Video & Sound Production - Exercises

 22/04/2024 - 28/05/2024 (Week1 - Week 5 )

Teu Yu Tian / 0371923
Video and Sound Production | Bachelors of Design (Honour) in Creative Media | Taylor's University
Exercise 1 

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1. LECTURES:

WEEK 1: 

Module and project briefing.

Things to do in week 1: 

1.Complete Editing exercise 1 & 2 (Mints & Doritos), document it in Blog under Exercise section
2.Watch stop motion short, share 3 favourites

3.Purchase Tripod for Phone (with bluetooth remote control)
4.Watch Everything, everywhere, all at once (before week 3)

The Shot List Ep 1 (Asynchronous class materials)

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/#shot-size

The content is all about theory in film making, the articles talk about shot size, camera framing, camera focus, camera angle, camera movement and camera mechanism. The video introduced up to 9 type of shot size, such as full shot, medium full shot, medium shot, and close up shot. Different shot size have various purpose, wider shot used for showing location, time and character's physicality while closer shot focus on subject, emotion and giving dramatic effect. Next is camera framing, which is the composition of subject in a frame, whether is single, two, three or crowd. Some of the others like over the shoulder shot and point of view are also introduced.

Camera focus is about changing depth of field to direct attention on subject, environment or both. Deep focus produced sharp image, while shallo

W1 Quiz Result:

w focus will produced image with clear subject but blur background, everything are not sharp in soft focus. Some other special technique like rack focus split diopter, and tilt shift can also be produced. Camera angle is important to create different feelings of scene or represent the view of character by placing camera on different position, either high or low level, shoting from up to down or down to up. Low angle shot emphasise power of character (Hero/villian) while high angle shot often make character feels weak. 

There are 12 types of camera movements. Camera movement can show what's happening on the screen and also emphasise the relationship of the characters and environment, produce different feelings or effects. Different movement supported by different kind of equipment. Tripod is the most basic equipment, can use for pan and tilt. Cran used for large camera movement while drone shot used for aerial shot and chasing scene. 

WEEK 2: 

We are asked to read an article to understand the basics of cinematography, including shot size, camera angle, and composition, in order to practice shooting.

A flipped classroom activity are also conducted to make us understand some of the cinematography theory:

Three Act Structure (Asynchronous class materials)

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/three-act-structure/

Three Act Structure (Asynchronous class materials)

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/three-act-structure/

Act 1  (Set Up) 25%

• The Hook: Get audience to ask the question,  make them feel interesting.
  
• Inciting Event 12% : first time conflict, kickstarts the story. It’s usually the first 20-30 minutes of a film.
  
• 1st Plot Point : Big moment, threshold of no return, protagonist engaged in conflict and go on.  

Act 2 (Build) 50%

• 1st Pinch Point: Obstacle that main protagonist must face, what they will lose in their action next.
  
• Midpoint /Second Plot Point 50%: big moment, turn and leading the different direction of story, revealing truth, understand themselves within the conflict.
  
• 2nd Pinch Point 62%: Similar to 1st pinch point. Setting up what's going to happen. 
  
• 3rd Plot Point 75%: false victory, throw what they learn to overcome the obstacle. Darkest hour, 

Act 3 (Payoff) 25%

• Climax 85%: Ramping of tension from third point, final climax. Deciding moment of protagonist will gain or lose the plot goal. 
• Resolution: See how the journey has permanently affected our characters.

Questions:

LALIN

1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only. 

Act1

Lalin is a net idol hold many followers on social media. But she hides her face under a mask in real life, even at home, because she has lots of pimples. She was bullied in high school, and people called her Ms. Meteorite because of her face. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Japan where no one knew her, and where people commonly wore masks. She created an account and posted beautified pictures of herself, gaining many fans. She didn't care that it was a lie.

Act 2

One day, a man called Nut reach out her on social media for job purpose. They then share their life and get to know more with each other. Lalin never show her face in the video call, this make him curious about it. Suddenly, Nut come to Japan to meet her. Scared of his reaction to her real face, Lalin decided not to meet him. As Nuts leaves, he left behind a book for Lalin to read. That's when she realises he knew her from before, when he was overweight and she was showing her face.

Act 3 : 

The book tells Nut's story of transformation and his wish to reassure Lalin that they don't have to care about others' judgments. Inspired, Lalin takes off her mask and rushes to find him. But in the end, they miss each other. 

2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

She got bullied in high school, people call her Ms. Meteorite because of her face.

3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

Nut come to Japan to meet Lalin. 

4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

Lalin takes off her mask and rushes to find him.

5.What is the theme of the movie?

Self acceptance. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once

1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only. 

ACT 1

Evelyn is a Chinese immigrant that runs a laundry shop with her husband Waymond. She is busy in running business, preparing party, struggling with tax issues and family problem. Her daughter, Joy, wants to bring her girlfriend to the party. In auditor's office, Alpha Waymond from another universe explain multiuniverse and verse-jumping concept to Evelyn, asked help from her to save the universe by defeating Jobu Tupaki, villain who wants to destroy the whole world. She experience various time of verse-jumping. 

ACT 2

She sees her lives in multiuniverse through verse-jumping, and meet Jobu Tupaki. Jobu introduced Bagel world to Evelyn. She realised that Jobu is actually Joy in another universe, who get lost when searching for the meaning of life, so she try to find the "Evelyn" who can see and feel what she feels. Evelyn decided to become just like Jobu Tupaki, to save her daughter. She affected by the bagel, and messed up everything in every universe, somehow giving up to defeat Jobu. Finally she know the real intention of Jobu creating the bagel, is to destroy herself. Waymond in multiuniverse fixed the chaotic situation with kind, empty and communication. 

ACT 3

Last fighting scene, Evelyn solve it with understanding, inspired by Waymond. She faced her biggest fear, which is getting recognition from her dad, and showed her acceptance towards Joy. No matter how would her daughter be, she will always want to be with her. Evelyn successfully save the world and her daughter, she solved her family issue and continued her life.

2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

meet husband from another universe.

Alpha Waymond from another universe explain multiuniverse and verse-jumping concept to Evelyn, asked help from her to save the universe by defeating Jobu Tupaki.

3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

Evelyn decided to become just like Jobu Tupaki in order to save her daughter, she started frequent time of verse-jumping. 

4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

Last fighting scene, where Evelyn solve it with understanding, as well as showing love and acceptance towards Joy.

5.What is the theme of the movie?

Importance of understanding. 

W2 Quiz Result:

WEEK 3: 

Asynchronous class materials

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-storyboard/

Storyboard

1. Definition of storyboard: 

- Visual representation of a film sequence and break down the action into individual panels.

- It is a shot by shot drawing, with details of camera direction, dialogue and so on.

- Can be drawing, sketches, image or photo.

- Detail shot spec - Shot size, lens length, two-shot, etc.

- Arrows to show camera or character movement. 

2. Version of Storyboard: 

- Traditional: Pencil sketches with details like arrow or camera movement, props

- Thumbnail: No writing, only images.

3. Animation storyboard 

- To show animation movements, crafting on story beats, and character behaviour. 

4. Action movie storyboard

Mad max- nearly silent action movie with graphic novels approach.

Craft storyboard before script. 

Visually appeal (Tell story with purely visual)

W3 Quiz Result:

WEEK 4:

Stages of Film Production — Overview of the Entire Process

I've learned about 5 stages in film production, which is development, pre-production, production , post-production and distribution. Production begins with idea of producer or screenwriter, and the producer started compile creatives, financing, schedule, director or some actors, and so on. After that, preparation for filming is started. This stage include budgeting, team gathering, and pre-visualising/storyboard planning. Then we entered production phase, which is filming process，assistant director will planing out a call sheet with everyone's schedule and job scope during filming process. After the filming done, editor will work on the footage, extra effect, and sound editing. Last will be distribution of movie, it can either be in stream in cinemas, film festival, online or other places. Marketing like poster and trailer making will also take place.

Ultimate Guide to Film Crew Positions (Jobs & Duties Explained)

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-crew-positions/

The Roles of The Production Team

https://www.govtech.com/education/news/the-roles-of-the-production-team.html

The articles explained about the roles will include in film making and what job they will do. Producer is the leader to provide initial idea, as well as in-charge for budget and management. Director will oversee production process and direct actor's performance. Screen writer shapes the sequence of event, dialogue, transition, and so on. Some of the the other like costume designer, cinematographer, editor and actor are also well explained. I've learned about some role which are new knowledge for me in the Studiobinder articles, such as best boy, intimacy coordinator, set PA, deadman, and weapon wrangler. 

Learning about the different roles in film production is fascinating. It's truly impressive how many people contribute to making a movie, each handling tasks big and small. These are the new knowledge for me and it not only allows me to appreciate the filmmaking process more deeply, but also what can I do if I decided to step into the film industry. Understanding these roles provides a valuable knowledge for me to explore this collaborative environment.

W4 Quiz Result: 

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2. INSTRUCTIONS:

Editing Exercise 1: Mints

This exercises is to let us be more familiar with using Adobe Premier Pro. We are asked to download and import the video footage, then export the full video in MP4 format. 

Figure 1.1 Editing Exercise 1: Mints (Work Progress)

Final Export Video:

 Editing Exercise 2: Doritos

The footage is not in arranged/named in correct order.  We assigned to rearranged the footage in correct order, renamed and export the full video in MP4 format.

Figure 1.2 Editing Exercise 2: Doritos (Work Progress)

Final Export Video:

Exercise: Shooting practise, shoot & editing

• Close-Up shot 
• Frontal MCU (soft  background) 
• Frontal MS (soft  background) 
• Extreme Close-Up shot

• Side angle MS (soft  background)
• ¾ angling MCU shot
• Low angle Wide shot
• Eye-Level Medium-Wide shot

Editing Practise 1 - Lalin

Edit and combine the footage based on storyboard and original video, export a 35 seconds video. 

Original video: https://youtu.be/dSvEKiRB8EY

Editing tutorial video: https://youtu.be/mmQHkApEREM

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3. Feedback:

No Feedback

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4. Reflection: 

I am able to be familiar with the software and understand camera framing through these exercises. The lecture in class and asynchronous materials deepen my knowledge in video and sound production. I learned a lot of theory through the lecture and reading materials, and it will be helpful for my future project. 

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5. Further Reading: 

WEEK 3

https://milanote.com/guide/film-storyboards

6 steps to create storyboard:

1. Identify key scene in script

mark up key part of story that shows major beats such as actions, locations, wardrobe, staging, narrative arches, and major plot points. 

2. Map out the key scenes

Break down into frame, give the scenes a number

3. Add images or sketches

Visualise the scenes/idea landscaping. Can draw or collect reference photos.

4. Describe what happens in each frame

How it will look and feel in movement. Describe style, mood and behaviour of character. 

Composition and Framing: 

How characters and objects will be framed within each shot. 

Use compositional techniques to create visually appealing and balanced frames.

Transitions: 

Plan how each shot transitions to the next.

Character Blocking: 

Character placing and movements within each shot. Show how they interact with each other and the environment.

Emotion and Expression: 

Define a character's facial expressions and body language to show their emotions and reactions.

Annotations: 

Use additional notes or captions for things that can't be easily conveyed in the visuals. 

Dynamic Action: 

For action scenes, break down fast-paced movements into a sequence of panels to ensure clarity.

5. Share it with your team

Let other to review your storyboard and collect feedback.

6. Finally, reference it on the day

Print or save it for reference.