180 Degree Rule

180 degree rule 

This is similar to shot reverse shot and is commonly used in conversations between two characters to make sure their dialogue runs smoothly. A straight line called the axis is often imagined running between and in front of the two characters to make sure that when you film it the camera doesn't go over the line. The line enables the audience to orient themselves with the position of the characters in the scene. If the camera did go over the line then the shot wouldn't work properly and you would loose the concept of the characters conversation and where they were. If the camera stays on the same side of the line the relationship between the two characters will be consistent throughout the shots and this makes sure the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is then frame left of the first. This rule enables the audience to connect with the unseen movement of the characters. 

This is an example of the 180 degree rule from the hunger games.

This is a diagram of the 180 degree rule.

Shot Reverse Shot Example

This is our example of shot reverse shot we will need to use this for our preliminary task and so it is vital for us to learn how to film it. We can then watch it back and see what went well and what didn't.

Shot Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot 

Shot reverse shot is a type of editing used when characters are speaking to each other in dialogue sequences, it is used when one character is looking at another character who is often off screen and the other character is looking back at them. It gives the effect that the characters who sit oppositely fro
m each other are talking to one another and provides a continuity in their speech. It is also used normally when the characters are in each other eye 

line.

This is an example of a shot reverse shot.

.

Film Reviews

Film reviews 

Kingsman: the secret service


I thought it was an entertaining and original film with a funny but sometimes complicated plot line. The story revolves around Gary "Eggsy" Unwin a young adult whose father died when he was a young boy who lives with his mother half sister and stepfather. Eggsy is part of a gang who gets into trouble and he ends up being arrested, this is where he meets Harry "Galahad" Hart "Colin Firth' who is part of the Kingsman Secret Service. Harry tells Eggsy that he knew his father and that he too was part of the secret service, Harry offers Eggsy the  opportunity of being a Kingsman to which he eventually accepts. I thought that Taron Egerton played his character of 'Eggsy' very well and really got into his character when dealing with his hard story line of an abusive stepfather and troubled up bringing. I also feel that Samuel L Jackson's role of "Richmond Valentine" a rich technology tycoon was one of the funnier parts and did add so humour to the film which mixed well with the drama. I thought it was a good idea to avoid the stereotypical bad guy style and make his character more funny.  

Inception


I loved watching this film and I found it very engaging and at the same time very original and unique. The film is about Dom Cobb ( Leonardo DiCaprio) a thief with a rare ability to enter peoples dreams and steal their skill from their subconscious. Dom misses his children but can't see them because of his work so when a man comes to speak to Dom with a work opportunity that if he gets right will allow him to se his children he accepts the offer. He recruits Ariadne (Ellen Page) to help design three layer dream mazes on this job which is called the Fischer inception job. The plot line at first seemed quite complicated because you didn't know if they were in a dream or not but eventually it came clearer so was easier to follow. I liked how throughout the film and especially the end you don't know all that happens and how it really makes your mind think. 


The Matrix

This is another film which I found quite complicated to start with but eventually I found it got clearer. The matrix is about Thomas A Anderson (Keanu Reeves) a hacker and computer programmer who goes by the name Neo. He realises that something isn't right in the world around him and discovers the matrix and begins to search for a man named morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) who is considered to be the most dangerous man alive to see if he can answer his questions. The film had so much drama and action all at once, however one of its scenes was quite gruesome and a bit difficult to watch.The film had some great characters and actors playing in it such as Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and Cypher (Joe Pantoliano). 

Scott Pilgrim


I thought that this film was so original with the content and I thought it was really creative how it is set in an almost surreal world where the world is like a computer system. The film centres around Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) an unemployed 23 year old bass guitarist who plays in a garage rock band. One day he meets Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) who has just moved to Toronto to leaver her past behind and falls in love with her, however in order to date her he needs to defeat her seven exe boyfriends. I thought it was a really original concept which involved many different genres such as comedy, action, romance and fantasy. 

Representation Of Gender In Films

Most films play along with various stereotypes of gender and how they represent those characters for example putting in secretary outfits and getting images like this.

The character of moneypenny in the older James Bonds follows this stereotype with how she dresses

Another stereotype in some films is the "damsel in distress" role when a male character has to save the character played by a woman. This however is subverted more now in films such as Harry Potter where Hermione is a strong clever character and in The Hunger Games where Katniss manages to save herself and Peeta. 

One last stereotype is the prettiest girl in a typical teenage girl film is the mean girl of the school for example Regina George (Mean Girls) and Lana Thomas (The Princess Diaries)

We don't have any particular stereotypes in our opening as it was based on true events so we just have  to cast characters and dress them similar to how they are said to be portrayed. 

Because the genre of our film is a drama I researched stereotypes of gender in TV dramas.

Men are said to play active roles and are meant to be strong and dominant whereas women are seen as passive roles in need of protection and they are objects for males. However in the present day there is more diversity in gender roles wit women playing the stronger characters. 

Poster Analysis

By doing this poster I have learnt how film companies use posters to grab the audiences attention and how the posters give away pieces of information about the film for example the photos and colours are used and how this relates to the film. 

Our Preliminary Task

Preliminary task

Our preliminary task is to film and edit a scene where a character opens a door, walks into a room and sits on a chair opposite another character who then begins to start a conversation. We want them to have an intimate conversation so we will want the lightning and setting to reflect that. We will have shots such as shot reverse shot which I have already shown an example of. 

Camera Angles

Different types of camera angles 

Big Close-Up

This camera angle is used so you can clearly see the characters face and what their expression may be. It also increases the intensity and is sometimes used in thrillers because it is very close to the characters eyes so you can see clearly into them

Close-Up

This camera angle is used quite a lot in romantic genres and it helps as you identify the character. This angle helps draw the viewer closer to the character and is a very good angle in observing what emotions the character is feeling.

Medium Close-Up

This angle is not as close as the past two so you can see more of the background so you can see where the character is. It is also used to establish the character because it helps to identify who the character is it also establishes what the character is wearing. 

Mid-Shot

This angle is shot from the stomach up so you can see even more of the characters outfit and you can also see if the character is carrying a prop.

Medium long shot 



This angle is sometimes used as a sequence between Mid-Shot and Medium Long Shot. The angle shows more of the background and setting than the rest of the shot.

Long Shot or Wide Shot

This angle would most commonly be used at the beginning of a sequence either getting closer to the character or further away. It can be effective as an establishing the scene for the action. 

Two Shot

This angle helps to convey to the viewers that there is some sort of relationship going on with the characters and also is a way of introducing another character to the scene. 

Three Shot 

This angle is most commonly used when a conversation happens between three characters.

High angle shot 

This angle provides a view from above the character this makes the character look vulnerable or powerless. 

Low Angle-Shot

This angle gives the connotation of someone being menacing and the idea of a criminal.

Over-the-Shoulder

This angle is used in conversations between characters and provides a intimate angle into the conversations. 

Researching various camera angles helps us when we want to storyboard our film opening to help us reach level 4 shots. I also helps us to understand why we will use certain shots to convey certain messages in our opening.