hard work as you need a lot of strength and balance to hold the boom pole in place above the actors heads.

Problems? -
There were a few problems during filming for this. The main problem were that due to the actors, they kept laughing and forgetting lines which resulted in longer time and also that the battery of the camera and for the sound were low so we had to wait for half hour for them both to charge back up. Also, with the lighting you can see shadows in the back ground but I made sure that I fixed them mistakes and made sure that they won't be on show again.

The Basics of Lighting for Film Noir

Film Noir

By learning about the three point lighting to start off with which is the fundamental system all filmmakers learning how to light will start with, I thought I would also research online and look into the basics of lighting of when my group produces the Film Noir.  The concept of lighting for film noir is deep and complicated topic but a great subject for modern filmmakers.

Lighting -

Link for website I have read and got information from - http://filmmakeriq.com/lessons/the-basics-of-lighting-for-film-noir/

The common thread of film noir lighting is low key lighting, a style called Chiaroscuro which emphasized shadows and harsh lighting to create a sense of depth and volume in paintings.

The three point lighting system in regards to lighting a face mainly for terminology as noir setups could use fewer or considerably more more than three lights. The first and most important light is the key light – this is usually the brightest and most dominant light of a setup. Complementing the key is the Fill light, which is place opposite of the key light to fill in some of the shadows left by the key. The final light of the three point setup is the back light – this light adds an outline to separate the subject from the background.

In Film Noir, the most prominent lights are going to be strong keys and back light. Film Noir generally uses “hard lights” – the hardness or softness of a light is the type of shadows it creates. Hard lights leave sharp edged shadows – this is created by a single point source of light where the light rays are running more or less from a single point in space. 

Hard shadows almost define the film noir look: be it the alternating patterns of dark and light slashes from venetian blinds to a silhouette of a man running down an alleyway. Soft lighting is used more conservatively often glamorizing female characters.

From researching and reading from this website, it has helped me of understanding more about using the lighting for the Film Noir which obviously will be helping me and my group when it comes to making our short film.

Three Point Lighting

Three Point Lighting

For our first task of filming for film noir, my role is being in charge of lighting. As a beginner, I think it is important by learning the three point lighting as by using this basic technique of three point lighting will improve my video production’s quality immensely and a better understanding. There is noticeable difference in work that looks professional and work that doesn’t and big part of that is lighting.

Key Light -
This is the main light of the three and is placed to the side of the camera and that helps light the subject in the video.

Fill Light -
Secondary light and is always placed on the opposite side from the key light. Helping to fill shadows casted by the key light.

Back Light -
It is the light that is placed on the back of the subject you are shooting. It helps distinguish the subject from the background of the scene and give them a three-dimensional look on camera.

What is Film Noir?

By not knowing properly or exactly what Film Noir is, I went to do some individual research online in order to help me understand more about this theme before my group produce the one minute film.

What is Film Noir?

The Meaning of Film noir is a French term meaning “black film”, or film of the night. This was inspired by the Serious Noir, this was a line of cheap paperbacks that translated hard-boiled American crime authors and found a popular audience in France. Most of these films are filmed in black and white because this emphasises the shadows in the movie. It also suggests that there is no happiness in this movie by showing no colour.

Setting -The setting in film noir movies are usually urban scenes, such as apartment blocks and back alleys. These urban settings are usually filled with dark corners, shadows and little lighting, which shows us that there could be more than meets the eye.

Lighting -
The lighting is one of the biggest part of the film noir genre. This shows two other big parts which are shadows and darkness.• This creates the mode of the scene, either it be uncertainty or anger, this creates it. There is little lighting but it always faces the main character on screen.

Shadows -With the use of shadows, they suggest more mystery within the film. That there could be someone in those shadows watching, without anyone knowing. The shadows also create darkness, which suggest evil. This may suggest that there is evil everywhere in this movie, and that you can’t escape it.

Darkness -In film noir, darkness is used a great deal within the film. This suggests that there is someone or something out in the darkness, which creates a sense of the unknown and fear. Also this suggests that there is evil within this film and that it is all around.

Male Detective -
These are usually the main characters within the film, and usually have a downfall. These men are usually hard-heartened, cynical, morally ambiguous, a hero etc. There downfall is either a woman or alcohol.

Research Information - http://www.slideshare.net/LiamJamesHughes/key-features-of-film-noir


Visual Style -

- Tend to use dramatic shadows, stark contrast, low-key lighting, and black-and-white rather than colour.

- Typical film shot in a 10:1 ratio of dark to light.

- Many Films Noir's were shot on location in cities, night time shooting was common to get     that really dark look.

- Shadows of venetian blinds, dramatically cast upon an actor's face as he or she looks out a window, are a commonly used visual in film noir.

- Film noir is also known for its use of low angle shots and wide angle lenses.

- Other things common in film noir include shots of people in mirrors, shots through a glass, and multiple exposures.

Research Information -http://uffilmanalysisfive.pbworks.com/w/page/7284511/Visual%20Style

From researching and reading all of this information, it has given me a better understanding of the theme and it would also help my group as it would give us all ideas on what our lecture is expecting us to produce and hopefully all have some knowledge on the theme and ideas on the day we make the film.

Television and Film Producion Roles

Assignment

For our upcoming assignment for Dave, he has set us into groups of 4 and we all have to produce a one minute film each. The 4 films that we have to make by the end of the year and to present it to our lecture that he has asked us all to do are:

1. Film Noir
2. Two Way Conversation
3. News Report
4. Create Our Own

When we produce these 4 one minute films, Dave has given us roles of who's doing what in each of the films we have to make which I like because it would give us all a chance to take turns of each roles to experience them. But firstly, I found it important to research online and find out more about each roles so I can have a better understanding of what to expect on what my role is on each film we do.

Roles

Director -
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure, make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film.  They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments. During post production, Directors work closely with editors through the many technical processes of editing to reach the final cut or version of the film. 

Camera Operator -
Camera Operator is a senior role within television and film camera departments. The role's duties vary depending on the type of production. Their main role is to support the Director of Photography and the Director, by accurately carrying out their instructions regarding shot composition and development. 

Sound Recordist -
Sound Recordists record sound on location or in a studio to enable the highest quality 'real' sound to be recorded at the time of filming

Boom Operator - Boom Operators control the long boom arm, manoeuvring it as close to the action as possible in order to achieve the best quality recording

Lighting -
The Lighting Camera Person plays the most senior role in television camera departments. They use their advanced skills in lighting and camerawork to realise the Director vision for the programme. 

Roles for 4 Films

Here is a list of roles that Dave gave to us for our roles for each film we have to work together and produce by the end of term.

Film Noir -
Director - Liam King
Lights/Boom Operator - Kimberly McClarnan
Camera Operator - Emily Barresi
Sound - Rhianwen Davies

Two Way Conversation -
Director - Rhianwen Davies
Lights/Boom Operator - Emily Barresi
Camera Operator - Kimberly McClarnan
Sound - Liam King

News Report -
Director - Emily Barresi
Lights/Boom Operator - Liam King
Camera Operator - Rhianwen Davies
Sound - Kimberly McClarnan

Create our Own -
Director - Kimberly McClarnan
Lights/Boom Operator - Rhianwen Davies
Camera Operator - Liam King
Sound - Emily Barresi

I am looking forward to this whole project as we will be making a short film but mainly that we get to take in turns of different roles to experience them and to have a better understanding of them to learn to become better of using them which would be using for upcoming projects during my time in university.