Framing a Shot: Practice with Stills

Framing a Shot: Practice with Stills

Today the class was given the task of getting into groups of 2/3 and go around the school premises to shoot a series of images using a wide variety of camera angles. The following photos are were taken by me and my group and analysed by me.

The picture above is an establishing shot. Establishing shots are useful because they allow the audience to be fully aware of where a certain scene or piece of filming occurs. Apart from informing the audience of the location, it also indicates the time of day (e.g. night or morning), a scenario/ situation (e.g. hostage situation) and relationships between characters, (if a variety of characters are in the shot).

The picture above is a long shot/medium shot using leading lines. These 'leading lines' can act as a guide line for the camera to follow. They can occasionally lead up to the target/focus of the shot as well.

The picture above is a low angled shot. This shot can represent the targets dominance and power. It can also show the point of view of a smaller character within the scene. For example, if a child was present.

The picture above is an extreme close up. Its purpose is to show detail within the chosen characters face. It can reveal emotion. It can also expose hidden details within an object.

Taking 3 shots of the same target offers different perspectives of the scene. For example the 2nd shot could represent someones point of view of the target. Whereas the 1st shot could simply be used to represent the power of the target. The 3rd could then be used to show the surrounding areas of the scene.

Welcome to my blog site!

Welcome to my blog site!

I've never studied Media Studies before but I've always had an extremely high interest in films and how they're produced. I wouldn't consider myself an avid watcher of films and television, but it's an occasional hobby of mine and I feel like I don't know as much as I'd like to know about film making at this point. So this is what I will be looking forward to doing the most. 

Two areas in particular that I'm looking froward and interested in doing is the filming and editing. I think this is where you can establish meaning and make the most of the film that we have shot. I believe that working in groups to create a short film opening will be a fun and alluring experience that I'll be able to gain a abundance of skills from. 

The task (to create a 2 and a half minute film opening) sounds really intriguing and I'm already beginning to think of some ideas. 

Hopefully you will be entertained by the final film on this peregrination! :)