Location Research

Part 1

By Angharad Wilkins

Monday 31st December 2012

Time: 8:06 am – 8:56 am

Sunrise: 8:26 am

Weather: Heavy rain and strong winds

Here is the just a few shots I took from each location…

Limeslade Bay

Mumbles

Wales

Time: 8:06am

Wide shot of Limeslade Bay of the choppy tide and white water. This shot was taken from the path which curves around the bay, in order to get the large majority of the tide turning in the frame.

Time: 9:16am

Wide close up of the waves crashing up against the rocks. This was taken after visiting the other locations, in order to see how the difference in time would affect the quality of the shot, the lighting and as it was of the sea, the scene. Taken from the path again, this time using the zoom on my camera to catch the detail of the shot, and experiment with a variety of camera shots in the location.

Time: 9:17am

Wide shot of the waves coming into shore. This taken standing at the top of the steps leading down to the beach, of the tide coming into shore. The majority of the frame is filled with the sea, however the rocks in the corner and the large wave about to crash is captured and if this shot would to be used would create interest for the audience.

Time: 9:21am

Wide long shot of the opposite side of Limeslade bay and the choppy sea. This time I stood on the opposite side of the bay on to of Bracelet Hill, thus capturing the coast line, including some greenery which avoids the shot looking washed out and therefore could be used in my film such as the opening for establishing location.

Successes and FailuresThe location of Limeslade Bay was successful because…- There were several heights you could take the shots from which would allow

variety and create interest.- Also there was opportunities for close ups to capture the emotions and

atmosphere.- The affect the weather had on the location provided the mood to be

captured successfully.

On the other hand it was unsuccessful because…

- Other than the rocks and the small area of greenery there wasn’t much other elements in the location which would create an interest.

- If location used within the opening sequence it would have to be brief In order to keep the audience hooked.

- As the location was next too a road, the filming could be interrupted or disturbed by cars pulling up or driving past.

Bracelet Bay

Mumbles

Wales

Time: 8:10am

Long shot of Bracelet Bay and Mumbles Lighthouse. This shot is taken from the path running alongside bracelet bay. The shot shows the vast length of Bracelet bay and captures Mumbles Lighthouse in the distance. The Mumble Lighthouse would play a key role in my film as it would be used as part of any rescue concerning stormy weather.

Time: 8:11am

Long shot of the Lighthouse and the cliff edge leading down to Bracelet Bay. This is taken further along the path and also captures the bushes and greenery just in front of the bay. Again the Mumbles Lighthouse can be seen in this shot,

Time: 9:11am

Wide mid shot of the Mumbles Lighthouse. Even though the sea at the time was not choppy the shot shows off the location’s main feature, Mumbles Lighthouse. The framing of the Lighthouse upon the rocks, right on the edge of the shore, with the lit beacon circling the top of the lighthouse would be interesting footage to use in my opening sequence.

Time: 9:11am

Wide medium shot of the waves crashing up against the rocks. This shot is more likely to be used as a connection between two shots, such as a long shot to close up. This is due to not having as much interest in the frame as the previous ones.

Successes and FailuresThe location of Bracelet Bay was successful because…- The easily accessible footpath which stretched along the top of

Bracelet Bay would give accessibility to a variety of shots.- The focal point of the Mumbles Lighthouse would be visible from the

location and could be taken using different camera shots. E.g. Close up, wide angle etc.

- The affect the weather had on the location provided the mood to be captured successfully.

On the other hand it was unsuccessful because…- It is situated next to a public car park and restaurant so there would

be a restraint on times of the day I could film to avoid disturbance from the public.

Rotherslade

Mumbles

Wales

Time: 8:24am

Wide shot of the choppy white waves coming into Rotherslade Bay. This taken from the top of the steps by the café. There being focal points in the background and foreground such as the small rocks and the curved coastline in the distance, gives a range of interest for the audience.

Time: 8:24am

Medium wide shot of the white water of the sea. This shot is taken from the top of the steps leading down onto the beach of Rotherslade at high tide. Again the several objects in the frame break up, what would be a vast sea. As well the white water created through the turning of the tide, breaks the grey/blue colour of the sea, giving more variety to the shot.

Time: 8:24am

Wide long shot from the path of Langland Bay in the distance and the choppy sea in the foreground. This is taken from the sidewalk above Rotherslade Bay. This allows the frame to include more of the coastline, for example showing you elements of the neighbouring bay and the slight high angle shot creates a sense of depth.

Time: 8:25am

Wide long shot of the choppy waves coming towards the shoreline. This location shot is not the best quality due to the weather conditions it was taken in. However it is the same shot as the previous, but is slightly to the left in order to include more of the rocky coastline.

Successes and FailuresThe location of Rotherslade was successful because…- The easily accessible footpath and beach allows the footage to be

taken without any hassle.- Rotherslade is only a small beach and so therefore less

busy/popular, so more quiet.- Not located directly next to a road so disturbance in particular in

terms of sound/audio would be unlikely.

On the other hand it was unsuccessful because…- The size of the location was quite small In terms of square metres.- It could only be used at certain times of the day due to the fact it is

mostly sheltered so lighting would be an issue (in some weathers).

Langland Bay

Mumbles

Wales

Time: 8:32am

Wide shot of Langland Beach at high tide. This shot is taken from the top of the steps leading down to the beach. The curved coastline and the waves coming towards the shore in a curved shape makes the shot look more visually interesting than the use straight lines. As well the contrasting direction of the railings going down towards the incoming tide creates a sense of depth to the shot.

Time: 8:33am

Wide mid shot of the choppy sea from Langland Bay. This shot is taken from the promenade and again the chosen angle is not direct on to the incoming waves which creates an unusual perspective and in terms of effect is more impending and powerful than face on.

Time: 8:34am

High angle of the water running into the sea at high tide. This shot is taken from the top of one of the set of steps leading onto Langland Beach. Firstly the high angle emphasises the water pouring down the steps into the sea as if drawing the viewer into the sea as well. Secondly the high angle gives the shot a sense of depth and makes the viewer fill uneasy and uncomfortable.

Time: 8:34am

Wide shot of Langland Bay in rough weather. This shot, again taken from the promenade, captures the vastness of the location/sea within the frame. As well as balancing nicely the ratio between the sky and sea, and the edge of the coastline on the far right hand side helps create the shape of the frame.

Successes and Failures

The location of Langland Bay was successful because…- There was several different heights in which a variety of

angles could be used.- The sheer vastness of the beach meant that there was a

lot of opportunity for more diverse footage.

On the other hand it was unsuccessful because…- The fact that it was vast is also a negative as it means it

will be less sheltered, so more likely to be windy, causing disturbance in terms of audio and volume of dialogue.

- Its quite a popular location for the public so there might be disturbance from cars in the car park and visitors to the location.

Caswell Bay

Mumbles

Wales

Time: 8:49am

Wide long shot of the white waves coming into Caswell Bay, taken from the footpath. This shot similar to ones In other locations is taken at a different angle to the waves coming into the shore, which makes the shot look visually more interesting. As well the three cliff edges being in different focuses/visibility creates a sense of depth and perspective.

Time: 8:51am

Long shot of Caswell Bay and the cliff edge, taken from the footpath which goes up along the cliff. The shot being taken from above ground level automatically makes the shot more interesting, as well the use of the branches taking up the left hand side of the frame could denote mystery to the location if that was the effect I wanted.

Time: 8:51am

Wide shot of Caswell bay and the cliff edges of the bays further along the Gower coast. This is taken from almost the top of the coastal path and shows the vastness of the bay and the sea itself.

Time: 8:52am

Wide mid shot of the waves crashing against the rocks in the distance. This shot is still taken from the cliff footpath however the camera is zoomed in on the three cliffs and the white waves crashing against the rocks. From a certain perspective the shape of the three cliffs are in the shape of ships as if they are crashing through the sea. This signifying the theme of the film as it is most likely to be about a ship rescue.

Successes and Failures

The location of Caswell was successful because…- The easily accessible footpath and beach allows the

footage to be taken without any hassle.- The difference in height of ground would make the

footage more visually interesting and variant- Not located directly next to a road so disturbance in

particular in terms of sound/audio would be unlikely.

On the other hand it was unsuccessful because…- The weather conditions could affect the coastal path

running directly opposite the bay (good position for footage)

In Conclusion…

The most successful locations which I could use in my opening sequence are…

-Bracelet Bay

-Langland Bay

-Caswell Bay

However the location will not be concluded until further location research has been carried out and a storyline has been chosen.

Location Research

Part 1

By Angharad Wilkins