Monday 12 June 2017
Monday 22 May 2017
Thursday 18 May 2017
Features of a single camera production
This essay will be an analysis and description of the key aspects of a single camera production and the difference between multi-camera productions. I'll be highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the camerawork, lighting, sound, editing as well as the genre and formats and how it differs to multi-camera productions.
Camera
In a single camera technique, you will only be using one camera which requires each scene to be shot multiple times, that is if you want multiple angles. Using only one camera for a production can be the result of having a low budget or even just a personal filming choice, it can depend on what genre of film or show you are watching, which can have many benefits but will also have its disadvantages. The benefits of using one camera for a production is that you can put much more focus and time into each and every shot, having to re-shoot the same scene from different angles and perspectives allows for more control over the different shots you are getting, as opposed to having to to stage or block each scene for each shot. The disadvantages of a single camera production are that it can be a much longer process due to having to film multiple shots for the same scene, continuity errors would pop up more, filming for a certain genre like action would result in the footage seeming less fluent and less authentic.
Lighting
Filming with only one camera would clearly have an affect on the other equipment that you would be using when filming. When filming with one camera, if there is more than one shot, the different shots would have to be lit in order to avoid lighting errors between each shot. For example, the lighting in one shot could be high key but the next shot in the same location could be much darker. This would take the audience out of the diagesis as the lighting error would be very noticeable. But it would be easier to control as you would be able to light each shot individually and have more focus on how the scene should be lit. However, some one camera productions may film a scene in just one unbroken take. An example would be Hitchcock's film Rope, in which the entire film is made to look like just one shot, however there are many hidden cuts. In this case, the scene would have to be lit in order to fit with the location changes and blocking of the actors all the way throughout the scene.
Sound
When working on a single camera production, the sound recording and mixing would be different than a multi camera production, in post and filming. In post, both for a multi-camera production and single camera production the sound would be able to be altered or created in post, whether it is dialogue with Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), ambient noise and Foley sounds. When filming a single camera production, the shots that are filmed would require overlay, which means to begin filming earlier than the scene takes place and also cut just a short moment after the shot had finished. The sound and footage would have to be synced up when they have both started rolling, this can be done by clapping or the clap sound from the clapperboard, this allows for the audio and visuals to be lined up in editing. However, in editing, the dialogue heard in a scene may not be the same dialogue that was recorded along with the scene. Sometimes, the dialogue may be re-used dialogue from another take, this is if the dialogue has better sound.
Editing
When it comes to editing a single camera production, the assembly of the shots has its benefits but also its pitfalls regarding continuity and the flow of shots. This is because during the shooting of the film, each scene would have to be repeatedly shot but at different angles, allowing for the easier assembly of repeated scenes and also makes sound mixing much easier, due to the sound being recorded along with the shot being used. But if the shoot involved multiple cameras, it would make it much harder when it comes to the assembly of the sound and shots. For example, you might have one shot you want to use but the sound was recorded during a different time of shooting, this could cause the sound and the visuals to not be synchronized.
Genres
Single Camera and multi-camera
Different set ups i.e multi or single camera production, could be due the fact that the project or production at hand may be because it is of a certain genre. For example, a TV Sitcom like Friends or The Big Bang Theory, would use a multi camera set up but an action or horror movie would typically use a single camera set-up. For horror especially, the budget would usually be much smaller than most films produced by Hollywood, so this could restrict the production to a single camera production. Single camera productions would be easier to carry out as it allows for more free in regards to how and where you can move the camera without having it affect the other camera in the set-up, allowing for a quicker and more fluent production. A multi-camera set up would make it easier in the editing and have a better continuity between such things as Shot-reverse-shots and match on action shots, but this may get in the way of the continuity of sound and other things.
Lighting
Filming with only one camera would clearly have an affect on the other equipment that you would be using when filming. When filming with one camera, if there is more than one shot, the different shots would have to be lit in order to avoid lighting errors between each shot. For example, the lighting in one shot could be high key but the next shot in the same location could be much darker. This would take the audience out of the diagesis as the lighting error would be very noticeable. But it would be easier to control as you would be able to light each shot individually and have more focus on how the scene should be lit. However, some one camera productions may film a scene in just one unbroken take. An example would be Hitchcock's film Rope, in which the entire film is made to look like just one shot, however there are many hidden cuts. In this case, the scene would have to be lit in order to fit with the location changes and blocking of the actors all the way throughout the scene.Sound
When working on a single camera production, the sound recording and mixing would be different than a multi camera production, in post and filming. In post, both for a multi-camera production and single camera production the sound would be able to be altered or created in post, whether it is dialogue with Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR), ambient noise and Foley sounds. When filming a single camera production, the shots that are filmed would require overlay, which means to begin filming earlier than the scene takes place and also cut just a short moment after the shot had finished. The sound and footage would have to be synced up when they have both started rolling, this can be done by clapping or the clap sound from the clapperboard, this allows for the audio and visuals to be lined up in editing. However, in editing, the dialogue heard in a scene may not be the same dialogue that was recorded along with the scene. Sometimes, the dialogue may be re-used dialogue from another take, this is if the dialogue has better sound.
Editing
When it comes to editing a single camera production, the assembly of the shots has its benefits but also its pitfalls regarding continuity and the flow of shots. This is because during the shooting of the film, each scene would have to be repeatedly shot but at different angles, allowing for the easier assembly of repeated scenes and also makes sound mixing much easier, due to the sound being recorded along with the shot being used. But if the shoot involved multiple cameras, it would make it much harder when it comes to the assembly of the sound and shots. For example, you might have one shot you want to use but the sound was recorded during a different time of shooting, this could cause the sound and the visuals to not be synchronized.
Genres
Single Camera and multi-camera
Different set ups i.e multi or single camera production, could be due the fact that the project or production at hand may be because it is of a certain genre. For example, a TV Sitcom like Friends or The Big Bang Theory, would use a multi camera set up but an action or horror movie would typically use a single camera set-up. For horror especially, the budget would usually be much smaller than most films produced by Hollywood, so this could restrict the production to a single camera production. Single camera productions would be easier to carry out as it allows for more free in regards to how and where you can move the camera without having it affect the other camera in the set-up, allowing for a quicker and more fluent production. A multi-camera set up would make it easier in the editing and have a better continuity between such things as Shot-reverse-shots and match on action shots, but this may get in the way of the continuity of sound and other things.
Tuesday 28 March 2017
Synopsis- Music Video
Protagonist enters an art room holding a canvas with a painting on it. It's a black and white painting of a grass and dirt pathway leading up to large rock archway. He raises the painting and places it on the art teachers desk. The art teacher examines the painting and raises his head up, his head slowly turns left to. He hands the painting back to the protagonist who turns and leaves the room in frustration,
First verse-40 seconds
The protagonist stands in a dark room staring at a plain white canvas, lit up by a single light. He stares at the canvas with a paintbrush in one hand. He reaches up and begins to paint on the canvas. We don't see what he is painting. Few close ups of the paint brushes on the canvas. The protagonist steps back and examines the painting. We still don't see the canvas. He steps forth and continue to paint.
He takes the painting back to his teacher, who rejects it again. He storms off in frustration.
Protagonist stares at his painting in the same room.
Chorus
He proceeds to destroy the painting. Stabbing it with a knife and ripping it apart. He does the same with his other piece of art he handed in before. He rips the canvas' apart and scatters the remains.
He takes out another canvas and paintbrushes. He looks down at the paintbrush and ponders his next piece. He begins to paint a large crucifix, surrounded by smaller crucifix's.
Second Verse
Protagonist proceeds to take off the crucifix canvas and places another one upon the easel.
First verse-40 seconds
The protagonist stands in a dark room staring at a plain white canvas, lit up by a single light. He stares at the canvas with a paintbrush in one hand. He reaches up and begins to paint on the canvas. We don't see what he is painting. Few close ups of the paint brushes on the canvas. The protagonist steps back and examines the painting. We still don't see the canvas. He steps forth and continue to paint.
He takes the painting back to his teacher, who rejects it again. He storms off in frustration.
Protagonist stares at his painting in the same room.
Chorus
He proceeds to destroy the painting. Stabbing it with a knife and ripping it apart. He does the same with his other piece of art he handed in before. He rips the canvas' apart and scatters the remains.
He takes out another canvas and paintbrushes. He looks down at the paintbrush and ponders his next piece. He begins to paint a large crucifix, surrounded by smaller crucifix's.
Second Verse
Protagonist proceeds to take off the crucifix canvas and places another one upon the easel.
Tuesday 14 March 2017
Track Choice: Research and Planning
Track and artist choiceTrack: Feel Invincible-Skillet
Band- Skillet is a Christian Rock band consisting of current members John Cooper (Vocals, Bass), his wife Korey Cooper (Guitar, Keyboard, Vocals), Seth Morrison (Guitars) and Jen Ledger (Drums, Vocals). The band was formed in 1996 beginning with current member John Cooper and Ken Soarts, the former guitarists of Urgent Cry. Both coming from different music genre backgrounds, they decided to go with the style of Christian Rock, since John Cooper is heavily religious.
The song 'Feel Invincible' was released on June 29th in 2016 as a single. It was then attached to Skillets 7th album titled 'Unleashed'. The song was at No. 3 on the U.S Christian Rock charts and was also used as the official theme song for the WWE 2016 Battleground pay-per-view event. The song sticks with the style and meaning of the band's earlier songs i.e promoting the christian faith and in the style of heavy metal.
Lyrics
A repeated line in the song is 'You make me feel Invincible', which can only mean, since the band members are heavily religious, that this is a reference to God and the 'strength he gives us'. The entirety of the song is consistent of the band members preaching their faith and is representing how they feel with religion and 'God on their side'.Not to mention the Jesus figure represented by lead vocalist John Cooper as he poses as if on a crucifix. Also seen in the lyrics are references to strength e.g 'You're my titanium' and 'You make me brave'
The music video itself, however, has a very dark tone to it. The matte black color scheme and the bizarre black costuming seen in the video conveys a very supernatural element. It has a pitch black feminist propaganda piece styled with a gas mask and fully black clothing and a pitch black plague doctor character seen throughout, along with many other imagery.
The video is also edited as a very fast paced and chaotic way, cutting back and forth between the performers in close ups and wide shots and also cutting back to the pitch black characters and even using silhouettes towards the end for a very stylistic look. It also follows the same color scheme as most of their previous music videos, using a teal blue and black scheme, as oppose to some of their other videos which use an orange or white scheme. They don't have any particular costume scheme in their music videos or an noticeable imagery. The ideology of their songs are mostly conveyed in the lyrics.
Tuesday 7 March 2017
Styles and conventions of Music Videos
This essay will be an analysis and breakdown of all of the styles and conventions of music videos and how each different techniques and styles can affect the outcome, meaning and the overall reception of the video. Also how these videos would be used to promote the image of the band and/or artist. I will be analyzing and giving of examples of style of music videos such as Narrative, In-Concert and Surrealist/Absurdist.
In-concert and 'as live' footage
Another example of this is Twenty One Pilots music video for 'Lane Boy', in which it keeps cutting back and forth from the separately filmed footage and a live performance.
Narrative and Interpretive
A narrative music video is when the music video is filmed as a linear story for the audience to follow along with the music. An interpretative music video is when the video takes cues from the lyrics and portrays them with visuals in the music video.
An example of this is Thirty Seconds to Mars music video for their song 'This Is War', in which the visuals take from the lyrics in order to convey political corruption and war, following and taking cues from the lyrics to portray a view on the world.
Surrealist/Absurdist
A surrealist/absurdist music video is when the video is an over exaggerated or over-the-top representation of certain things, being unconventional and surprising whilst not relating to the lyrics in any way. This can be portrayed through animated/CGI visuals, mise-en-scene and location.
An example of this is A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'Right back at it Again', in which it uses very simple cartoon drawings and animation both stop frame and computer generated.
Impressionist
An impressionist music video is when the artist uses particular videos and lyrics as a way to capture how the world makes them feel, instead of just capturing the image of the world itself. This style of video comes from the 19th century with German Expressionism, a movement in film that stood out as much more 'artistic' then other films of that time.
An example I found is Sum-41's video for their song 'Walking Disaster', in which the lyrics tie in with the visuals to represent the bands view of the world.
Another example I found was A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'Bullfight', in which it depicts a creative burst of expression from those in the music video.
Intertextual: Synergy, Allusion, Pastiche, Parody and Homage
An intertextual music video is when the music video references, parodies, pays homage or replicates the style of a certain artistic era or medium. The video would replicate what has been seen in the referenced media.
Homage
An homage is when someone or something references and copies another well known property whether it be music video to film, film to copy etc.
An example is Thirty Seconds to Mars music video for 'The Kill', in which the video replicates the style and narrative of Stanley Kubrick's film 'The Shining'.
Pastiche
A pastiche is when the style or theme is taken and replicated from a well known media.
An example of this is Panic!At the Disco's music video for 'But It's Better if you Do', in which it copied from classic 50's TV Domestic dramas.
Allude
An allusion is when the video itself alludes to another person, thing, event or cultural reference. Either to poke fun or highlight an unspoken side of them regarding either political or media representation. An example is The Lonely Island's music video called 'Finest Girl (Bin Laden) in which he sings about a girl with a sexual obsession with Osama Bin Laden.
Synergy
Synergy is when a film would make videos of the songs on their soundtrack in order to tie in with the promotion of the film. These videos may include an actor or group of actors from the film and the artists or band behind the song.
An example of this is when the film Suicide Squad released music videos for the pop-punk songs on the films soundtrack. Two examples are Purple Lamborghini by Rick Ross and Skrillex, in which Jared Leto's joker character was included in the video, and Twenty One Pilots music video for Heathens.
Parody
A parody is when an artist or band pokes fun at or replicates something serious from another artist or band, they put a comedic spin on it whilst changing the lyrics and tone of the song as a whole. The video or lyrics would often twist around the original lyrics or music video for a comedic spin. An example of this is from the YouTube channel "Barely Political" in which they parody Eminem and Rhianna's 'Love the way you lie'. The video turns the original on its head by changing the theme of domestic abuse and break up to kids picking on each other in school playgrounds and classrooms.
Animation
An animated music video is when the video consists of either completely or partly animated visuals. These can either be when animation is animated over live-action footage, or the video is entirely computer animation. A lot of the time these would be in the style of an anime or manga that would come from a Japanese band like One Ok Rock.
An example I found was Tenacious D's song 'Tribute' in which it consitsts of a digitally recreated landscape and a digitally altered character.
Lip Synch- miming and playback
A lip synced video is when the video would consist of someone miming to the lyrics of the song. This person wont necessarily have to be the original artist and can be told with a simple narrative. A few examples would be Ed Sheeran's song 'Lego House' in which the famous actor Rupert Grint (Harry Potter) sings along to the song 'Lego House' and is humorously similar looking to Ed Sheeran. Another example is Panic!At the Disco's song 'LA Devotee', in which the actor from the Netflix series Stranger Things sings to the song in a Clockwork Orange brainwash style video.
Another example I found was A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'All I Want', in which many members from other bands lip-sync to the same song, cutting back and forth from each band.
Cutting to the beat
Cutting to the beat is a style of music video in which it is edited so the cuts in the video are synchronized to the beats or to create a distinguishable rhythmic cut between the shots. These edits would be seen clearly throughout the majority of the video.
An example of a music video that uses this style of editing is DragonForce's music video for their song 'Through the Fire and the Flames'.
Post-production effects
Their are several different effects that could be added in post-production, these include such things as colored filters,cgi/digital recreation or an animation technique in which they would draw over the frames of the objects in the shot (maybe the artist or drawing over the environment around them). Whether these are stock footage of certain affects like smoke, fire or muzzle flares, they will be added in during the post-production editing stage.
Particular Effect: Split Screen
An example of certain effects in music videos is the use of the 'Split Screen', in which multiple shots or footage are placed over the same screen, but with a different shot scene or action takes place on the other screen. This can be used to duplicate the artist or band with a more fluent and visually unique video.
An example of this is the music video for Pentatonix's video for their 'Daft Punk' A Capella video.
Particular Effect: Chroma Key
The use of a chroma key in a music video is when the artist or band are shot performing in front of a green screen, which in post would then be changed to a certain background like a landscape or something of the editors choice.
An example of this is the music video for The Offspring's song 'You're gonna go far kid', in which the entire video is shot with the use of a chroma key.
Camera angles and shots and movements
Camera shots be a very helpful way in creating a unique music video that stands out from the typical fast cut and jarring music videos. These can be unique camera angles or even an entirely one shot take.
A music video that uses several random and over the top camera angles is Smash Mouth's music video for their song 'All Star'.
Another example is Sum-41's music video for 'The Hell SOng', in which the entire music video is shot at really low angle to film dolls and action figures.
Mise-en-scene
'Mise-en-scene' is the french word for 'things in the scene', these include all things like props, costumes, lighting, settings etc. These objects would be used for reasons like to create a sense of authenticity, establishing time period or location etc.
An example that uses the Mise En Scene really well is Panic! At the Disco's music video for their song 'The Ballad of Mona Lisa', in which it goes with a very steampunk style using props like the old microphones, the black and gold colour pallet and the costuming, among many others.
Another example of a good use of Mise-En-Scene in a music video is Panic! At the Disco's 'I Write sins not tragedies', music video. In which it depicts a circus-freak like group, crashing a wedding. Costuming, props and set design are a big part of this video.
In-concert and 'as live' footage
An in-concert or 'as live' footage music video is when the video consists of footage from one of the bands or artist's previous concerts. The video would include the footage from either one concert of them performing the same song or of multiple concerts of that song, inserted with any separately filmed.
An example of this is Thirty Seconds to Mars' music video for their song 'Closer to the Edge':
Another example of this is Twenty One Pilots music video for 'Lane Boy', in which it keeps cutting back and forth from the separately filmed footage and a live performance.
Narrative and Interpretive
A narrative music video is when the music video is filmed as a linear story for the audience to follow along with the music. An interpretative music video is when the video takes cues from the lyrics and portrays them with visuals in the music video.
An example of this is Thirty Seconds to Mars music video for their song 'This Is War', in which the visuals take from the lyrics in order to convey political corruption and war, following and taking cues from the lyrics to portray a view on the world.
Surrealist/Absurdist
A surrealist/absurdist music video is when the video is an over exaggerated or over-the-top representation of certain things, being unconventional and surprising whilst not relating to the lyrics in any way. This can be portrayed through animated/CGI visuals, mise-en-scene and location.
An example of this is A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'Right back at it Again', in which it uses very simple cartoon drawings and animation both stop frame and computer generated.
Impressionist
An impressionist music video is when the artist uses particular videos and lyrics as a way to capture how the world makes them feel, instead of just capturing the image of the world itself. This style of video comes from the 19th century with German Expressionism, a movement in film that stood out as much more 'artistic' then other films of that time.
An example I found is Sum-41's video for their song 'Walking Disaster', in which the lyrics tie in with the visuals to represent the bands view of the world.
Another example I found was A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'Bullfight', in which it depicts a creative burst of expression from those in the music video.
Intertextual: Synergy, Allusion, Pastiche, Parody and Homage
An intertextual music video is when the music video references, parodies, pays homage or replicates the style of a certain artistic era or medium. The video would replicate what has been seen in the referenced media.
Homage
An homage is when someone or something references and copies another well known property whether it be music video to film, film to copy etc.
An example is Thirty Seconds to Mars music video for 'The Kill', in which the video replicates the style and narrative of Stanley Kubrick's film 'The Shining'.
Pastiche
A pastiche is when the style or theme is taken and replicated from a well known media.
An example of this is Panic!At the Disco's music video for 'But It's Better if you Do', in which it copied from classic 50's TV Domestic dramas.
Allude
An allusion is when the video itself alludes to another person, thing, event or cultural reference. Either to poke fun or highlight an unspoken side of them regarding either political or media representation. An example is The Lonely Island's music video called 'Finest Girl (Bin Laden) in which he sings about a girl with a sexual obsession with Osama Bin Laden.
Synergy
Synergy is when a film would make videos of the songs on their soundtrack in order to tie in with the promotion of the film. These videos may include an actor or group of actors from the film and the artists or band behind the song.
An example of this is when the film Suicide Squad released music videos for the pop-punk songs on the films soundtrack. Two examples are Purple Lamborghini by Rick Ross and Skrillex, in which Jared Leto's joker character was included in the video, and Twenty One Pilots music video for Heathens.
Parody
A parody is when an artist or band pokes fun at or replicates something serious from another artist or band, they put a comedic spin on it whilst changing the lyrics and tone of the song as a whole. The video or lyrics would often twist around the original lyrics or music video for a comedic spin. An example of this is from the YouTube channel "Barely Political" in which they parody Eminem and Rhianna's 'Love the way you lie'. The video turns the original on its head by changing the theme of domestic abuse and break up to kids picking on each other in school playgrounds and classrooms.
Animation
An animated music video is when the video consists of either completely or partly animated visuals. These can either be when animation is animated over live-action footage, or the video is entirely computer animation. A lot of the time these would be in the style of an anime or manga that would come from a Japanese band like One Ok Rock.
An example I found was Tenacious D's song 'Tribute' in which it consitsts of a digitally recreated landscape and a digitally altered character.
Lip Synch- miming and playback
A lip synced video is when the video would consist of someone miming to the lyrics of the song. This person wont necessarily have to be the original artist and can be told with a simple narrative. A few examples would be Ed Sheeran's song 'Lego House' in which the famous actor Rupert Grint (Harry Potter) sings along to the song 'Lego House' and is humorously similar looking to Ed Sheeran. Another example is Panic!At the Disco's song 'LA Devotee', in which the actor from the Netflix series Stranger Things sings to the song in a Clockwork Orange brainwash style video.
Another example I found was A Day to Remember's music video for their song 'All I Want', in which many members from other bands lip-sync to the same song, cutting back and forth from each band.
Cutting to the beat
Cutting to the beat is a style of music video in which it is edited so the cuts in the video are synchronized to the beats or to create a distinguishable rhythmic cut between the shots. These edits would be seen clearly throughout the majority of the video.
An example of a music video that uses this style of editing is DragonForce's music video for their song 'Through the Fire and the Flames'.
Post-production effects
Their are several different effects that could be added in post-production, these include such things as colored filters,cgi/digital recreation or an animation technique in which they would draw over the frames of the objects in the shot (maybe the artist or drawing over the environment around them). Whether these are stock footage of certain affects like smoke, fire or muzzle flares, they will be added in during the post-production editing stage.
Particular Effect: Split Screen
An example of certain effects in music videos is the use of the 'Split Screen', in which multiple shots or footage are placed over the same screen, but with a different shot scene or action takes place on the other screen. This can be used to duplicate the artist or band with a more fluent and visually unique video.
An example of this is the music video for Pentatonix's video for their 'Daft Punk' A Capella video.
Particular Effect: Chroma Key
The use of a chroma key in a music video is when the artist or band are shot performing in front of a green screen, which in post would then be changed to a certain background like a landscape or something of the editors choice.
An example of this is the music video for The Offspring's song 'You're gonna go far kid', in which the entire video is shot with the use of a chroma key.
Camera angles and shots and movements
Camera shots be a very helpful way in creating a unique music video that stands out from the typical fast cut and jarring music videos. These can be unique camera angles or even an entirely one shot take.
A music video that uses several random and over the top camera angles is Smash Mouth's music video for their song 'All Star'.
Another example is Sum-41's music video for 'The Hell SOng', in which the entire music video is shot at really low angle to film dolls and action figures.
Mise-en-scene
'Mise-en-scene' is the french word for 'things in the scene', these include all things like props, costumes, lighting, settings etc. These objects would be used for reasons like to create a sense of authenticity, establishing time period or location etc.
An example that uses the Mise En Scene really well is Panic! At the Disco's music video for their song 'The Ballad of Mona Lisa', in which it goes with a very steampunk style using props like the old microphones, the black and gold colour pallet and the costuming, among many others.
Another example of a good use of Mise-En-Scene in a music video is Panic! At the Disco's 'I Write sins not tragedies', music video. In which it depicts a circus-freak like group, crashing a wedding. Costuming, props and set design are a big part of this video.
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