Preliminary Task - Story Board

Preliminary exercise:

This is a task that precedes your main task and is a chance for you to practise your skills without the pressure of it counting towards your final grade:

Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.

Shot 1: Mid shot, eye level.
Marco is sat on a bench looking at his phone.
I used a mid shot so the viewer can see the character's body language and a section of the surroundings, also this shot is close enough that the facial expression can be seen clearly too.

Shot 2: Long shot
Shows Ella walking up some steps.
I used a long shot to show more of the surroundings so the viewer gains a clearer idea of where the characters are and what the context might be.

Shot 3: Mid to long shot, low angle, match on action.
Shows Ella's feet walking up steps in more detail, with a blurred view of Marco in the background.
The use of match on action is for continuity and gives the audience a closer view of what is going on at that moment.  I used a wider shot than a close up so the viewer can see Marco in the background in relation to Ella.

Shot 4: Over the shoulder, long shot.
Shows Ella walking again, but she has move closer.
This once again shows the distance between the two characters and the surroundings to the viewer.

Shot 5: Long shot
Both characters face each other.
I used a long shot here to show both of the characters (their body language, facial expression, position) clearly, presenting to the viewer that Ella has moved even closer.

Shot 6: Over the shoulder, mid shot.
Shows Marco's back and Ella in the background.
I used an over the shoulder shot so that the viewer can see Ella's movement but not Marco's reaction to it. This creates a feeling of suspense as the viewer is not sure whether this encounter will be positive or negative.

Shot 7: Close up, match on action.
Shows Marco standing up from sitting position.
This shot was used as a visual bridge for the audience; they can see the movement but once again Marco's response to Ella's arrival is hidden, creating further tension.

Shot 8: Long shot
Shows Marco reaching out to hug Ella.
This shot was used to clearly show the complete body language of both characters so the audience are now aware that Marco has a positive response to Ella's arrival.

Shot 9: Long shot
Shows Ella and Marco hugging tightly.
This shot is a continuation of the last shot with more action. It shows the two characters in a tight embrace suggesting to the viewer that they are good friends. This removes all the tension that was previously built up and puts the viewer at ease again.

Shot 10: Extreme close up, eye level, match on action.
Shows Ella and Marco hugging in more detail.
The use of a close up here gives the viewer a closer look at the action and means they are able to see Ella's facial expression (her reaction to the hug).

Shot 11: Long shot
Shows Marco leading Ella to a seat, from behind.
I used a long shot so that a space could be left to the left side of the shot, suggesting to the viewer that the characters are about to move into that space. This means the viewer feels more in control of what is happening in the scene and can relax into the more steady pace.

Shot 12: Mid to long shot
Showing both characters gradually sitting down.
This shot shows the audience a different view of the surrounding the characters are in whilst ensuring not to restrict the view of the characters.

Shot 13: Mid shot
Shows the two characters sat opposite each other having a conversation.
The use of a mid shot here shows the viewer the characters' body language and facial expressions clearly. This could not be achieved by using a close up as the viewer would not be able to see both characters at the same time.

Shot 14: Close up, birds eye, canted.
Shows both characters' hand gestures.
This close up shot was used so the viewer can see how the characters are responding to each other simply by body language. The canted birds eye view is an interesting shot as it is not often used, especially the combination of birds eye with close up.

Shot 15: Over the shoulder, mid shot, sot reverse shot.
Shows Ella over Marco's shoulder.
I used an over the shoulder mid shot here so the viewer can see Ella's facial expression whilst she is talking/responding to what Marco is saying. This was more effective than a close up as the viewer is able to see her body language and surroundings as well as face; whilst sticking to the 180 degree rule.

Shot 16: Bird's eye, mid shot.
Shows both characters still engaged in conversation.
This shot enables the viewer to see the emotional closeness between the characters that is building up throughout the scene. This encourages them to question how their relationship may develop as the scene continues.

Shot 17: Over the shoulder, mid shot, shot reverse shot.
Shows Marco over Ella's shoulder.
I chose this shot so the audience can see Marco's facial expression whilst he is talking/responding. We could not shoot this from over Ella's other shoulder as it would break the 180 degree rule; unless we showed the movement to the other side.

Shot 18: Extreme close up
Showing Ella's hand.
I chose a close up so the moment featured in this shot and the next could have more of an emotional impact, as it only shows the hand gestures and no facial expressions or body language as a visual aid to explain the characters' emotions to the viewer. There is also empty space to the right suggesting that something will enter into it.

Shot 19: Extreme close up
Marco reaches out to touch Ella's hand.
This shot is a continuation of shot 18. Marco's hand moves into the previously empty space to hold onto Ella's. This is an attempt to evoke emotion from the audience as it suggests that Ella needs support during a tough time.

Shot 20: Extreme close up
Shows Ella's response to action.
I used an extreme close up here so the viewer can clearly see just Ella's facial expression - how she has responded to Marco's reaching out to her. This enables the viewer to see more detail of the face and connect with the character more.

Shot 21: Extreme close up
Shows Marco's response to Ella's facial expression.
The use of a close up here means the audience can see the character's facial expression really clearly in great detail.  This gives them a clear understanding of the relationship between the two characters.

Shot 22 and 23: Close up
Ella grabs her bag ready to leave.
The use of just close ups for shots 22 and 23 increase the pace of the scene and encourage the viewer to concentrate more on the action.

Shot 24: Mid to long shot
Shows both characters getting up about to leave.
The use of a mid to long shot here means that the viewer can clearly see the movement of both characters at the same time.

Shot 25: Long shot
Showing them walking away.
This shot was used to show the body language of the two characters as they walk away from and to show the distance between them and the table now.

Shot 26: Long shot
Showing them continuing to walk away.
I used a long shot for this shot as the viewer can once again see the distance now between  them and the table.

Shot 27: Close up, match on action.
Shows the feet of the two characters.
A close up was used here to match the action in a more detailed from to what was going on in the scene in the wider shot. This is used for continuity and will help make the viewer less aware of the editing.

Shot 28 and 29: Extreme long shot
Showing the two characters beginning to walk around the corner.
This shot was used to show that the characters are now at a great distance from us as the viewers, and the surroundings for a final time

Horror Movie - Death in 3 shots

Shot 1: (Victim parking car) Over the shoulder, mid shot.

Shot 2: (Killer at car window with knife) Mid shot, slightly low angle.

Shot 3: (Victim dead, has been stabbed) Close up, canted.

Shot Sizes and Angles

For this research into different shot sizes and angles I found a list of shots and decided to recreate the techniques. I used a small sculpture of a woman and took pictures of it from the different angles/levels/distances etc. This post has been really useful to refer back to in order to check that I have used a variety of shots in my work.

Key Videoing Skills

Match on action:

Also known as 'cutting on action'. This technique is used in editing to show a subject's action, and means that one shot is cut to another; the action started in the first shot is continued in the second. It makes the viewer find watching a scene more visually pleasing due to the continuity, meaning there are no gaps in what they can see; which could make the viewer feel uneasy, on edge and less engaged with the scene. With the use of match on action on the left, it is as if the viewer's eyes are drawn into the close up action, so they can be fully involved in what is going on with the characters. This is a common use of this technique, but it can be used with many different shot angles/distances etc. Another way in which match on action is used is to track an actor's movement as they are walking/running. 

180 degree rule:

The subjects in a scene should have the same left-right relationship to each other, all filmed within a 180 degree angle. This technique is generally used when two characters are engaged in dialogue.

The camera can be placed anywhere withing the green section (of the diagram). If the camera switches to the red area (of the diagram) and the shot is filmed from the reverse direction, the audience would be left feeling disorientated and not connect with the scene as effectively. However staying on one side encourages the audience to engage further with the action, including the action that is not on screen; and feel that they know exactly where they stand as the viewer in the scene.

Shot reverse shot:

Shot reverse shot is used for continuity when two characters are talking to each other, or one       character is simply looking at an object etc. The first shot is of what/who a character is looking at. This could be an over the shoulder shot or a point of view shot. The second shot is a reverse angle shot, showing the character's response to what they have seen. This could be any shot from an extreme close up to a mid shot. This is often followed by a shot of who/what they are looking at once again. This technique enables the audience to see both characters (or the character and object) in detail; as apposed to seeing both in a mid shot or long shot. Being able to see their facial expressions means that the audience can connect with the characters, understand their point of view and sympathise with them.

Jelly Babies Movie Intro - Story Board

1) Background 1

Billy arrives in a new town

Over the shoulder, long shot

I chose this angle so that the viewer can see the vast surroundings, but not Billy's reaction to it.

2) Background 2

Billy walking through town

Mid shot from the side

I used this angle so the viewer can see his body language and the surroundings in more detail.

3) Background 2

Saloon doors swing open

Close up

This shot is a close up so the viewer can see the fast movement and be involved in the action.

4) Background 2

People run out of the saloon shouting

Mid to long shot

So the viewer can see all the action and the response of all the people in the crowd.

5) Background 2

Billy stood front right of shot, watching the action

Mid shot

This shot has some empty space to the left suggesting something will enter the shot soon, creating tension and suspense. It is also to show there is some distance between the crowd and Billy.

6) Background 2

Crowd all fighting

Long shot, slightly from above

So the audience is now simply watching the action, not involved in it.

7) Background 2

Crowd all freeze and turn on Billy

Mid to long shot, from a slightly low angle

Used to show distance between Billy and the crowd. Seen from Billy's point of view. Low angle used to make the crowd look threatening.

8) Background 2

Man (Buck) steps ahead of crowd

Buck "And you are?"

Close up, low level

Used to make the viewer feel as if they are in Billy's position. Low angle to make the character appear threatening.

9) Background 1

Billy and Buck face each other

Mid to long shot

To show the lack of distance between the characters now, and that they are on a fairly equal level; Billy is no longer intimidated as his confidence has increased and he is ready for a fight.

10) Background 2

Billy "I don't think it concern you mister"

Over the shoulder, mid shot

Used to show Billy's expression and reaction to Buck's dialogue.

11) Background 2

Buck "This here's my town. If you in my town, it concern me."

Close up, low level

Used to show Buck's facial expression, and low level used to evoke intimidation from audience.

12) Background 2

Summer runs past the crowd to stand between the two men

Mid shot

Used to show Summer running through the shot in relation to the crowd.

13) Background 2

Summer "Daddy, you stop it now. Don't keep fighting those boys at Six-Guns all'time"

Over the shoulder close up

This shot is to show Summer's facial expression while she is talking, and her closeness to her father.

14) Background 2

Summer turns to face Billy

Summer "Look I don't know who y'are but you'd better get outta here"

Mid shot from the side

Used to show the closeness between the characters.

15) Background 2

Billy storms off, Summer calms Buck down in the background

Close up, canted

Used so the viewer can see Billy's facial expression and the blurred action in the background - suggesting speed.

16) Background 3

Billy stood on mountain ledge

Over the shoulder long shot

This shot is used to show the audience the vastness of the surroundings as well as Billy's body language.

17) Background 3

Summer walks up to Billy from behind

Over the shoulder long shot

Used to show the distance between the two characters, but no facial expressions.

18) Background 3

Summer walks closer to Billy

Mid shot from the side

Used to show the closeness between the characters now.

19) Background 3

Billy turns to face Summer

Billy "What've I done wrong now missy? You'd better not be telling' me to get lost from here too!"

Close up

Used to show Billy's angry facial expression whilst he is talking.

20) Background 3
Summer "No, I just wanted to say sorry about my daddy earlier. He can get real angry sometimes. And I realised I never introduced myself. I'm Summer."
Close up
Used to show Summer's facial expression whilst she is talking. The audience now see her softer side and that she simply means well.