Reunion

 Reunion

Here is a small project that me and my friends worked on last year

Camera Angles (Assignment)

 This is an updated version of the camera angles task given to us by our tutor of Media Studies Sir Jamal. All the final angles and shots are present in this post.

CAMERA SHOTS;

                                             -EXTREME LONG SHOT (ELS) 

This shot includes and focuses more on the setting of a scene where the subject is not necessarily the focus anymore but the background and surrounding is. It is also used as an establishing shot of a film where it gives the watchers a clear idea of the situation.

                                                        -LONG SHOT (LS)

Then follows the long shot which is almost similar to the extreme long shot but the frame contains lesser part of the background and focuses more on the subject. The subject in the long shot is present from head to toe in the frame. 

                                             -MEDIUM LONG SHOT (MLS)

Medium long shot also known by the name ‘three-quarters shot’ or the ‘knee shot’, is the intermediary shot between medium and long shot. It mainly frames the subject from the head down to the knees, covers a wide angle and is one of the most common frames used in visual storytelling. A tip here is to never cut on the joints (such as the knee joint or other joints of the human body) as it would make the subject seem amputated. Always frame the subject above or below the joints.

-MEDIUM SHOT (MS)

Next comes the medium shot. This shot basically focuses on the subject’s waist up till the top all the way through the torso. Medium shot is also amongst the most common shots. The background is still visible while the subject remains the center of focus.

     -MEDIUM CLOSE-UP (MCU)

 As the name hints, this shot is the average between medium shot and a close-up shot, usually shows the need of taking place just before a close-up followed by an extreme close up to escalate the emotions projected by the scene. A medium close-up is slightly above the chest and favors the subject’s face but still keeps the subject distant.

-CLOSE-UP (CU) 

 A close-up portrays just the right amount of dramatic effect over the viewer. It reveals the subject’s emotions and reactions. A close-up shot covers only the face of the subject more so often which helps in an utterly emotional or tear-jerking scene. This is also one of the hardest shots for an actor to shoot since their acting and expressions solely are at the display

      -EXTREME CLOSE-UP (ECU)

An extreme close-up emphasizes on a single feature mainly to project its intensity. For e.g., if it covers the eyes, the anger, fear or disappointment is used to show through their expressions. It can also cover any other subject such as a gun, a hand or a car wheel.

                                         -OVER-THE-SHOULDER SHOT (OTS)

An over-the-shoulder short is used to shoot a conversation between two people and indicates the little distance between them telling the personal nature of the conversation. The camera is angled at the shoulder of one person to cover the subject.

-TWO-SHOT (2S) 

 

 Lastly, we have two-shot, used to focus on subjects existing side by side, mostly used to 

shoot scenes when two or more people are conversing.

CAMERA ANGLES 

he camera angle or the camera shot angle is the position of the camera in relation to the subject. The degree of these angles can have a dramatic impact on the viewer and can change the meaning of the shot.

The different types of camera angles used in visual storytelling are listed below:

                                                                                  -EYE-LEVEL

This angle is very basic, positioned in a fashion that the subject’s eye is in level with the lens and gives the viewer a realistic view of the scene. 

 -LOW ANGLE

Then comes the famous low angle, it is shot from a very low angle as suggested by the name and gives a larger effect of the subject to the audience. It is primarily used to channel power and dominance. Hence, mainly used to portray a heroic figure.

An extreme low angle shot filmed by literally placing the camera on the floor is called worm level shot.

  -HIGH ANGLE

Again, suggested by the name and totally opposite the low angle, its shot from an elevated angle, hence, gives a demeaning effect on the

subject making them look helpless and in utter distress as it appears to be projected as smaller in comparison to actual size.

An extreme high angle shot literally taken from the sky or a point high above is also called a bird’s eye view shot / aerial shot / overhead shot.

First Day at HighSchool

    Here is a short film on the first day of high school of a kid we worked on last year

Directed by Fayzan Khalid and Muhammad Zohaib

Shots by Muhammad Ali Khan

Edited By Fayzan Khalid

Link to the video    

 First Day

Exposure Triangle

 Exposure is the amount of light coming into the camera.

It has three types: 

-Normal Exposure

-Over Exposure

-Under Exposure

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Aperture is the opening of the lens, it is also known as f-number or f-stop.

The lower the f-number the more opening of the lens which means more light enters into the lens and the higher the f-number the less opening of the lens and less light enters into the lens

Shutter is a tool that helps to control the light entering into the camera. The speed at which it moves is called shutter speed and it is measured om seconds or one tenth of a second

The lower the number the more the shutter will open and more light will enter and higher the number will result in less light entering the camera.

ISO, it is also called ASA, it is a certification, it means international standard organization. ISO ensures or its purpose is that how the camera sensor manages to manipulate light. It is all done digitally. The better the sensor the better the performance.

What is Media?

 The word Media is the plural of the word Medium and it is of communication. Media basically means communication. When Media (Communication) reaches a large number of people, it is called mass communication

There are three basic types of media

-Print Media

-Electronic Media

-New Media / Social Media 

Examples of Print Media:

-Books
-Periodicals

-Publications

-Brochures

-Bill Boards

-Panaflixes

Bill boards and panaflixes are examples of Static Media

New Media Examples:

-Radio

-Television

Examples of New Media

-Smart Phones

-Social Media

-Internet Devices

-Video Games

 -Tablets

Film is present in all three types of media

Role of Media: 

It has three main purposes

-Information

-Education

-Entertainment 

Media is the reflection of the society. Our day starts with media and ends with media. It has a great importance on our day to day lives.

9607 Alevels Media Studies Syllabus Overview

 

Should you attend film school or not?

First of all to start with, what is a film? Film is the art of story telling through motion pictures or moving images and a film school is any educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of film making, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screen writing. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are usually incorporated into most film school curricula. Technical training may include instruction in the use and operation of cameras, lighting equipment, film or video editing equipment and software, and other relevant equipment. Film schools may also include courses and training in such subjects as television production, broadcasting, audio engineering and animation. 

Not all film makers have attended film school as it is not really necessary to attend it, especially now in the modern era. In today's world it is not really necessary to attend film school but if we go around twenty years back it would have been necessary to attend it as not everything was available back then, there was limited access to technology, everything was overpriced etc. In the world we know today, every piece of information required to make a film is available on the internet. Nowadays anyone can film by a device called the smartphone which is in the pocket of almost everyone on the world and modern day cellphones can record a film up to probably around 8k. Its amazing isn't it, technology has evolved so much over the past two decades that it would now feel literally impossible to live without them. 

Attending film schools in the 60's, 70's or even the 80'shad great value as there was limited access to film technology, but now that is not the case. Now! even watching films is really easy, before people had to go to proper cinemas or buy VHS Cassettes, but now you can simply rent out or pay a monthly subscription to watch your favorite movie on OFT Platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.\

Attending film school is no longer necessary as all the required technology is available for the ordinary people at an affordable price. Editing is also easy now, before you either had to cut and redo the film manually as it was shot on a chemical celluloid, whereas now everything is recorded digitally on Hard Disk Drives or SD cards. Because of this clips can be edited on an editing software which can be used by anyone, from a teenager to a full grown adult. The most popular editing software used today is Adobe Premiere Pro and is used to edit even one of the greatest films ever made.

Back then you had to be in a film school to be involved in the film school to be involved in the film or have a feel of the film's environment. But now its no longer needed as everything is available on the internet and the most common platform is YouTube for it.

Film is both Art and Graft;

The Art side of the film deals with the aesthetic sense of the film and the vision you have set for your film.

According to me, Art cannot be taught or implemented into ones brain. But it simply is a natural skill set which a person has from birth .

The Graft side of the films are taught by film schools. They can teach you how you can use the modern equipment of filming but as I told you before, all the material required to learn about Film is available on the internet now so attending film school is an option.

No film school in the world can guarantee you on becoming a successful film maker or to even start a career in the film making industry.

THE PROS OF ATTENDING FILM SCHOOL; 

- They offer high quality film education throughout the course

- They offer networking opportunities around other film makers

- They offer full practical experience throughout your academics 

THE CONS OF ATTENDING FILM SCHOOL; 

- Film education is the most expensive education in the world

- No guarantee is given if you would ever enter into the film making industry

- Too much time consuming

CONCLUSION; 

Use the time and money you would spend on film schools to learn and make short films from your own resources, basic skill set and knowledge through experimenting different DIY techniques and information from the internet and use your own potential. Just skip film school and use your own tallent you can do it!

In film making no one will care about your degree, the only qualification you will have is what you produce and present to your audience.

To improve your skills, watch films across the globe from every continent, every nation, every language with subtitles, focus on the depth of the film's plot. Read a lot of stuff such as articles, novels , and magazines etc.

Watch some good quality films such as

- GOD FATHER

- METROPOLIS

- CITIZEN GAIN

- SPACE ODYSSEY

- BREATHLESS

etc

You can learn any department of films by watching these masterpieces, these films are an entire film school on their own and many film schools today these movies to students for evaluation. Now after all of this it all depends on you, if you want to attend film school or not its all up to you!