Camera Shots

In our first few practical lessons we have covered quiet a lot; shot features, the definition of meaning, re-creating film shots, analysing different shots (from four famous movie stills) and have learnt how to use the camera equipment and how positioning can create meaning.

Exploring Shots 'Features' - Framing, Focus, Composition and Depth
One of our first activities was to find the definitions of 'framing', 'focus', 'depth' and 'composition'. 

The definitions we came up with were:

Framing - What you chose to include in a frame.

Focus - The focal point in a shot is usually determined by sharpening the main subject in a scene.

Depth - The distance between the sense and subject/object (layers).

Composition - What goes where in a shot.

We had to write the meanings ourselves, so that we would understand what each of them are. We found that by understanding what each of these features meant, we could then explore the meaning of certain stills and learnt how vital it is to have each of the features in a shot and that they need to be used in different ways to convey different situations.

Re-Creating Famous Film Shots and Analysing These Shots
After understanding all features contained within a shot, we did our first bit of practical work and were tasked with re-creating famous film shots, taking depth, composition, framing and focus into consideration. In our groups we had re-create two famous shots, my group had a still from 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Taxi Driver', we could use props and different areas to try and get the best re-creation, discussing camera angles, what to include and position of our 'actors'. As a big group we went through the four stills in class and analysed the shots, discussing the features and how they were adapted and used to illustrate certain emotions and see how effective each shot was and if we got the right idea. 

In this still from 'Shawshank Redemption' the camera angle, focus, depth, composition and framing all contribute to create a meaning. The director, Frank Darabont has used a high angle shot to make the character look smaller, which connotes weakness, suggesting has had no freedom. There is a use of pathetic fallacy, as rain has been used to create meaning, for this still the rain could connote cleansing the man, washing away a bad past. The focus is on him and there is nothing in the image except him which draws the audiences attention towards him. There are only two layers in this still, the man and the background, there is nothing else in the shot to look at  apart from the man. He is the centre of attention.

This still from 'Pulp Fiction', the director, Quentin Tarantino has used a low angle shot to create the sense of power between the two men, suggesting they have power over people in their work, which they do as they are hit men. It is also a medium shot, the two characters fill the entire shot with the edging of the background round the sides of the shot, this also connotes power. The facial expressions of the characters also convey a sense of power, as they look like they aren't bothered by anything they do. The focus is on the two characters, more attention may be drawn to the taller man as his height can translate into him being the leader out of the two men. There are only two layers in this still; the background and the characters.

Creating Meaning and Using Cameras/Equipment
The definition of meaning is: the underlying message or values of any representation or narrative which can be implicit or explicit.
As a whole group we were taken with creating a still image that showed power, isolation and fear. We used a BB8/character and put them in different scenarios which portrayed each of words.
Power - The possession of control or power over others; authority; ascendency.
Isolation - The state of being isolated or alone.
Fear - An unpleasant emotion caused by danger, threat or harm.

We created the theme of power by using a low angle shot and a 70mm lense which made the character film the shot without the need to move closer.

To create the theme of isolation we used a high angle shot and a 25mm lense creating a wider shot making the character look smaller in a larger place. The character was put in a darker area of the room to convey loneliness and abandonment. To improve our final image we could have put another object into frame a focused more on that and make the character blurry to show how it was left out, which would have shown isolation better.

Understanding Requirements of Main Task (Film Opening)
The end goal is to create a two minute film opening.