BBC Lighting Workshop

On Friday 14th November, we attended the 21CC at the BBC Studios to learn about lighting workshop. We were first introduced to Shelley Love, a director. She specialized in surrealist/fantasy based work and we were able to see a piece of text which  she had produced. We were then introduced to a man who focused his area of work based on the lighting aspects used in videos. As well as showing us different pieces of work which showed a range of lighting techniques, he then gave us an example of how different lights can be used in order to present the figure in front of a camera in different ways. A backlight, Sidelight and Front light were used in order to present the figure or objects been filmed in different ways. 

We were then given a choice of 4 scenario's, 'news presenters', 'alien abduction', 'gangsters' and 'real life' which all had to revolve around the idea of 'Friday the 14th'. My group chose to film the scenario which was based around the real life aspects of the day. Fortunately, it was Children in Need and so we decided to film the people who were a part of the day. Though we had hoped in seeing celebrities to be included in our film, we improvised and used ourselves to represent celebrities. We also paid close attention on lighting as this was the basis of filming. We managed to use reflectors while filming Alex which was our presenter as there was minimal sun on that particular day and so the reflector helped to give a 'glow' onto his face.

I enjoyed being able to go around and film at the BBC studios as I was able to learn how to hold a camera better as well as the effects of lighting whilst filming.                                                                                                                         

Storyboards

Filming A Scenario - Shot List

We began thinking about the type of scenario we would like to film. The majority of the class decided to film the "being chased scenario". This is a list of the 10 scetions being focused:

1) Long shot on the back of the runner moving away - Possible foreground for P.O.V

2) Medium-close-up of runner crouched in front of the hiding place.

3) Close up on chasing feet*

4) Over-the-shoulder runner looking back.

5) P.O.V from runner to (danger)

6) Close up on chasing feet*

7) Close up on runner's face (fear)

8) Medium-close-up on runner getting up/ struggling (no face)

9) Long shot/ Extreme long shot on "safety" location

10) (split screen) Close up on faces/over-the-shoulder runner turns, still no face of chaser.

5 Shot Sequence

16/09/2008

Today, we were able to choose a scenario in which we had to then make a 5-10 shot sequence for. The majority of the class decided to film the "receiving exam results" sequence in which we had to decide how we could go about filming the process and therefore making it appear as a sequence. My group consisted of three people. We each decided to take responsibility on a certain aspect of the filming process. We decided to film outside the school building. The first shot consisted of me entering the school building looking anxious (long shot). The second was me receiving the envelope (medium close up), the third was a close up of me opening my paper and the fourth was me looking disappointed and throwing the paper onto the floor. I think the outcome of my sequence was rather effective as we focused on presenting different filming techniques by using a range of shots. However, I did feel as though we were restricted with time and could therefore not present the filming sequence in as much detail as possible, although the lack of timing meant that we were able to focus on the most important aspects of the scenario. I enjoyed making the shot sequences and hope to learn how to film sequences in further detail.

Rule of Thirds

The Rule of Thirds is a square grid, divided into a 3 by 3 type of positioning within a camera/video shot. The image within the shot is divided into nine equal blocks, with two lines placed horizontally as well as two other lines positioned vertically within the grid. This technique enables the image taken to have a relatively professional outlook. It often helps if the background featured within the image features an image or a set of patterns which appear to have a look so as to give the outcome of the picture taken a better look to it. It is advised that the eyes within the picture is around the second horizontal line of the grid.