My favourite TV shows

My popular TV programmes

Xfactor

The X Factor is a music competition to find new singing talent; this has been one of my popular shows since it aired in 2004. Being a constant and popular viewer of The X-Factor I've seen many changes, from the level of talent, to the judges, and presenters being changed. The X Factor is a reality show, which makes it even more exciting since we see aspiring singers from the public audition in front of thousands including the judges, being ordinary people from the public we could never know what to expect from their auditions which is what makes it even more fascinating.
Misfits

Misfits is a comedy-drama television programme, it's Britsh Science Fiction based on young youth offenders sentenced to community service, each of them gain a supernatural power which they obtained from an electrical storm. How the storm happened is still unsolved. The reason why I enjoy the show because the plots and storylines are intriguing each time, and as a viewer it positions me to keep engaged in the programme. The characters being british youths makes the show even relatable, also the fact that it's science based which isn't very popular to teens, but by making it into a comedy-drama contradicts the stereotypical view on science/supernatural. Each of the characters have different characteristics, which varies with the audience, and as a viewer we're able to have a certain connection with any one of the characters.
Geordie Shore

Geordie shore is a reality tv show based on young adults from Newcastle living together; the show mostly concentrates on partying, fights and relationships. Being a reality tv show makes this one of my favourite programmes, as you never know what to expect each episode. Another reason why I enjoy this show is because the cast being reality stars, makes them even more relatable as a viewer; the programme itself is entertaining and unpredictable which keeps me constantly tuned in.

Preliminary Task

Preliminary Task 
This is our video for our preliminary task, click here to view.

EVALUATION:
Our preliminary task involved us having to make a 2 to 3 minute clip which we had to film and edit ourselves. The main aim of the task was to use a variety of editing and camera techniques, the genre of our film was a crucial decision that we had to make, our overall outcome was that we'd have a twist within our genres with both comedy and horror. We then had to decide who our audience would be aimed at, we knew for definate that it would be for teens, but we had to consider what age range we would go for, after our discussion we then thought 12A. After doing some research I found out that age range for the majority of horror and comedy films were 18+ for horror and 12A for comedies.
Throughout the task I think my team worked well together, each of us contributed a fair amount to the task and we had to come up with a plan for our piece, each of us had a task to concentrate on. Nga created the script and storyline, Jodie and Reanne completed the storyboards and I done the floor plan.


To help us create our film we done extra research by watching a couple of horror and comedy films, and to try and pick up on the conventions in all of the films; by concentrating on the camera angles, lighting, mis en scene and the different types of sound used. After watching these films we had to consider what type of camera shots and angles we were going to use of our film, keeping in mind that our genre is horror/comedy we realised that we had to use a variety, that would help make it clear.
We also had to remember we had to include 'The 180 degree rule,' 'Shot reverse shot,' and 'Match on action/continuity;' and a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom he/she then exchanges a couple lines of dialogue.

Before we could start filming we had to decide as a group which one of us was going to take on what role; at first Nga was in charge of lighting, Jodie was doing the editing, Reanne was the cameragirl and I was the director. However Reanne was having some difficulties using the camera, so I took on the role with filming instead since I've had experience with filming before, and Reanne became director. We managed to include '180 degree' and 'Match on action/continuity.'  

Shot Reverse Shot Issues 

Once we had finished filming our preliminary task, we then realised that we didn't include the 'Shot Reverse Shot' technique which was part of our task. So we then decided to film a seperate clip showing the Shot Reverse Shot technique and that we understood what it was, which is shown in the video below.

As for the sound both non-diegtic and diegtic sound was used; diegetic sound was used throughout the film from dialogue to ambient sounds in  the background. Non -diegtic sound was added during the editing process, the editing process is where the match on action and continuity was cleaned up and fixed. To edit our film we used a programme 'iMovie,' to edit we found it quite simple to use as some of us had experience using it before, and we taught other members how to use it which they picked up quickly. During the editing we had to make the sure that the timing of each clip was procise, and the continuity was clear; we also added some non-diegtic sound such as, the clock ticking and background music playing throughout the clip.

Overall I think creating our preliminary task went smoothly because, we made sure that we researched and planned what we were going to be doing. We also communicated well throughout the task with one another, and everyone knew what their role was within the group; we were also organised, and stuck to our time scheduele. Setting and up and packing our equipment away was also done properly, when editing our final piece we all contributed ideas which we thought would help improve our film.

Influences for Preliminary Task

Since the genre of our film is based on horror, we thought that these particular films influenced our ideas on our task.The key idea are the running scenes that are shown in both films, however at the end of our film there's going to be a comical effect, which was mostly inspired by Scary Movie; our filming having the scary concept to it yet funny, which would position our audience to go from feeling uncomfortable to feeling relaxed towards the end.

Planning2

Storyboard

The storyboard shows clearly what our story is about and the order of it. Below each image is a brief description explaining what camera shots and angles are going to be used and the different types of lighting. The storyboard also had to show where the match on action, 180 degree rule and other techniques are going to be used, and why we were going to use them in that specific scene.

Floorplan

The floorplans show a clear positioning of the lighting, cameras and characters, and any other important props that may be in the scene. There's a floorplan for each one of our scenes, since we're doing three different scenes, three floorplans were made for each of them. 

Production Schedule

The production schedule made was to help keep us organised throughout, we made a list of the timings that we were going to film, what floorplan we were going to film at that exact time, and also what props/actors we'd need for that particular scene. The timing of the shots also have to be in order with the number of shots we have to film. 

Preliminary Task: Planning

Storyline

A student falls asleep in class and wakes up to a dark empty school, he/she panics and then run out of the classroom down a long corridor (dark and spooky) opening doors on their way but all doors are closed with empty classrooms. She finally gets to the end of the corridor to an empty room where there is a person in a seat in the room with one spotlight on the person seated.

Genre:

Horror

Roles within group

Director – Reanne

Camera girl – Mica

Lighting – Nga

Sound/editing – Jodie

Script

Character (Pants whilst pausing): Sorry I’m late

Character2: I’ve been waiting ages for you (DEEP AND CYNICAL VOICE)

Character 1: I came as quick as I could, I didn’t realise the time

(Character 1 looks at clock to show eye-line match)

Character 2: Oh well it doesn’t matter now, take a seat

Character 1: Ok (nervously and takes a seat)

(Character 2 slowly reaches for a briefcase & opens it)

(Spins chair around)

Character 2:  So which one should we give mum for Christmas (JOLLY TONE)

(Lays out a pack of cards in front of character 1)

Props/Objects needed

·                     Briefcase	·                     Desk	·                     Computer Chair
·                     Christmas Cards		·                     Clock

Preliminary exercise

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 exchange a couple of lines of dialogue. This task demonstrates match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.

Film review

Menace II society

Menace II society is a film based on black teenage youths living in the streets of Los Angeles. The film is narrated by the main character Caine Turner whose 18 years old, who talks about his life being a drug dealer and a car thief. His best friend O-Dog whose known as a viscious thug, gets into an altication with a couple that own a local store, who accuse both him and Caine of attempting to rob the shop. Out of anger O-Dog shoots the shopkeeper and his wife and then decides to rob him. Caine and O-Dog are hired by a local hood Chauncy, for a car insurance scheme but are caught in the process and arrested by police, a detective attempts to link Caine to the store killings by matching fingerprints. Caine is then released and continues to hijack cars, and begins to enjoy the 'hustler' lifestyle.

Throughout the duration of the film we begin to see how the effect of Caine's new life effects himself as well as others around him. His cousin and one of his crew members, he's also shot at twice, the first time he survives but the second time which happens at the end of the film he is fatally wounded.
The genre of this film is Crime/Drama, which is not only portrayed through the storyline, but also through the use of certain cinematic techniques .

The editing used in this film help portray the genre of the film; continuity editing is used throughout the film. The pace of the film is particulary fast, which supports the action scenes in the film which involve, shooting, fighting, and driving. However slow motion pace is also used, the slow motion builds tension in certain sequences. The continuity editing helps carry the narrative forward, 180-degree is used when characters exchange dialogue and shot reverse shot. Flashback are also used during particular parts of Caine's narration in the film, flash effects and different transitions; fades, wipes and dissolves portray the past events and the passing of time as he's explaining. Eliptical editing is another technique used in the film, jump cuts, cut away, cross and inter-cutting were used; these support the action that is taking place within the movie. The cross-cutting helped build suspense between the group when Caine and his cousin were attacked, and his friends were on their way to meet them.

Overall the storyline of the film was very effective, loads of teenagers could relate to certain scenes in the film. As the viewer I felt that I could relate or have some sort of feeling towards the characters which is an important aspect to have in a film; even though the film is more than 10years old watching it never seems to get old.

                                                      Madea's Big Happy Family

Madea's Big Happy Family is a comedy drama film based on a family trying to come together during the illness of Madea's niece Shirley whose dying from cancer and has less than 4-6 weeks to live. Shirley is desperate to get all the 3 of her kids Byron, Tammy, Kmberly and their family to come around for dinner so she could announce the news, but due to on-going conflict between the children she can't seem to get them to get along and stay for dinner. With nothing seem to be working out another family member Aunt Bam decides to call upon Madea to help get Shirley's kids together. The first night Madea manages to get them to come for dinner an intense arguement occurs between Tammy and Kimberly, the arguement ends with Byron finding out that Kimberley who thought was is sister is actually his mother.

Even though there's a serious storyline behind the film, but there's also comical moments in film involving Madea which I continuously find hilarious. Not only is it the obvious funny situations in the film that show it's a comedy, but also the mis en scene thats involved. The lighting is very bright throughout which gives it a postive feel, also the character's costumes are bright and colourful. Apart from the cinematic techniques, some of the character's acting was over the top such as Sabrina whose Byron's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, her over the top acting also brought the funny concept to the film.

Madea's big happy family is one of my favourite films because it's a comedy that has a very serious stroyline line with an important message. Having this could position the audience to not only have a good time but learn something whilst watching it.

Editing Techniques; Dark Knight Example

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight being an action film uses a range of editing techniques to bring the genre to life. At the beginning there's a panning shot used; the panning shot is used to grab the audience's attention at first. The long duration of the shot conveys the intensity of the scene, and creates tension. The genre then starts to take up it's conventional roles, the pace of the editing starts to increase; cross-cutting is used between scenes to show the action happening.Fast cutting is also used to show the transition from scene to scene. Continuity is used; match on action, 180 degree, and shot reverse shot.

 

Shot reverse shot

A Shot reverse shot is when one character is shown looking at another character that is usually off-screen. It's made to give the impression that they're looking at each other, since the character is facing the opposite direction.