Social realism in films represents real life, with all its difficulties and triumphs. The stories and people used in the films are everyday characters, usually from working class backgrounds. Typically, films that use a social realist background are about the struggle to survive the daily grind. They usually told the whole story and didn’t leave out any gritty or nasty situations.
Social Realism in British films became popular during the 1960s. In this period, it was referred to as the British New Wave. British New Wave directors included Karel Reisz, Lindsay Anderson and Tony Richardson. Before they made feature films, most of them created a number of documentaries. Many of there films had been screened at the National Film Theatre event. This was an event called the ‘Free Cinema’ that happened in the 1950’s. Many of the British New Wave creators were more than just directors. Most of them were film critics as well. This helped them to promote their agenda and ideas in magazines such as the Sequence.
Many films produced in this era emerged as great films. These included Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and Look Back in Anger. Many of the films were either based on plays or books due to the fact that the social realists were part of the literature and theatre scene. As well as the number of new directors that the New Wave produced, many actors came to prominence in this time period. Actors such as Tom Courtenay, Rita Tushingham and Albert Finney had prominent roles in social realism films.
The end of the New Wave came when the rise of television dramas brought this genre of film to people’s homes. Also, the Americans withdrew funding for such movies. However, since the demise of the New Wave, new directors such as Mike Leigh and Ken Loach have produced new films that use the same genre as those 40 years before them.
Monday, 15 December 2008
The editing used in the TV production of ‘The Tudors’
In this episode of the ‘The Tudors’, different types of filming and editing techniques are used to create different meanings and connotations.
Firstly, the shot/reverse shot is used when the audience first see the Frenchman. The shot/reverse shot is a POV with the Englishman looking towards the Frenchman. They use this camera shot to focus on the Frenchman and emphasise the importance of this character. Finally, they use this shot to unsettle the viewer. The meaning of this shot is to create an opposition between to the two characters (Englishman and Frenchman). Furthermore, the shot emphasises that the viewer is on the Englishman’s side.
The next shot used in the episode is when the guards are walking after the Englishman. They create a suspense and disorientation by cut between the characters at varied speeds. The shots of the guards are only of there legs. This causes the suspicion of who they are at first. Also, the shots of the Englishman are from behind him. This creates a shot reverse looking from the French guard’s perspective. This scene is effective due to the disorientations of the quick cuts between characters. This causes a sense of panic in the scene.
Finally, the third rule that i have learnt is the 180 degree rule. In this production, this rule is neglected. The effect of this is to show the opposition of characters and to show more disorientation for the watchers.
Firstly, the shot/reverse shot is used when the audience first see the Frenchman. The shot/reverse shot is a POV with the Englishman looking towards the Frenchman. They use this camera shot to focus on the Frenchman and emphasise the importance of this character. Finally, they use this shot to unsettle the viewer. The meaning of this shot is to create an opposition between to the two characters (Englishman and Frenchman). Furthermore, the shot emphasises that the viewer is on the Englishman’s side.
The next shot used in the episode is when the guards are walking after the Englishman. They create a suspense and disorientation by cut between the characters at varied speeds. The shots of the guards are only of there legs. This causes the suspicion of who they are at first. Also, the shots of the Englishman are from behind him. This creates a shot reverse looking from the French guard’s perspective. This scene is effective due to the disorientations of the quick cuts between characters. This causes a sense of panic in the scene.
Finally, the third rule that i have learnt is the 180 degree rule. In this production, this rule is neglected. The effect of this is to show the opposition of characters and to show more disorientation for the watchers.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Shot List and Shooting Schedule
Shot 1
A panning shot of the station and the surrounding area to establish the location. In this shot, the titles will run.
Shot 2
The camera then cuts to inside the house to a man sitting by a window which faces the platform, with him looking out.
Shot 3
We then cut an over the shoulder shot of the man writing the letter although the words are unclear on the page.
Shot 4
CU of Man 1 writing the letter
Shot 5
The camera then cuts to a view of the train tracks outside. This mid shot is static as we show a train approaching the station.
Shot 6
we then cut back to a shot of the concrete floor of the platform. Onto this arrives the 2nd man in our opening. He is wearing distinctive boots, which is the first thing we see of him.
Shot 7
Medium shot of the train pulling away from the station, with the man following it as he walks down the platform.
Shot 8
The camera then cuts to a side-on shot looking across at the platform following his footsteps as he. The camera continues on after Man 2 has stopped.
Shot 9
The camera then goes to a close up shot of his side where he reveals a weapon concealed under his jacket.
Shot 10
The camera cuts back a medium shot from inside the house, looking out to the 2nd man walking towards the house.
Shot 11
We then cut to a close up high angle shot of the 1st man writing the letter.
Shot 12
CU shot of man 1 signing the letter
Shot 13
CU shot through the window of the man watiing at the door
Shot 14
We will then cut back to a CU shot of the 1st Man as he stops writing and puts his pen down to get up and answer the door, as hes writing you hear the knock.
Shot 15
The camera then cuts to a CU shot of Man 1 looking up.
Shot 16
Over-the-shoulder shot of Man 2 waiting at the door, we then see Man 1 open the door and then closing it quickly.
Shot 17
CU shot of Man 2's foot in the door
Shot 18
The camera then cuts to the 2nd man pushing the knife forward, into his side and walk through into the house
Shot 19
Medium shot of Man 2 walking through the shot into the room.
Shot 19
Shot of the page with the ink running out of the pen, signifying Man 1's death.
Shot 20
CU shot of Man 2 picking up the letter and setting fire to it.
Shooting Schedule
Day 1
Arrive at 2PM
1st Shot: Shot 2 (2.10)
2nd Shot: Shot 3 (2.20)
3rd Shot: Shot 4 (2.33)
4th Shot: Shot 11 (2.45)
5th Shot: Shot 12 (2.50)
6th Shot: Shot 14 (2.55)
7th Shot: Shot 15 (3.10)
8th Shot: Shot 13 (3.20)
9th Shot: Shot 20 (3.40)
10th Shot: Shot 10(3.55)
11th Shot: Shot 5 (4.10)
Day 2
12th Shot: Shot 7 (2.30)
13th Shot: Shot 8 (2.50)
14th Shot: Shot 9 (3.00)
15th Shot: Shot 6 (3.10)
16th Shot: Shot 16 (3.25)
17th Shot: Shot 17 (3.30)
18th Shot: Shot 18 (3.40)
19th Shot: Shot 19 (3.50)
20th Shot: Shot 1 (4.00)
A panning shot of the station and the surrounding area to establish the location. In this shot, the titles will run.
Shot 2
The camera then cuts to inside the house to a man sitting by a window which faces the platform, with him looking out.
Shot 3
We then cut an over the shoulder shot of the man writing the letter although the words are unclear on the page.
Shot 4
CU of Man 1 writing the letter
Shot 5
The camera then cuts to a view of the train tracks outside. This mid shot is static as we show a train approaching the station.
Shot 6
we then cut back to a shot of the concrete floor of the platform. Onto this arrives the 2nd man in our opening. He is wearing distinctive boots, which is the first thing we see of him.
Shot 7
Medium shot of the train pulling away from the station, with the man following it as he walks down the platform.
Shot 8
The camera then cuts to a side-on shot looking across at the platform following his footsteps as he. The camera continues on after Man 2 has stopped.
Shot 9
The camera then goes to a close up shot of his side where he reveals a weapon concealed under his jacket.
Shot 10
The camera cuts back a medium shot from inside the house, looking out to the 2nd man walking towards the house.
Shot 11
We then cut to a close up high angle shot of the 1st man writing the letter.
Shot 12
CU shot of man 1 signing the letter
Shot 13
CU shot through the window of the man watiing at the door
Shot 14
We will then cut back to a CU shot of the 1st Man as he stops writing and puts his pen down to get up and answer the door, as hes writing you hear the knock.
Shot 15
The camera then cuts to a CU shot of Man 1 looking up.
Shot 16
Over-the-shoulder shot of Man 2 waiting at the door, we then see Man 1 open the door and then closing it quickly.
Shot 17
CU shot of Man 2's foot in the door
Shot 18
The camera then cuts to the 2nd man pushing the knife forward, into his side and walk through into the house
Shot 19
Medium shot of Man 2 walking through the shot into the room.
Shot 19
Shot of the page with the ink running out of the pen, signifying Man 1's death.
Shot 20
CU shot of Man 2 picking up the letter and setting fire to it.
Shooting Schedule
Day 1
Arrive at 2PM
1st Shot: Shot 2 (2.10)
2nd Shot: Shot 3 (2.20)
3rd Shot: Shot 4 (2.33)
4th Shot: Shot 11 (2.45)
5th Shot: Shot 12 (2.50)
6th Shot: Shot 14 (2.55)
7th Shot: Shot 15 (3.10)
8th Shot: Shot 13 (3.20)
9th Shot: Shot 20 (3.40)
10th Shot: Shot 10(3.55)
11th Shot: Shot 5 (4.10)
Day 2
12th Shot: Shot 7 (2.30)
13th Shot: Shot 8 (2.50)
14th Shot: Shot 9 (3.00)
15th Shot: Shot 6 (3.10)
16th Shot: Shot 16 (3.25)
17th Shot: Shot 17 (3.30)
18th Shot: Shot 18 (3.40)
19th Shot: Shot 19 (3.50)
20th Shot: Shot 1 (4.00)
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Preliminary Filming Task completion
1. Editing and camera techniques
For our preliminary opening, we used the following techniques:
• We used titles before and after the film to show the information needed for exam board
• We put are names on the final shot of are opening using the title designer
• We used the time stretch tool to make a scene longer. Also, we used the erase tool to delete shots that were not needed or took to long.
• We used the 180 degree rule, shot/reverse shot and match on action shots in are production. Furthermore, we used a various types of shots including panning, birds eye view , ECU’s, Over the shoulder and a high angle shots.
2. New techniques used in the production of my opening
In my production, I used many new programs in the creation of are production. These programs included the video hosting website Youtube. I used Youtube to upload the final cut onto the internet, from which I then embedded onto Blogger. Adobe Premiere Elements was used create the final cut. This program was easy to use and effective at creating a professional looking film. I used a digital video camera to shoot the scenes. As well as the camera, a tripod was used in some shots. Finally, I used the social networking site Blogger to evaluate my production and post any planning I had done.
When I used the camera, I found it was difficult to keep it steady when creating tracking shots. In the end, I found it easier to use a tripod and hold the legs. Also, the quality of the camera could have been better to create a more professional look. However, this is only a minor problem as the final cut still looked respectable. When working with Adobe Premiere Elements, I found it difficult to change the sound levels to create the right suspense. Finally, when my group went to book a camera for the date we set, we found that they were all booked up. This created a problem as we had to wait an extra two weeks before we started filming.
One of the many strengths of my production is the array of shot types used in the for this project. Also, I believe we worked well as a group by sharing our ideas and the production roles involved in the creation of this project. Finally, we didn’t disagree over any major parts in the film and acted sensibly to create the look that we were going for.
3. How successful was the final product against the brief set?
The brief that was set for are production was the following:
• I had to include a shot of a hand opening a door and having a conversation with another person. Once this happened, one of the men had to leave the room.
• I had to include three different types of shots used in films. These were the 180 degree rule, match on action and the shot/reverse shot.
I think that my groups production matched all the points that the brief set. Me, Ian and Jen decided to apply the dialogue in a unique way. We chose to do this by using MSN Messenger to produce a conversation between the two men in the opening.
My group used the 180 rule throughout the films by keeping to one side of the room. Also, the match on action was used when we filmed the over the shoulder shots by having the two characters in the same frame. Finally, we used the shot/reverse shot when both characters were receiving the instant messages from each other. We showed this by showing both characters in the same shot. We applied this when the person typing would only show the back of his head and the computer screen.
For our preliminary opening, we used the following techniques:
• We used titles before and after the film to show the information needed for exam board
• We put are names on the final shot of are opening using the title designer
• We used the time stretch tool to make a scene longer. Also, we used the erase tool to delete shots that were not needed or took to long.
• We used the 180 degree rule, shot/reverse shot and match on action shots in are production. Furthermore, we used a various types of shots including panning, birds eye view , ECU’s, Over the shoulder and a high angle shots.
2. New techniques used in the production of my opening
In my production, I used many new programs in the creation of are production. These programs included the video hosting website Youtube. I used Youtube to upload the final cut onto the internet, from which I then embedded onto Blogger. Adobe Premiere Elements was used create the final cut. This program was easy to use and effective at creating a professional looking film. I used a digital video camera to shoot the scenes. As well as the camera, a tripod was used in some shots. Finally, I used the social networking site Blogger to evaluate my production and post any planning I had done.
When I used the camera, I found it was difficult to keep it steady when creating tracking shots. In the end, I found it easier to use a tripod and hold the legs. Also, the quality of the camera could have been better to create a more professional look. However, this is only a minor problem as the final cut still looked respectable. When working with Adobe Premiere Elements, I found it difficult to change the sound levels to create the right suspense. Finally, when my group went to book a camera for the date we set, we found that they were all booked up. This created a problem as we had to wait an extra two weeks before we started filming.
One of the many strengths of my production is the array of shot types used in the for this project. Also, I believe we worked well as a group by sharing our ideas and the production roles involved in the creation of this project. Finally, we didn’t disagree over any major parts in the film and acted sensibly to create the look that we were going for.
3. How successful was the final product against the brief set?
The brief that was set for are production was the following:
• I had to include a shot of a hand opening a door and having a conversation with another person. Once this happened, one of the men had to leave the room.
• I had to include three different types of shots used in films. These were the 180 degree rule, match on action and the shot/reverse shot.
I think that my groups production matched all the points that the brief set. Me, Ian and Jen decided to apply the dialogue in a unique way. We chose to do this by using MSN Messenger to produce a conversation between the two men in the opening.
My group used the 180 rule throughout the films by keeping to one side of the room. Also, the match on action was used when we filmed the over the shoulder shots by having the two characters in the same frame. Finally, we used the shot/reverse shot when both characters were receiving the instant messages from each other. We showed this by showing both characters in the same shot. We applied this when the person typing would only show the back of his head and the computer screen.
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