Video and Sound Production / Exercises

25 / 04 / 2024 — 27 / 05 / 2024 (Week 01 — Week 06)

Kim Seoyoon/ 0357755

VSP 60104 / Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University

Exercises 


TABLE OF CONTENT

INSTRUCTIONS

TUTORIAL / PRACTICAL

ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS

EXERCISES

WEEKLY ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS REFLECTION


INSTRUCTIONS 

Module Information Booklet


TUTORIAL / PRACTICAL

Week 1: Briefing 

Week 1 Briefing


Week 2: Framing & Storyboard

Week 2 Slides

Week 2 Flipped Class

In week 2, we were instructed to find out the definitions and photography examples related to the given topics; depth of field, and screen direction.

1. What is foreground, midground, and background? 

Fig 1.1 Example of the 3 compositions, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)
  • A foreground is the space of a scene that is nearest and in front of the viewer.
  • Midground is the space naturally occurring in between the foreground and the background.
  • The background is the space farthest away from the viewer.

2. What is a depth of field?

Fig 1.2 Example of DoF, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

DoF, a depth of field is the distance between the closest and the farthest objects that appears acceptably sharp in a photograph.


Deep depth of field is a photograph with most of the focus including the foreground, midground, and background.


Fig 1.3 Example of Shallow DoF, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

A shallow depth of field is a small area or part of the image in focus in which the objects away from the main subject become blurry.


3. What is a 180-degree rule?

Fig 1.4 180-degree rule from Assemble Magazine, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

A 180-degree rule, also known as static screen direction is a rule that 2 characters or more in a scene should always have the same left and right relationship with each other.

The direction in which actors or objects appear to be moving on the screen from the point of view of the camera or audience.

Continuity is the principle of making sure that all details in a film or TV show are consistent from shot to shot and from scene to scene.

Dynamic Screen Direction is when the characters are moving but the left and right relationships are kept the same. 



ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS


Week 1 – Shot size, Camera angle, and Composition

Shot size, camera angle, and composition are all elements of visual storytelling used in film, television, and other visual media.

Shot size refers to the amount of space that is visible within a single shot or frame. Different shot sizes can be used to convey different types of information or create different emotional effects. For example, a close-up shot shows a small area of the scene in great detail and is often used to emphasize a character's emotions or reactions, while a wide shot shows a larger area of the scene and is often used to establish the setting or context.

Camera angle refers to the position of the camera in relation to the subject being filmed. Different camera angles can be used to create different perspectives and convey different types of information. For example, a high-angle shot looks down on the subject from above and can create a sense of vulnerability or powerlessness, while a low-angle shot looks up at the subject from below and can create a sense of power or dominance.

Composition refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a shot or frame. This can include the placement of characters or objects within the frame, the use of color and lighting, and the balance and symmetry of the overall image. Composition can be used to create visual interest, guide the viewer's eye, and convey meaning or emotion.

Together, shot size, camera angle, and composition are all important tools that filmmakers and other visual storytellers use to create meaning and convey ideas to their audience.

 

Shot size: 

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

Video: https://youtu.be/AyML8xuKfoc?si=_xLVEotEBZG9VQk2 

 

Framing:

Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/#camera-framing 

Video: https://youtu.be/qQNiqzuXjoM?si=uMiCewr3kG-jVfsm 

 

Camera Angle: 

Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/ultimate-guide-to-camera-shots/#camera-angles 

Video: https://youtu.be/wLfZL9PZI9k?si=vr9Crx7oT86yrEbd 

 

Composition:

Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/rules-of-shot-composition-in-film/#:~:text=What%20is%20composition%3F,to%20convey%20an%20intended%20message

Video: https://youtu.be/hUmZldt0DTg?si=2WBYvavmbtN9_fnL 


Additional:

Composition: 

1.https://youtu.be/GtPqDPhx-EI?si=z05Yj20285VtVVph 

2. https://youtu.be/GKzdP8cupH4?si=OFQlQPTBil46wgi0 


Fig 2.1 Week 1 Quiz Result, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)



Week 2 – Understanding Storytelling


The three-act story structure is a popular narrative framework used in storytelling, particularly in film and literature. It divides a story into three distinct parts: the setup, the confrontation, and the resolution.

Act One: The Setup The first act establishes the protagonist, their world, and the situation they find themselves in. This act typically ends with an inciting incident, which sets the story in motion and creates a problem that the protagonist must solve. The inciting incident can be a positive or negative event, but it must be significant enough to disrupt the protagonist's world and force them to take action.

Act Two: The Confrontation The second act is the longest and most complex of the three acts. It's where the protagonist faces a series of obstacles and challenges as they work towards their goal. This act is often divided into two parts: the first half, where the protagonist makes progress towards their goal, and the second half, where they encounter setbacks and complications. The second act typically ends with a major turning point, where the protagonist faces a significant setback or crisis that forces them to reevaluate their approach.

Act Three: The Resolution The third act is where the story reaches its climax and resolution. The protagonist must confront their final challenge or conflict and overcome it in order to achieve their goal. The climax is the most intense and dramatic part of the story, where the stakes are highest and the tension is at its peak. The resolution, on the other hand, is the denouement, where loose ends are tied up, and the protagonist's journey comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, the three-act story structure provides a clear and effective framework for storytelling, allowing writers to create engaging and well-structured narratives that resonate with audiences.

 

Reading: 

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


Video:

https://youtu.be/tvqjp1CxxD8?si=sgTSKNpGdkeSKgbq


Fig 2.2 Week 2 Quiz Result, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

Understand Storytelling

In week 2, we were instructed to watch the short film LALIN, and the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. After watching these, we were given some questions to answer with. 



1. LALIN

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

    Act 1

Act one begins as a girl named Lalin introduces her story growing up being bullied online by the people arround her just because she did not have clear skin. She decides to move abroad to Japan in her college years and begins to feel more comfortable with her skin condition as personal life in Japan are more private and people don't care about other people. Lalin starts to post her edited photos on social media and became popular. 

    Act 2

Act two takes part in summer when a graphic novelist named Astronaut Nut contacts Lalin for his upcoming book, requesting her Japanese translation. They begin to build deeper relationship each other by messaging one another every day. One day, out of sudden, Astronaut Nut visits Japan to see Lalin face to face to surprise her. However, Lalin is not confident in herself without mask and refuses to meet Nut. 

    Act 3

Astronaut Nut gets disappointed that Lalin did not meet him and leaves the place. Lalin reads the novel Nut left and realizes he was actually her old classmate. She tries to go after him but unfortunately could not meet Nut in person and film ends. 


2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

    The inciting incident in LALIN is the part at the beginning of the film where Lalin constantly gets bullied by people around her for her skin condition which makes her move abroad to Japan.


3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

    The midpoint scene in this movie is when Lalin discovers that Astronaut Nut actually came to Japan to see her in person and faces the difficulty hat she has to reveal her real self to him.


4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

The climax scene in Lalin would be when Lalin discovers that Astronaut Nut is actually her old classmate and how he changed himself just to see her in person again, which makes Lalin chase after him.


5. What is the theme of the movie?

    The theme of the movie Lalin is about self-love and self-esteem, about how the appearance is not all you have and there are people that would love you just the way you are. Another message would be about how the power of social media could change a person, referring from the contrast in the beginning and in the middle of the film of Lalin getting cyber bullied growing up and eventually ganing fame on social media.




2. 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 — Everything

Act one begins with an introduction to the protagonist, Evelyn and her family. There is also a sense of conflict going on between their family relationship, as well as her family business facing the problem of tax audit. 

    Act 2 — Everywhere

Act two begins as Evelyn meets Alpha Waymond through the multiverse, and discovers that there are much complex problems going on from the antagonist Jobu Tupaki, which is her daughter Joy in the multiverse. Evelyn is also informed that she is the only one that can handle the problem by gaining individual powers and skills from herself in other universes.

    Act 3 — All at Once

In act three, Evelyn manages to resolve her problems with Jobu Tupaki and saves the multiverse from falling apart into the giant bagel, and also the relationship with her daughters and family in her own universe. 


2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?

The incting incident in this movie would be when Evelyn begins to meet Alpha Waymond and learn about the troubles going on in the multiverse.


3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?

The midpoint scene in this movie is when Evelyn discovers that she is the only one that could fix the multiverse.


4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?

The climax scene in this movie is when Evelyn learns to accept how others perceive through multiverse jumping along with Jobu Tupaki and understand each other.


5. What is the theme of the movie?

Acceptance, Generational Trauma, Family bonding




Week 3 – Storyboard

Storyboard in filmmaking is a visual representation of a film, animation, or video game, much like a comic strip. It's made up of a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.

Storyboards are used to plan shots, understand the narrative flow, and to communicate ideas to the production team. They can include details such as camera angles, character movements, dialogue, and even notes about special effects or sound. This helps the director, cinematographer, and other crew members visualize the scenes and prepare for the shooting process.

Storyboarding is a crucial part of the pre-production process because it allows filmmakers to experiment with different visual approaches, identify potential problems, and make necessary adjustments before the actual filming begins, saving time and resources.


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

Fig 2.3 Week 3 Quiz Result, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)


Week 4 – Production

Production stages

The production stages in filmmaking can be broken down into three main phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. Here's a brief overview of each stage:

1.Pre-production: This is the planning stage of filmmaking, where all the necessary preparations are made before filming begins. This includes tasks such as writing the script, creating storyboards, casting actors, scouting locations, designing sets and costumes, and hiring crew members.

2.Production: This is the stage where the actual filming takes place. The production team will work together to capture all the footage needed for the film, using the plans and preparations made during pre-production as a guide. This stage can be physically and logistically challenging, as it involves coordinating a large team of people and managing a complex schedule.

3.Post-production: This is the stage where the footage is edited and assembled into a final product. This includes tasks such as cutting and arranging scenes, adding music and sound effects, color grading, and visual effects. Post-production can be a time-consuming process, as it requires careful attention to detail and a keen eye for storytelling.

After post-production, the film may go through additional stages such as distribution and marketing, but these are not considered part of the production process.

 

Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/stages-of-film-production/ 

Fig 2.4.1 Week 4 Production Stages Quiz Result, Week 4 (17/ 05/ 2024)

Production Crew

The production crew is a team of professionals who work together to create a film or video. Each member of the crew has a specific role and set of responsibilities, which are essential to the overall success of the production. Here are some of the key production crew members and their tasks:

1.Director: The director is responsible for overseeing the entire production and ensuring that the creative vision for the project is realized. They work closely with the cast and crew to block out scenes, direct the actors' performances, and make creative decisions about the look and feel of the film.

2.Producer: The producer is responsible for the logistical and financial aspects of the production. They secure funding, hire the crew, coordinate the schedule and locations, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

3.Cinematographer: The cinematographer, also known as the director of photography (DP), is responsible for the visual aesthetic of the film. They work closely with the director to choose the right camera, lenses, and lighting to achieve the desired look and mood for each scene.

4.Production Designer: The production designer is responsible for the overall visual design of the film, including the sets, costumes, and props. They work closely with the director and cinematographer to create a cohesive and immersive visual world for the story.

5.Sound Designer: The sound designer is responsible for the audio aspects of the film, including recording and editing dialogue, sound effects, and music. They work closely with the director and editor to ensure that the sound and picture are seamlessly integrated.

6.Editor: The editor is responsible for assembling the footage into a coherent and compelling story. They work closely with the director and sound designer to shape the pacing, tone, and structure of the film.

There are many other roles on a production crew, including grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and stunt coordinators, but these are some of the key positions and tasks involved in the filmmaking process.


Reading:

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

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


Fig 2.4.2 Week 4 Production Crews Quiz Result, Week 4 (17/ 05/ 2024)

For weekly reflection, jump to the reflection section to view all four weeks.


EXERCISES

Week 1 – Exercises 1 & 2

In week 1, we were to complete 2 exercises where Mr Martin instructed us to edit the videos provided in order using Adobe Premiere Pro.

Exercise 1: Editing Mint Advertisement

Fig 2.1 Editing on Adobe PremierePro, Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)

Fig 2.2 Exporting Video on Media Encoder, Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)

Fig 2.3 Edited Video of Mint (Exercise 1), Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)


Exercise 2: Editing Doritos Advertisement

Fig 3.1 Arranging videos in correct order, Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)

I also used audio transition effects between some clips to smoothen the audio.

Fig 3.2 Edited Video of Doritos, Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)



Week 2 — Exercises 3 & 4

Exercise 3: Shooting Practice, Shoot & Editing

In week 2, we were assigned to form into a pair and shoot videos according to each shot size given. I was grouped with Hui Zhen and we helped each other on taking each video.

After shooting the videos according to the shot sizes, Mr Martin instructed us to add a caption to the videos using Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Below are the compiled videos I have taken with Hui Zhen:

Fig 4.1 Shot Sizes Shooting Practice (with caption), Week 1 (27/ 04/ 2024)


Exercise 4: Editing Practice 1

For exercise 4, we were given raw footage of a short film to edit in order using Adobe PremierePro.

Fig 4.2 Marking Drafts, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

As we were given raw footage of these shots, we needed to mark the input and output of each video using the shortcut key:
  • i key as Input 
  • o key as Output
  • , key as Insert

Fig 4.3 Inserting videos in order, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

I also renamed the files into their shot and take numbers for an easier differentiation between each video.

Fig 4.4 Adding Video Transition effect (Cross Dissolve), Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)


Fig 4.5 Adding Fading Effect (Dip to Black), Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)

We were also suggested to add a black fading screen at the beginning and the end of the video using the Dip-to-Black effect.

Below is the final cut video of Lalin (35s): 

Fig 4.6 Lalin Final Cut, Week 2 (29/ 04/ 2024)


WEEKLY CLASS REFLECTION

    Week 1 Reflection / Shot sizes, camera angles, and composition
    In week 1, we learned about different types of shot sizes, camera angles, and composition. Mr Martin provided us with various still cuts of short films for us to analyse shot sizes, which helped me to understand about the differences of shot sizes more easily. We also had an in-class activity where we take videos of given short sizes in pair and to explore various camera angles and composition while taking these videos. We were also instructed to add in captions to the videos which I had fun editing.


    Week 2 Reflection / Understand storytelling
    In week 2, we were taught about the three acts in storytelling along with the definitions of inciting incident, midpoint, and the climax of the story. We were given several questions regarding to the storyline of these two movies, Lalin and Everything Everywhere All at Once. By answering those questions and identifying the plots, I was able to understand and have a thought about the meanings and themes behind the story once again. 


    Week 3 Reflection / Storyboard
    In this week, we learned about the use of storyboard and how it helps to direct the production process. Although I have worked on some storyboarding before, this was my first time learning how storyboard works in detail, including how directors in real life utilizes them.


    Week 4 Reflection / Production Stages and Crews
    In week 4, we were introduced to the stages and types of crews on production process. I find production videos such as behind the scenes and making videos really fascinating, so it was interesting how a lot of people are involved in various parts that produces one final film. It was also great to learn deeper about the parts that I did not know in detail, such as financing and budgeting. 




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