Video and Sound Production - EXERCISES

Edita Chew En Thung / 0357357 
Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Exercises : Mints & Doritos



Table of Content

1. LECTURES
2. INSTRUCTIONS
3. EXERCISES/WORK
4. REFLECTION
5. FURTHER READING



LECTURES

Framing and Storyboards

Introduction to Framing:
  • Framing in video production refers to the composition of the visual elements within the camera frame.
  • It involves selecting the appropriate camera angle, shot size, and positioning of subjects within the frame to convey meaning and evoke emotions.
  • Effective framing is essential for communicating the intended message and guiding the viewer's attention.

Types of Shots:

Wide Shot (WS):
  • Shows the entire scene or environment.
  • Useful for establishing location and setting.
  • Can convey a sense of space and context.
Medium Shot (MS):
  • Frames the subject from the waist up.
  • Ideal for capturing interactions between characters or conveying body language.
  • Strikes a balance between showing detail and maintaining a sense of intimacy.
Close-Up (CU):
  • Focuses on a specific detail or part of the subject, such as the face or hands.
  • Intensifies emotional impact and emphasises expression.
  • Effective for conveying subtle nuances and capturing audience attention.
Extreme Close-Up (ECU):
  • Zooms in on a very small detail, such as the eyes or lips.
  • Creates intimacy and emphasises specific features.
  • Often used for dramatic effect or to convey intense emotions.

Camera Angles:

Eye-Level Angle:
  • Aligns the camera with the subject's eye level.
  • Creates a neutral perspective and establishes a connection between the viewer and the subject.
Low Angle:
  • Positions the camera below the subject, looking up.
  • Empowers the subject and conveys dominance or authority.
  • Often used to depict heroes or powerful characters.
High Angle:
  • Places the camera above the subject, looking down.
  • Makes the subject appear smaller and vulnerable.
  • Can convey weakness or submissiveness.
Dutch Angle (Tilt):
  • Tilts the camera at an angle, creating a sense of disorientation or unease.
  • Used for stylistic effect or to convey psychological tension.

Storyboarding:
  • Storyboarding is the process of planning a video or film scene by scene through a series of illustrated panels.
  • It helps visualise the sequence of shots, camera angles, and framing before filming begins.
  • A storyboard typically includes sketches or drawings representing key moments in the narrative, along with notes on camera movement, dialogue, and transitions.
Benefits of Storyboarding:

Visualisation:
Allows filmmakers to visualise the flow of the story and plan the composition of each shot.

Communication: 
Facilitates communication between the director, cinematographer, and other members of the production team.

Efficiency: 
Streamlines the production process by providing a clear roadmap for shooting, reducing the need for improvisation on set.

Problem-Solving: 
Helps identify potential issues or challenges in advance, allowing for adjustments before filming begins.

Conclusion:
Understanding framing and storyboarding is essential for effective video and sound production. By mastering different shot sizes, camera angles, and the art of storyboarding, filmmakers can enhance the visual storytelling experience and create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.



INSTRUCTIONS

fig 1.0 | Module Information booklet (MIB)




EXERCISES

Week 1 Exercises
  • Complete the document editing exercises 1 & 2 (Mints & Doritos) and publish them in the Exercises section of the blog.
  • View and select three favourite stop motion shorts for the Final Project section of my blog.
  • Procure a tripod for phone use, preferably with a Bluetooth remote control.
  • Prioritise watching "Everything, everywhere, all at once" before the third week.


Week 1 Editing Exercises:

Mints

fig 1.1 |  Mints commercial video editing exercise


Doritos

fig 1.2 |  Doritos commercial video editing exercise


Week 1 asynchronous class materials

To get ready for week 2 activities, we should understand the basics of cinematography. This includes shot size, camera angle, and composition, which are important for visual storytelling in movies and TV shows. Shot size: It's about how much of the scene is shown in a single shot. Different sizes convey different things. For example, close-up shots focus on small details, like a character's face, to show emotions. Wide shots show more of the scene to establish the setting.

Camera angle: This is about where the camera is placed in relation to what's being filmed. Different angles give different views. For instance, a high-angle shot looks down on the subject, making them seem vulnerable. A low-angle shot looks up at them, making them seem powerful.

Composition: It's all about how things are arranged in the frame. This includes where characters and objects are placed, the use of colour and lighting and how balanced the overall picture looks. Good composition keeps the viewer interested and helps convey feelings or messages.


Week 1 QUIZ:

fig 1.3 |  Week 1 QUIZ




Week 2 Exercises
  • Engage in shooting practice, followed by editing. Include a caption: "Adobe Premiere Pro CC - Basic Titles for Beginners." Upload the content to the Exercises section of my blog.
  • Complete Editing Practice 1 (Lalin). Review the last page of week 2 slides.

Week 2 asynchronous class materials: Understanding Storytelling

The three-act story structure is a widely used narrative framework in storytelling, prevalent in both film and literature. It divides a story into three main parts: Act One, Act Two, and Act Three.

Act One: The Setup
Act One introduces the protagonist, their world, and the initial situation they face. This section typically concludes with the inciting incident, which serves as the catalyst for the story's events, creating a problem that the protagonist must address. The inciting incident disrupts the protagonist's normal life and propels them into action, setting the stage for the rest of the narrative.

Act Two: The Confrontation
Act Two forms the bulk of the story and presents a series of challenges and obstacles for the protagonist to overcome as they pursue their goals. This act is characterised by a mix of progress and setbacks, with the protagonist encountering both triumphs and failures along the way. The midpoint of Act Two marks a significant turning point where the protagonist faces a major setback or crisis, forcing them to reassess their approach and strategy.

Act Three: The Resolution
In Act Three, the story reaches its climax, the highest point of tension and drama, where the protagonist confronts their final challenge or conflict. This climactic scene is followed by the resolution, also known as the denouement, where loose ends are tied up, and the protagonist's journey concludes. The resolution provides closure and delivers the story's overarching message or theme, leaving the audience with a sense of fulfilment.

Overall, the three-act structure offers a cohesive and effective framework for crafting compelling narratives that engage and resonate with audiences.

For further reading and viewing, our lecturer mentioned that we can refer to the following resources:
- StudioBinder: Three-Act Structure
- MasterClass: How to Write Three-Act Structure
- Video: Understanding the Three-Act Structure (YouTube link provided)

After reviewing the materials, test your understanding of the three-act structure by completing the quiz provided. Then, apply your knowledge by analysing the films "Lalin" and "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" according to the structure's framework. Answer the provided questions for each film and post your responses in the Exercises section of your blog.


Week 2 Exercises:

SHOOTING EXERCISE

fig 1.4 |  Doritos commercial video editing exercise



Week 2 EDITING EXERCISE (LALIN):

fig 1.5 |  Lalin video editing exercise




Week 2 QUIZ:

After we have read and watch the articles and video provided by our lecturer, we are tasked to do the quiz below to test our understanding on 3-act story structure.

We are tasked to watch: Everything, everywhere, all at once.

Based on the movie:

1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.

Act 1 sets up the protagonist's ordinary life and introduces her struggles with balancing her family and work life. Act 2 begins when the protagonist discovers her ability to access alternate dimensions, leading to a series of adventures and challenges as she navigates these new worlds. Throughout Act 2, she learns more about herself and her capabilities, facing various obstacles along the way. Act 3 culminates in the protagonist confronting the main antagonist and ultimately finding resolution and closure, both internally and externally.

2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

The inciting incident in "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" occurs when the protagonist accidentally discovers her ability to access alternate dimensions. This event disrupts her normal life and sets her on a journey of self-discovery and adventure.

fig 1.5 |  Quiz - Three act story structure

3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

The midpoint scene in "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" occurs when the protagonist reaches a turning point in her journey, realising the true extent of her abilities and the responsibilities that come with them. This scene marks a significant shift in the protagonist's understanding of herself and her purpose.

4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

The climax scene in "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" is the intense confrontation between the protagonist and the main antagonist, where all the tensions and conflicts built up throughout the story come to a head. This scene is the most intense and dramatic moment in the film, where the protagonist must overcome her greatest challenges to achieve her goals.

5.What is the theme of the movie?

The theme of "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" revolves around self-discovery, identity, and the idea of embracing one's true potential. The film explores the complexities of life and the multiverse, emphasising the importance of accepting oneself and finding strength in adversity.



Week 3 QUIZ:

fig 1.6 |  Quiz - Three act story structure

Week 3 | Asynchronous class materials

Storyboarding in filmmaking is like creating a comic strip that shows what a movie, animation, or video game will look like. It's a series of pictures that tell the story in order, helping the production team plan how to film each scene. Storyboards include details like camera angles, character movements, and dialogue, helping everyone understand how the story will unfold. They're important because they let filmmakers try out different ideas, spot any issues early on, and get ready for filming without wasting time or money.

How to make a storyboard - Reading

The article discusses the importance of storyboarding in filmmaking and provides a step-by-step guide on how to create effective storyboards. It emphasises the need for clear communication between the director, cinematographer, and production team through visual representation of scenes. The guide covers key elements such as shot types, camera angles, and composition, and suggests using digital tools like Milanote to organise and collaborate on storyboarding. Overall, the article highlights storyboarding as a crucial tool for planning and executing a successful film project.



Week 4 | Asynchronous class materials

Filmmaking process has three main stages: pre-production, production, and post-production.

Pre-production is the planning phase. Here, filmmakers write the script, create storyboards, cast actors, find locations, design sets and costumes, and hire the crew. It's all about getting everything ready before the cameras start rolling.

Production is when the actual filming happens. The team works together to shoot all the scenes, following the plans made during pre-production. This stage is often busy and challenging, involving many people and a tight schedule.

Post-production is the final phase where the film is edited and polished. Editors cut and arrange scenes, add music and sound effects, adjust colours, and include visual effects. This stage focuses on turning the raw footage into a finished movie. After this, the film may move on to distribution and marketing, but those are separate from the production process.



Week 4 QUIZ:
fig 1.7 |  Quiz - Production Crew




GOOGLE DRIVE LINK: HERE. (only accessible to lecturer)

REFLECTION

Learning the basics of Premiere Pro and exploring the Video and Sound Production module has been really interesting. I've discovered how much work goes into filming and editing audio. Understanding these processes has made me see filmmaking and sound editing in a whole new light. Each lesson has given me practical skills that I can use to create my own videos and audio projects. I'm excited to keep learning and getting better at telling stories through film and sound.


FURTHER READING
Self exploration - books

"The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques" by Joseph V. Mascelli

"The Five C's of Cinematography" by Joseph V. Mascelli is a classic resource that provides a comprehensive understanding of framing shot topics in filmmaking. The book explores essential concepts such as composition, camera angles, continuity, cutting, and close-ups. Through clear explanations and illustrative examples, Mascelli breaks down the principles of cinematography, helping readers grasp the fundamentals of framing shots effectively. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced filmmaker, "The Five C's of Cinematography" offers valuable insights and practical techniques for achieving compelling visuals in your films. With its timeless wisdom and practical guidance, this book is an essential addition to any filmmaker's library.




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