Filmmaking Lesson Key Elements

even further into 5 Stages Filmmaking is broken up even further into 5 Stages Development Pre-Production Production Post-Production Sales and Distribution

Development It all starts out with the project's producer finds a story, which may come from a book, play, another film, a true story, original idea, etc. After identifying a theme or underlying message, the producer works with writers to prepare a synopsis. By this stage, the film should have a clearly defined marketing strategy and target audience.

Logline is created A logline is a brief (usually one-sentence) summary of a television program, film, or book that states the central conflict of the story, often providing both a synopsis of the story's plot, and an emotional "hook" to stimulate interest. A one-sentence program summary in TV Guide is a log line.

2. Pre-Production Preparations are made for the shoot, in which cast and crew are hired, locations are selected, and sets are built. In pre-production, every step of actually creating the film is carefully designed and planned.

The Plot of the Story

Script is Created The script includes: Time of Day Location Time Period Is it Interior or Exterior Location? Stage Directions “What are the actors doing?” Characters’ dialogue

Script Example on google document INT. OR EXT. –LOCATION- TIME OF DAY- TIME PERIOD Stage directions………………………………………………………………. ………………….. Actor’s name Lines of dialogue……………….. ……………………………………………………………….

Script Example INT.-ROOM 807-MORNING-PAST   The students are writing the instructions on how to write a professional script following industry standards. One student raise their hand. Miguel Is this going to be on the test? Instructor Yes, and you are going to need to know it to write your own script for your videos. I see, thank you The instructor continues discussing the importance of following industry standards in creating a script. (Look at script document)

Storyboard Includes pictures/drawings of each shot of the project Underneath each picture, it includes a description of the action in the scene. Also, under each drawing there is a focus on what type of shot it is. For example: CU, MCU, LS, MS, and ECU Recap: Drawing, description, shot, and number them in chronological order.

Storyboard Example

3. Production The raw elements for the finished film are recorded. In production, the video/film is created and shot. More crew will be recruited at this stage, such as the property master, script supervisor, assistant directors, stills photographer, picture editor, and sound editors.

Production Procedures for Director or Assistant Director 1. Actors ready – Actors say “Yes” 2. Camera ready – Camera Operator says “Yes” 3. Roll Camera - Camera Operator says “Rolling” 5. Action 6. Cut

Camera Framing: Camera Angles and Shots

1. Close Up (CU) The face or object fills the screen with no space left at the top or bottom of the frame. They are used for greater emotional impact. They allow the viewer to see actors expressions and have an "in your face" effect. They are also used to point the viewer to objects of significant meaning. 

2. Medium Close Up (MCU) The subject is framed so that the head is at the top of the frame and bottom of the frame is just below the shoulders.

3. Eyelevel Angle The subject's eyes and camera lens are on the same plane (at the same height).

4. Medium Shot (MS) The subject is framed from the knees to waist up; the most common shot in films.

5. Full Body Shot (FBS) The subject is framed with feet at bottom of frame and head at top edge.

6. Wide Shot, Long Shot, Establishing Shot (LS, WS, ES) The subject is in the distance - room around him/her.

7. Over the Shoulder (OTS) This is a highly used shot where the camera films from behind one subject, usually while the subject is engaged in conversation with another, or actively looking at something in the distance.

8. Extreme Long Shot (ELS) The subject is in the far distance, barely visible, very little detail.

Extreme Close Up (ECU) A feature on a face, such as an eye or mouth, or a detail of an object fills the entire screen. 

The Rule of Thirds Mentally fill viewfinder with tic-tac-toe grid Important elements match lines and intersections of grid Applying the rule of thirds. The image reframed to align better with the grid. (Corel)

RULE OF THIRDS The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line. Allowing linear features in the image to flow from section to section.

4. Post-Production Importing media to computer Editing the video by following the 10-Step-editing process Exporting final video to hard drive, web, YouTube, google drive etc.

Following the 10 Step Editing Process Rough Cut 1. Plan 2. Gather Media (Text, Animation) 3. Build Story (According to Script and Storyboard) 4. Organize (According to what works better) 5. Trimming (E.I. Roll, Ripple, Razor Blade, Slip, and Slide Edits) POLISHING: 6. Transitions (Wipe, Cross Dissolve, Fade to Color) 7. Text and Video Effects 8. Add Additional Audio (SFX) 9. Output/Export/Share (Process of getting clips from timeline to a self-contained video file) 10. Archive (DVD, Blu-Ray, Flash Drive, Hard Drive, & Cloud)

5. Sales and distribution The film is screened for potential buyers (distributors), is picked up and reaches its cinema and/or home media audience. This is the final stage, where the film is released to cinemas or, occasionally, to consumer media (DVD, VCD, VHS, Blu-ray) or direct download from a provider. The film is duplicated as required for distribution to cinemas.