LO4: Manipulating the camera settings

When manipulating camera settings on set, camera 'A' and 'B' both adjusted shutter speed and aperture together. This was so in post production colour grading matched and is consistent when cutting between cameras. Also keeping cinematic, high quality footage.

This is us setting up the equipment we used:

Boom Mic

Filming the short film we used two 4k cameras, this was so we could get high quality footage switching from two cameras to get two different angles, this is so in post we can switch from camera 'A' and 'B' to make sure our film fitted conventions and so the shots do not get prolonged and boring. We also used a boom mic to record all audio when the actors were together, using the slate to sync the audio in post because we had two cameras.

 

Shoulder mount

The shoulder mount was used to help stabilise clips, having camera 'A' permanently on this rig allows us to capture different angles of the actors and show emotion within the shots. Having the camera on this rig will fit conventions of our genre.  The boom mic was set up to this camera so the boom holder could be more mobile to capture all audio.

 

Tripod

Camera 'B' was permanently stationed on the tripod, allowing us to catch stable b- roll and establishing shots. This was also used for the talking heads interviews.

Lav Mic

However for the shop scene where we could not use a boom mic so we used a lav mic. This made for clear focussed audio.

LO4: How meaning was created through lighting

Garage lighting:

The lighting in this scene created meaning by highlighting the two characters having an argument. The garage lighting was poor so the additional fill light allowed us not eliminate any harsh shadows from the 3 point lighting.

Talking head with Dan:

The lighting in this shot is all natural. In this scene dan is talking down about his dad (Graham). The lighting creates meaning within this shot by having a shadow cast on one side of the actors face. This represents him being two faced about his dad 'winning custody'.

Meeting the band after the break up:

The silhouettes in this scene represent Graham being lost without the band. As Graham is re united with the band members, the stage lighting creates meaning representing happiness as all members are illuminated when united.

LO3: Treatment

Extremely Dangerous

Title: Extremely Dangerous

Genre:  Short Film, Mock-documentary 

Duration: 15 minutes, this gives us time to showcase the 4 main characters, Phil, Graham, Dan and Neil with there comedic individual title sequences to introduce there names. this will take approx 3 minutes. the remaining 12 minutes will be filled with comedic sketches, conflict, a resolution and a concluding outtro  

Target audience: Our film takes heavy inspiration from the mockumentary, 'Spinal tap'; due to sharing the same dry humour and comedy I would say or target audience was 18- 26 years of age.

Outline:

To shoot our short film it will be all hand held this is inspired by shows such as People Just Do Nothing and The office.

Character Breakdown:

• Neil- Priest by day rocker by night .  Middle ground  slightly oblivious however not on Phil's level of stupidity. Follows grahams lead but is aware that they aren't making it in the industry. A reality Graham has not yet excepted.
• Graham- is the lead of the band and takes it the most serious. believes they still have time to be the next best thing. His daughter Daniel is roped into the band however Graham likes the idea of having a son this is where Dan comes into the cast.
• Phil- Every mockumentary needs the mentally challenged comedic backbone, this is Phil. 
• Dan- Is Graham's daughter posed as a son. Questionably the most talented however has more interest in hip hop and not rock.

Camera Settings:

To shoot the film we will be using two 4k Sony cameras, cameras A and B. Both cameras on the day will have the same settings in terms of shutter speed and exposure. This will make for consistent quality between camera cuts and make it easier in post to colour grade. Camera 'A' will be on a hand held rig hooked up to the boom mic. This will allow for more mobile audio whilst camera 'B' is mounted to the tripod.  This camera will capture sections like the talking head interviews and establishing shots.  Framing the talking head interviews will be medium close ups and for the group shots they will be long shots since we want to represent the characters through there costume design.

Lighting:

For the group shots of the band 3 point lighting will be most effective.  Soft boxes and spot lighting will work best for this since there will be instruments like the drum kit we can hide the fill light behind this. The stage scene will have spot lights. So the backdrop does not have harsh shadows we can add a fill light also.

LO2: Capabilities and uses of different lights

3 Point Lighting 

Key light:

The key light is the main light. It is usually the strongest and has the most influence on the look of the scene. It is placed to one side of the camera/subject so that this side is well lit and the other side has some shadow. Depending on how soft/ harsh this light is determine how harsh the shadow is. This can be used to create meaning in film.

Fill light:

This is the secondary light and is placed on the opposite side of the key light. It is used to fill the shadows created by the key. The fill will usually be softer and less bright than the key. To acheive this, you could move the light further away or use some spun. You might also want to set the fill light to more of a flood than the key.

Back light:

The back light is placed behind the subject and lights it from the rear. Rather than providing direct lighting (like the key and fill), its purpose is to provide definition and subtle highlights around the subject's outlines. This helps separate the subject from the background and provide a three-dimensional look.

High Key lighting

Low key lighting

LO5: Evidence of editing

Audio

We used effects like normalised to make the audio sound louder and clearer. What this effect does is it makes the loud and quiet parts of the audio become more consistent with each other so that everyone can be heard clearly due to some actors being further away from the boom mic.

The audio and music when used together we prioritised the main audio over the music so that what the actors are saying is clear, this allows the narrative and dialogue to be clear to the audience.

Effects

Due to our film being a documentary not many visual effects are necessary, one of the times we do use it is at the start. 

The text is in sync with the sound effects. With each drum beat a word appears. This is an example of how we have used both audio and visual elements during a transition. We keep the transition the same bar the text used. This keeps it consistent. 

LO4: Applying cinematic lighting

The Garage

The Cafe

The Stage

LO3: Risk Assessments/ Recces

Risk Assessments:

Recce sheets:

LO4: Genre Conventions

While writing the script we took inspiration from mocumentay style shows such as 'The Office'. We decided to really take inspiration from the talking head portions of the show. We tried to mimic the serious tone of scenes that mix well with the comic nature of the film and show.  We decided to not only take inspiration from the talking head scene but most elements of the office. We wanted to emulate the same style of editing with fast cuts and long camera movements. During the planning stages of the film  the writers looked deeply at the cinematography to try and emulate the same movements in the show.

https://youtu.be/u74UKFPzx78?t=31



https://youtu.be/51iqoUFYrjc?t=142

LO3: Storyboards

LO3: Script

“Extremely dangerous”

By Edwin and Ethan

 

Scene description/opening

The scene opens with the camera crew walking towards the band         

Lens cap taken off

<Outside walking towards garage>

Phil: Graham… Oi Graham

Phil: Mate… Graham

Phil: Graham!

Graham: Phil what in gods name do you want?

Phil: Look

Graham: shit… someone, someone go get dan, Where's dan?

Cut

<Inside garage>

Graham: well as you can probably tell, we’re extremely dangerous. That there, that's Neil. Priest by day all star rocker by night. This one ere is phil hes…

Phil: Thats with a p not an f *

Graham: and.. Well.. okay… the one sat behind us. Thats dan. Me own flesh and blood. And the best for last. Me. graham. I’m the leader of the pack you could say the one who runs this operation.

Cut

<band practice>

Graham: Seeing as I’m the leader of this group you best know im singing. I got the voice of an angel me. Straight out of heaven. Least that's what me mam tells me.

Neil: Yeah as he said I’m a full on rocker. I put my balls to the wall and well, i see how it sticks.

Camera person: what does that even mean…

(graham and Neil start a slow argument that builds they are arguing under their breaths.)

Graham: Neil! Stop freaking them out.

Neil: What do you mean I’m just…

Graham: Your making a fool of yourself, of all of us…

Neil: But when i say that it shows im hardcore.

(no longer under breath the argument has become more heated.)

Graham: Nothing is hardcore about.. About anything you just said its pure nonsense.

(full on argument breaks out.)

(camera pans over to see phil licking paint of his fingers and dan in the corner just staring at everyone)

Cut

Camera person: so tell me something about yourself

Dan: I’m just here for my Dad…

Talking Head - Graham

Graham: Started off as a kid. It was ethir shopping with mum or band practise with me and ever since i won custody well… can't really go shoppin anymore… can he now.

Cut to band practise

Graham: Okay boys follow after me

(Graham begins to play but snaps strings he continues to play as if nothing happened. Graham then picks up his ukulele. camera zooms to Neil who has also started playing along with graham. After some time the camera pans to the side to reveal phil rocking out to the extreme. The scene ends with phil almost destroying a guitar)

Graham: knew i'd have to use this sooner or later, behold the  prized beast! ( swaps out for his ukulele)

Graham: Phill! What are you doing that's expens… semi expensive equipment…

Dan: Oh christ not again please not again

Phil: *screaming*

Neil: Phil stop, seriously dude what the hell

Dan: Phil that better not be broken

(during the whole discourse the camera crew is backing away.)

Taking head - Neil

Neil: ahh yeah i'm sorry about phil yesterday…

(audio over footage of phil acting like a caveman thumping his chest and using the guitar as a spear, the camera crew run away and look back to see him whooping.)

Neil:Ever since i lent him that book on mongolian tribes he hasn't been the same since. He thinks you're a rival tribe, that's why he doesn't trust you guys.

<Next day in garage>

(band walk in and greet the camera crew )

Niel: Here early i see.

Graham: Yeah we ain't even had breakfast yet. About to send phil down to the shops. You want anything? Haha yeah i knew you'd be good… Oi phil get us the usual!

(graham sets down his ukulele)

 

Phil: i'll get you the usual yeah. Excuse me Neil can i borrow your keys?

Niel: yeah mate, but where's yours?

Phil: I lost them.

Niel: How'd you get here then?

(Phil walking away)

Phil: I slept here.

(Phil walks away as the rest of the band look confused)

Cut

<Shops>

(Phil enters the shop looking confused and lost. He begins to walk around the shop looking for graham's food but he is unable to find it. He decides it would be a good idea to ask one of the staff for help.)

Phil: Excuse me love, Do you know where i could find the usual?

Staff: Im sorry?

Phil: You know… The usual. Graham sent me here for it so you've got to have it.

(Staff stares at phil in disbelief)

Cut

<Garage>

(The band is patiently waiting for phil to return.)

Dan: What did you tell him to get?

Graham: You know, the usual.

Cut

<Shops>

(Phil is distressed as he is unable to figure out what graham meant by the usual. Phil is picking up bags of sweets, looking at them for a minute and then putting them back. Phil is talking to himself under his breath)

Phil: no… no. I'm sure he didn't… or did he… Maybe..

(A customer walks past phil and ignores him.)

Phil: excuse me… you wouldn't know what the usual would be?

(Phil utterly defeated picks up a bag of haribo and takes it to the cashier)

Cut

<In car with phil>

(The car journey is silent until the camera person asks phil a question . Ph                                                                                                                                                                          il responds aggressively)

Camera person: So phil, what did you end up getting.

Phil: I got the usual okay shut up.

(Silence)

Cut

Talking heads - phil

Phil: i tried i really did i looked as hard as i could i swear.

Cut

<outside the garage>

(Outside the garage the band is waiting for phil to return. The car comes around the corner but tragedy soon insues)

Dan: Dad look, He's back

Graham: Finally i'm starving

(Phil parks the car and the camera crew exits the car)

Neil: Phil mate will you bring her a little closer? I can't walk that far with my back.

Phil: Sure thing mate

(Phil showly brings the car down the driveway. Not seeing that graham had left his ukulele on the drive. Phil runs the ukulele over. The band is in total shock. Everyone is silent. Phil doesn't realise this through and exits the car excited to show the band his haribo.)

Phil: Graham now don't be mad. I asked around for the usual and i couldn't find it. So i got you the best next thi…

Graham: Phil… first… you scare our guests… Second the usual isn't a thing… and now… look what you've done… you've passed the line with this one…. no, you're not only passed the line .

Phil: what do you mean?

(Phil turns around to see the damage he's done. Silence)

Phil: graham mate im so sorry… I… i didn't see…

Neil: come on mate… we should go.

Phil: No… Graham… i didn't mean it. Graham.

(No response)

Phil: Graham… Graham… Graham…

(Neil takes phil away)

Dan: Dad?

Cut

<Park>

(Three weeks later the crew catch up with phil and neil in a local park. Phil is clearly sill upset.)

Camera person: So how have you guys been?

Neil: Fine mate. We've just been ya know. Living.

Phil: yeah

Camera person: What about the band? Have you spoken to Graham?

Neil: We've tried… believe me we have but he wont pick up.

Phil: I call him every night.

Neil: I just hope he's okay.

Cut

<inside the local pub>

(The camera crew enter to find Dan and Graham sitting in the pub)

Graham: Ay up lads, long time no see. You want anything? Haha i knew you wouldn't. So… what's all this about? It's about the band isn't it… well… it's done. Its over. Extremely dangerous is no more.

(Dan under his breath)

Dan: Took long enough.

Camera person: Have you been in contact with phil or neil?

Graham: No. I'm onto new and better thing things. I've taken up taekwondo. Soon i'll be the one who's extremely dangerous haha.

Camera person: Would you want to see them again?

Graham: is this all you came here for? No. I would not.

(Graham stands up and leaves)

Dan: I hate to see dad like this. He's been crying every night.  It's honestly pathetic. The band was the only thing keeping him grounded. Without it… he's a mess. If i help you… Will you organise something? Something big. Something he wont forget…

Grahman: Dan! Hurry up!

(Dan stands up and leaves)

Cut

<Inside the venue>

(Phil and neil are setting up stage to surprise graham)

Neil: Graham has always wanted a big performance. Ever since we were kids it's been his dream to be on stage. Performing. So that's what we’re gonna give him. I called up my friend john whos let us use his old stage…

(Phil drops something off screen)

Phil: oh sorry mate. My fingers are still a little greasy.

Neil: As i was saying. Johns letting up use this place for an hour to two so we gotta be quick. Let us get back to work and i'll call you when we’re done.

Cut

<Outside venue>

Graham: Dan where are we? What we doing here?

Dan: Dad, i know you've always wanted to perform…

Graham: Dan…

Dan: Dad please… they did this for you.

(Graham and Dan walk in to the venue. The camera crew follow)

Phil: Graham! Graham… i…

Graham: Phil.

Phil: I'm so sorry. I didn't see… it was an accident…

(Graham interrupts phil by hugging him)

Phil: Graham wait. I have something.

(Phil pulls out a new ukulele)

Graham: Thank you.

Neil: Quit it boys. We’re a rock band not a girl band.

Graham: Shut up neil and come here… i missed you boys… Now let's get rocking.

(The band hops on stage and pick up their instruments and stares off into the crowd)

Graham: Okay boys. This is it. Our big break. Let's turn it up to 11 and give it all we got!

(Band nods their heads. Graham turns to the microphone.)

Graham: We’re Extremely Dangerous!   

End