Recreating 500 days of summer task

This task showed the video that we had recreated  which was a scene from the film 500 days of Summer. Our group used as many appropriate props as possible and layed out the setting as accurately as we possibly could. Our version (bottom) was set in a classroom as we had no way of setting the scene in the same environment as the film had done. Despite this we layed out our setting in as best way as we could to accomidate the original setting. We used very few different camera shots in this piece because that was the same case in the original clip. The shots we used included a reverse shot when the characters (Skarlet and I) were in conversation with one another. We never went outside of the 180 degree rule whilst filming these shots as we did not want to give the impression we were sitting next to eachother and speaking as that would have looked unusual to the audience. These angles allowed facial expressions and emotions to be shown along with the torso part of the body and props to show any use of hand movement. The other angle we used include a medium shot where the audience could see both characters and the scene. This gave a sense of establishment for the audience as well allowing the audience to see both characters in the same shot and look at detail about the way they are dressed, the way they act etc. The medium shot was also used at the end where I got up and walked off as this shows most of the character's body and also shows that he doesn't want to be part of the conversation with the other character any longer. It also gives the audience a sense of mystery as when the character walks off he disappears from camera view so the audience does not actually no where he is going.

This task allowed my group to explore the possiblities that can be achieved with recreation of scenes and it also taught us how to set up a scene to look as much as the original as possible. It also helpedimprove acting skills and the skills of the camera shots used.

Own Camera Shots Task

In this task my group explored the camera shots that were possible to do with the camera and the stand. We each took it in turn to either film or pose in the frame. Our first shot was a close up shot of Elliot's face. This shot is used to show reactions of the character and also can give sense of emotion or the severity of the situation in which the character finds themself. The next shot we did was a pan of a medium long shot. This shot shows us more of the character and as the pan moves across we get to see some of the surroundings in which the character is in. This is known as the setting. After this we did a long shot which is similar to the medium long shot but we did not use a pan and the character is more exposed as we get to see more of them and the background scenery. We also did some shots on a stairwell where we kept the character in place for one and panned it for another. After this my group also did a dutch angle shot of Elliot's face which can give a slight sense of unease to the audience and is seen as an unusual angle so their could be an unusual activity or event about to occur.

This exercise gave me and my group an insight in to how to use a camera and what angles and shot are possible to achieve with certain props used to help the camera. These shots and some others that we did not film may be used in the preliminary task to follow as it can give variety to the video and can also help us to achieve any scenes we have created in our minds.