Preliminary task 1: slideshow

Preliminary Task 1: Changes to project

The first change made to our project was the addition of flash used on our pictures. The next change was that we started taking pictures right before it was completely dark outside, half the photographs were in the complete dark. The picture taking process was difficult because as the dog saw another dog being walked she decided to run away and break the leash in the process. The actress was very impatient when it came to her shots and she kept laughing during the serious close up shots. The final shot was the hardest to take because it involved a car and the mosquitos were also very bad.

Preliminary Task 1: Shot types/ angles

 

Shot 1: Establishing Shot- eye level

Description:  In this shot it’s dark outside, the neighborhood’s empty, one lamp post is lit. This establishes the eerie setting of the silent neighborhood at night.

Shot 2: Medium shot- eye level

Description:Description: The little girl leaves her house and seems to be alone, her face is calm, happy about walking her dog. Explanation: This shot focuses on the main character of the scene.

Shot 3: 2 shot- eye level

Description: Girl is leaving her house, this is the first time see her dog in the shot. The dog is on a leash, so the girl is shown to be more protective with the dog’s safety.

Shot 4: Point of View- high angle

Description: Shows the girl’s view of her dog, since they are alone on the side walk, her hand holding the leash is visible. Explanation: Shows a connection with the girl and her dog, they are clearly bonding on their walk.

Shot 5: Wide Shot- eye level

Description: Focuses on the empty neighborhood, there’s on light shining and the rest of the setting is dark. Explanation: Character is isolated with only her dog, which isn’t the type to protect her. The mood changes to eerie/ sketchy.

Shot 6: Close up- eye level

Description: Her reaction to the bark seems startled, she starts to look around at her surroundings to see if anyone is near her. Explanation: The little girl is seen in a close view to focus on her facial expressions after hearing the barking.

Shot 7: Wide shot- eye level

Description: The dog forces itself away from the girl’s possession, and runs away with the leash attached still. The camera is far away to show the entire shot of the running dog and the girl. Explanation: This shot shows a struggle of the little girl trying to catch up with her fast/ agile dog. This part wears the owner down, foreshadows an event in the future.

Shot 8: Canted angle/ close up- eye level

Description: Another shot of the girl’s reaction to hearing a noise, but this time it’s the sound of someone walking behind her. Explanation: The girl seems to not want to turn around to see what can be behind her, her expressions are very visible since it’s close up.

Shot 9: Over the shoulder- eye level

Description: A suspicious guy is standing in the distance holding the little girl’s dog, petting her smiling at the little girl. Explanation: Over the shoulder was picked because we want to feel how the girl is feeling looking at him, but not her point of view.

Shot 10: Two shot- eye level

Description: The girl is very upset and frightened by the boy holding her dog, he has a smirk on his face to show accomplishment since he wants to get into her head and scare her. Explanation: Both of the characters are seen in the shot because they are both the focus.

Shot 11: Wide shot- eye level

Description: Boy drops the dog and runs after the little helpless girl to attack her for an unknown reason. Explanation: This shows the girls struggle again, this time she is more exhausted by this action because she was just chasing her dog.

Shot 12: Medium Shot- eye level

Description: The attacker is chasing after the little girl and is so focused on catching her that when she runs into the road he follows, and an unexpecting car hits him. Explanation: Medium shot is not too far away so details can be shown, with the whole focus in the picture (the car and the boy).

 

Preliminary Task 1: Research

The first tv clip I researched was an action scene from Friday Night Lights Season 2; Episode 1. This episode was directed by Jefferey Reiner, focusing on the love connection between two friends, when suddenly a stranger approaches Tyra when she’s alone. The close up shot shows the expression on Tyra’s face of fear, because she has been attacked by this man before, and she remembers his voice. Tyra is shown to be looking back and forth searching for Landry to return from the gas station. Wide shot is used when Landry exits the gas station, while Tyra and her attacker struggle in the back of the shot. This shot shows the sudden switch in mood as Landry acts innocent and cluless at first, and then he starts to realize his friend is in danger. High angle is used when Landry is thrown onto the bag on garbage, and then this angle is used after he kills the attacker to show the result of the fight. Tyra hovers over the dead man to add effect to the power she holds and the weakness of the man on the floor. Close up is used again when Landry hurries to grab the metal pipe for a weapon, emphasizes the importance of that weapon for the scene. The last angle, over the shoulder, after the attacker throws down Landry he realizes he’s outnumbered and would prefer to leave as soon as possible. Tyra’s expression isn’t shown here since we are looking over her shoulder, but we feel as though we are in her shoes in this moment. The attacker threatens Tyra that he’ll return to get her, preferably when Tyra’s alone. This scene really grabbed my attention the first time I saw it because of it’s intensity and emotions shown through the different shots and angles.

The second tv clip I researched was Prison Break season 1 episode 21; directed by Dean White. In this scene Michael and his crew are breaking out of prison, and they are pulling themselves across a rope to escape from prison. Wide shot can be seen as the prisoners are sliding across the rope, vulnerability and loneliness is what you feel when watching these characters. Close up is seen on Lincoln’s face when his nerves kick in as he is waiting on his fellow inmates. Over-the-shoulder is used to show Michael and Charles’ reaction to the five million they just learned about. Low angle is used when Michael is sliding across the wire as the alarm is sounded and he doesn’t have much time to get across.

In my project, I will make sure to include techniques such as low and high angle to depict the two contrasting sides of a confrontation. The same theme will be used (action).