Lighting Research

Lighting is very important as it defines the moment that the characters are in. For example, In a Romantic Genre you are more likely going to see Natural and soft lighting as it goes with the romantic atmosphere.

In a horror movie you are most likely going to see low key lighting as it creates a tone for the movie and adds an element of terror. It makes the audience aware when the action is about to take place as it usually gets darker.
The three types of lighting that we are going to focus on are:

• High Key Lighting                                            
  

• Low Key Lighting

• Soft Lighting

• Natural lightening

Low Key Lighting: Low Key lighning used for a overall darker picture
Natural Lighting: Light supplied by the sun, as opposed to artificial light from light bulbs

High Key Lighting: High Key Lighting means an overall brighter picture



Soft Lighting :A lighting approach that avoids sharp shadows and harsh bright areas creating a gradual blending from highlights to shadows.


As our main task is going to be an inspirational crime drama, so the most appropriate lighting that we will use is natural lighting. The reason behind this is because most of the shots that we are going to shoot will be outside in the daytime. Even though low key lighting is effective in producing a tense atmosphere, our group we have decided not to use low key lighting, albeit we will be trying to create a little tensity in some of the scenes,but we do not want our trailer to turn dark and into a thriller, as we want our trailer to be inspirational. As a result we will use natural and soft lightning in order to bring a light atmosphere to our inspirational movie.

Camerwork

Camerawork can be used to represent characters in a range of ways:
High/low angles and tilts to show dominance or inferiority
Point of view/over the audience to encourage the audience to identify with the character
Camera movements to suggest the character is fast paced and energetic or chaotic, anxious, lazy e.c.t.
Two shots to emphasise the relationship between characters (proxemics)
Zooms for emphasis
Close up to show emotion/reaction
Long/establishing/master shots to show setting or costume

KEY:
ESTABLISHING SHOT – often the first shot seen in a film and establishes the setting of a scene (often long shots).


MASTER SHOT – shows where characters/objects are positioned in a scene.

LONG SHOT – shows characters’ whole body and provides clear view of the setting.

MID/MEDIUM SHOT – shows character from the waist up/waist down.

CLOSE UP – shows one part of a character’s body (usually their face).

EXTREME CLOSE UP – shows a certain part of a character’s face or a prop to convey information.

WIDE SHOT – shows a wide view of the scene.

TWO SHOT – shows only 2 people.

OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT – used in dialogue or to conceal an identity.

POINT OF VIEW SHOT – shows the audience a view from a character’s perspective.

HIGH ANGLE SHOT – positions the camera above eye view, looking down at a character.

LOW ANGLE SHOT – positions camera below eye view, looking up at a character.

EYE-LEVEL ANGLE – positions camera at eye level, looking directly at a character.

BIRDS-EYE VIEW – camera raised above the action (using a crane/helicopter).

CANTED ANGLE SHOT (oblique or Dutch Angle) – tilted camera so nothing in the scene is horizontal or 
vertical (sense of instability, drama, crime, mental illness).

PAN – camera moving horizontally.

TILT – camera moves vertically.

STILL – camera doesn’t move.

TRACK – camera placed on a wheeled platform which is placed on rails to form a movement.

CRANE – camera on a crane is able to move both horizontally and vertically in the air.

STEDICAM – camera placed on a stabling mount isolates the camera operator’s movements, enabling a 
smooth shot even when the operator is moving.

HANDHELD – camera held by a person and not positioned on a tripod or crane. The camera shot often 
appears shaky.

ZOOM – camera zooms in or out.

SHALLOW FOCUS – a technique incorporating a small depth of field. In shallow focus, one plane of the image is in focus while the rest is out of focus.

DEEP FOCUS – a technique incorporating a great depth of field, using relatively wide-angle lenses and small lens to render near and distant planes in sharp focus simultaneously. A deep-focus shot includes foreground, middle-ground, and extreme-background objects, all in focus



This research has been beneficial as it has acted as a reminder of the different type of camera shots that we can use for our main task. When our group is going to discuss the camera shot list we would print of this research to remind us of the different shots, camera angles and movements that we can make sure that we use the right type of camera shot that specific scene.

Costume

Costume:

SCENE 1

The Protagonist

The Protagonist Sister

In this scene the protagonist and his sister will be mourning the loss of their parents at the graveyard. Therefore, as a group we though that it is appropriate for the protagonist and his sister to wear black as it is the customary color to wear when you go to a funeral. Additionally black connoted death and sadness, and reinforces the sorrow that the protagonist is feeling. This will make the audience more likely to empathize with them. 

SCENE 2

The Protagonist

The Protagonist Mentor

In this scene the protagonist is meant to be in sixth form, as a result both costumes have to be smart. We wanted the audience to see that there is a difference between the protagonist and his mentor. This is why we gave the mentor a blazer and the protagonist just a sweater.  This was done to show the different levels of authority, as the mentor will appear more responsible than the protagonist. Therefore they are not class mates, but teacher and student.

We chose the color blue to be our main color, as it  is simple. It also changes the atmosphere of the trailer. This is because in the previous scene we see the protagonist wearing all black, showing the audience that he is morning which created a sad atmosphere. However, as the protagonist is not wearing black it represents that the morning period is over, which stimulates an uplifting ambience, as it gives the impression that things are starting to look up. 

SCENE 3

The protagonist

The Drug Boss

In this scene the protagonist meets the drug boss. We wanted our drug boss to look smart and rich.
This was done to show the audience the result of dealing drugs, and how it has benefited the character, so the audience can compare and contrast how drugs have affected each of characters, as some have profited from it and others have had loss because of it. Additionally, by wearing smart clothing it shows that the drug boss is a character who needs to be taken seriously. Rich clothing connotes wealth and status, and as a result he is respected.

The protagonist is wearing simple clothing consisting of jogging bottoms and a body warmer. The head phones,and trainers highlight the youth of the character whilst the brown overcoat shows the maturity of the drug dealer. This tells the audience that the drug boss has had more experience than the protagonist.

Furthermore, The protagonist clothes are not as fancy as the drug boss. This was done to show that trying to live a good life, going to school like the protagonist may not be as rewarding financially as selling drugs. Even though the protagonist has more morals than the drug boss, and is trying to make a life for himself through education, the drug boss is respected more even though he is selling drugs because of the benefits he has reaped from it.

SCENE 4

The Protagonsit

Bullies x 3

In this scene the protagonist is getting beaten by 3 white sixth form boys. Our group wanted Caucasian people to be the bullies to give the audience the impression that the protagonist is getting bullied, due to the fact that the he is black and intelligent. As both of the costumes are smart it indicates that these boys are from the protagonists sixth form, and this is a school brawl.

SCENE 5


The Protagonist

The Mentor

The Headteacher

The next scene is in the headmasters office. The headmaster is wearing a smart blue pants suit. In movies it is very typical for the headmaster to be a man thus we wanted a female to be the head teacher. However, in movies when a female is depicted as a professional they usually wear a skirt suit. This is why our group has decided that the headteacher should wear a pants suit to break the stereotypes of a female in cinematography. Additionally as the female is wearing a bright blue suit it shows her authority as the other suits that the males are wearing are mellow colours. We also chose the colour blue for the female headteacher. The protagonist and his mentor is also wearing suits to accommodate the school setting.



Scene 6

The Protagonist

The Drug Recipient

The protagonist is wearing a body warmer ans some jeans. This is to reflect the everyday situations. The drug recipient will also be wearing casual clothing to tell the audience that drug dealings happen on a day to day basis and it is unfortunately considered normal.


What Have We Learnt?
By planning the costumes for our main task our group has been able to really think of how image is important in cinematography. We learnt that the clothing does effect the way the audience views the character, so we have to be careful in what we allow our characters to wear so that they can be perceived in the way we would like them to be.
This has contributed to our main task as this research has broadened our perspective on what to dress our characters in so that they can be identified with the audience and relatable.
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Filming Experience- What Didn't Go So Well

Filming Experince- What went Well

Filming Consent Form

FILMING CONTRACT

This is a contractual agreement between………………………………………...(actor/actress) and PICTUREHOUSE Productions.

The Production Company PICTUREHOUSE Productions will:

1.   Not take responsibility for injuries caused to the actor in times of filming.
2.   Complete full health and safety risk assessment before we start filming.  

The undersigned actor guarantees to PICTUREHOUE productions:
1

1.  To be available for all performance agreed between the actor and the authorised legal consultant of the PICTURHOUSE production company(either Ellie D’sylva, or Tia Weeks).
2.  Authorisation for PICTURHOUSE productions to film, record and photograph, the performance.
3. To use my name and voice in the production.
4. The actor/actress acknowledges that they are volunteering and that they will not be getting paid.
5.  The actor/actress also acknowledges that PICTUREHOUSE PRODUCTIONS own all rights to the productions. 

ACTOR                                                                          PICTUREHOUSE Productions

ACTOR NAME ……………………                              REPRESENTATIVE.............................                   

SIGNED...........................................                                SIGNED...................................................

DATE……………............                                                DATE………………………..

Our group created a filming contract for the actors to sign so they understand the terms and conditions before taking part in our media production. This was done to prevent future conflicts that may arise such as, pay. This allows the actors and actress to seriously think if they want to be part of this 

Filming Schedule