Single camera format is a method of filming which only uses one camera and whereby the scenes are shot consecutively. It is primarily used to film one-off dramas and films, but can be found in everyday television to give a preferred reading, like for example Peep Show. So the different shots and angles will have to be reset and the scene will be performed again and possibly lighting reset also. On the other hand there is multi-camera format, which is a method of filming whereby more than one camera is used simultaneously, meaning multiple shots can be obtained by just one take. This kind of filming is mostly used in live television shows, such as The Sunday Night Project, whereby the producers can cut directly from camera to camera giving a quicker and more dynamic effect.
In the video above, of the Jonathan Ross show, the cameras cut quickly back and forth giving a view of both interviewee and host, there is even very short cuts of noddy shots to connote he is interested and engaged in conversation. In comparison, below is a short clip of Peep show, in which a single camera is used to convey people’s point of view shots, it’s a personal account of different people, which gives insight to every one’s minds, whilst being based mainly around comedy.
There are many different types of single camera dramas including serials, series’ and single dramas, amongst these different types are different genres, such as docu-drama’s, sitcoms, comedy dramas, and crime dramas. Serials are programmes that have a limited number of parts, almost like one off dramas that have been cut into different episodes. They can be serializations of books, and tend to always have more than one episode, however usually no more than three or four parts. These can run consecutively over three nights, or for example on for three consecutive Sunday nights. An example of this is Wuthering Heights that was broadcast on the 30th and 31st of August 2009, as a two part drama on ITV. Wuthering Heights can also be classed as a period drama, in which the audience are already aware of the ending making it somewhat of a historical classic.
Series’ tend to have more than around six episodes per season and more than often have a number of seasons, for example Doctor Who is a single camera drama series, it’s science fiction and is classed as anti-real (due to the fictional nature), and has series upon series dating all the way back to winter 1963, due to the success and fans it gained. A very different genre of single camera is the Street, on BBC one, it is classed as ‘real’ as oppose to Doctor Who as it is based on real life situations, set in the real world. It has three series’ and has been running since 2006.
REFERENCES: http://www.pgsmedia.co.uk/btectv.html, http://www.itv.com/drama/perioddrama/wutheringheights/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008cbds, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Street_(TV_series)http://www.channel4.com/programmes/peep-show, http://www.itv.com/drama/copsandcrime/gunrush/default.html, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/omagh, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-hamburg-cell, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docudrama
Task Three (P1,M1,D1) - Narratives
Narrative is very important, it is basically the whole story of the film or programme, therefore the structure of the way it is told, makes the film what it is and there are many different types of narrative structure. The two most basic types would be linear and non-linear, (sequential and non-sequential also mean a similar thing). Linear are probably the easiest to understand, they are very straight forward, the storyline happens in chronological order, with a beginning, middle and an end. Soaps are the most common use of linear narrative structure, such as Coronation Street and Eastenders, as they have to produce endless linear storylines due to their continuous nature.
One of the many advantages of using the single camera format, is that is gives the director more control and allows them to be more specific when trying to get a desired effect across to the audience. For example, in Kill Bill, Quentin Tarantino uses a single shot for just under two minutes, and even though there is no real narrative, the way he has set up the shot, it lets the audience know what is going on, it gives you a feel for the set, and how big the place is, and backed up with music, tells you even more about who is important and when the story changes, so in all, a single camera shot can work in your favour, to give preferred readings and different effects to the audience. It can give a realism effect, like things as they are, in there normal surroundings without presenting it in abstract form, a perfect example of this is the channel four music advert, in which it captures the real idea of going to a festival (see below).
Another example is this is the film below by the BBC Electric Proms (New Music Short 2009)
Whilst the obvious downfall of single camera format being more time consuming, it can be less expensive than multi-camera set up, as less equipment has to be bought, and the decision to make single camera videos can be much more beneficial as the overall piece can be more controlled and realistic. It can even be more convenient for the crew, as not all actors have to be present to record dialog. However, the multi-camera format is a much quicker and easier method of filming; as recording is done simultaneously which then reduces time taken to edit the final piece. This can also be useful to the crew as there need no time for resetting lighting or surroundings. This method is very important to live filmed television shows making it easy to switch feed between cameras.
In the video above, of the Jonathan Ross show, the cameras cut quickly back and forth giving a view of both interviewee and host, there is even very short cuts of noddy shots to connote he is interested and engaged in conversation. In comparison, below is a short clip of Peep show, in which a single camera is used to convey people’s point of view shots, it’s a personal account of different people, which gives insight to every one’s minds, whilst being based mainly around comedy.
REFERENCES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-camera_setup, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple-camera_setup, http://www.youtube.com/, http://www.pgsmedia.co.uk/btectv.html
Task Two (P1,M1,D1) - Serials, Series' and Sitcoms
Task Two (P1,M1,D1) - Serials, Series' and Sitcoms
There are many different types of single camera dramas including serials, series’ and single dramas, amongst these different types are different genres, such as docu-drama’s, sitcoms, comedy dramas, and crime dramas. Serials are programmes that have a limited number of parts, almost like one off dramas that have been cut into different episodes. They can be serializations of books, and tend to always have more than one episode, however usually no more than three or four parts. These can run consecutively over three nights, or for example on for three consecutive Sunday nights. An example of this is Wuthering Heights that was broadcast on the 30th and 31st of August 2009, as a two part drama on ITV. Wuthering Heights can also be classed as a period drama, in which the audience are already aware of the ending making it somewhat of a historical classic.
Sitcom’s such as Peep Show, which is shot from the point of view of the characters, is based mainly around the comedy, with a touch of every day life, sitcom’s are normally around half an hour as oppose to a comedy drama which is normally around an hour, examples of single camera comedy dramas are Fat Friends and Cold Feet. Another genre is a crime drama, such as CSI and The Shield; they have both had series after series because of their popularity.
Single one off dramas are also becoming more common, for example Gunrush, which was aired on the 23rd of August, a one off drama based around a murder, primarily one off dramas are broadcast on ITV, but are now finding their way onto BBC and Channel 4, such as Omagh, and Hamburg Cell. Docu-dramas are a mixture of interviews and footage of wildlife or experiences, such as Rescue 911 and America’s Most Wanted, and even some films are produced using the single camera format such as Blade Runner. Soaps are a mixture of both serial and soap, whilst still being a single drama. This is because the story lines have to open ended in order for them to continue throughout the weeks and years, and keep audiences interested, this type of single drama happens to be one of the most popular kind.
REFERENCES: http://www.pgsmedia.co.uk/btectv.html, http://www.itv.com/drama/perioddrama/wutheringheights/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_Who, http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008cbds, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Street_(TV_series)http://www.channel4.com/programmes/peep-show, http://www.itv.com/drama/copsandcrime/gunrush/default.html, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/omagh, http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-hamburg-cell, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docudrama
Task Three (P1,M1,D1) - Narratives
Narrative is very important, it is basically the whole story of the film or programme, therefore the structure of the way it is told, makes the film what it is and there are many different types of narrative structure. The two most basic types would be linear and non-linear, (sequential and non-sequential also mean a similar thing). Linear are probably the easiest to understand, they are very straight forward, the storyline happens in chronological order, with a beginning, middle and an end. Soaps are the most common use of linear narrative structure, such as Coronation Street and Eastenders, as they have to produce endless linear storylines due to their continuous nature.
Non-linear structures can be slightly more complex, this includes anything that doesn’t follow the linear storyline pattern. This can be something that uses flashbacks, dreams, memories or even advancing in time. So, linear, non-linear and flashbacks are not mutually exclusive, the story can be linear, with flashbacks, making it non-linear. For example in Atonement, we see the two versions of the same scene from two very different points of view, and even though each version is linear, the story therefore becomes non-linear because we flash back and see it again. Another example could be when the film starts off showing the ending, or half way through the film, and then flashes back to refer to the story to show the audience how it got to that point. An example of this is Dorian Gray, we see him murder a body and dispose it in the river and then it cuts back to ‘one year ago’ to show the audience how it got to that point in the story. Flashbacks are quite simple; they just refer back to a point in the past to show the audience information that is vital to the storyline. Below is a fine example of a flashback, in a film called ‘Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind'.
Realist and anti-realist narratives are based on whether the story is fiction or based on real life. Soaps and documentaries tend to always be realist, as they have to portray day-to-day life to the best of their ability. Where as series’ such as ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Life on Mars’ and films such as ‘Donnie Darko’ are anti-realist, due to their fictional sci-fi genres. Anti-realist narratives are more open to different interpretations and freedom when it comes to characters and plot, as it does not have to be based on real life. Another absolutely vital part of narratives, are the endings. They can be left open, in which the story is unfinished; this is usually done in Soaps and series’; they won’t conclude the storyline to make people want to watch the next episode to see what happens and to give it a sense of continuity. Alternatively, there can be closed endings when the storyline is given a definite ending, however closed endings can sometimes have an element of an open ending in the fact that even though you know the story has ended more could happen, for example in ‘The Break-up’ closing scenes, the feelings in both parties are established and they stay separated (the closed ending) but it cuts to months later when they run into each other and sparks start to fly again leaving you to believe that they may actually get back together, and as they walk away, the film ends (hence the open interpretation).
Realist and anti-realist narratives are based on whether the story is fiction or based on real life. Soaps and documentaries tend to always be realist, as they have to portray day-to-day life to the best of their ability. Where as series’ such as ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Life on Mars’ and films such as ‘Donnie Darko’ are anti-realist, due to their fictional sci-fi genres. Anti-realist narratives are more open to different interpretations and freedom when it comes to characters and plot, as it does not have to be based on real life. Another absolutely vital part of narratives, are the endings. They can be left open, in which the story is unfinished; this is usually done in Soaps and series’; they won’t conclude the storyline to make people want to watch the next episode to see what happens and to give it a sense of continuity. Alternatively, there can be closed endings when the storyline is given a definite ending, however closed endings can sometimes have an element of an open ending in the fact that even though you know the story has ended more could happen, for example in ‘The Break-up’ closing scenes, the feelings in both parties are established and they stay separated (the closed ending) but it cuts to months later when they run into each other and sparks start to fly again leaving you to believe that they may actually get back together, and as they walk away, the film ends (hence the open interpretation).
In opposition, there is the climax in the narrative, which is often the most important part, as it draws the story to a close. It’s the beginning of the conclusion to the film, when it starts to tie up all the loose ends. An example of this would be in ‘Silence Of The Lambs’ when Clarice knocks on the door and unknowingly enters the killers house, after spending some time speaking with him she then realises it is him and some what of a struggled captured begins.
Todorov’s theory suggests that every story has an equilibrium, disruption and a resolution. It describes some sort of equilibrium that is set up at the beginning, which is turned into a disequilibrium by a disruption, which is then resolved back to an equilibrium at the end of the narrative. In some cases these may not appear in this order, or there may be two different disruptions and only one resolution, either way, these tend to appear in narratives even if they are not in the suggested order. For example, at the beginning of Dorian Gray, there is disruption straight away as, in the opening scene we witness him killing someone who we learn is a very close friend of his.
Two different kinds of narration are subjective and objective. Subjective can be portrayed in many ways; it allows the audience to see inside the characters minds. It can come in the form of point of view shots, and internal narration for example Scrubs is well known for showing what ‘JD’ is thinking either through fantasies and dreams or a running internal narration over the rest of the show. It can also be portrayed by mental or perceptual subjectivity; an example of this is below.
Objective narration is quite the opposite; it only shows the external views and behaviours of the characters, so we the audience are unaware what they are thinking or feeling inside. Objective narration can be more of a reflection of reality, as it does not give insight into characters, unlike shows like Peep show and Scrubs.
REFERENCES: http://www.pgsmedia.co.uk/btectv.html, http://www.youtube.com/, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-climax_(narrative)#Anti-Climax, http://waitsel.com/Climax.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_(film), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Propp, http://www.scribd.com/doc/8332523/Narrative-theory-notes
Task Four (P1,M1,D1) - Analysing Single Camera Dramas
In the opening scenes, whilst the titles are running, there is direct, live sound of trains going over tracks; this anchors the setting of the scene before we even see the establishing shot. This sound is diegetic even if the audience doesn’t realise it until the first shot is shown, when it fades from black. The establishing shot pans around to show the size of the full setting, giving the audience a feel for scene. There is more live sound of a woman in heels as we are introduced to her character, and then there is a cutaway shot between two different views of the same place, these two individual cuts show the male and female characters separately, at first and as the shots merge, so do the characters. We then see a medium low shot of the floor, in which a puddle reflects the image of the two male characters as they immerge closer into the shot, this emphasises their importance, as the shot gives the impression of a worms eye view. In the background there is faint diegetic car noises, to connote they are near civilisation. Extreme close ups of faces and tears are used to show the true emotion and the cuts quicken between people to show tension. Selective focus is used, whilst on the close up of her shoes, this shows the importance of what she is doing, and as she and the others speak, the sound echoes to anchor the place of setting and reflects realism. A matched cut is used from the shoes, to the characters standing as it gives the impression of jumping backwards to see more. We see a long, low shot to show the three characters, they are in size order which signifies possibly their authority and power, but could alternatively connote their weakness levels. A sound bridge is used in the majority of this drama; even though the shots vary the sound is still continuous.
In this film a number of flashbacks are used, they are all blurred around the edges as soft focus is used, this effect makes the faces obscure which creates enigma. Mostly close ups are used in the flashbacks to emphasise on the actions and wrong doing to allow the audience to know what has happened more easily. All the flashbacks are subjective to the one character. In these, the sound is very selective, there is faint white noise, and heartbeat sound FX are used, a loud crashing noise is used at the beginning and end of them which could connote an end or the disturbing outcome of the situation in which we keep going back to, the multiple times we flashback is also significant as it show the importance of the memory. Jump cuts are used, making them abrupt for dramatic effect and the cutting rhythm is shortened as images flash to increase tension and show emphasis on certain important shots. Over the shoulder shots and reaction shots are used to show emotion and give a wide view of who is talking. A tilt down shot from bottom up shows the whole body and quickly shows another extreme close up on her face, this signifies her disturbed manner and her deterioration in well being. Eerie non diegetic music then begins to build up, which connotes something important will happen, it gets slightly louder as time progresses which anchors the fact that something is going to happen. Selective focus is then used again as the female character walks out of the shot leaving it concentrating on the two males in the far corner, as this happens a church bell chimes, which signifies it’s time for something to happen. The cutting rhythm shortens again as flashing shots appear, and the sound is faded apart from the similar crashing noise when images fade to white, and as this builds up a train noise gets louder, selective sound is used to make it more significant for dramatic effect and amplification of the train noise quickens as the shot gets closer to her on an accelerated motion to signify the trains movement. The lighting throughout the drama is natural, as it is set through the day; this gives the impression of a realistic set up, reflecting real life.
REFERENCES: http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/gramtv.html
Task Five (P1,M1,D1) - Television Today
A generation ago, there was only three major television channels, it was so easy to be able to reach mass audiences, because of the slim variety of choices, so for advertisers it was very easy to reach a specific audience, but now, in the 21st century with there being so many different niches and ways of watching television it makes it harder. For example, with Sky+ the problem is, with people recording the programmes, they then fast forward through the adverts, and when people watch programmes online, they don’t always have adverts, or if they do a limited number, maybe two or three tops which limits the reach. A generation ago mass audiences were easily accessible, but are now more rare, some programmes like X-factor can have large audiences of around 10million, but this is nothing compared to years ago when one episode of Only Fool and Horses could access an audience of around 20million. New media and ways of accessing media have made audiences fragmented. In day to day life, advertisers can’t rely on mass audiences like they used to, in series’ such as 24 and Ugly Betty, there may be regular viewers which is good for today, but when you can watch these TV programmes free on websites such as hulu.com and 4OD, it’s no wonder audiences are so fragmented. To quote Rupert Murdoch ‘there is no one size fits all solution, companies have to diversify because what a 13 year old girl wants, and a 50 year old executive wants are very different, and they have to be delivered in different ways’. He said ‘All the choices have to be made from bottom up’ and this means is that people at the top of the big companies have to make decisions based on what the people at the bottom (audiences) want because at the end of the day, it’s the bottom that makes the top possible.
REFERENCES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQSKRWXyFw8&feature=player_embedded
Task Six (P1,M1,D1) - Social Demographic
Kinds of programmes and channels viewed (MALES)
Upper middle class (A) -
-->Newsnight, Question Time, BBC2, Documentaries, ITV4
-->Broadsheet newspapers such as The Guardian, Financial Times
-->BBC Radio 4, Talk Sport
Middle Class (B) -
-->Documentaries, Newsnight, Comedy, Sky News, BBC2
-->Broadsheet newspapers similar to (A), Men’s Health Magazine, GQ
-->Five Live, BBC Radio 4, and Talk Sport
Lower Middle Class (C1) -
-->Newsnight, Simpsons, Scrubs, BBC2, Sky News, Sky Sports
-->Broadsheet newspapers similar to (A,B), some Tabloids, GQ
-->Five Live, BBC Radio 4, Talk Sport, BBC Radio 2
Skilled Working Class (C2) -
-->Bravo, Lost, Formula 1, Sky One, Discovery Channel, Rugby
-->Tabloids such as The Sun, Internet based news, Zoo, FHM
-->Five Live, Talk Sport, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, Virgin Radio
Working Class (D) -
-->Bravo, Sky One, Five, Sci-Fi Channel, Euro Sport, Sky Sports, Big Brother
-->Tabloids similar to (C2), Zoo, Nuts, Internet based news, Loaded
-->BBC Radio 1, Five Live, Talk Sport, Virgin Radio
Lower Subsistence (E) -
-->Bravo, I’m A Celebrity, Big Brother, Soaps, ITV, Euro Sport, Football
-->Tabloids similar to (C2, D) & Daily Star, Zoo, Nuts, Loaded
-->BBC Radio 1, Talk Sport, Five Live
Kinds of programmes and channels viewed (FEMALES)
Upper middle class (A) -
-->E4, UKTV Style, Living, BBC, Beauty Documentaries
-->10 Years Younger, Desperate Housewives
-->Magazines such as Hello!, Elle, Red
Middle Class (B) -
-->UKTV Style, Living, BBC, E4, ITV, Beauty Documentaries
-->How to Look Good Naked, Desperate Housewives, 10 Years Younger
-->Elle, Cosmopolitan, Red, Hello!
Lower Middle Class (C1) -
-->E4, ITV, BBC, Living TV, Beauty Documentaries
-->Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck, 10 Years Younger, How to Look Good Naked
-->Cosmopolitan, Hello!, Elle, Glamour
Skilled Working Class (C2) -
-->ITV, Five, ITV2, E4, Living
-->The Bill, Holby City, Coronation Street, X Factor
-->Tabloids such as The Sun, The Mirror, Magazines like Ok, Now
-->BBC Radio 1 & 2, Capital FM, Virgin
Working Class (D) -
-->ITV, E4, Five, Living, ITV2, (Nickelodeon & Cartoon Network)
-->The Bill, Coronation Street, Soaps, I’m A Celebrity, Big Brother, Loose Women
-->Tabloids similar to (C2), Ok, Now, Reveal, Take a Break
-->BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Virgin Radio
Lower Subsistence (E) -
-->ITV, ITV2, E4, Living, (Nickelodeon & Cartoon Network)
-->Emmerdale, Eastenders, Big Brother, Loose Women, Jeremy Kyle
-->Tabloids similar to (C2, D), Take A Break, Reveal, Now, Star
-->BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Virgin Radio
The information above cuts people down into categories making it easier for advertisers and companies to target audiences; even though I have sectioned them into A, B, C1 etc, and male and female, most companies categories them into ABC1 male and female, and C2DE male and female. The ABC1 males, are more concerned with politics and news and consume large quantities of media, this group are most likely to read a newspaper, whereas C2DE males are more likely to watch television and are classed as heavy viewers. Men are very different to women, as ABC1 females are more interested in media such as magazines as oppose to broadsheet newspapers. Whereas C2DE have the most children, and housewives and stay at home mum’s fall mostly in to this category which is the reason for Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network being some of the most watched channels.
REFERENCES: http://www.thinkbox.tv/server/show/nav.914
Task Seven (P1,M1,D1) - Report on Single Camera Drama
Equipment
The equipment we used in the production of our single camera drama was; two cameras (Models: Canon MVX460 and Panasonic DVX-100-B) For the shots inside the interrogation room we also used a basic tripod. In terms of sound, we used the built in microphones for the outside scenes; however, in the interrogation room we used the radio mikes (Sennheiser SK100).
Software
The software we have used is iMovie, in order to edit and import our footage. We attempted to use after effects but was not accessible to us on our computers, but iMovie worked just fine.
People
For our production, we used six people. Lewis, Vanessa, Eddie, Howard, Curtis and Charlotte; they filled our cast. I manned the camera and the directing of the scenes was shared between two of us (Vanessa and myself). Vanessa and myself also did the editing and producing.
Props, Costumes and Locations
We used several props; the murder weapon (hammer), cleaning implements used by the maid, the money and collection plate used by the Vicar, and the food used by the Chef. For costumes, we used simple black attire for Lady Gray, the trench coat and shoes for Inspector Code, a chef’s shirt for the cook, and the black shirt and collar for the vicar. Howard’s cameo appearance also used a flat cap and long coat. For locations, we used Stanningley Park for our murder scene: the mist and early morning appearance seemed really atmospheric. We used Rheanne’s house in Pudsey to connote our house as being old and wealthy. Our interrogation room took place in Lewis’ living room. We also used Farsely St. John's Church for the vicar's flashback.
We used several props; the murder weapon (hammer), cleaning implements used by the maid, the money and collection plate used by the Vicar, and the food used by the Chef. For costumes, we used simple black attire for Lady Gray, the trench coat and shoes for Inspector Code, a chef’s shirt for the cook, and the black shirt and collar for the vicar. Howard’s cameo appearance also used a flat cap and long coat. For locations, we used Stanningley Park for our murder scene: the mist and early morning appearance seemed really atmospheric. We used Rheanne’s house in Pudsey to connote our house as being old and wealthy. Our interrogation room took place in Lewis’ living room. We also used Farsely St. John's Church for the vicar's flashback.
CASE NUMBER 568 – TREATMENT & SCRIPT
OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to create a short film based around the genre of murder mystery. It will also be periodic drama, based in the 1940’s. The film will be based mainly in the interrogation room with a series of flashbacks to create enigma.
SETTING: Mainly set in the interrogation room (Lewis’s House) with a series of flashbacks including in a park, and a church. Set in the 1940’s late on in the year.
TIME DURATION: roughly 4-5 minutes
DESCRIPTION: It will be a short film set in the 1940’s, based around the murder of Lord Gray. It will feature six characters. The storyline will follow the murder investigation at the home of Lady Gray. The main part of the narrative will be set within the interrogation, where the Inspector will go through each of the three suspects, asking their whereabouts earlier in the day. When each suspect is asked, the scene will then flashback to their own memory in a non linear fashion, which may contradict what they actually say making them all look guilty. The entire film will be edited into a black and white style, to make it look more authentic and anchor the genre and decade. The actual murder scene will be shot from a point of view aspect. The murder scene could be in slow motion in parts to emphasise the importance of the action.
REMARKS:
- The scenes will be filmed with a handheld camera and a HD camera with the assistance of a tripod in some scenes.- To ensure the film’s authenticity we will try and ensure we do not get any modern vehicles or items in the film, and make sure the outfits can be construed as genuine 1940’s attire.
- We will use point of view shots to create enigma as to who the murderer is.
- The film will be in black and white to anchor the authenticity of the drama and blur the edges of the flashbacks to anchor that it is part of their memory.
NARRATIVE:
In the interrogation room:
INSPECTOR CODE: Lady Gray has called me in here because earlier today The Lord, Charles Gray was found dead in the park whilst taking his afternoon stroll. Murdered in cold blood. I feel one of you is responsible for this. My name is Inspector Code. No one will be left out of this investigation. Martha we’ll start with you. Can you tell me your whereabouts at half past one this afternoon?
MARTHA (AUDIO VOICEOVER): At one thirty precisely, I was cleaning the drawing room making sure it was spotless for Lord Gray when he returned from his afternoon walk.
INSPECTOR CODE: I see, Reverend White, same question!
REVEREND (AUDIO VOICEOVER): At one thirty precisely, I was at the church, doing my daily duties and preparing for the next service.
INSPECTOR CODE: Hmmm, next suspect! Chef! What about you sir? Where were you?
CHEF (AUDIO VOICEOVER): At one thirty precisely I was working in the kitchen, preparing the dinner for Lord Gray.
INSPECTOR CODE: So then… I have a very succinct account from all of you, however I can’t help but wonder… where were you lady gray? What were you doing at one thirty?
LADY GRAY (AUDIO VOICEOVER) (Flashes between murder and her speaking): At one thirty precisely, I was walking down to the country club to attend afternoon tea with the other members. I remember this specifically because I had forgotten to return Julia’s necklace I borrowed for the winter ball, and I had to return home to collect it and I noticed the time as I was running behind. They’d have killed me if I was late.
The narrative structure is non linear due to the flashbacks of memory and skips in time, it will be subjective to the suspect at that moment in time of their memory, however the actual identity of the killer will be left a mystery until the end. The murder scene will be from point of view making it objective. The film begins with the disruption of the murder, and at no point in the film is there any kind of equilibrium, however the end does have a kind of resolution whilst still being enigmatic. The villain is of course the murderer, the ‘Damsel’ would be Lord Gray. With the help of flashbacks of their succinct memory accounts, the narrative becomes unrestricted.
Task Nine (P1,M1,D1) - Storyboard Discussion
Task Ten (P1,M1,D1) - Production Schedule
Task Twelve (P1,M1,D1) - Floor plans from location shoots
Task Fourteen (P1,M1,D1) - Evaluation
The purpose was to create a 1940’s style murder mystery single camera drama; in my own personal opinion I think I achieved this purpose. I asked a big group of people what they thought.
When I asked everyone what they thought of the film, the majority of comments were very positive, and those that were criticisms, we took on board and listened to, and sometimes edited it in accordance with what they suggested or disliked. Some comments included “the transitions were seamless”, “the music really worked well to anchor the genre and decade” and “I liked the effects used on the flashbacks, it anchored that it was their own memory making it easier to understand”. They reacted really well to the short film, and all got the preferred reading. Our target audience really understood the storyline and enigma that was created and so did our secondary target audience. Below is a video of some responses to our film.
I feel that I didn’t give either positive or negative messages towards anyone, and I wasn’t biased. The short drama included both girls and boys, and due to the old decade setting, the appropriate sexes were used for the appropriate roles. Ethnic groups weren’t used because there simply wasn’t any available and due to the setting, this may have caused ethical or negative issues towards those of ethnic backgrounds and so I feel it is better not to have used anyone of that background. The music pieces that we chose to use helped incredibly when setting the mood for the film in the different scenes, and a lot of our peers agreed and said the music made the piece believable. The locations were very important to our film, as it was set in the past therefore we had to make conscious effort not to get cars and anything that looks like its from the 21st century in the shots, the locations had to look genuine in order for the film to look believable. The language was appropriate for the film and the decade that it was set it, therefore it make it appropriate for the target audience. For the genre, our film looked realistic I feel, and a combination of things, for example the authentic costumes, locations, and black and white film, all contributed to making the film realistic and genuine looking.
The levels in the film were good, especially the music, the only thing I can think of that I would redo if given the chance is Lewis’ first speech, as we had a few problems with his microphone and the sound can come across as scratchy in places although, you can hear and understand what he is saying so that is the main thing. I didn’t cut anyone’s voices off in the final film, we did have some slight issues when adding transitions as it made the sound disconnect from the clips and move but we fixed this in the editing process. The camera work was good I felt, when filming our aim was to get as many different takes and shots and angles as possible so that we wouldn’t have to go back and re-film so we had plenty of variety to chose from when putting together our final film. There were a few shots that I wish we could’ve redone though, but couldn’t because of limitations in time and actors being available. The first that comes to mind is a panning shot of the interrogation room, I would’ve done it slightly slower and given the characters more head space. The other one that comes to mind is the one of which where ‘Lord Gray’ gets hit on the head, we made a number of variations on this scene before choosing the edit we have now, because in the original clip the hammer goes to the side of his head, and some of the feedback suggested that it doesn’t look like he is killed, and so without being able to re-film, we made the best that we could with what he had, and our peers agreed it looked a lot better with our final cut. I do feel like there was enough variety to keep the audience interested and the enigma helped this. External microphones were used, on the Lady Gray and Inspector Code speeches and separately recorded voiceovers’ were used for the flashbacks. This was to make sure the narrative was clearly heard. The editing came together rather nicely, we got complimented a number of time on our transitions, they were all suitable and subtle to suit the style of film. We chose the best font possible which fitted in with the theme and genre, and tied together the beginning and end very nicely.
Conventions that are typical of this genre are things such as enigma and double bluffing, and my film includes these sorts of conventions. In comparison to a similar professional product, it would have some things that would be the same such as powerful music, and professional transitions. But obviously they would have some advantages over us, such as better quality cameras and editing equipment. In my film we used, lots of enigma and disruption, but less of the resolution due to the nature of the genre. I would regard my story as slightly multi-stranded even though the other parts of the story are left unexplored, the main storyline is of the murder, yet all three original suspects are guilty of something, hence the multi-stranded storyline.
I don’t know if I learned any new skills per say, but I definitely developed some vital knowledge about filming, and making sure you have a variety of shots, and I learned a lot about the editing process itself, and that your first idea won’t always be your best, things need to be drafted. My strengths in making this film, definitely came through in the editing, I definitely think this is my best area, and my weakness was probably generating the idea to begin with, but once we got the general idea, we adapted it to become a good storyline. I think I was a good team member, I shared the editing load, which took a lot of time, with my team member, and we bounced off each other with ideas and each brought something different to the film.
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