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Tuesday 5 January 2010
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Production and Camerawork Basics
Before we actually got stuck in, and started working on our 8 Shot Journeys, most of us were very inexperienced, so we went over some of the things that would helps us. We started of learning about the 3 main areas of making a film; Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production.
Pre-Production (Pre-P) is focused on create the ideas, gathering up information about; the location of the piece, auditions or actors, script writing, Story boards so that the camera/lighting/sound crews have something to go by, and achieve the shots and effects the Director wants. Pre-P is essential to the whole thing, as without it, no one would know what is happening, money and time would be wasted in getting everyone organized in a last minute attempt.
Production (P) is where its all made. Actors are in place, costume and make up, sorted, the set is ready for use, and everyone knows their cues. It can take quite a long time just to get one scene done and over with, but Directors always aim for it being done in one, This saves time, money and energy of the entire production crew, ranging from the directors himself, to the runner's and the actors.
Post Production (Pos-P) is where the magic happens. All the film is put together, along with the sound effects, CGI and music. it is mainly left up to the Editors to get the work done, as this is their only input throughout the whole project. The Director will also be present, working with the editors to get the shots and sequences just how he wants them.
After learning about that, we moved onto some of the most crucial things to know, when recording. This had terms like Rule of 1/3's, 180 Degree line Rule, Time Code etc.
The Rule of 1/3's is that when you record and look through the viewfinder, you should make a mental image of the screen divided in a noughts and crosses fashion. The upper horizontal line is the 'eye line' and the lower one is the 'horizon line'. Your character should be placed along the left hand vertical line, because it gives space on the right hand side. Thus allowing some background to be seen, but more importantly, it looks more natural, it gives the user time to see whether or not something will happen, if the character in question will move into that space.
The 180 Degree line, is basically a line which must not be crossed when recording. For example, if you were recording a conversation between 2 people. One sits on the right, the other the left. If you record on one side of the line, then on camera it will show that the 2 people are facing opposite each other in the right way. But if you recorded that, then crossed the line, and recorded it again. It looks like the people are sitting facing the same way as the other person, thus causing confusion, and becoming poor shody camera work. You can record as close to the line as you want, even on it. but the only way to cross it is to physically record the scene whilst moving the camera across the line, because then its more natural.
Time Code is part of the tape itself. When you record something, a set of numbers in this fashion will show up;
00:00:00:00
This stands for, from left to right; Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Frames. There are 25 frames per second, so when 25 have gone through and a new second is born, the time code resets itself. This happens everytime you hit record, and it is essential, since all editing software in the world, use this time code to digitalise your recordings. if you are to break this code, then the tape will end up making multiple time codes which are all exactly similar. When this happens the editing software cant take out the clip you want, and you might end up getting one that completely different. To stop this from happening, 'Striping' the tap, comes in. This is when you face the camera at a wall, then pres record, and allow the tape to reach its limit. once done you rewind it, and have a clean, unbroken Time Code.
Pre-Production (Pre-P) is focused on create the ideas, gathering up information about; the location of the piece, auditions or actors, script writing, Story boards so that the camera/lighting/sound crews have something to go by, and achieve the shots and effects the Director wants. Pre-P is essential to the whole thing, as without it, no one would know what is happening, money and time would be wasted in getting everyone organized in a last minute attempt.
Production (P) is where its all made. Actors are in place, costume and make up, sorted, the set is ready for use, and everyone knows their cues. It can take quite a long time just to get one scene done and over with, but Directors always aim for it being done in one, This saves time, money and energy of the entire production crew, ranging from the directors himself, to the runner's and the actors.
Post Production (Pos-P) is where the magic happens. All the film is put together, along with the sound effects, CGI and music. it is mainly left up to the Editors to get the work done, as this is their only input throughout the whole project. The Director will also be present, working with the editors to get the shots and sequences just how he wants them.
After learning about that, we moved onto some of the most crucial things to know, when recording. This had terms like Rule of 1/3's, 180 Degree line Rule, Time Code etc.
The Rule of 1/3's is that when you record and look through the viewfinder, you should make a mental image of the screen divided in a noughts and crosses fashion. The upper horizontal line is the 'eye line' and the lower one is the 'horizon line'. Your character should be placed along the left hand vertical line, because it gives space on the right hand side. Thus allowing some background to be seen, but more importantly, it looks more natural, it gives the user time to see whether or not something will happen, if the character in question will move into that space.
The 180 Degree line, is basically a line which must not be crossed when recording. For example, if you were recording a conversation between 2 people. One sits on the right, the other the left. If you record on one side of the line, then on camera it will show that the 2 people are facing opposite each other in the right way. But if you recorded that, then crossed the line, and recorded it again. It looks like the people are sitting facing the same way as the other person, thus causing confusion, and becoming poor shody camera work. You can record as close to the line as you want, even on it. but the only way to cross it is to physically record the scene whilst moving the camera across the line, because then its more natural.
Time Code is part of the tape itself. When you record something, a set of numbers in this fashion will show up;
00:00:00:00
This stands for, from left to right; Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Frames. There are 25 frames per second, so when 25 have gone through and a new second is born, the time code resets itself. This happens everytime you hit record, and it is essential, since all editing software in the world, use this time code to digitalise your recordings. if you are to break this code, then the tape will end up making multiple time codes which are all exactly similar. When this happens the editing software cant take out the clip you want, and you might end up getting one that completely different. To stop this from happening, 'Striping' the tap, comes in. This is when you face the camera at a wall, then pres record, and allow the tape to reach its limit. once done you rewind it, and have a clean, unbroken Time Code.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Evaluation of Jingles
Before given out task we were taught how to use the iMac computers, as well as the music editing software Soundbooth CS4. We were given a task to re arrange clips from a radio show. This taught us how to cut, arrange, and fade in/out, the basics of using the software.
I picked up using the software quite quickly and managed to finish before everyone else, and at a very good quality. One that was done and we were taught the Codes and Conventions of Jingles, we were given a task. To create 3 of our own;
-Show Promo
-News
-Station Iden
We could use whatever music we wanted, but we had a deadline to complete it in. We were then told to plan our script and such, however I feel that unless I know what music I will be using then I can’t decide on what I will say. So I turned on my iPod and browsed through my songs, and found several songs that would fit perfectly with my Show Promo and my Station Iden. I noted them down, and then wrote my script, something simple and that is me, not trying to act like some other radio presenter.
I had trouble finding a song for my news jingle but thought when I get home I could find it on my iTunes.
The next day I came back with several songs on my USB and started editing early. Having understood the program, I easily began slipping into the groove, cutting the tracks down, fitting them together. After and hour of editing I had completed my Station Iden and Show Promo. This was very easy for me, and I had hardly any difficulty. However when it came to the News Jingle, that’s when it got hard, I had know real song for it that would fit. However I was told to take a break and allow a fellow student on the computer since some of the iMacs were faulty. For the rest of the day I helped anyone in need, a ‘Teachers Assistant’ helping with the technical difficulties.
The next day rolled in and I began finding music for my News Jingle. However most of the tracks I had did not fit with the CC of a News Jingle, they had no real ending and had no ‘authority’, After browsing the web I found a suitable track from a Chinese radio show. I quickly edited it and finished early.
The Software itself was working perfectly for me, the microphone on the top of the iMac recorded my voice with excellent quality, I could grasp all the shortcuts of the programming to become more efficient in my work. However I didn't use any of the sound effects given, and all the sounds made were from a song.
I picked up using the software quite quickly and managed to finish before everyone else, and at a very good quality. One that was done and we were taught the Codes and Conventions of Jingles, we were given a task. To create 3 of our own;
-Show Promo
-News
-Station Iden
We could use whatever music we wanted, but we had a deadline to complete it in. We were then told to plan our script and such, however I feel that unless I know what music I will be using then I can’t decide on what I will say. So I turned on my iPod and browsed through my songs, and found several songs that would fit perfectly with my Show Promo and my Station Iden. I noted them down, and then wrote my script, something simple and that is me, not trying to act like some other radio presenter.
I had trouble finding a song for my news jingle but thought when I get home I could find it on my iTunes.
The next day I came back with several songs on my USB and started editing early. Having understood the program, I easily began slipping into the groove, cutting the tracks down, fitting them together. After and hour of editing I had completed my Station Iden and Show Promo. This was very easy for me, and I had hardly any difficulty. However when it came to the News Jingle, that’s when it got hard, I had know real song for it that would fit. However I was told to take a break and allow a fellow student on the computer since some of the iMacs were faulty. For the rest of the day I helped anyone in need, a ‘Teachers Assistant’ helping with the technical difficulties.
The next day rolled in and I began finding music for my News Jingle. However most of the tracks I had did not fit with the CC of a News Jingle, they had no real ending and had no ‘authority’, After browsing the web I found a suitable track from a Chinese radio show. I quickly edited it and finished early.
The Software itself was working perfectly for me, the microphone on the top of the iMac recorded my voice with excellent quality, I could grasp all the shortcuts of the programming to become more efficient in my work. However I didn't use any of the sound effects given, and all the sounds made were from a song.
About Radio
The Radio world lack any visual input on their shows, so they created Jingles. These jingles are used so that the listeners will associate that jingle with the particular station, DJ and programme. Usually its fits the programme that is playing at the time, so an upbeat, jingles full of new age songs, will be played n a youth station like BBC Radio 1. Whilst a more relaxing and symphonious tune would better fit Terry Wogan’s show on BBC 2.
It’s a form of identity for these show hosts, without them, people wouldn’t really remember what station their favourite DJ is on, or when a particular programme comes on and on what frequency.
We were taught about 3 main Jingles; Show Promo, News and Station Iden.
The Show Promo usually consists of multiple tracks mixed and edited so they fit in together, sounds effects as well to beef it up and finally the voice(s) of the presenter, talking about the times of the show, a line up of guests and what it’s all about.
The News Jingle is meant to be strong, but short and catchy, so people know that the news has started. Usually it contains the station’s name for their news broadcast and maybe strong drum line with some keyboardish kind of tunes.
The Station Iden is the smallest of the 3, only having a simple background tune and the name of the station.
It’s a form of identity for these show hosts, without them, people wouldn’t really remember what station their favourite DJ is on, or when a particular programme comes on and on what frequency.
We were taught about 3 main Jingles; Show Promo, News and Station Iden.
The Show Promo usually consists of multiple tracks mixed and edited so they fit in together, sounds effects as well to beef it up and finally the voice(s) of the presenter, talking about the times of the show, a line up of guests and what it’s all about.
The News Jingle is meant to be strong, but short and catchy, so people know that the news has started. Usually it contains the station’s name for their news broadcast and maybe strong drum line with some keyboardish kind of tunes.
The Station Iden is the smallest of the 3, only having a simple background tune and the name of the station.
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