For my film opening I have chosen to use only the one location the main character's (a young woman) bedroom. One such location I have chosen is in my house and I have already gained my parents permission to use it. However one of the disadvantages is that there is no wallpaper or decoration suitable for the period. Although a major advantage is that the room is currently empty and unused so I should be able to dress the room more appropriately and should have longer to prepare and a longer window of opportunity for filming than if the room were in use.

For the mise-en-scene I have considered using a newspaper and or calendar to reinforce the date and time period. To represent the main character (a young woman) I have chosen to have a wide range of photographs which the camera will pan across in order to show that the main character likes to keep memento's of her friends and memories etc. On the desk which the main character sits at I plan to various objects typically found on dressing tables such as makeup and accessories such as a hand mirror in order to exemplify that the main character is vain or at least conscious of her appearance as is typical in period dramas. Also on the desk I will now be placing a small card reading "In loving memory" to indicate that the main character has recently lost a close friend or relative (in this case her former lover).

Finally the last representational objects to symbolise the main character's relationship is a stack of (love) letters and a single photograph of a young man (her deceased lover). I plan to place both objects alone together on top of a table to indicate that the relationship was extremely important to the main character.

For non digetic sound I have been considering using a piece of authentic period music. Although concerns were raised over the issue of Copyrighted material. However now, having looked online at the UK Copyright laws which indicate that all pieces of music produced before 1923 are in the public domain and therefore copyright free At the moment I have found several songs that are both copyright free and representational of the era. Alternatively I could use garageband to create a piece of music myself however after investigating the program I was unable to find or begin to produce anything which I felt was worth using.

I had also originally planned to have just a single piece of music playing non digetically, however I am now considering using some digetic sound possibly in the form of the sounds made by a gramophone before introducing the music to give the appearance that the music is a record being played.

Questionnaire Results

These are the results for my questionnaire. Which was taken by 20 people who were Representative of my target audience, The information I have collected will be used to help

guide certain aspects of my film opening.

Ideas - Part 1

Idea 1

The certificate I have chosen to classify my film with is PG (parental guidance)

mostly due to this being the classification of many other period films which include scenes which include smoking scenes, mild violence/scary/threat scenes and references to sex.

My first idea for a film opening begins with the camera coming in to focus on a photograph in a frame on top of a side table. I then intend to have the camera pan across the table revealing other photographs and related paraphernalia (such as an ashtray, newspaper, clock, calander etc), The camera continues to pan across the room stopping to depict the main character (a young woman) sitting at a dressing table applying makeup and preparing for a party.

I intend to establish the genre (period) within the opening two minutes by using such typical codes and conventions in period films, these including: use of period music/ music that is typical of the period. which in the instance of my first idea would be music from the 1920s, as this is the time period in which I have chosen to set my first idea, through the use of the font in the opening titles. Which in this instance could vary some considerable way from the elegant serif fonts typical of the 1910s and early 1920s to the much more simple art deco fonts typical of the late 1920s. I also had planned to focus the camera on certain props such as a newspaper or party invitation with the date clearly in view in order to convey a solid date for the period

this may be pivotal if I am unable to successfully locate enough other signifiers of the chosen period.

I had planned to use several shots which included panning across a bedroom, similar to the used in the opening two minutes of the film Atonement. I had also considered using considerable use of the over the shoulder shot, as much of the two minutes would be focusing on the main character a young woman getting ready for a party. With the over the shoulder shots being in my opinion the most useful technique for filming the main character applying make up. Another shot which could be used for this particular scene would be the more traditional close up and extreme close up.

Concerning characters I had originally planned to use only the main character. However I am now considering the possible advantages of introducing a secondary character such as a maid or servant assisting the main character to dress, I also think this would help enforce the status and wealth of the main character. However now considering this I will need to plan and research how servants are represented in period dramas, how they talk especially to their employers and finally how much dialogue would be required during the scene.

I think that the only permissions I might need for this idea would be the location - a period bedroom with period furnishings for use as the main characters bedroom. The other possibility could be with the use of period music.

Idea 2

My second idea for the opening of a period drama, was initially to follow two walking figures or a horse and carriage along a country road and subsequently the driveway of a country house. With the two main characters (a young man and woman) stopping at the front door of the house, or descending from the carriage. At which point the two characters will embrace with one of them stating they will be very happy in their new home and the other agreeing with them.

I intend to establish the genre this time mostly through the use of costume, which I've chosen to be Victorian, Also through the use of the long countryside landscape shots typical of period dramas. And finally with the country estate another typical feature of period dramas. I also intend to make the film titles reflect the film genre once again by using a font typical of the period, so in this instance most likely a gothic font. I plan on using several types of shots including the very long shot - for when the couple approach the house, the house itself and the surrounding landscape. As well as the two person shot when the couple are conversing.

Evaluation of Progress: week 5

Tristan Todorov, Vladimir Propp and Claude Levi Strauss each proposed their own theory concerning the narrative of a film.

Todorov proposed that each and every narrative was capable of being broken down in to 5 distinct steps, these being:
The Equilibrium - Where the scene and characters are established.
A Disruption to the equilibrium - The introduction of a major event or character (such as a villain or love interest).
Recognition of the disruption - Where the characters acknowledge the disruption.
Attempt to repair the disruption - The height of the narratives tension, where an attempt is made to restore or change the equilibrium.
A new or reinstated equilibrium: A return to the original situation at the begining of the narrative or a new one. whereby all remaining problems are solved and all loose ends tied up.

Propp argued that for every narrative there were eight character roles (including villain, damsel in distress, hero, anti hero)
and thirty one narrative functions.

Finally Levi Strauss argued that every narrative was based around the principles of binary opposites.

Skills Using The Camera

When filming with the camera we each took turns at every location. Making sure to utilize as many of the cameras features as possible, which was easy enough to do as the camera was user friendly and not too complex.

Using Imovie

Using Imovie was simple enough considering that I have never used it before.
From the demonstration provided I was able to grasp the basic concepts and controls of the program. From Imovie I was able to learn how to piece together the footage using the storyboard step by step process and how to cut unnecessary footage. I was also able to view and trial several of the effects provided by the program. I believe that I have learnt a considerable amount from this session using Imovie.

Codes and Conventions: Westerns

Codes:

• Hero wears white, while villains wear black.
• Bar room brawls
• Primitive technology
• Gun fight
• Barren and desolate landscape
• Set in a small town with a saloon, jail, general store etc.
• Often centered around the theme of honor and personal justice

Conventions:

• The hero is typically a lone ranger
• The hero usually saves a damsel in distress
• The hero is usually heavily financial motivated
• The hero is at ease with killing people

Evaluation of genre music

Evaluation of Research

In order to produce our piece of music we each decided to individually research our chosen genre

(action). I thought that amongst the things that went well, the use of Wikipedia was a paramount site on which to obtain information, I felt that I was able to successfully gather sufficient information concerning the tempo, pitch, speed and volume of successful compositions used in action films.

However, I also feel disappointed that I was unable to source out more in depth analysis of action music. I feel this was because I was unable to use specific enough terminology when using the search engine Google.

By the end of the research session I think that I was able to produce enough research, Including examples of existing compositions and information regarding the tempo and pitch. I was also able to locate several motion picture scores on itunes although they were only 30 second clips.

If I was to research this genre of music again then I would definitely broaden the terminology when using search engines. I would also attempt to locate longer pieces of music to help me understand the progression of the music piece.

Using Garageband

After completing our research we were set the task of composing our own piece of music in groups using the program Garageband. We were given a brief demonstration of how to use the program which was sufficient enough to reacquaint me with the program.

When composing our piece we initially started out with the electronic keyboard, with which we created a basic tune to pace our piece which we subsequently changed the instrument to a hip hop style drum.

We then proceeded to add various synthetic and hip hop related instruments and beats to our piece in an attempt to maintain a fast tempo.

Unfortunately I feel that we were unsuccessful and that the finished piece was extremely sketchy and random as it often skipped beats and switched between the instruments. Also many people were unable to define our chosen genre, with action(our chosen genre) being about the 8th genre suggested.

I feel that given the chance again I would change the make up of the piece and begin by selecting a more relevant beat from the selection of basic beats provided. I also feel that I would be able to create a piece much more quickly after having spent some time familiarising myself with Garageband.

Evaluating role within a team

From this lesson I conclude that I have furthered my skills with Garageband and now have a wider range of understanding within the program and which instruments, tempo and beats are best to accompany a piece of action music.

Within our team I feel that I contributed by selecting the initial beats and rythym of the piece and suggesting what might work with the piece.

Landscape Photograph Homework

This is my landscape photograph. The subject of the shot is the

lighthouse in the left hand corner, I used the rule of thirds for this shot and placed the subject to the side of the shot. Also the horizon line points to the subject along with the diagonal road and row of cottages.

Portrait Photograph Homework

This is my portrait photograph I chose to place my subject at the edge of a flowerbed as it was perfectly situated for use as a diagonal line to draw in the viewers eye towards the subject. I used the rule of thirds and placed the subject towards the edge of the frame between two vertical hotspots.

Camera angles: Tilted Frame

This is an example of a Tilted Frame shot. This type of shot can be

used to emphasize the movement of a subject or surrounding, making it appear much more dramatic.

Camera angles: Low Angle Shot

This is an example of a Low angle shot. Used to create an effect of superiority and control in a subject.

Camera angles: High Angle Shot

This is an example of a High angle shot

It can be used to make the subject appear to be smaller and helpless to the person above to create an effect of inferiority.

Camera angles: Walking Room

This is an example of a Walking room shot. This can be

used to show where a character may be walking to or anyone or thing they may be walking towards.

Camera angles: Looking Room

This is an example of a Looking room shot. This may be used to

gain a clear view of a person or object the person is looking at.

Camera angles: Over The Shoulder Shot

This is an example of an over the shoulder shot.

This shot can be used to show two people interacting and giving a clear view of theyre emotions and reactions to each other.

Camera angles: Two Shot

This is an example of a Two shot. It may be used to show the emotions of two people or how two people feel about each other. For example if theyre embracing they may be lovers posing for a photograph.

Camera angles: Very Long Shot

This is an example of a very long shot. It may

be used to show off an outside area such as rolling hills or a long high street.

Camera angles: Long Shot

This is an example of a long shot.

It may be used to emphasize a persons surroundings, Actions, Stances or objects to interact with.

Camera angles: Medium Long Shot

This is an example of a medium long shot. It can be used to show off an environment or any objects that the person may be about to interact with.

Camera angles: Medium Shot

This is an example of a medium shot. Its used for very much the same effect as a medium close up only this time you can see anything the person may be holding or any action they may be performing.

Camera angles: Medium Close Up

This is an example of a medium close up

its similar to a medium close up only you can see more of the persons upper body (and what they're wearing) and more of the background. For example if a person was standing in a graveyard and you could see they were wearing black, with an expression of grief or distress then it would be a safe bet that they were mourning someone.

Camera angles: Close Up

This is an example of a close up A close up can be used to

show emotions and reactions in the same way as an Extreme or Big close up, Although with a close up we are able to see part of the persons background to create more of an atmospheric effect.

Camera angles: Big Close Up

This is an example of a big close up. Its used for the same effect as an extreme close up, to show emotions however with a big close up we can get a more accurate interpretation of the emotion as we can see the expression on the persons lips.

Camera angles: Extreme Close Up

This is an example of an extreme close up. This type of shot is used to show a persons emotions, or a persons reaction to an event.

Why I chose Media Studies

I decided to choose Media Studies as it was recommended to me by a friend as something I might find worthwhile for my future. I have some practical experience mostly of taking photographs and short films with my digital camera and mobile phone.