ISB English Department KS3 Movie Project 2013-14 (Students’ copy)

Objective: to work collaboratively on producing a 5 to 10-minute movie.

Situation: You and your group will be responsible for planning, writing and shooting a 5 to 10-minute movie linked to one of your units of work. You will show, through your movie adaptation, how well you have understood and interpreted a text of literature that you have studied.

Instructions:

Instructions Tick when done

1. Once you have received your text to adapt as a screen movie, start your planning.

You will need to sequence the story first. You may want to draw a storyboard or use any other planning

format you find helps. Be sure to add: Setting for each scene (including props…) Characters in each scene (what they are wearing etc…,

lighting etc…, camera angles ….) What the characters are doing (add stage directions) and

what they are saying (speech bubbles…) Remember to allow for the time allocated to the project (5 to 10

minutes).2. Write the script as a group.3. Have your script checked by your teacher and redraft following your

teacher’s comments.4. Shoot your movie. Pull together your equipment and follow your script.5. Edit your movie and save using a programme that will be compatible with

the school.

TimelineWeek 14th April: Teachers present the project. Groups tell their teacher which text they chose for their movie.Week 19th May: The script has been planned, approved by the teacher and completedWeek 16th June: All movies have been shot, edited, saved and handed in to the teachers in mp3 or mp4 files (any other format will not be shown).

Groups:

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Group 4 Group 5 Group 6

Group 7 Group 8 Group 9

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Shot Types

All the below stuff is from http://www.mediacollege.com/

This site is well worth looking at, as it contains simple information like this, but also has generic music tracks, and a reasonable selection of sound effects for downloading.

There is a convention in the video, film and television industries which assigns names and guidelines to common types of shots, framing and picture composition. The list below briefly describes the most common shot types. Shots are usually described in relation to a particular subject. In most of the examples below, the subject is the boy.

EWS (Extreme Wide Shot)The view is so far from the subject that he isn't even visible. Often used as an establishing shot.

VWS (Very Wide Shot)The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing him in his environment.

WS (Wide Shot)The subject takes up the full frame, or at least as much as comfortably possible.AKA: long shot, full shot.

MS (Mid Shot)

Shows some part of the subject in more detail while still giving an impression of the whole subject.

MCU (Medium Close Up)Half way between a MS and a CU.

CU (Close Up)A certain feature or part of the subject takes up the whole frame.

ECU (Extreme Close Up)The ECU gets right in and shows extreme detail.Variation: Choker

Cut-InShows some (other) part of the subject in detail.

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CA (Cutaway)A shot of something other than the subject.

Two-ShotA shot of two people, framed similarly to a mid shot.

(OSS) Over-the-Shoulder ShotLooking from behind a person at the subject.

Noddy ShotUsually refers to a shot of the interviewer listening and reacting to the subject.

Point-of-View Shot (POV)Shows a view from the subject's perspective.

Weather ShotThe subject is the weather. Can be used for other purposes, e.g. background for graphics.

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Camera AnglesThe term camera angle means slightly different things to different people but it always refers to the way a shot is composed. Some people use it to include all camera shot types, others use it to specifically mean the angle between the camera and the subject. We will concentrate on the literal interpretation of camera angles, that is, the angle of the camera relative to the subject.

Eye-Level

This is the most common view, being the real-world angle that we are all used to. It shows subjects as we would expect to see them in real life. It is a fairly neutral shot.

High Angle

A high angle shows the subject from above, i.e. the camera is angled down towards the subject. This has the effect of diminishing the subject, making them appear less powerful, less significant or even submissive.

Low Angle

This shows the subject from below, giving them the impression of being more powerful or dominant.

Bird's Eye

The scene is shown from directly above. This is a completely different and somewhat unnatural point of view which can be used for dramatic effect or for showing a different spatial perspective.

In drama it can be used to show the positions and motions of different characters and objects, enabling the viewer to see things the characters can't.

The bird's-eye view is also very useful in sports, documentaries, etc.

Slanted

Also known as a dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on an angle. This creates an interesting and dramatic effect. Famous examples include Carol Reed's The Third Man, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane and the Batman series.

Dutch tilts are also popular in MTV-style video production, where unusual angles and lots of camera movement play a big part.

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Camera Movements

http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/gramtv.html

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http://www.desktop-video-guide.com/fundamentals-of-camera-movement.html

Technique 1: Mounted Camera Pan Mounting the camera on a tripod, simply move the camera horizontally from left to right. Pan shots are used to show the viewer more of the scenery. This technique is also often used to show views from high places, such as overlooks. Pan shots should begin with a still shot, then pan, then finish with a still shot. You should practice panning at various speeds until you find the speed that works best for you.

Technique 2: Mounted Camera Tilt A tilt done with a mounted camera is quite simple. You just move the camera up or down, without lowering or raising the position of the camera. This is must like panning, only it is done vertically. This video camera technique is used to follow the subject that you are photographing, or to show the viewer a large object from top of bottom - or from bottom to top.

You should note that when you tilt from bottom to top, the object looks larger or thicker. When you tilt from top to bottom, the object looks smaller or thinner. As with panning, you should begin with a still shot, tilt, then stop on a still shot. Again, practice this technique at various speeds until you find what works for you.

Technique 3: Mounted Camera Pedestal This video camera technique is pretty much the opposite of the tilt technique. You do not tilt the camera, but you either raise or lower the position of the camera. This technique is simply used to get the proper view that you are looking for.

If you wanted to shot pictures of a baby, you would want to lower the camera. If you wanted to shot a tall person, you would raise the height of the camera. The purpose would be to make it appear that the subject is 'eye to eye' with the viewer.

Technique 4: Moving Camera Dolly This video camera movement technique involves the use of a camera dolly, like the camera dolly's you might see on a movie set. You can make your own dolly with a wheelchair, a scooter, a skateboard, a rolling cart, or many other devices that have wheels.

This video camera movement technique is used to follow your subject. The use of a dolly opens up many possibilities, especially when used in conjunction with other techniques. Remember that you will want to be able to roll backwards as well as forward. Practice using this technique, and once you have it down, try mixing it with other techniques.

Technique 5: Moving Camera Floating Stabilizer Floating stabilizer devices are used to follow a subject around twists and turns. The stabilizer is strapped to the photographer, and the camera is mounted to the stabilizer with metal jointed which are controlled by gyroscopes.

This video camera movement technique is a step up from the dolly technique. The movement of a dolly is limited, floating stabilizer devices remove those limitations. As with the dolly technique, you should learn the video camera movement fundamentals of this technique, then try mixing it with other techniques to get different effects.

Technique 6: Moving Camera Boom A camera boom is a smaller version of the cranes that are used for construction. A camera boom is used to get a view of subjects or scenes from above. These are commonly used in filming movies, and the boom moves up, down, and around.  

Technique 7: Moving Camera Handheld Using this technique, the photographer simply holds the video camera, and moves wherever, and however, he needs to move to get the shot that he wants.

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When using this technique, you should avoid using the zoom feature on your camera. Zooming while using the handheld technique will make your shot appear to be shaky. Instead of zooming, move closer to the object you are shooting.

Technique 8: Camera Lens Zoom You can get many different effects when using the zoom feature on your camera. This works well when combined with other video camera movement techniques. You should practice zooming at different speeds, as different situations will call for different speeds of zooming.

Zooming can create many different illusions, which can effect the viewers perception of size and distance. Alternately, zooming can be used to more adequately portray the size or distance to a viewer. It is recommended that you use a tripod when using the zoom technique.

Technique 9: Camera Lens Rack Focus This is an interesting video camera movement technique, which can give your shots more impact. This technique calls for focusing the camera on one object in a close up shot, causing everything in the background to be out of focus, then causing the object itself to become out of focus while the background becomes in focus.

This is done by changing the focal length so that one object will go out of focus while another comes into focus. The two objects must be at a correct distance away from each other for this technique to work, and you will want to use a tripod for this type of shot.

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Screenplay Example

http://www.rain.org/campinternet/cperez/spexample.html Correct screenplay format using Courier 12pt. Pay attention to the comments in bold that explain the use of centering, left and right justification, and capitalization.

FADE IN: (This is like saying "The Beginning")

INT.-THE SMITH'S LIVING ROOM-DAY(Interior or Exterior- Location- Day or Night)

ALLSION SMITH (names are always capitalized), 12, sits on the couch with the remote control in her hand, changing the channels. Her MOM comes into the room.

MOMAllison, are you going to sit in front of that television all day?

(Dialogue is centered)

ALLISON ignores her.(Action is left justified)

MOM(cont'd)Allison?

(pause)Hello! Can you hear me?

ALLISONMother!

MOMYou have been sitting on that couch all day. Go out and get some

exercise.

ALLISONMother, I'm watching TV.

MOM walks to the couch, grabs the remote, and clicks the TV off.

MOMNot anymore you're not.

ALLISONMom! Come on!

MOM8

Why don't you call Jenny? You two are usually out the door the minute

you drop your backpacks at home.

ALLISONI don't feel like it.

MOMWhy not?

ALLSIONBecause.

MOMBecause? Because why?

ALLSIONBecause. . .

(pause)we had a fight.

CUT TO:(right justified -- shows that this is a new scene in a new place)

EXT.-SCHOOLYARD-EARLIER THAT DAY

JENNY and ALLISON stand opposite each other, a group of girls gathered around them.

JENNYAJ is my favorite Backstreet Boy. You're just a dumb copycat.

ALLISONI liked AJ before! I just never said it!

JENNYWhatever. You're soooo immature.

JENNY stalks off. ALLISON yells after her.

ALLISONI am not im-im-immature!

I see.

(The screenplay would continue here to tell the rest of the story)

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CostumesCharacter Costume Ready

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PropsCharacter Prop Ready

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LocationsScene Location

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Group ResponsibilitiesTitle:

Based on the story:By:

Name Off-Screen Job/s Acting Role

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Title: Board Number:

Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

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Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

Frame:Angle:Characters:Dialogue :

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