Introduction to Filmmaking (Weeks1-4)

This past month has been an introduction and primarily a settling in period for myself and the other students. We have been slowly introduced to our modules, our lecturers and the equipment. I believe this has worked very well for myself and others, as we are all becoming more confident with each other and the equipment also. We were given weekly introductions to scriptwriting, where we looked at narrative, genre and characters. And on a Thursday we got into the nitty gritty practical work with production skills. We done various tech dems and exercises with the VHS cameras and sound equipment. Most of this was trial and error, and as new students we were allowed to play around with the older cameras. We were introduced to the simple concepts of using cameras and what to bear in mind, such as grain, exposure, sound inputs, composition etc. We were allowed to find our own comfort zones and figure things out for ourselves with numerous exercises revolving around different briefs. 

We have also looked at the more formal side to filmmaking and digital production, such as how to prepare for a shoot, how to act on set, risk assessments and health and safety procedures. All of these things fall under general law and the laws of filmmaking, so we were taught the importance of health and safety and carefully planning ahead for a shoot. We were shown some harsh examples of how things have went wrong on previous film sets. Partially as a warning, and partially as a reminder that everything must be taken into consideration whilst filming, even the highly unlikely. 

Below are some images of our production skills lesson at week 4. Our lecturers Mike and Lee demonstrated with some of the more complex toys such as the jib and the tracking dolly. We were shown step by step how to set them up safety and efficiently, aswell as how to take them down and store them away again. Not only were we taught the practical elements of the equipment we were shown how they can make a shot more interesting, and that through movement these shots can add another dimension to a film. For example the use of the tracking dolly can be used to increase or decrease tension, depending on the speed of which it is pushed or the angle of the shot moving along the track. A fast track in on a character or artefact can make them or it seem important, therefore placing them at the centre of the narrative. A low angle shot on the dolly or with the jib can make that character or artefact seem powerful. A high angle shot with the jib or slow backwards track can have the opposite effect, making someone or something seem insignificant or weak. This is a very simple concept which is easy to understand as audience members and to create as filmmakers. With the dolly or the jib some outstanding camerawork can be crafted.