1. Hardware
1.1. Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera
1.1.1. At the start of the process, we started off by working in groups to produce a short film clip exploring narrative in thriller films. I worked in a group of three and we used the project to learn, explore and utilise different techniques with cameras and editing software. We used a Nikon D3200 Digital SLR Camera with a 18-55mm VR lens to film the project. During the filming process, I learnt different camera movements, angles and how to control the focus. This led to me learning techniques such as focus pulls, tracking shots and panning shots.
1.2. Velbon DV-7000 Tripod
1.2.1. Whilst filming throughout the process I used this tripod to film with. This gave me stability in filming and helped me to film certain shots smoothly. I learnt how to adjust the lengths of the tripod legs in order to film certain shots where the space I had to film in was limited. I learnt how to keep the camera on an even level using the spirit level. I also learnt how to film certain shots like dutch tilts, panning shots and whip pans.
1.3. Canon 1100D EOS Digital SLR Camera
1.3.1. After the short film exploring narrative techniques, we created a series of new short films (including the preliminary task) exploring mise-en-scene, the 180°rule, shot-reverse-shot and how to compose a title sequence. During this process I honed the skills I learnt using the Nikon D3200, whilst also trying out filming with multiple cameras at once, to get accurate match cuts and shot-reverse-shots.
2. Software
2.1. Youtube
2.1.1. Every time I finished a video to upload to my website I used Youtube to upload it. From this I learnt how to export a video, how to upload the video, how long uploading takes depending on the quality of video. I also learnt that if I am to use music or footage that I do not have the rights to in a video for research purposes only, then I must outline this in the description. Therefore in my final video, I used music that I had permission to use. I used two tracks ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ and ‘Fluidity’ by Western Spaghetti, a project of my brother’s.
2.2. Jimdo
2.2.1. I used Jimdo to build my website, to display all my AS media coursework. During this process I learnt how to create different pages on my website; links to these pages; how to upload a photo, video, word document etc.; how to arrange my uploads in a neat way and how to embed presentations.
2.3. Final Cut Express
2.3.1. To edit this narrative project, I started off by learning how to use Final Cut Express. I was able to explore different editing techniques and apply them to my own work. This helped me to learn about the pace of editing; different types of editing (e.g. Cross-cutting, Split edits) and the manipulation of diegetic time and space. I also learnt about editing the saturation of the footage, editing the levels of sound and adding in transitions to make the film run smoother.
2.4. Live Type
2.4.1. When creating the title sequence, I learnt how to use Live Type, in order to create the titles. This gave me the freedom to animate the text however I wanted. I also learnt the process’s involved in order to export the text and place it over the footage in Final Cut.
2.5. Final Cut Pro
2.5.1. For my final piece ‘Remorse’ I used Final Cut Pro to edit the film. By this point I had learned how to use all techniques required to make my film how I envisioned it. I only had to apply it precisely and cleverly to impress audiences.