EXERCISES
21/4/2025-21/6/2025
Cai Zihan/0378043
VSP 60104 / Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1 / Audio Dubbing & Sound Shaping
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions
2. Lectures
3. Exercises
Exercise 1: Editing
Exercise 2: Shooting
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
Instructions
<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z_elYYE6QoemHqQtax6kHVZDLFdknly5/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Lectures
week 1
To do list:
1.Finish "mints" and "Doritos" editing exercise and post it in blog under "Exercises".
2.Study Week 1 Asynchronous material and Do the Quiz to prepare for week 2 shooting.
3.Watch Zach King’s videos/ Animation short (Animation stream students).
4.Watch 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
5.Purchase Tripod.
1. Low Angle Wide Shot
- Low Angle Shot: Place the camera close to the ground (e.g. at knee height) and look up at the subject.
- Wide Framing: Use a wide-angle lens or move away from the subject to allow the entire environment or character to enter the frame. Use: To emphasize the strength of the character or the grandeur of the background.
- Purpose: To emphasize the power of a character or the grandeur of a background.
Use: To emphasize the power of a character or the grandeur of a background.
2. Frontal MCU - Medium Close-Up (Frontal Medium Close-Up with Background Defocus)
- The camera is highly aligned with the character's eyes.
- Shot range: above the person's chest to the top of the head.
- Use a large aperture to defocus the background.
- Keep it square to the person to emphasize expression and upper body movement.
3. Frontal MS - Medium Shot (Frontal Medium Shot with defocused background)
- Shot range: Above the waist of the person.
- The background remains blurred (aperture open wide).
- The camera is pointed squarely at the person to give a sense of natural communication.
4. Extreme Close-Up
- Photograph specific details: e.g. eyes, fingers, lips, etc.
- Use macro mode or lens.
- Focus accurately and blur the background completely.
- Emphasize mood or important cues.
5. Side Angle MS - Medium Shot
- Shoot from 45° or 90° side of the person.
- Shoot above the waist with a large aperture to soften the background.
- Use to show dialog or character side face dynamics.
6. ¾ Angling MCU Shot (3/4 Angle Medium Close-up with foreground blur)
- The camera is framed from diagonally in front of the character (about 45°).
- The figure is framed above the chest.
- You can add some blurred foreground objects (e.g. plants, corners) to create depth of field.
- Enhance the layering of the picture.
7. Close-Up Shot
- Mainly shoot people's faces or single objects.
- Composition is tight and the background is defocused.
- Highlight the character's expression or object details.
8. Eye-Level Medium-Wide Shot
- Camera position is parallel to the character's eyes.
- Take a full-body or above-the-knee shot.
- Used for everyday conversations or neutral scenes to show naturalness.
week 2
1. Low angle wide angle lens
◦ Low angle: the lens position is at a low height when shooting, close to the ground or below the normal horizontal position of the subject. This angle can give the picture a unique visual effect, for example, it can make the subject appear tall and majestic, and enhance the tension and drama of the picture.
◦ Wide angle lens: a lens with a shorter focal length and wider angle of view, which can be incorporated into a wider scene to create a sense of space and depth, and is commonly used when showing a grand scene or shooting in a small space.
2. Front MCU (soft background)
◦ MCU (Medium Close - Up): Medium Close-Up, the scope of the scene is generally from the character's chest to the top of the head, which can clearly show the character's facial expression and upper body movements.
◦ Front: The lens is facing the front of the subject.
◦ Soft background: The background is defocused and softened to make the subject stand out without distracting the subject's attention, often achieved through a large aperture and adjusting the shooting distance.
3. Positive MS (Soft Background)
◦ MS (Medium Shot): Medium Shot, the framing usually covers the waist or above the knee of the character, which can take into account the character's movement and part of the environment.
◦ Front: same as before, the lens is facing the front of the subject.
◦ Soft Background: Same principle as before, soften the background to highlight the subject. 4.
4. Close-up: Focus on local details of the subject, such as facial expressions, hand movements, etc., to eliminate unnecessary background interference, emphasize details, convey delicate emotions or highlight key elements. 5.
5. Side angle MS (soft background)
◦ Side Angle: The camera shoots from the side direction of the subject, which can show the side profile and three-dimensional sense, and create different atmospheres and narrative effects.
◦ MS (Medium Shot): Medium shot.
◦ Soft Background: similar to Soft Background, the background is defocused and softened to make the subject more prominent.
6. 3/4 angle shot MCU (Foreground Blur/Soft)
◦ 3/4 angle: an angle between the front and the side, which can show some of the front features and side contours of a person's face, with a sense of three-dimensionality and beauty.
◦ MCU (Medium Close - Up): medium close up.
◦ Foreground Blur/Soft: Through depth of field control, the foreground shows a defocused and soft effect, highlighting the subject and increasing the sense of layers in the picture .
7. Eye-level Medium Wide Lens
◦ Eye-level: The height of the lens is roughly equal to the height of the subject's eyes, giving a natural, smooth visual experience, in line with daily viewing habits.
◦ Medium Wide: The range of view between medium and wide angle, which can not only show a certain environment, but also highlight the subject.
week 3
After editing lailin's video, learned how to dub it and gave us free sites to go to for sound effects.
Storyboard
Storyboard in filmmaking is a visual representation of a film, animation, or video game, much like a comic strip. It's made up of a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.
Storyboards are used to plan shots, understand the narrative flow, and to communicate ideas to the production team. They can include details such as camera angles, character movements, dialogue, and even notes about special effects or sound. This helps the director, cinematographer, and other crew members visualise the scenes and prepare for the shooting process.
Storyboarding is a crucial part of the pre-production process because it allows filmmakers to experiment with different visual approaches, identify potential problems, and make necessary adjustments before the actual filming begins, saving time and resources.
week 4
Production
Production stages
The production stages in filmmaking can be broken down into three main phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. Here's a brief overview of each stage:
1.Pre-production: This is the planning stage of filmmaking, where all the necessary preparations are made before filming begins. This includes tasks such as writing the script, creating storyboards, casting actors, scouting locations, designing sets and costumes, and hiring crew members.
2.Production: This is the stage where the actual filming takes place. The production team will work together to capture all the footage needed for the film, using the plans and preparations made during pre-production as a guide. This stage can be physically and logistically challenging, as it involves coordinating a large team of people and managing a complex schedule.
3.Post-production: This is the stage where the footage is edited and assembled into a final product. This includes tasks such as cutting and arranging scenes, adding music and sound effects, colour grading, and visual effects. Post-production can be a time-consuming process, as it requires careful attention to detail and a keen eye for storytelling.
After post-production, the film may go through additional stages such as distribution and marketing, but these are not considered part of the production process.
Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/stages-of-film-production/
Take the quiz below to test your understanding on production stages: https://forms.gle/1FuJL1mKmFqeCdZp8
Production Crew:
The production crew is a team of professionals who work together to create a film or video. Each member of the crew has a specific role and set of responsibilities, which are essential to the overall success of the production. Here are some of the key production crew members and their tasks:
1.Director: The director is responsible for overseeing the entire production and ensuring that the creative vision for the project is realised. They work closely with the cast and crew to block out scenes, direct the actors' performances, and make creative decisions about the look and feel of the film.
2.Producer: The producer is responsible for the logistical and financial aspects of the production. They secure funding, hire the crew, coordinate the schedule and locations, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
3.Cinematographer: The cinematographer, also known as the director of photography (DP), is responsible for the visual aesthetic of the film. They work closely with the director to choose the right camera, lenses, and lighting to achieve the desired look and mood for each scene.
4.Production Designer: The production designer is responsible for the overall visual design of the film, including the sets, costumes, and props. They work closely with the director and cinematographer to create a cohesive and immersive visual world for the story.
5.Sound Designer: The sound designer is responsible for the audio aspects of the film, including recording and editing dialogue, sound effects, and music. They work closely with the director and editor to ensure that the sound and picture are seamlessly integrated.
6.Editor: The editor is responsible for assembling the footage into a coherent and compelling story. They work closely with the director and sound designer to shape the pacing, tone, and structure of the film.
There are many other roles on a production crew, including grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and stunt coordinators, but these are some of the key positions and tasks involved in the filmmaking process.
week 1
Exercise 1: Editing
The first time I used Pr software, my teacher gave us many videos to download and edit, but it wasn't very difficult.
Exercise 2: Shooting
During class, we were asked to go and take a 5 second video of our classmates using the photo angle of this image below.
week 2
Lalin:
Act 1：In the beginning, the image of Lalin removing his mask lets the audience know the protagonist. But does not completely remove the mask leaving suspense and piquing the audience's interest.
Act 2：Lalin meets a male on the internet and the guy wants to see Lalin with her mask off, but Lalin is torn because her face doesn't look like the one posted on the internet.This is Lalin's challenge.
Act 3：Boys want Lalin to read the book he wrote, want Lalin to get over his low self-esteem because Lalin has helped boys before, boys lose weight because of Lalin. The third act lets us know how Lalin overcomes his low self-esteem so that instead of posting fake pictures he faces his face with confidence.
Erything Everywhere All at Once
Act 1（Everything）：The protagonist, Evelyn, runs a laundromat and faces troubles with taxes, and family conflicts. During a trip to the tax office, Evelyn's husband is possessed by his alternate universe self and comes to Evelyn's rescue.
Act 2 （Everywhere）：Evelyn learned to travel through different universes with the help of her husband. In order to fight against the villain ‘Jobu Tupaki’ who is lurking in her daughter's body. And in the process, Evelyn learns to cherish the life in front of her.
Act 3（All at once):As Evelyn confronts Jobu, she realizes that she should defuse the conflict with love and understanding in order to repair her relationship with her daughter.
week 3
Shooting exercise 2
Lalin
week 4
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Exercise 4
Introduction：
- Completed the storyboarding，physical or digital.
- Storyboard template
Final Outcome
Feedback
We learned simple video editing and watched the movie
week 2
Learned different camera positions and used these shots during class and edited them into a video after class.
We learned some double takes, edited them into videos, and the teacher taught us how to dub them, giving us free websites to find sound effects.
This week let's edit the entire video and have us do voiceovers to complete the blog.
I learned a lot of things outside of class from this one TASK, I can remember a lot of points more firmly through the weekly QUIZ, and I know that I need to review points over and over again to make shooting easier.
21/4/2025-21/6/2025
Cai Zihan/0378043
VSP 60104 / Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1 / Audio Dubbing & Sound Shaping
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Instructions
2. Lectures
3. Exercises
Exercise 1: Editing
Exercise 2: Shooting
4. Feedback
5. Reflection
Instructions
<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z_elYYE6QoemHqQtax6kHVZDLFdknly5/preview" width="640" height="480" allow="autoplay"></iframe>
Lectures
week 1
To do list:
1.Finish "mints" and "Doritos" editing exercise and post it in blog under "Exercises".
2.Study Week 1 Asynchronous material and Do the Quiz to prepare for week 2 shooting.
3.Watch Zach King’s videos/ Animation short (Animation stream students).
4.Watch 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once.
5.Purchase Tripod.
1. Low Angle Wide Shot
- Low Angle Shot: Place the camera close to the ground (e.g. at knee height) and look up at the subject.
- Wide Framing: Use a wide-angle lens or move away from the subject to allow the entire environment or character to enter the frame. Use: To emphasize the strength of the character or the grandeur of the background.
- Purpose: To emphasize the power of a character or the grandeur of a background.
Use: To emphasize the power of a character or the grandeur of a background.
2. Frontal MCU - Medium Close-Up (Frontal Medium Close-Up with Background Defocus)
- The camera is highly aligned with the character's eyes.
- Shot range: above the person's chest to the top of the head.
- Use a large aperture to defocus the background.
- Keep it square to the person to emphasize expression and upper body movement.
3. Frontal MS - Medium Shot (Frontal Medium Shot with defocused background)
- Shot range: Above the waist of the person.
- The background remains blurred (aperture open wide).
- The camera is pointed squarely at the person to give a sense of natural communication.
4. Extreme Close-Up
- Photograph specific details: e.g. eyes, fingers, lips, etc.
- Use macro mode or lens.
- Focus accurately and blur the background completely.
- Emphasize mood or important cues.
5. Side Angle MS - Medium Shot
- Shoot from 45° or 90° side of the person.
- Shoot above the waist with a large aperture to soften the background.
- Use to show dialog or character side face dynamics.
6. ¾ Angling MCU Shot (3/4 Angle Medium Close-up with foreground blur)
- The camera is framed from diagonally in front of the character (about 45°).
- The figure is framed above the chest.
- You can add some blurred foreground objects (e.g. plants, corners) to create depth of field.
- Enhance the layering of the picture.
7. Close-Up Shot
- Mainly shoot people's faces or single objects.
- Composition is tight and the background is defocused.
- Highlight the character's expression or object details.
8. Eye-Level Medium-Wide Shot
- Camera position is parallel to the character's eyes.
- Take a full-body or above-the-knee shot.
- Used for everyday conversations or neutral scenes to show naturalness.
week 2
1. Low angle wide angle lens
◦ Low angle: the lens position is at a low height when shooting, close to the ground or below the normal horizontal position of the subject. This angle can give the picture a unique visual effect, for example, it can make the subject appear tall and majestic, and enhance the tension and drama of the picture.
◦ Wide angle lens: a lens with a shorter focal length and wider angle of view, which can be incorporated into a wider scene to create a sense of space and depth, and is commonly used when showing a grand scene or shooting in a small space.
2. Front MCU (soft background)
◦ MCU (Medium Close - Up): Medium Close-Up, the scope of the scene is generally from the character's chest to the top of the head, which can clearly show the character's facial expression and upper body movements.
◦ Front: The lens is facing the front of the subject.
◦ Soft background: The background is defocused and softened to make the subject stand out without distracting the subject's attention, often achieved through a large aperture and adjusting the shooting distance.
3. Positive MS (Soft Background)
◦ MS (Medium Shot): Medium Shot, the framing usually covers the waist or above the knee of the character, which can take into account the character's movement and part of the environment.
◦ Front: same as before, the lens is facing the front of the subject.
◦ Soft Background: Same principle as before, soften the background to highlight the subject. 4.
4. Close-up: Focus on local details of the subject, such as facial expressions, hand movements, etc., to eliminate unnecessary background interference, emphasize details, convey delicate emotions or highlight key elements. 5.
5. Side angle MS (soft background)
◦ Side Angle: The camera shoots from the side direction of the subject, which can show the side profile and three-dimensional sense, and create different atmospheres and narrative effects.
◦ MS (Medium Shot): Medium shot.
◦ Soft Background: similar to Soft Background, the background is defocused and softened to make the subject more prominent.
6. 3/4 angle shot MCU (Foreground Blur/Soft)
◦ 3/4 angle: an angle between the front and the side, which can show some of the front features and side contours of a person's face, with a sense of three-dimensionality and beauty.
◦ MCU (Medium Close - Up): medium close up.
◦ Foreground Blur/Soft: Through depth of field control, the foreground shows a defocused and soft effect, highlighting the subject and increasing the sense of layers in the picture .
7. Eye-level Medium Wide Lens
◦ Eye-level: The height of the lens is roughly equal to the height of the subject's eyes, giving a natural, smooth visual experience, in line with daily viewing habits.
◦ Medium Wide: The range of view between medium and wide angle, which can not only show a certain environment, but also highlight the subject.
week 3
After editing lailin's video, learned how to dub it and gave us free sites to go to for sound effects.
Storyboard
Storyboard in filmmaking is a visual representation of a film, animation, or video game, much like a comic strip. It's made up of a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.
Storyboards are used to plan shots, understand the narrative flow, and to communicate ideas to the production team. They can include details such as camera angles, character movements, dialogue, and even notes about special effects or sound. This helps the director, cinematographer, and other crew members visualise the scenes and prepare for the shooting process.
Storyboarding is a crucial part of the pre-production process because it allows filmmakers to experiment with different visual approaches, identify potential problems, and make necessary adjustments before the actual filming begins, saving time and resources.
week 4
Production
Production stages
The production stages in filmmaking can be broken down into three main phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. Here's a brief overview of each stage:
1.Pre-production: This is the planning stage of filmmaking, where all the necessary preparations are made before filming begins. This includes tasks such as writing the script, creating storyboards, casting actors, scouting locations, designing sets and costumes, and hiring crew members.
2.Production: This is the stage where the actual filming takes place. The production team will work together to capture all the footage needed for the film, using the plans and preparations made during pre-production as a guide. This stage can be physically and logistically challenging, as it involves coordinating a large team of people and managing a complex schedule.
3.Post-production: This is the stage where the footage is edited and assembled into a final product. This includes tasks such as cutting and arranging scenes, adding music and sound effects, colour grading, and visual effects. Post-production can be a time-consuming process, as it requires careful attention to detail and a keen eye for storytelling.
After post-production, the film may go through additional stages such as distribution and marketing, but these are not considered part of the production process.
Reading: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/stages-of-film-production/
Take the quiz below to test your understanding on production stages: https://forms.gle/1FuJL1mKmFqeCdZp8
Production Crew:
The production crew is a team of professionals who work together to create a film or video. Each member of the crew has a specific role and set of responsibilities, which are essential to the overall success of the production. Here are some of the key production crew members and their tasks:
1.Director: The director is responsible for overseeing the entire production and ensuring that the creative vision for the project is realised. They work closely with the cast and crew to block out scenes, direct the actors' performances, and make creative decisions about the look and feel of the film.
2.Producer: The producer is responsible for the logistical and financial aspects of the production. They secure funding, hire the crew, coordinate the schedule and locations, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.
3.Cinematographer: The cinematographer, also known as the director of photography (DP), is responsible for the visual aesthetic of the film. They work closely with the director to choose the right camera, lenses, and lighting to achieve the desired look and mood for each scene.
4.Production Designer: The production designer is responsible for the overall visual design of the film, including the sets, costumes, and props. They work closely with the director and cinematographer to create a cohesive and immersive visual world for the story.
5.Sound Designer: The sound designer is responsible for the audio aspects of the film, including recording and editing dialogue, sound effects, and music. They work closely with the director and editor to ensure that the sound and picture are seamlessly integrated.
6.Editor: The editor is responsible for assembling the footage into a coherent and compelling story. They work closely with the director and sound designer to shape the pacing, tone, and structure of the film.
There are many other roles on a production crew, including grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and stunt coordinators, but these are some of the key positions and tasks involved in the filmmaking process.
week 1
Exercise 1: Editing
The first time I used Pr software, my teacher gave us many videos to download and edit, but it wasn't very difficult.
Exercise 2: Shooting
During class, we were asked to go and take a 5 second video of our classmates using the photo angle of this image below.
week 2
Lalin:
Act 1：In the beginning, the image of Lalin removing his mask lets the audience know the protagonist. But does not completely remove the mask leaving suspense and piquing the audience's interest.
Act 2：Lalin meets a male on the internet and the guy wants to see Lalin with her mask off, but Lalin is torn because her face doesn't look like the one posted on the internet.This is Lalin's challenge.
Act 3：Boys want Lalin to read the book he wrote, want Lalin to get over his low self-esteem because Lalin has helped boys before, boys lose weight because of Lalin. The third act lets us know how Lalin overcomes his low self-esteem so that instead of posting fake pictures he faces his face with confidence.
Erything Everywhere All at Once
Act 1（Everything）：The protagonist, Evelyn, runs a laundromat and faces troubles with taxes, and family conflicts. During a trip to the tax office, Evelyn's husband is possessed by his alternate universe self and comes to Evelyn's rescue.
Act 2 （Everywhere）：Evelyn learned to travel through different universes with the help of her husband. In order to fight against the villain ‘Jobu Tupaki’ who is lurking in her daughter's body. And in the process, Evelyn learns to cherish the life in front of her.
Act 3（All at once):As Evelyn confronts Jobu, she realizes that she should defuse the conflict with love and understanding in order to repair her relationship with her daughter.
week 3
Shooting exercise 2
Lalin
week 4
Lens Selection and Visual Narrative
This week, we learned how camera angles, movement, and shooting styles influence visual storytelling. Martin introduced the basic concepts of cinematic language, emphasizing how to guide the audience's attention, shape the emotional atmosphere, and advance the story without relying on dialogue. These techniques were particularly helpful when shooting footage for Project One.
In terms of camera angles, high-angle shots, taken from above, can make characters appear smaller, more vulnerable, or powerless; low-angle shots, taken from below, create an atmosphere of power, oppression, or threat. Over-the-shoulder (OTS) shots are commonly used in dialogue scenes to create a shared perspective and enhance interactivity. Point of View (POV) shots show the scene through the character's eyes, helping viewers better immerse themselves in the situation or build suspense.
In terms of shot types, Establishing Shots are used to establish time and location, typically shot as wide shots to set the scene's atmosphere. Wide Shots (WS) show the entire character and surrounding environment, suitable for depicting action or a sense of isolation. Medium shots (MS) are typically shot from the waist up and are suitable for dialogue scenes, conveying the characters' body language. Close-ups (CU) focus on the characters' faces or specific details to clearly convey emotions. Extreme close-ups (ECU) highlight a small part (such as eyes or objects) in greater detail, intensifying visual focus and tension.
In terms of composition techniques, the Rule of Thirds is a common composition method. By dividing the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically and placing the main elements along the lines, it creates a sense of balance and tension. Symmetrical composition conveys order and harmony, while asymmetrical composition is more dynamic and suitable for creating unstable or tense emotions. By layering the foreground and background, spatial depth can be enhanced, highlighting the relationship between characters and their environment. Additionally, leading lines utilize natural lines within the frame (such as roads, walls, or railings) to guide the viewer's gaze toward key elements or the subject of the scene.
The Three Stages of Film and Television Production and the Key Roles Involved
In the film and television production process, the production workflow is typically divided into three main stages: pre-production, production, and post-production. Each stage has its specific tasks and core objectives.
I. Pre-production
This is the preparatory phase before formal filming begins, primarily involving scriptwriting, casting actors, scouting filming locations, and making creative decisions such as finalizing the script and visual style. The focus of this phase is on planning and preparation, with no actual filming taking place. All creative and technical details must be finalized as much as possible during this phase to lay the groundwork for subsequent filming.
II. Production Phase
This is the core phase of film and television production, where actual filming takes place. This phase is typically the busiest and places the highest demands on the team in terms of physical stamina and coordination. Departments such as directing, cinematography, acting, art direction, lighting, and sound recording must work closely together to ensure smooth daily filming.
III. Post-Production
After filming is completed, the film enters the post-production phase. The primary tasks during this phase include editing footage, adding sound effects, background music, voiceovers, visual effects, subtitles, and color correction. The purpose of post-production is to integrate all the raw material into the final film version, preparing it for official release.
Week 5
Week 5 Asynchronous class materials
Mise en scène is a French term that translates literally to "placing on stage." In the realms of theater, film, and other visual storytelling mediums, it refers to the overall visual arrangement and presentation of a scene. This concept encompasses everything that appears within the frame or on stage and how these elements are organized to convey meaning, emotion, and narrative to the audience.
Key Components of Mise en Scène
1. Setting and Location:
• Physical Space: The environment where the action takes place, whether it's a realistic setting like a living room or an abstract, symbolic space.
• Time Period: The era in which the story is set, influencing costumes, props, and set design.
2. Props and Objects:
• Items used by characters or present in the scene that can symbolize themes, indicate character traits, or advance the plot.
3. Costume and Makeup:
• Clothing and makeup that reflect a character’s personality, social status, occupation, or psychological state.
4. Lighting:
• The use of light and shadow to create mood, highlight specific elements, and guide the audience’s focus. For example, high-contrast lighting can create a dramatic or tense atmosphere.
5. Composition and Framing:
• How elements are arranged within the frame or on stage, including camera angles in film or the positioning of actors in theater. This affects how the audience perceives relationships and power dynamics.
6. Performance and Acting:
• The actors’ physical movements, facial expressions, and interactions contribute significantly to the mise en scène, conveying emotions and subtext.
7. Color Palette:
• The selection of colors used in costumes, sets, and lighting can evoke specific emotions or symbolize thematic elements.
8. Spatial Relationships:
• The distance and arrangement between characters and objects, which can indicate intimacy, conflict, or hierarchy.
Exercise 4
Introduction：
- Completed the storyboarding，physical or digital.
- Storyboard template
Final Outcome
Week 6
Color Theory Basics
We first learned about the structure of the color wheel and the visual effects of different color combinations:
1.Basic color classification:
• Primary colors: red, yellow, blue
• Secondary colors: two primary colors mixed together (such as green, orange, purple)
• Tertiary colors: Primary color + secondary color (e.g., red-orange, yellow-green)
Color Combination Relationships and Their Visual Effects:
• Complementary colors: Opposite colors on the color wheel (e.g., red + green), creating strong contrast and visual impact
• Analogous colors: Adjacent colors on the color wheel (e.g., blue + green), creating harmony, softness, and emotional stability
• Triadic colors: Equidistant colors on the color wheel (e.g., red + yellow + blue), balanced and vivid
Psychological implications of colors:
• Red: Passion, warning, danger
• Blue: Calm, rationality, or melancholy
Color choices in films are not random. For example, The Matrix uses a lot of green tones to symbolize a virtual world made up of code.
2. Color Correction
Purpose:
Resolve technical issues, unify the visuals, and ensure all shots maintain visual consistency as a foundation for subsequent creative color grading.
Common tools and techniques:
• White balance adjustment
• Exposure and contrast fine-tuning
• Skin tone correction
• Use monitoring tools (e.g., waveform, vector scopes)
• Basic curve and color palette operations
This step ensures that all footage is “clean and tidy,” free of color casts, making it easier to proceed to the creative color grading phase.
3.Color Grading
Purpose:
Shaping the visual style and emotional atmosphere of a film is a creative process.
Typical operations include:
• Using LUTs (Look-Up Tables)
• Customizing stylized “Looks” for different types of films
• Using masks and power windows
• Enhancing or weakening specific color areas
Examples:
• Mad Max: Fury Road uses high-saturation warm tones to emphasize the oppressive feel of the desert
• Romantic films may use soft highlights and warm shadows to convey romance and tenderness
Week 7
In film and video production, color is not merely a visual element but also a crucial tool for conveying emotions and shaping style. Post-production color grading typically consists of two stages: color correction and color grading. This report will introduce the objectives, processes, and common techniques of these two stages, and analyze classic film and television color grading styles through case studies.
Color Correction (Colour Correction)
1. Purpose and Importance
The primary goal of color correction is to address technical issues in each shot, such as exposure, white balance, and contrast, ensuring visual consistency across the entire frame and laying a clean, unified foundation for subsequent creative color grading.
2. Workflow and Tools
• Use Scopes (oscilloscopes) to analyze exposure and RGB balance
• Adjust the brightness of highlights, shadows, and midtones separately
• Use the eyedropper tool to achieve precise white balance correction
• Use the Comparison View to view the differences before and after correction
• Save the adjusted shots as references to unify the base parameters of other segments
3. Colorblind Color Grading Approach
In practice, prioritizing brightness and contrast adjustments before adjusting hue and saturation helps maintain consistency across the entire image.
4. Overview of the RGB Model
The RGB model is a color system based on the three primary colors of red, green, and blue, widely used in digital image processing. It aligns with how the human eye perceives light.
Color Grading
1 Purpose and Function
After color correction is completed, the grading process aims to add style and atmosphere to the film through creative means. It can influence the audience's emotional response and enhance the visual impact of the story.
2 Common Tools and Methods
• Add Adjustment Layers to unify overall color grading operations
• Use Curves to enhance contrast or adjust color distribution
• Adjust Temperature and Tint to create warm or cool tones
• Use Color Wheels to separately adjust the color tendencies of shadows, midtones, and highlights
Week 8
This week's focus is on understanding how the pre-production stage transforms creative ideas into executable shooting plans. The lecture revolves around three key tools:
• Script Breakdown
• Shot List
• Call Sheet
These documents help us organize our shooting work in an orderly manner, avoid last-minute chaos, and improve production efficiency.
Script Breakdown: From Script to Shooting Checklist
1 What is a Script Breakdown?
The goal of a script breakdown is to break down a complete script into an executable “shooting task list.” We analyze the elements required for each scene, including:
• Cast
• Props
• Costumes
• Locations
• Special Effects
• Sound & Music Requirements
• Lighting Setup
These elements are marked with color-coded labels or tags, and a “breakdown sheet” is created for each scene. It serves as the production team's preparation checklist, laying the groundwork for subsequent budgeting, scheduling, and logistics.
2 Example
For example:
Scene 3 is set in a park with two actors, a dog, a picnic basket, and rain. After breaking it down, we need to consider:
• Park venue reservation
• Dog trainer on site
• Character costume changes
• Rain gear and weather contingency plan
All this information will be clearly recorded in the breakdown sheet.
Shot List: The shooting plan for each shot
1 What is a Shot List?
A shot list serves as a “map” for the director and cinematographer. It details the shooting approach for each scene, including the following:
• Shot type (e.g., wide shot, close-up, over-the-shoulder)
• Camera angles and movements (e.g., dolly, track, crane)
• Scene number and brief description
• Estimated duration (the length of each shot)
• Required equipment (e.g., stabilizer, tripod, etc.)
• Shooting notes (e.g., emotional tone, light direction)
2 Practical Tips
Classroom Tip: Before deciding on the shot type, ask yourself what the emotional goal of the shot is.
Even a simple scene may require multiple angles and techniques to effectively tell the story.
Call Sheet: The core document for team communication
1 What is a Call Sheet?
A Call Sheet is an official document sent to all personnel the day before each shoot to ensure everyone is on the same page and arrives on time. It includes:
• Shooting date and time
• Shooting location(s)
• Weather forecast (for clothing preparation or equipment protection)
• Staff list and contact information
• Specific scenes to be shot on the day
• Special requirements (e.g., night shoots, arriving already dressed in costume, etc.)
2 Professional Tips
Instructor Martin emphasizes: Effective communication via the Call Sheet can determine the success or failure of a shooting day. It is the key to avoiding on-set chaos and maintaining professionalism.
Week 9
This week, we focused on how editing shapes the story—not just in terms of cutting shots together, but in terms of rhythm, pacing, emotional impact, and meaning.
1. Editing as Storytelling
Editing isn’t just about cleaning up footage—it’s how we guide the viewer’s attention, control the emotional tone, and shape the audience's understanding of time, space, and character.
Some key points we discussed:
• Continuity Editing: Keeps everything smooth and invisible so the viewer doesn’t notice the cuts. It’s the default style in most narrative films.
• Montage Editing: Uses quick cuts to compress time or build intensity (e.g. training scenes or emotional spirals).
• Jump Cuts: Intentionally break continuity to create energy or tension (e.g. French New Wave style).
• Cross-Cutting: Builds suspense by switching between two scenes happening at the same time.
We watched examples that showed how editors can manipulate time and mood, like in Requiem for a Dream or La La Land.
2. Pacing and Rhythm
Martin explained how pacing is emotional. It’s not just about how long a shot is—it’s how it feels.
• Slow pacing = reflection, tension, emotional weight
• Fast pacing = action, urgency, excitement
• Rhythm can match music, heartbeat, breathing, or tension build-up
• Good pacing isn’t about cutting fast—it’s about cutting with purpose
3. Practical Editing Techniques
Some tools and techniques we explored in Premiere Pro:
• J-Cuts / L-Cuts: Audio transitions used to lead or lag dialogue and make conversations feel more natural
• Match Cuts: Visual links between two shots (motion, shape, color) to create smooth transitions or symbolic meaning
• Time Remapping: Used to create slow motion or speed ramps for emphasis
• Layered Audio: Using ambient sound, foley, and music together to build immersive soundscapes
Feedback
We learned simple video editing and watched the movie
week 2
Learned different camera positions and used these shots during class and edited them into a video after class.
We learned some double takes, edited them into videos, and the teacher taught us how to dub them, giving us free websites to find sound effects.
This week let's edit the entire video and have us do voiceovers to complete the blog.
I learned a lot of things outside of class from this one TASK, I can remember a lot of points more firmly through the weekly QUIZ, and I know that I need to review points over and over again to make shooting easier.
Comments
Post a Comment