2.Must complete form by Mr. Biddick on website 4.Must complete … · 2017-03-09 · digitalproduction1.notebook 1 March 05, 2014 Jan 289:34 AM Homework: 1.Must create a gmail (not

digitalproduction1.notebook

1

March 05, 2014

Jan 289:34 AM

Homework:

1.Must create a gmail (not if you already have one)

2.Must complete form by Mr. Biddick on website

3.Create vimeo account

4.Must complete form by Mr. Biddick on website


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:10 PM

Camera Checkout1. 1 night only

2. Must sign out on checkout sheet

3. Will be responsible for any equipment damaged ($700.00) Parent Waiver

4. Can upload during open shop, gives you opportunity to get ahead of class(Tues and Thursday or arranged)

5. Wait till last second and might not have camera available


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2712:23 PM

What is a Public Service announcement Hooks / Set Play the attached movies for the students as they come into class.Public service annoucements are designed to educate the public about different topics.

"Have you ever had dreams of communicating to an audience of millions?"http://saloproductions.com/publicserviceannouncements/psasamples.php(videos attached below)


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2712:33 PM

"Did you know that the humble Public service announcement started the Advertising business?"

While commercials or advertisements are designed purely to sell us a product, the PSA is usually designed to educate the public about something, though sometimes it can be an advertisement in disguise.Public Service Announcements can reach an audience of millions: either on TV or by going viral on the internet through Social Media and YouTube.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2712:41 PM

History of PSA's PPT http://www.schooltube.com/video/5d9a4e406b5140d5a222/Don't%20Text%20and%20Drive%20PSA%20%20Nikayla

Student Sample

History Quiz


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2712:53 PM

ResearchStudents will form into pairs to research the statistics for "Texting While..."

Time the students: Tell them they have ten minutes to research on web the statistics for injuries from distracted driving etc. and to create a list.

Place results on Google Doc Presentation supplied by Mr. B

Due Mon: At least 4 facts on your required slide 30 pts


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March 05, 2014

Jan 271:00 PM

Independent Practice Students will create a draft Tag Line for their PSA "Texting while..."Redirect the students back to the lecture notes and provide examples of:

> I want You ... > We can do it .. > Friends Don't Let Friends ...

or create a list of current tag lines for advertising eg, Nike ("Just do it")Have Student develop Tag line further as homework.Each student should have a minimum of 2 tag lines to choose from.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 271:02 PM

Assessment Types:Writing Samples, Surveys, Observations, Have students create 3 questions each and answers on facts on "Texting While..."Teacher will take questions and answers and create the review test from the questions the students have created. Have students write out a paragraph describing the potential content of their PSA


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March 05, 2014

Jan 271:09 PM

Begin the lecture by showing the film "6 Minute Film School Basic Shot Composition." After the film ends, distribute copies of the "AFI Storyboard Glossary of Common Film Shots."

http://www.cteonline.org/portal/default/Curriculum/Viewer/Curriculum?action=2&cmobjid=784512&view=viewer&refcmobjid=475899


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March 05, 2014

Jan 289:28 AM

After PowerPoint on rule of thirds, have students break into groups. Each group has a camera. If there is an option on the camera to pull up grid have them turn on to see rule of thirds displayed. Practice taking and reviewing rule of thirds.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 289:32 AM

Before students leave to take pictures, have a couple of students pose for the camera (humor sells all). Have them "ham it up" and show a good and bad example. (An immediate way to demonstrate this is by using your document camera titled up to show student or a web cam that is easier to move around and have students in the class direct the photo subject or camera person to line up the shot.)


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March 05, 2014

Jan 289:33 AM

30mins depending on how many groups and equipment availabilityStudents will upload images to create a PowerPoint / slide show with rule of thirds overlay to show how their images follow rule of thirds.20mins

Student will choose a member to present slide show to class and narrate scenario they developed.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2810:34 AM

In this lesson, students should have many of the skills needed for the eventual project and therefore will be spending time learning about Camera shots and angles and storyboard techniques. Student will be given the prompt: "Texting while ..." they have the freedom to create a cause and effect story setting is general. Some student ideas have included.Texting while Babysitting; Texting while Flying; Texting while Walking...along with the standard Texting while Driving.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2810:36 AM

Play Video Storyboarding at start of class.

Say to students:

You will be shooting your video this week for your Public service announcement on Texting while ... You will first develop a story board for your PSA and incorporate in your research from week one. You will use rule of thirds to assist in framing and use camera angles to advance the story.



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March 05, 2014

Jan 2810:38 AM

20 mins lecture and discussionLecture on PowerPoint and get classroom discussion going on how the example images of camera angles make them feel discuss how angles and framing can be used to tell the story.


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March 05, 2014

Feb 41:54 PM

1. Review of Facts on Google Presentation

2. Think about Tag Line(23 examples)

3. Relook and Reminder of Storyboards


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2811:12 AM

Explain any aspects of your story board form that you think are important and answer student questions. Before telling student to begin, reemphasize the following points:

> the drawings do not need to be elaborate – stick figures are acceptable > use a variety of shots to increase viewer interest and make editing easier > minimum six shots required including a closeup, a medium shot, and a point of view shot > the shot sequence for every shot intended in the finished project, along with a brief written

description of the action below each storyboard shot sketch > the storyboard must be submitted in advance of shooting video for PSA production


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2811:21 AM

30minsAllow students time to access their research on Texting and have them take a couple of blank storyboards to sketch out their ideas for their PSA.Each student will develop their own story board then have them pair up to critique each others boards and stories.If students need extra time. have them complete as homework.Exit ticket should be a check off on storyboard requirements:

> minimum six shots required including a closeup, a medium shot, and a point of view shot > the shot sequence for every shot intended in the finished project, along with a brief written description of the action

below each storyboard shot sketch


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March 05, 2014

Jan 281:43 PM

PSA Assignment3050 sec PSA about texting &.....> minimum six shots required including a closeup, a

medium shot, and a point of view shot

> the shot sequence for every shot intended in the finished project, along with a brief written description of the action below each storyboard shot sketch

Must be submitted to Vimeo

Must have storyboard

Incorporate all things learned

May have partner (1 only)


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2811:28 AM

Activity Overview / DetailsOnce the rough sketch has been reviewed, students will form groups to shoot camera stills of storyboard. This will give them an opportunity to edit some shots that may be unrealistic or to spice up a one camera angle storyboard shot list. This part of the project helps the students actually see the storyboards begin to come to life and verify their camera shots.Once they have their 6 shot minimum, students will upload their pictures and place into storyboard template using Paint.net.Download Storyboard Template template off of Digital Production website via Mr. Biddick's websiteBasic Paint.net operation overview:

> Open storyboard Place images into boxes. Readjust size of pictures to frame. Have them either add text box and type in interactions and dialogue for each box, or print and write in after.

> Based on stories and equipment, it should take the students 60 minutes to complete this section, longer if there are less resources. > Have students who are waiting for equipment be part of the video shoot. Running camera, lighting, crowd control, acting etc.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:02 PM

As students come into the class, be filming them and ask them questions. Take note of their responses: Embarrassed, happy, shy, demonstrative... You'll probably see them all. When everyone is in their seats, turn off the video camera and ask, How did this made them feel? Thinkpairshare their reactions, and make the point that not everyone likes to be filmed, and that the have to be aware of and respect individual desires in the making of their film. Then tell them that there is really no right or wrong way to make a video, but that there are some things they can do to make their video better. Then show the Filmmaking Tips video attached below.



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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:03 PM

It should take 3 days or 180 mins for the students to record all their footage. As they return to class, have them upload their video and check for continuity and check off on shots and storyboards.Have them set up their shots in software of their choice, getting ready for edit. As they finish or wait on cameras have them work on gathering still images and creating text panels for PSA.Note: This is one of those lessons where you have to be very interactive with the kids, and give them IMMEDIATE feedback if they need it. Circulate among the students and make sure that they are being respectful and appropriate with one another (but let them have fun, too). This lesson should set the tone for the rest of the filming, so it's important that they know your expectations.

Video Shoot


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:29 PM

"Editing is the creative force of Filmic reality..and the foundation of film Art." V.I Pudovkin, 1915.

You will be discussing Editing continuity in this lesson to encourage students to think about how sequencing of events affect the telling of a story.

Continuity Editing refers to arranging the sequence of shots that suggest a progression of events.Given the same shots, an editor can suggest many different Scenarios. Consider just these two shots.

> A man glancing up in surprise > Another man pulling a gun and firing toward the camera

In this order is would appear that the first man was shot. However, if you reverse the order, the first man is watching a shooting.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:31 PM

Let's look at what we can do with just three shots:1.People jumping from a car 2.The car on fire 3. An explosion

123: In the 123 sequence shown, the shots suggest that people are jumping from a car seconds before it catches fire and explodes.321: A 321 order suggests that there is an explosion and then the car bursts into flames; and, as a result, the people have to jump out.231: In a 231 sequence, people jump from the car after a fire causes an explosion.213: If the sequence is changed to 213, it appears that as a result of a fire passengers jump out of the car just in time to escape a devastating explosion.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 2812:33 PM


Video Clips


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March 05, 2014

Jan 281:20 PM

As a follow on from hook lesson, have students create a quick series of edits using the download footage from hook/set and experiment with editing together their own 3 shots to develop a story and have alternative order to the shots. I have included some shots for the students to take footage from.


1 class period: submit to Vimeo at end


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March 05, 2014

Jan 281:27 PM

Discuss the "L cut editing method" with the students to enable students to smooth out their final edits. Show video below.Demonstrate how music/voice can overlap pictures to preempt edit and discuss how music can add emotion to a scene.1020 minutesStudents will begin to edit their projects. As with the video shooting, you will need to be very interactive with the students. Checking in with them and answering questions as they arise.Have videos and handouts from prior lessons accessible for their reference. Encourage pair sharing: ask to the left and right before asking teacher.120 minutes is allocated for the students to edit their video and add Audio and other effects as they desire.



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March 05, 2014

Jan 281:42 PM

PSA Release Day

All students will show their developed PSA for class

Due:


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:41 AM

Story Idea Generation

In this opening lesson to the screenplay unit, students are introduced to how to "write what they know" and 3 act story structure.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:44 AM

http://www.cteonline.org/portal/default/Curriculum/Viewer/Curriculum?action=2&cmobjid=780488&view=viewer&refcmobjid=475913#

Watch Knick, Knack


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:48 AM

Discussion: 1.Who is the main character? (The Snowman) 2.What is his problem? (He's stuck in the snowglobe)3. What is his goal? (To get out and meet the girl)


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:51 AM

That is the essence of a short film A main character who has a problem that needs to be solved in a short time. Your task is going to be writing a script for a 45 minute film.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:54 AM

You Must: Tell a story of your morning in as much detail as possible. Most of you will give a simple retelling of their day they woke up, ate breakfast, arrived at school, etc. Not much in the way of conflict. Conflict is the key in storytelling. Without a problem, they don't have a story. It doesn't need to be a big problem, but it needs to be something that a story can revolve around.

1. Think of your morning in your head. Think of the events that got you to school today.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:58 AM

Ask students to Share

1. Problem= Yes or No




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March 05, 2014

Jan 178:57 AM

Watch "Beginnings," a film from a writer at Pixar on how to begin a story. Students you shall take notes on what they see as the most important elements of beginning a script.

http://www.cteonline.org/portal/default/Curriculum/Viewer/Curriculum?action=2&cmobjid=780488&view=viewer&refcmobjid=475913#


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:04 AM

Your most basic stories involve a journey or a goal. Your main character should have a goal in mind and/or embarks on a journey. In the case of Knick Knack, the goal is pretty obvious. Create a list of films and ask students to identify the goal/journey i.e. Spiderman: learn to use his powers, Dark Knight: defeat Joker and save Gotham, Saving Private Ryan:Save Private Ryan


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:04 AM

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOWThe easiest thing in the world to write is your own story. Have students write out their morning from the time they woke up until they entered the class. Ask them for as much detail as they can manage. When they have finished pair them with another student to share their "story". Ask students to write down what elements of a story exist in their partners life. When both partners have discussed their "story" they will share each others "story" with the whole class.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:08 AM

Each of them have a goal, "to get to school" but what is more than likely not there are obstacles, things that got in their way of getting to school. It is the obstacles that make the story interesting and worth watching. Ask for volunteers to share their stories with the class. What obstacles can be introduced? For example, if they took the bus to school, what would they have done had they missed it? What are their choices? List these on the board, have students offer suggestions, write down any and all. Eliminate all those that are not in the realm of possiblity, i.e. they run after the bus and jump on the back as it takes off down the street.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:12 AM

THREE ACT STRUCTUREMost films follow the 3 act structure or in other words a beginning, middle and end. We are introduced to a character, they go on some journey and they come to a conclusion. It can be a 3 minute film, like Knick Knack, or a 3 hour, like Lord of the Rings, but the films follow the same pattern, only the scripts are longer.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:14 AM

Give students "Three Act Structure" handout and read it with them. Ask students to identify moments in "Knick Knack" and place them in three act structure. Film is short enough to show again and stop when students identify moments.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 179:17 AM

Using handout ask students to breakdown a current or favorite film in the three act format. They must label specific elements and keep the same structure. If done correctly it should only be 12 pages. Students should label elements succinctly, one or two lines at most for each element bullet points will suffice. This can be done in class or for homework.


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March 05, 2014

Jan 219:02 AM

At this point, students should have a good idea about how to structure a story but they might not be sure HOW to tell a good story. This handout will help. The basic set up is given but the students have to write the rest of the story. They don't need to worry about format, the key is to get them to work on their storytelling abilities. This should be done in class.


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March 05, 2014

Feb 212:04 PM


Iron Man 3 Trailer


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March 05, 2014

Trailer

As students enter into classroom, have a movie trailer playing. I have attached the trailer for Iron Man 3 for you to download.

Objectives:

> You will be able to discuss the hooks of a story as delivered in a trailer.

> You will understand how editing can manipulate a story through continuity editing.

Questions:

> How does the Trailer hook you the audience into the story?

> What graphics where used to catch your attention?

> How much was the story outlined in the trailer?


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March 05, 2014

Feb 212:14 PM


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March 05, 2014

Feb 211:55 PM

Imagine you have been given the job as production designer on a film set. You are to design an interior room of a home for the following inhabitants:

1.A poor and destitute couple in the 17th Century

2.A middleclass couple in the 1940s

3. A spy in the year 2012

4.A businesswoman in 2012

Brainstorm and list or draw the relevant props and costuming that best fit the identities of the inhabitants. Consider their clothing, lighting, color schemes, and decorations.


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March 05, 2014

Feb 212:13 PM

Observe the following screenshot from the film "The Godfather" and answer the following questions on a halfsheet of paper:

What can you conclude about the characters? The story, the setting? Overall theme?

What elements of the screenshot helped you arrive at this conclusion?

The SCENE PPT


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March 05, 2014

Mar 31:47 PM

Composition: Setting the Scene

Have you ever wondered why certain paintings endure for centuries and become priceless, while others end up at garage sales?

Although talent is hard to define, we do know that it goes far beyond a familiarity with the basic elements of the medium — in this case paint, brushes and canvas — to an ability to use the medium to create an emotional experience in the viewer.

In video production an understanding of cameras, lenses, etc., is fundamental. But those who never get beyond this basic understanding, as essential as that might be, never distinguish themselves. At best, they will be considered good technicians.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:06 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 31:58 PM

We can make an analogy to musical performances. There are many people who can "get all the notes right." But, if the performance lacks heartfelt interpretation (emotion), we feel that something is missing, especially if we have an opportunity to hear someone who can interpret and "put themselves into" the same music.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 31:58 PM

Form Vs. Content

A scene can be well exposed, in sharp focus, have perfect color balance, and be well lit (i.e., have good form) and still be empty of emotional meaning and impact.

If a scene in a production is striking, dramatic, or humorous, we will tend to overlook minor technical weaknesses. This leads us to the following:

CONTENT TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER FORM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:00 PM

In other words, the intended message of a production is more important than things such as technical excellence or flashy embellishments.

At the same time, significant technical problems — poor sound, a jittery camera, or a lens going in and out of focus — will quickly divert attention away from the message: the content.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:02 PM

When production elements call attention to themselves, either because they are poor or because they are ostentatious, attention is shifted away from content. This is especially true in dramatic television.

If the content is predictable or somewhat pedestrian in nature, a director may try to hold audience attention by deluging viewers with visual effects. This practice is common in some music videos, where there is competition to come up with evermorebizarre and farout effects.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:03 PM

TV series such as CSI use visual effects to embellish content; but the major emphasis is on the story line and, of course, the "chemistry" between principal characters.

In a series such as Friends, one of the most popular sitcoms of all time, content alone carries the series, and there is almost never a need for visual effects. (Friends aired its last episode in May 2004, but reruns will undoubtedly be broadcast for many years.)


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:04 PM

A Director Directs Attention

Although we generally assume that the term "director" refers to the person's role in directing (steering) the work of production personnel, the term actually has a more important meaning: one who directs the attention of viewers.

In this role the director moves from form into content and centers on skillfully and creatively using the tools of the medium to regularly direct the audience's attention to critical aspects of the message.

In a sense, the director is a kind of "tour guide" for viewers.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:06 PM

Insert Shots and CutawaysA director will use an insert shot to call attention to something significant within the basic scene. This shot generally a closeup highlights details of something that may not have been apparent in the wider shot. Note photos below.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:08 PM

Good tour guides also help people understand things by adding significant information along the route. Good directors do the same.

This could be considered a cutaway shot — cutting away from the central scene to bring in related material.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:09 PM

For example, while covering a parade, a director might cut away to a shot of a baby sleeping peacefully in a stroller.

Or a sequence showing buyers in a busy marketplace in the Philippines might cut away to a shot of a child watching it all as shown in the photo on the right.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:10 PM

A major role for production tools is to enhance, amplify, or explain the message.

Music is a production tool when it enhances the atmosphere, tips us off to danger, or sets the mood for romance.

As we will see, lighting can suggest a cheerful atmosphere or a dark, dim, and seedy environment.

Sets and props can do the same; plus, in a dramatic production they can tell us a great deal about characters — even before we meet them.

Enhancing the Message


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:11 PM

An example of this is an atmosphere introduction, a technique where a director tips us off to important things about characters by introducing us first to their surroundings.

Contrast the setting shown here with starting a dramatic production with a slow pan across a bright, immaculate, airy urban penthouse garnished with ultramodern furniture and paintings. What does each say about the people involved?


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:13 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:13 PM

Let's say you are doing a documentary on air pollution. You could talk about how bad things are, or you could simply cut to a scene like this.

Since what people see on TV typically carries much more of an impact than what they hear, you are much better off showing things rather than talking about them.

In a sense, all of the things we've been discussing can be included in the general term, composition (the elements that comprise a scene). However, for the remainder of this section we'll concentrate on a narrower and more traditional definition of the term.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:14 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:14 PM

Composition can be defined as the orderly arrangement of elements in a scene which, when taken as a whole, conveys intent and meaning. (How's that for a genuine textbooktype definition?)

Television production involves both static composition and dynamic composition.

Static composition covers the content of fixed images, such as paintings or still photos.

Dynamic composition goes a step further and takes into consideration the effect of time — momenttomoment change.

Defining Composition


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March 05, 2014

Mar 32:21 PM

By studying the most enduring and aesthetically pleasing paintings over the centuries, as well as the most effective film and video scenes during the past 50 years, certain artistic principles emerge.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 41:46 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 41:56 PM

Guidelines NOT Rules

Even though the principles that have emerged for good composition may seem clear, they should always be considered guidelines and not rules.

Composition is an art and not a science.

If composition were totally a science, it could be dictated by a fixed set of rules and would end up being rigid and predictable, without room for creativity.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 41:57 PM

Since composition is in part an art, the guidelines can occasionally be broken. But when they are it's generally by someone who understands the principles and recognizes how, in the interest of greater impact, they can be successfully transcended.

Break the RulesBUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THEM FIRST

When most individuals break the guidelines, it's because they are not "visually savvy." The results speak loud and clear: weak, confusing and amateurishlooking work.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 41:58 PM

Elements of Composition

The next series of modules will address 15 guidelines on composition, starting with the most important of all


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:02 PM

Clearly Establish Your Objectives1. First, clearly establish your objectives and hold to them throughout the production.

Your objectives in doing a production may be anything from creating an experience of pure escapism to doing a treatise on spiritual enlightenment.

Few people would start writing a sentence without any idea of what they wanted to say. Visual statements are no different.

Good writers, producers, directors, and editors know the purpose of each and every shot.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:03 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:04 PM

"I couldn't resist it, it was such a pretty shot," is not a legitimate reason for including an extraneous scene in a production — no matter how pretty or interesting it is. It will either slow down the pace of the production or confuse your audience by suggesting that the shot carries some special meaning that they need to keep in mind or it will do both.

SINFUL SHOT


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:06 PM

SLOW=BORING

And speaking of slowing things down, "slow" is commonly associated with "boring" — excuse enough to switch the channel to try to find something more engaging. And, with dozens of TV channels to choose from, there's real competition for viewer attention.

> If information is presented either too slowly or at a level that is beneath an audience, the production will be perceived as being boring.

> If it is presented too quickly or in too abstract a fashion, the audience can become lost and frustrated.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:07 PM

Speed Kills

The speed at which ideas are presented in productions has increased dramatically in recent years.

In order to stay competitive (i.e., hold an audience) programs now feature faster cutting, greater and more frequent emotional swings, fastermoving and richer story lines, exotic locations and..

In novels authors used to spend many pages elaborately setting scenes. Now readers are apt to say, "Enough! Get to the point!"


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:08 PM

ADD AUDIENCE

"But," the question is often asked, "Isn't good production always good production, no matter how much time passes?"

From a commercial perspective the answer is "no."

Most of yesterday's classic films are rather boring to today's audiences. Among other things, they simply move too slowly.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:10 PM

These Times are a Changin'

TV writers used to be content following a single dramatic idea (plot) for an entire show. Today, dramatic television typically consists of parallel stories and numerous plots and subplots intricately woven together.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 42:11 PM

Depecting Emotional States

Videographers and filmmakers find it challenging to effectively convey emotional states.

For example, quick, seemingly unrelated scenes of stalled city traffic, lines of people pushing through subway turnstiles, and shots of people jamming escalators might be important in establishing a frenzied state of mind in a character trying to cope with life in the city.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:48 PM

But a closeup of "a darling little girl sitting on a bench" in this sequence would not only leave the audience wondering what her role was, but it would probably mislead them into believing that there is a relationship between her and the central story line.

Viewers assume that every shot, gesture, and word of dialogue in a production is there to further the central idea. Thus, each shot you use should contribute to the story or idea you are trying to convey.

Umm...WTH


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:49 PM

Strive for a Feeling of Unity

2. Strive for a feeling of unity. If a good film or prizewinning photo is studied, it's generally evident that the elements in the shot have been selected or arranged so they "pull together" to support the basic idea.

When the elements of a shot combine to support a basic visual statement, the shot is said to have unity.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:51 PM

The concept of unity applies to such things as lighting, color, wardrobes, sets, and settings.

For example, you might decide to use muted colors to create a certain atmosphere. Or, you may want to create a specific dramatic feeling by using lowkey lighting with large shadow areas, together with settings that contain earthy colors and predominant textures.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:51 PM

Single Center of Interest

3. The third guideline applies to individual scenes: compose scenes around a single center of interest.

Multiple centers of interest may work in threering circuses where viewers are able to fully shift their interest from one event to another. But competing centers of interest within a single visual frame weaken, divide, and confuse meaning.


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Mar 51:53 PM


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:53 PM

An effective written statement should be cast around a central idea and be swept clean of anything that does not support, explain, or in some way add to that idea.

Consider this "sentence": "Man speaking on phone, strange painting on the wall, coat rack behind his head, interesting brass bookends on desk, sound of motorcycle going by, woman moving in background...."

Although we would laugh at such a "sentence," some videographers create visual statements (shots) that include such unrelated and confusing elements.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:55 PM

We are not suggesting that you eliminate everything except the center of interest, just whatever does not in some way support (or at least, does not detract from) the central idea being presented.

A scene may, in fact, be cluttered with objects and people, as, for example, an establishing shot of a person working in a busy newsroom.

But each of the things should fit in and belong, and nothing should "upstage" the intended center of interest.


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March 05, 2014

Mar 51:56 PM

The viewer has a limited time — generally only a few seconds — to understand the content and meaning of a shot. If some basic meaning isn't obvious before the shot is changed, the viewer will miss the point. (Recall that one of the definitions of a "director" is one who "directs attention.")


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March 05, 2014

Mar 52:00 PM

Part of the "film look" that many people like centers on selective focus, or bokeh

Note how foreground and background elements here have been thrown out of focus so that attention will center on the young woman.


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This level of image control takes extra planning with today's highly sensitive video cameras because the autoiris circuit can adjust the fstop to an aperture that brings both the foreground and background into focus.

To make use of the creative control inherent in selective focus, high shutter speeds, neutral density filters, or lighting control must be used.


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Where There is Light

The eye is drawn to the brighter areas of a scene.

This means that the prudent use of lighting can be a composition tool, in this case to emphasize important scenic elements and to deemphasize others. We'll see more examples of this in the modules on lighting.


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Shifting the Center of Interest

In static composition scenes maintain a primary center of interest; in dynamic composition centers of interest can change with time.

Movement can be used to shift attention. Although our eye may be dwelling on the scene's center of interest, it will quickly be drawn to movement in a secondary area of the picture. Someone entering the scene is an example.


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Observe Proper Subject Placement

4. The fourth general guideline for composition is: observe proper subject placement.

In gunsight fashion most weekend snapshooters feel they have to place the center of interest — be it Uncle Henry or the Eiffel tower — squarely in the center of the frame.

This often weakens the composition.


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Rule of Thirds

Except possibly for people looking directly at the camera, it's often best to place the center of interest near one of the points indicated by the rule of thirds.

But, remember, we are speaking of a rule of thirds, not law of thirds. The rule of thirds is only a guideline — something that should be considered while composing a scene. Although composition is often stronger using the rule of thirds, many scenes (see below) "work" that do not follow this guideline.


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Horizon Lines

Weekend snapshooters also typically go to some effort to make sure that horizon lines are perfectly centered in the middle of the frame. This also weakens composition by splitting the frame into two equal halves.

According to the rule of thirds, horizon lines should be either in the upper third or the lower third of the frame.


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Leading the Subject

Generally, when a subject is moving in a particular direction, space is provided at the side of the frame for the subject(s) to "move into."

This is referred to as leading the subject. In a closeup (see below on the right) we might refer to it as "looking room."


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Maintaining Tonal Balance


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Balance Mass


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Create a Pattern of Meaning

7. The seventh guideline for effective composition is: use a combination of scenic elements to create meaning.

Most people are familiar with the inkblot tests used by psychiatrists. By presenting someone with a "meaningless" collection of shapes and forms an individual draws from his or her background and thoughts and projects meaning into the abstract images. ("That looks like a father scolding his son," or "That looks like a school being crushed by a bulldozer.")


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Documents

2.Must complete form by Mr. Biddick on website 4.Must complete … · 2017-03-09 · digitalproduction1.notebook 1 March 05, 2014 Jan 289:34 AM Homework: 1.Must create a gmail (not