Film making techniques

Click the link to Curtis Brownjohn's High School video from Australia  on film-making techniques.

Film Techiques

OCR's videos on film language

OCR Media Studies - Basic Camera Shots


Camera Movement

Group research/presentation task for timelines on how film techniques and technology evolved over time

To my students ( in both classes)

The aim is to deepen your understanding of film language and how its techniques and technology evolved over time.

In small groups you will be given various terms on plastic cards. Research ONE area of film from the following for the task below:

• sound


• camera shots, angles and movement


• editing


• special effects

The Task

Produce a time-line to show the evolution of film language and technology in your assigned area. Be also prepared to give brief comments on the following aspects of your area of film in your time-line:

1. the country of origin for the technique/technology


2. the first director and/or film to use the technique/technology


3. the effect on the film industry or audiences

Resources and where you should look for information for your selected area of film language

A time-line maker

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/timeline/

The Internet - Google using key words, phrase and even sentences.

Appropriate film and media books and magazines from the Library

(You can re-use the sets of cards if you wish for your presentation afterwards). Alternatively you can adapt the Media Language Powerpoint with new images, etc. The Powerpoint is on the front page of the Year 12 Media folder on our Intranet.

Here's a few example websites to get some of you started.

Special effects
http://www.filmsite.org/visualeffects1.html
Camera shots
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close-up

Sound

http://frank.mtsu.edu/~smpte/timeline.html
http://www.filmsound.org/film-sound-history/http://www.filmsound.org/articles/amps/loudspeakers.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_film

Deadline - one week (includes presentations) You will be graded on your effort, knowledge and quality of your presentation.

"Another Sunny Day" animated by Benzette

Here's another example of animation, probably using stop motion. This time the song is by Belle and Sebastian.

Stop Motion and "Smile" by Artist X

Special Effects
This is a pretty good example of stop motion by bueller4prez. The song is by the anonymous Artist X and not as stated in the video by Belle and Sebastian.

Charlie Brooker on the edited illusions of Reality TV

He is somewhat risque with some jokes but what he has to say about how editing in so-called "Reality TV" is not. Focus on what Brooker has to say about editing here.

A High School Movie On Film Techniques

This is a must-view for seeing the various aspects of film-making under readily accessible headings. Check out this nine and a half minute film as it will help extend ideas and film language for making short films, including music videos. A big "thanks" to Curtis Brownjohn and his fellow Australian high school students and teachers for sharing this short film.

An excellent site for learning or revising film language

Yale Film Studies
http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis/index.htm

Jo Jo's "Too Little, Too Late" and Duncan James's "Amazed"

These were two of the videos we studied in class. Both would repay study and be a focus for developing your skills in film language, narrative,intertextuality (especially, "Amazed")and representation: ideology (particularly power), class, race, gender and age. Consider also each star's image and the audiences that each video is trying to reach. Try also to apply the two theories by Kress Van Leeuwen and Andrew Goodwin. Consider, too, voyeurism and the representation of the young women in terms of power and the presentation of their bodies and sexuality.





Music Videos - Amazed