Camerawork AS - A2

The camera shot is the basic building block of film and TV. Knowing this, during AS we understood that when using an specific sequence in our thrillers we had to consider the type of shot used and also the information that the specific shot is aiming to portray and its effect on viewers.

During AS we learnt some fairly new shot types these were:
* Extreme long shots(ELS)
* Extreme close up(ECU)
* Medium close up(MCU)
* Close up(CU)
* Big close up(BCU)
* Medium shot(MS)
* Long shot(LS)

All these shots have an intended effect, for example a close up in the situation of an music video would intend on the viewer being able to connect with his/her audience and in the case of a thriller it would allow viewers to closely empathise with the scary situation that the actor is currently in. Using these kind of shots in different media genres have different effects(usually).

There are four ways in which a camera can be moved. These are panning, tracking, tilting and handheld.
For the production process of shooting a music video we did not have to follow all the stereotypical conventions of a filming a thriller trailer. For example with a thriller you are most likely to pan, which allows you to use the camera on the base whilst still moving left or right. This was used in the beginning of our thriller to establish the location setting(this the camera slowly revealed in the start of the thriller). Tracking is regularly used in the making of a music video. This because the camera base allows the camera to move side by side and constructively follow the action. The camera moved from a set of rails or on a dolly. This camera movement is definitely used in nearly every music video that has ever been created! Tilting! Tilting can be used for both genres, music video and thriller. We used this camera movement during AS and now in the A2 year. Our reasons for using this was basically for the same reason we used it last year, to showcase the sexual attraction seen through the physical of a woman. Although last year we showed the woman as an object(negative) this year we used the same technique but with the hope of showcasing a different after effect, this was to portray the woman as powerful and in control. Say yes to female empowerment! We ensured that our artist "Emine Parker" broke the conventions of societies steretypes. No Riri's, no Gaga's BUT... more of an artist that is stylish, sexy and at the same time respected remarkably for her outstanding musical talents like maybe Beyonce or so(you'd most probably not agree with me on this one for various reasons). One of the movements that we did use a lot and even only use was handheld camera movement. We used this so the action on camera was carefully and realistically filmed and to be able to show the events that were on camera from the performers point of view. This movement is occasionally used by programme makers who set out to make the viewer feel uneasy when they shake the camera when held, this also portrays distress. This was used last year in my thriller, however not in my music video this year as the performer this year is in a positive place.

In AS and now in A2 we ensured that the way in which we used the cameras positioning made an significant effect on the audience, and the way in which they perceived the communicated meaning. Familiar camera positions are eye level shots, low/high angle shots, point of view shots, shot composition and framing. Last year(AS) we used eye level shots which allowed the actress to use her eyes to create a sense of reality and to also tell a short/brief narrative through her eyes. For this to be done the camera was positioned at eye level. The same camera position was done for our music video and the same sort of effect was what we seeked; to create a sense of reality of the performer being somewhat 'normal'. High angle shots were used last year to portray the actress as vulnerable and a victim. High angle shots are regularly used to create a sense that the person on camera is being looked down upon. Low angle shots were used in our music video though, this to allow the performer to have a sense of power. Point of view shots were used both in he AS year and A2, we did this because in both genres we wanted the characters to have a visual voice of what they were seeing at their state to be seen also by the audience. The shot composition and framing used this year was basically to celebrate the London vibe and this we did with the different footage taken from our four locations. Last year we used the framing of a busy part in Liverpool street and a very claustrophobic alley way this conveyed the idea that the actress was under the influence of something as she swayed and turned when walking.

We were also aware of using a great deal of establishing shots in our music video and thriller trailer as our concepts for both genres had a great impact on the location used(especially for the music video). Wwe use the establishing shot for both genres at the opening of our footage and these were a long shot of the location to allow the audience to get a sense of understanding on the enviroment of the characters. Place conveys character. No cutaway shots were used this year in our music video however, we did use them in our thriller trailer. We had shots of our actress then cutaways of the people around her and their reaction to her "out of control" behaviour.

The camerawork for the thriller trailer and music video were quite contrasting, for the simple fact that in thrillers you able to use a range of dramatic camerwork to convey an reaction from the audience to what is being shown on screen. However though, with music videos your aim is quite different you either want to promote something(for example in the Black Eyed Pea's 'I got a feeling' they promoted Beats headphones) and the artist. This promotion gives the video a connection and bond between the artist and the audience.