Film and New Media

1. Film and New Media

2. Film and New Media • With increased internet speeds the use of video on the internet has become very common. • What are the main advantages and disadvantages of using video on the web? Image source: http://www.einsteinmedical.com/html/video-services.html

3. Film and New Media • Advantages: • Convey a lot of information with personality • Effectively communicate processes • Videos provide a dynamic, interactive experience (longer retention times) • People like video • Disadvantages: • Large file size • High production costs • Poor quality video (audio) is worse than none • Can distract from other content

4. The language of film • Film has developed its own visual grammar or language (worth considering when editing) • What might this grammar refer to in a film? Image source: North by Northwest http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/05/north-by-northwest-crop-duster/

5. The language of film • So the argument goes: • The editor controls the flow of information (shot choice, timing) guiding the viewer’s understanding. • Shots are the building blocks of a story (multiple shots can convey a narrative) • Each shot should answer a question (who, what, where, when, why and how / the foundations of a story) • What shot types do you know of? Image source: North by Northwest http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/05/north-by-northwest-crop-duster/

6. The language of film • Close-up (person or object / head and shoulders) • What question might this shot be answering? (Who, what, where, when, why and how) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

7. The language of film • Medium shot (shared focus / waist up) • What question might this shot be answering? (Who, what, where, when, why and how) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

8. The language of film • Long shot (establish setting / full person) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

9. The language of film • Extreme close-up (examination / eyes, textures) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

10. The language of film • Extreme-long shot (distance, time) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

11. Commonly used shot sequences • Establishing shots (beginning / where is the scene) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

12. Commonly used shot sequences • Reaction shots (reaction to event) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

13. Commonly used shot sequences • Inserts (scene object previously seen) • Cutaways (new scene objects) Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

14. Commonly used shot sequences • POVs (an actor’s view, Peepshow) • All of these shots may also use movement to enhance how the content is shown (Zooming, Pan, Tilt, Crab, Tracking (on rails), Hand Held). Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

15. Commonly used shot sequences • Movement: All of these shots may also use movement to enhance how the content is shown (Zooming, Pan, Tilt, Crab, Tracking (on rails), Hand Held). Image source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7IrM3hNgA5Y/TnNMH9Jg10I/AAAAAAAAAD4/iCnLdGgKyk4/s1600/cmove.gif

16. Cuts and Transitions • The choice and timing of cuts can influence how your film is read. • Continuity cut (continuous, motion, angle, action) • Jump cut (space mismatched, abrupt changes) • Scene cut (new location, event) • Cross dissolve (time passing) Examples - what sort of cuts do these examples use? Cut film linkCut advert link

17. Cuts and Transitions • Cutting techniques: • Use action to hide edit (cutting on action / not before or after) • Split edits when possible (audio is continuous while the picture is changing) • Match angles (shot type, eye line, movement) • Think about juxtaposition - suggest cause and effect • The speed of cuts can change the mood of the piece • Every shot should provide new information, what questions are shots answering?

18. Key quality’s of good film

19. Key quality’s of good film • Emotional impact - what does it make you feel? • Surprise (most films use plot twists) • Interesting plot • Good acting • Composition (cinematography) • Technical competence (lighting, sound)

20. Linear editing • Linear editing = tape-to-tape • Advantages: • Does not require specialised software • Does not require digitization • Disadvantages: • More difficult to learn / mostly obsolete • Requires you to be working with tape! • More time-consuming / difficult over large projects  Image source: http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/avid-editing-machine1.htm

21. Non-Linear editing • Computer-based digital video editing • Advantages: • Widely available • Useful over larger projects • Gives the editor more options • Can be easier for beginners to work with • Disadvantages: • Requires digitized video • Requires computer equipment, software systems • Difficulties may arise with incompatible or corrupted file types Image source: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html

22. Adobe Premier Elements • Premier Elements is a video editing tool.  You can use it for photos and videos, as well as to add effects to and transitions between photos / scenes. Image source: http://www.wired.com/images/article/full/2007/09/premiere_elements.jpg

23. Links: • Anon, The Grammar of TV and Film. Available at: http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/gramtv.html [Accessed March 16, 2012]. • Anon, Non Linear Editing. Available at: http://www.mediacollege.com/video/editing/non-linear/ [Accessed March 16, 2012]. • Anon, 32 Qualities Of Better Film | Let’s Make Better Films. Available at: http://letsmakebetterfilms.hopeforfilm.com/2010/11/32-qualities-of-better-film.html [Accessed March 16, 2012]. • British Film Institute, An introduction to film language. Available at: http://rumney.cardiff.sch.uk/%7Ejw/menu.html [Accessed March 16, 2012]. • Stone, K. An introduction to film language. Available at: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/language_of_film.html [Accessed March 16, 2012].