COMM 300 Introduction to Multimedia
Portrait of a Friend (using Nine or more Shots)
When you watch a movie or video closely you'll quickly realize that you are seeing scenes from a variety of angles and distances. In addition, you'll note that while sometimes the camera remains still, at other times it appears to move—in or out, up or down, side to side, etc. These different views are known as "shots" and most have specific names that are used to identify them. In this assignment you will create a short video package on an assigned topic that utilizes at least nine different kinds of shots.
Assignment
Create a short video portrait of a friend using nine or more different camera shots (from the list provided). The video could be in a journalistic / documentary style, complete with interviews, voice-overs, captions and B-roll, but it doesn't have to be. It could be humorous or satirical; it could be dramatic, or romantic. You could also do it in the style of a movie genre, like action, suspense or film noir. Regardless of the style you choose, it must be about a real person (although the 'information' could be—er–embellished) and you must use nine or more of the shots listed below. In addition, you must get permission from your subject (no stalking or unauthorized biographies). The video should be informative and entertaining.
Specifications:
- Preset: 720p
- Size: 1280 × 720
- Length: variable (but be reasonable, keep it under 3 minutes)
- Output format: Quicktime movie using H264 codec
- Deliverables: rendered movie file (not Final Cut project file)
- Due Date: week 8
Procedure
- Find a friend who'd be willing to be your subject. You may want to pick a partner from class and work with each other—each doing a biography about the other. This will save time and make it easier to coordinate camera check-outs.
- Determine the stylistic approach you wish to use—straightforward journalistic biography or something more unusual. Determine also whether you will use interviews, voice-overs, or some combination. You may want to write a script if you choose to go the more fanciful route. Also think about locations—where do you want to film? If you plan to interview your subject where should that take place? Are there particular activities that your subject does you might want to showcase (playing sports, playing music, working at a job, etc.)? Think about other B-roll footage you could incorporate.
- Look over the list of camera shots below and select at least nine to use. Make a shot list.
Kinds of camera shots
Camera framing
- Extreme long shot
- Very long shot
- Long shot (wide shot)
- Medium shot (bust shot)
- Close-up shot
- Extreme close-up shot
- Single shot
- Two shot
- Over-the-shoulder shot
Camera angles
- Front view
- Quarter-turn
- Profile
- Three-quarter-turn
- Back view
- Eye-level shot
- Low-angle shot
- High-angle shot
- Bird's eye shot
- Canted shot
- POV / subjective shot
Camera movement
- Pan shot
- Tilt shot
- Pedestal shot
- Tracking shot
- Arc shot
- Dolly shot
- Zoom shot*
Zolly
shot*- Rack focus**
- Crane shot
Other shots
- Establishing shot
- Bridging shot
- Insert shot
- Cut-away
- Whip pan
Noddy
shot
* Shot not possible with Kodak Zi8; requires a camera with zoom
** Shot not possible with Kodak Zi8; requires a camera with focus control - Make a shooting schedule—plan when you and your subject can check-out a camera and film.
- Get a video camera and go shoot. Make sure you take time to consider setting, lighting and composition—I'd like to see nice looking, well composed shots. When I grade these projects two very important criteria will be 1) how well executed was the specified shot (technical achievement) and 2) how well composed and lit was the shot (aesthetics).
- Transfer the files to the computer's Data HD (or your own external hard drive).
- Edit your piece with Final Cut X.
- Add appropriate titles, captions and credits.
- Add music and/or sound effects if warranted.
- Render the movie using Share > Export Media. Choose H.264 for the codec.
- Upload to the drop box for the project on D2L.
Other resources
http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_%28filmmaking%29
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/wildfilmschool/gettingstarted/camerashots.html
http://www.mediaknowall.com/camangles.html
