What we thought about our feedback

Overall, we are very happy with our feedback and feel as if our filming went very well. We got better feedback than we expected. The small things that we were worried about people picking out didn't end up being highlighted.

If we were to do it again we would use the tripod more often in order to have a steady shot. As well as this, we would plan better so when the actual shooting times comes around we are very much more organized. this will give us more time filming, and less time improvising what we want to happen throughout our scenes.

feedback

group 65 - 1. When needed the steadiness of the shot was very good.
2. The framming of the shot was to an average standard.
3. Their was a few different shots used in this and the usage of a few particular shots helped make the quality of the film improve especially the use of the close ups.
4. The shooting of the material wasn't appropriate to the task as it wasn't really an opening scene.
5. There was no mise-en-scene to a high a standard.
6. The editing makes the open scene a lot better as the part where the clip slows down and speeds back up was truly enjoyable and the bit of editing where it seems one of the characters was knocked out.
7.

group 64  -
 the first major problem is that there are things in the scene that shouldn't be there, for example we see the tripod in numerous places and we also character who should somewhere else just in the background. The handheld in the forest was really good, good use of point of view, however in the library you should have used a tripod, we could see it in the background and the shots were quite shakey. Mise-en-scene is quite effective, the teacher character is what you might expect the character to look/sound like. the panning in the carpark scene was quite smooth but the slow motion was a bit too slow and confusing.

Group 63:
The first problem which we identified was that the tripod was left in one of the shots. Also there are a lot of unneccessary handheld shots. When they ask the teacher about the lines he replies with an answer which doesnt make sense ( this would confuse young children). When one of the characters fell over, it was comical however the slow motion was dragged out a little bit and may have resulted in children becoming bored. We thought that the sound effects worked well. and we liked the camera shot of the teacher walking and being filmed through a bookshelf. Also the characters are sometimes in the wrong places for each shot (e.g when in the forest martin is standing on one side of george and in the next shot he is on the other side).

Group 62
1) Good use of handheld camera shots.Eg. when they were running.
2) They included correct elements.
3) they used a high variety of shots, e.g. in the libary.
4) They used suitable material for the taste, which is good for kids
5) The costume was not suitable for the target audience as the trousers were too low for a young age!!!! However the costume for Tyler in the library was very well & u suited u tyler ;) jokes
6) Editing was thought about carefully
7) transitions were limited, but worked with clip
8) Sound track fitted in with images e.g slow mo
9) Credits could've been at the beginning as it looked like it was the end of the film  

Group 66's Review

Camera in the library scene was unsteady. Over the shoulder shot is an example of this. Where appropriate the hand held camera worked well, such as the chase scenes of the boys running.

The framing of shots all seemed to be well done. The variety of shots used made the film more interesting and created the sense of realism and made clear which characters had more power than others, e.g. the low angled shot on the teacher.

Powerpoint Pictures

Pictures of similar scenes

The beginning forest scene of jumanji is what inspired our ideas for our childrens movie. This shot is from the opening sequence of jumanji (rated PG), which is  similar to the start of our opening sequence as it portrays the unknown and gives a scary beginning for the audience.

Childrens Film Finished Product

Changes made to filming

We have made various changes and adaptations to our original shotlist as we started our filming. The content has differed slightly, as well as some camera angles and music.

Storyline:
We decided to add in a detention scene which was introduced by credits to explain that it is the next day. it begins straight away based in a classroom where the teacher has caught two of the students coming into school late. We have a low angled shot pointing up at the teacher (Tyler) to show his dominance and power over the students.

We also decided to delete the role of the narrator as we thought it was clear enough to the audience who the each of the characters were, and it would have been more complicated and difficult when it came to editing.

In the original story plot we have the third friend come out from behind a tree, however instead we changed it so that he was involved in the drama whilst chasing George through the forest to add to the intensity.

Camera Angles:

The first change we made to our camera angle shots came fairly early within the sequence. We decided to change the low angle shot of dan hiding behind a tree, to an over the shoulder shot instead. This gives the audience an oppertunity to see the change which is taking place.

Secondly, we abandoned the arial shot, replacing it with a switch between pan, and over the shoulder to show Dan looking upon martin and George, whilst they each run. This emphazises the chase, building suspense.

 We have also replaced the panning shot of our friends and stereo typed teacher, instead switching to a next day scene taking place in a detention.

throughout the detention we have included various different camera angles which we haven't wrote about. This is because we didn't plan this scene, instead improvised it to add a better scene towards the end of our opening.

We think that when people view our scene, they will find our humour scenes quite funny. Also, we all agree people will find our music behind the opening entertaining, and see it matches our film.
There is one thing we agree on people will deduce from watching our opening. We think it comes across quite adult like, not entirely seeming like a children's film opening.

Health and Safety

Health and Safety

-Consider other classes
-Locations (is it safe and appropriate)
-Safe areas
-Considerate of cars if in the car park

Camera Use

-RESPECT THE EQUIPMENT!
-Keep equipment with us at all times
-When carrying equipment, close the camera window
-Carry camera in the bag
-Ensure tape is fully re-wound to ensure we dont tape over ours or other peoples work
-Capture shots more than once, better consistency
-Dont leave the camera recording

BLOG OF THE WEEK 1

Congratulations! You are the first Children's Film project blog of the week. Your blog has lots of excellent, relevent posts. Well done and keep up the good work.

Tanya

Storyboards

2 minuit sequence timeline

Childrens Film Shot List

This is the shot list, and the various shots and angles we will incorporate throughout the duration of our filming.

Analysing sound in an opening sequence - Inspector Gadget.

At the very start of the opening sequence, when the Walt Disney castle appears on the screen, we hear a sound of cogs moving and metal on metal drilling, this gives us as the audience an insight view that the movie will contain mechanical references.

  As the credits start we continue to hear a lot of mechanical noises suggesting that something is being built, we also hear police sirens and traffic suggesting that inspector gadget is a good citizen and helps to catch bad people along side the police. On top of this diagetic sound is a fast tempo soundtrack, creating a tense, upbeat atmosphere and sets the genre of an action movie for the target audience.
  Every so often in the sequence we hear the voice of the women singing 'inspector gadget' and 'go gadget, go' in the background, portraying Inspector Gadget as a heroic figure.

How we will manage our time.

For the first lesson, we will commence filming our opening sequence. We will also bring in any props that are needed as well. For the first lesson we will be running off of a script, and the content that we video may not be perfect, therefore we will use this lesson as a 'rehearsal' lesson, this way we will all know what to be doing throughout the sequence.
 In the second lesson, we may have to finish off filming and also may have to re-shoot some of our scenes if the content wasn't up to standard. We may also record more sound such as background noise or even record some of the dialogue again. We may also begin to edit and crop our clips and make them into an orderly sequence.
 The third lesson will mainly consist of editing and creating the soundtrack. Creating the soundtrack may take more than one lesson however as we need to make it fit at the right time. Due to the half time, we will have to finish our video on the lesson after half term. In this final lesson we will be trying to finish our video.

Mr Gadget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SsCMYPyTc8

I think that the credits of the opening in Mr Gadget are presented how they are, so they are beginning the movie with the fun and creativity that they intend to carry on throughout the duration of the film. They have made the credits to be quite fun, and the length of them are spent showing how gadgets are trying to build a G. The use of building engages us as an audience, as we try to see how it is done, but also establishes a sense of happiness and fun, as the credits are entertaining. This creates a happy atmosphere.
They are very bouncy, and energetic which attracts small children as well as adults and teenagers. They are quite wacky, and un-ordinary, so the credits have been presented this way also to fore shadow that Mr Gadget is going to be a wild, un-predictable character.
The credits are very appropriate as they suit the themes of the film fine. They show gadgets working, and not working. They also show fun, but failure. This suits the theme of the film as Mr gadget isnt always successful, but all works out fine in the end. As well as this, the credits are quite inventive, and bouncy. This basically represents Mr Gadget himself, as he is obviously extremely inventive but bouncy and quite dense at the same time.

The credits also suit the varied target audience it appears to aim for. They are fun, with cool and funky music supporting them. This hits the young, children age the film is aiming for. Also, the credits are quite nice to follow, and watch as we see the letter G attempting to be built. This entertains the teenage/ adult audience, allowing just the opening credits to capture the imagination of, and entertain all of the target audiences that is required by the film.

Childrens Film - Sound

At the start we will use diagetic sound of running footsteps and heavy breathing. As we switch to the second camera shot we will have a tense music, with an increasing tempo and volume as the boy runs closer to the camera. When the seeker jumps out on the person running the music will come to a sudden halt, from this we will hear the 2 boys thumping against the floor when they fall.

After this point the mood of the opening sequence changes, therefore the genre of music will also have to change to a more upbeat tune.

Due to the variation of moods throughout the sequence the music will have to change and suite the mood at the time of the sequence. We will be making our own music on 'garageband' to go with our sequence.

Camera Work Ideas For Our Opening Sequence.

- At the start when the boy is being chased, we will use a point of view tracking shot to create a dramatic tension and a sense of 'the unknown'.

- As the camera catches up with the person, the camera angle will switch to a low angle shot of the back of another person hiding behind a tree, with this shot we can still see the boy running, only this time we can see the boy running towards the camera. This will make the viewers feel as if the boy is now surrounded and will be caught.

- Next we will use an areal shot of all three characters, the boy running, the boy chasing, and finally the boy hiding behind the tree. This is so that the audience can see everything that is going to happen to prevent them from jumping and being scared when the boy jumps out from behind the tree.

- As the boy leaps out from behind the tree, the camera will zoom in and then change to a point of view of the boy running, this will create a sense of vunrability.

- However, as both boys hit the floor, the boy that was hiding shouts 'tag' the will create an anti-climax and prevent furthermore fright for the audience.

- After this we will use a freeze frame so that the main character can introduce his two friends. This will give a sense of comfort as the audience will now be familiar with the characters.

- We will then leave the camera on the edge of the forest as the 3 boys walk into the distance into an extreme long shot to their lessons.

- As they enter the school, we will use a match on action shot, to show the three boys walking into the school, as they are walking down the corridor we will use another long shot to show them walking towards a teacher. In a rush one of the boys will accidently brush past a teacher. With this the teacher will lose his temper.

- Then we will use a low angle shot to show the power of the teacher as he tells the boys off.

Children's opening scene PLOT

Our idea was to have an intense beginning with a young aged boy (10-11 yrs old) running frantically away through a forest whilst being chased. This will result in a gripping beginning scene to engage the viewers interest and to ensure they are not bored.
As the boy runs past a tree, another boy (same age and a friend) jumps from behind the tree which will startle the viewers, however this leads to an anti-climax as he 'tags' his friend showing it was all a game. This will put the audience into a sense of security which is important and needs to be maintained as it is a children's film rated PG.
As the game of tag comes to an end, the other friend emerge from behind their hiding places and the narrator introduces the friends who are different in stereotypical ways making it easy for children to relate to an also an opportunity to introduce humor.

Childrens Film Ideas

We are planning to make a childrens set in the college forrest, it will be a PG based action film. We are planning on a action packed, scary start with an anti-climaxwhen the film will turn into a comedy. This will stop the young audience from being afraid, however it will hopefully create a dramatic tension. Our target audience will be male and females from the ages of 8-12. In order to do this we have researched films with the same target audience and seen how they represent characters, and the tactics that they have used throughout their opening sequences.

Ideas for childrens fiilm

Quite upbeat and jolly music.
Colourful lights, sunshine.
Outdoor setting?
Range of different shots
Clear the background area
Easy to understand narrative
PG

Monsters inc. Soundtrack

I watched the Monsters inc. trailer to Analise the sound and music.
 The music, as you would expect, is upbeat and jolly. There are some jazzy notes here and there and the music at the beginning is quite heroic. However, as the trailer continues, the music lightens up as some of the movies humour is displayed.
 For the last 40seconds or so, 'Break on through to the other side' by 'The Doors' is played. This fits in nicely because it is quite a fast paced and light hearted song, and also could be linked to one of the movies main themes which is about doors.
 Because the music is not slow, dark or scary, this hints the towards the film being a comedy, or a childrens film.
 As i said earlier, one of the main features of the narrative seems to be about doors, the monsters seem really paranoid about a kid getting through one of the doors into the monsters world, this is planned to amuse the audience as it seems silly that big scary monsters should be scared of little children.

Practice Story Board - Back To The Future

Shot

Shot one consists of an extreme close up of a clock, zooming out to a standard close up, then into a pan of various clocks. There is several clocks (diagetic sound) which can be clearly heard. Also it sounds very busy, and rushed. This is foreshadowing that the film will involve something to do with time, and also quite a busy wacky character will be part of it.

Shot 2
Here we have selected the close up of the futuristic machine which is opening the dog food. The distance is very closse here, so we can see in clear detail the elements of the machine which are involved. This shows the film is quite advanced, and there will be other complicated machines that are ahead of their time.

Shot 3
Here we have shown the shot of the lady presenter on the telly, directing information at us concerning recent stealings of petroleum, which is obviously dangerous. Here, all of the clicking and normal sounds comes to a halt, and there is silence except from the ladys voice. This has been done to ensure the audience clearly hears what she is saying, and so we can process that this will have an effect throughout the film. Like all of the previous, the shot is still in close up, panning the the left.

Shot 4
Shot 4 shows the boy walking into the door. Here the camera angle changes from a close up, to a zoom out then a mid shot. We can see his waist downwards, showing his skinny jeans and old Nike type trainers. This shows 80's may be roughly the time of this clip, as this was the style then. Also, he is carrying a skate board and backpack. This represents that he could still be a child/ teenager, possibly still in school.

Shot 5
Skate board hits the box of petroleum in shot 5. This is very significant to the story as we are shown that 'Doc' is the thief that the female reporter earlier established. Once again, all sound disappears around this, to show it is another important factor. Also it zooms to a close up, so we see it clearly.

Shot 6
Finally, we have picked the long shot of the boy being blown away by the amp as he has turned it up to full volume. The explosion is obviously fake, but has a significant play on the film, as it shows another futuristic element of the film, adding yet more foreshadowing that this film will involve the future.

U and PG classifications

Universal-Suitable for all over 5
-Positive Moral framework
-Offer reassurance to any threat/horror
-No bad language or discrimination
-No drugs unless referred to for education
-No emphasis on realistic or accessible weapons
-No sexual content

Parental Guidance-Suitable fir 8 years or over, parents should consider if its suitable for younger.
-Some discrimination but for educational purposes
-Drugs must carry an anti drug message
-Horror is short and not intense
-More grown up themes discusses

Typical Film Conventions

ACTION -
Mild Peril
Hero/Heroin
Villain
Guy saves girls
Saving the day- last minute
Destruction of Equilibrium

FANTASY-
Non human characters
Surreal/ imagination
Non- diagetic- composed music E.G strings
Mythical/ Musical
Animated
Obvious character roles

MONSTERS INC. OPENING SEQUENCE
Intro of characters
Scary monsters, then turn to non- scary
Humour
Pain
Plot
Composed music
Prepares you for into of your main characters
Bright and representative colours
The music used in the opening credits represents irony due to the upbeat, this contrasts with the fact that the film is based on monsters.

Scooby Doo 2 The Movie.

This is a childerens action film about monsters, ghosts and mysteries etc.
This typically involves equilibrium at the start and then the destruction of equilibrium when one of the 'goodies' get into trouble. The battle of the vilains and the heroes is a typical convention of a childrens action film.

- SOUND- High tempo music and use of diagetic and non-diagetic sounds create a high speed introduction, creating tension and excitement.
- COLOUR- Monsters are dark, red, purple etc. showing danger and darkness. Whereas the heroes are portrayed with much brighter, innocent colours.

The Incredibles opening scene

The opening scene of the incredibles introduces the 'incredibles' family in a simple but effective fashion. It shows each family member doing an interview and saying about themselves and they're pasts.
It also shows Mr and Mrs Incredible meeting for the first time and the reason, then it leads on to the first bit of action which leads into the rest of the films main features.
It also breifly introduces the main bad guy at the end of the sequence.

Conventions of fantasy and action.

Monsters inc. Conventions.

• The opening credits are very colourful and interesting. They catch the eye and involve monsters which is one of the key plots of the film. 
• The opening scene sets up the general ida of the plot
• there are introduced animated characters
• foreshadows what will happen
• humour and scariness is used to scare and comfort the audience

childrens action film

In the opening seconds we see is a mid shot of the sun which gives a warm feeling to the audience. There is a happy theme which reflects and sets up that 'A bugs life' is generally going to be a happy film. Opening scene gives an equilibrium of the film.

- birds singing, bright colours, blue sky, happy and energetic voices/music, amusing characters, cheerful music, orchestral beat easy to listen to and follow fun beginning with humour, innocent faces of characters, no evil ones yet. - Makes audience in a good mood. 


A possible moral is already shown; work together to get the job done (ants shown working as units to gather food, their method of survival) this shows that working as a team is a life important skill. This moral also gives an indication of what the rest of the film will be about and revolve around.

Mind Map

Bubble

Conventions Of An Opening Sequence 

Opening scence
Introduction of characters
Sets the mood/ language
Makes it exiting
establishes Genre
builds potential tension
equilibrium
Sound track
Colourful
Colour representation
Humour
Morals
Easy to Follow
Not always human characters (animals,

barty

Bart Simpson successfully appeals to the children audience, because he himself is a stereotypical child of the 'naughty' minority of kids today. He acts like a child does, and is kool, and funny- what every child aspires to be.Bart Simspson appeals to children because he is a normal child.

We went out on tuesday and were given a task to make a video clip following certain clips and camera shots. Today (friday) we cut and cropped the video and added sound to it. above is our final piece. We all helped to create the video, Dan was the camera man, Martin did all the editing and George and Tyler acted.

our video

we made this video going by a sheet of movements that were listed. we used a tripod and in the next lesson we will crop and cut it to make a final video.

story board and shot list

still frames

Establishing shot:
This shot is effective as it shows straight away that the film is clearly a sci-fi; through the alien-like surroundings and dis formation of the characters faces/ features. Also it shows the 3 men are going to have a significant part of the programme, as they are shown to seem important and bold. 

 

Close up shot:

This shot is effective as it shows the expression on Harry Potter's face, the shot shows fear in his eyes. It shows that Harry Potter is being threatened and makes him look weak or defenseless.

Match On Action:

The still frame here is extremely effective as it shows Neo half way through dodging a bullet, showing the audience the skill and power of the character, and he obviously possess powers/ abilities normal humans don't (UNLESS EXTREMELY FLEXIBLE). As well as showing action, the shot is self explanatory showing Neo is an important character, as he is demonstrating the most complex skill. 

Reaction shot:

this shot shows a women reacting badly to something that has been said or done recently. The womens reaction shows curiosity and shows that she is naive to something that is happening in the film.

Long shot:
This shot shows four boys running along a street, the shot shows no clear dominance of a single character as all the boys are in line with eachother. This shot shows excitement and fun amongst the four children.
                                                                        

                                                                           

These two conversation shots are effective because they clearly show the two boys talking, and even in a still frame it is easy to work out that they are speaking to one and other. This can also introduce two characters to us as an audience, or show us what is about to happen, possibly through what is said between them.