James' Media Studies!

Preliminary Continuity Task Film and Analysis

In our continuity film we used the 180 degree rule, Match On Action,Over the shoulder shots and Shot reverse shot. These were all effective within our film because we followed the brief for the task exactly. The 180 degree rule made the film look more professional and didn't confuse the audience. The match on action was useful in showing the door opening, it was effective. Several over the shoulder shots were used in the conversation to give the audience a bit of the character's perspective. We also used the shot reverse shot for Solay's reaction to Jack rummaging through his bag, this created a dramatic moment and was also useful and effective.
We worked well as a team even though one of our members was ill often. With me as the camera man, Solay and Jack were the actors and Sorrel had input on where the shots should be taken and an overview. We worked well as a team and listened to each other, had fun and made the film.

Equipment wise, we used a camera,tripod,dolly and then editing software on a computer.

We encountered the problem of crossing the 180 degree line several times so we re-shot the film. Another minor problem was because we shot on different days, Solay and Jack were wearing different clothes. This problem couldn't be dealt with as such, we tried to make it as least obvious as possible.

We used a close up of the door handle and Solay's hand at the beginning, using match on action the next show was on the other side of the door as he opened it ( long shot). Next there was a close up of Solay's face which captured his emotions and shock in what was happening. It then cut to Jack rummaging through Solay's bag which set the narrative. The next shot(Another close up) was the last piece of the shot reverse shot which brings shock to the audience. It then pans across as Solay sits down and has the conversation with Jack about his bag. This then has several over the shoulder shots that give the audience a perspective of the character. Then the last two shots are POV shots from both of the characters as Jack jumps up in anger. This gives the audience an idea of the fear that Solay is feeling.
All in all it was successful in meeting the brief.

Shot List

1.Long shot looking outside of window of Caesar and Helen.

2.Long shot of Caesar and Helen from opposite side of the road with David's shadow in the window behind.

3.Close up of Caesar's necklace.

4.Bird's eye view shot of photos being dropped in slow motion.

5.Extreme close up of photos.

6.Close up of table from side view and cutting of photos.

7.Long shot of couple walking down pathway.

8.Close up of puddle and their reflections.

9.Extreme close up of photo being cut.

10.Hight angle close up of father stroking his dog.

11.Mid shot of couple at the door.

12.Over the sholder shot of Caesar + Helen + David(Father)

13.Mid shot of caesar walking through woods

14.First person view of biker riding through the woods.

15.Long shot of caesar walking round corners.

16.Extreme close up of caesars face.

17.Close up of picture.

18.Close up of picture.

19.Close up of picture.

20.Mid shot from behind caesar

21. Point of view shot of photos around the woods.

22.Close up of Caesar's face.

23.Mid shot of David(father) hitting Caesar.

24.First person worm's eye view of father (Blurry)

25. Either Extreme close up of Caesar's eye opening or Caesar blacking out.

Shooting Schedule

Title: 'Snap'
Dates: Wednesday 5th January 2011, Thursday 13th January 2011,Tuesday 18th January 2011, Monday 24th January 2011 and Thursday 27th January 2011.
Time: 3:30pm
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Weather Forecast: Cloudy,Rain and a bit of sunshine.
Locations: My house, Birkbeck Road and Never-wood green woods.
Day 1: Shoot inside shots. E.g Photos being cut,stuck and written on.
Day 2: Shoot outside shots. E.g Caesar and Helen walking, Caesar being followed and the assault scene.
Day 3: Shoot All shots again for more of a variety.
Day 4 and 5: Finishing off, Redoing any shots and trying out even more shots for a wider variety for the edit.
Cast and Crew: Me(Camera Man/Director/Producer), Solay Elibol(Director/Producer), Sorrel Lawrence ( Actor-Helen Strong), Caesar Mahamba(Actor- Caesar James) and Steven Webb (Actor-David Strong)
Props/Objects: Shovel ,Scissors,Pen,Photos,Newspaper Article, and Bible.
Technical Equipment: Camera, Tripod, Torch and Lamp.

Character Profile: Caesar Arjana

Name: Caesar Arjana

Actor: Caesar Mahamba

Age: 22

Place Of Birth: Port Of Spain ,Trinidad and Tobago

Occupation: University Student

Ethnicity: Black Caribbean

Address: 67 Lakenfields, Norwich

Religion: Christianity

Personal Profile:

Caesar is a student at his local university in Norwich, he is sophisticated and well organised and takes his studies seriously because he wants to prove that coming from a poor background in the caribbean doesn't stop you from getting far in life. He moved to Norwich in 1997 , leaving his parents in Trinidad and Tobago and joining his uncle in England. He lives in a grimy,dirty area on the other side of Neverwood Green (Forest). Caesar has strong Christian beliefs and attends church every sunday as well as seeing his girlfriend Helen Strong every Saturday and Monday. Caesar has a feeling that Helen's father David has a dislike for him but he is yet to know why.
Why we have chosen this character?
The character is influenced by "Milky" from This is England and "Detective William Somerset" from Se7en.

He is similar to both of them, sort of a mix between the two. He is sophisticated and intelligent but comes from a lower class background and lives in a run down area. "Somerset" is intelligent, well dressed and sophisticated and dislikes the area that he lives, this is very similar to our character but he has aspects of "Milky in him too; such as wanting to fit in with friends, he gets forced into matters easily and wants to be part of society. With this character we also wanted to destroy stereotypical views of his ethnicity by making him the victim, putting him in the good light and gaining the audiences sympathy and concern, just as Shane Meadows did with "Milky" and also making him look intelligent, sophisticated and concerned about his surroundings and the people around him like David Fincher did with "Detective William Somerset". We used the actors name because it symbolises his power and strength because of the reference to the Julius Caesar of Rome. His last name "Arjana" means Heaven, this is a reference to his Christian beliefs and background.
Why have we chosen this actor?
The actor is Caesar Mahamba, he is 29 and is one of my work colleagues and friends. I thought that we would be perfect for the role and the character built up around him and the ideas about "Milky" and "Somerset". Caesar resembles the character very well because he is strong and powerful but isn't aggressive and is peaceful.