Learning Aims:Develop creativityIntroduce advanced portfolioSkills preparation for advanced portfolio

Across the 5 weeks there will be workshops on:Lip-syncing,Composition and Framing,Editing,Narrative Structure.

You will be working in small groups and so attendance is important.

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Task 1; Skills reviewWhy? Links to A2 exam – important that skills develop over time – can only identify what needs to develop through acknowledgement of processes learnt and processes which need improvement.

Workshop 1: Composition and Framing

Why?

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Composition and Framing is really important in order to

create a visually exciting music video

A video is really a series of still images – so can you take a good photograph?!!!

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Symmetry

Depending upon the scene – symmetry can be something to go for – or to avoid completely. A symmetrical shot with strong composition and a good point of interest can lead to a striking image – but without the strong point of interest it can be a little predictable. Experiment with both in the one shoot to see which works best.

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

The depth of field that you select when taking an image will drastically impact the composition of an image. It can isolate a subject from its background and foreground (when using a shallow depth of field) or it can put the same subject in context by revealing its surroundings with a larger depth of field.

Depth of field

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Framing - Most of us use ‘frames’ to display our images when we hang them on walls for viewing – however ‘framing’ can be used within the composition of a shot to help you highlight your main point of interest in the image and and/or to put it in context to give the image ‘depth’.

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

A frame serves numerous purposes:

• It gives the image depth and helps to give the perception to viewers of it that they’re looking at something that is more than 2 dimensions.

• Use correctly, framing can draw the eye of the viewer of an interest to a particular part of the scene. • Framing can bring a sense of organization or containment to an image.

• Framing can add context to a shot. • Frames can take many forms – from an overhanging tree, a window, a bridge, arch or even part of

another person etc. When using this technique – look for a frame that has a similar shape to the main subject that you’re framing.

• Frames can also be in the foreground or background of images (although more often than not they’re in the foreground).

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Perspective

The perspective that a shot is taken from is another element that can have a big impact upon an image. Shooting from up high and looking down on a subject or shooting from below looking up on the same subject drastically impact not only the ‘look of the image, emphasizing different points of interest, angles, textures, shapes etc – but it also impacts the ‘story’ of an image.

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions

Space

• There can be a fine line between filling your frame with your subject (and creating a nice sense of intimacy and connection) and also giving your subject space to breathe.

• Either technique can be effective – so experiment with moving in close and personal and moving out to capture a subject in its context.

• Sometimes it is what you leave out of an image that makes it special!

•The colours in an image and how they are arranged can make or break a shot.

•Bright colours can add vibrancy, energy and interest – however in the wrong position they can also distract viewers of an image away from focal points.

•Colours also greatly impact ‘mood’. Blues and Greens can have a calming soothing impact, Reds and Yellows can convey vibrancy and energy etc.

•Think about using contrasting colours in your shot – blue and purple, orange and blue or green and red.

Colour

The Composition Challenge

You will each be given your own theme!You must use the composition tips to take

4 photographs keeping to your themeYou will present your final images to the

class

Workshop 1:The Composition Challenge

• What did you find easy/difficult?• What have you learnt? What new skills can

you take away with you and apply to the A2 advanced portfolio?

AS to A2 WorkshopsObjective: Students develop skills required for A2 Media Productions