- What is different about filming with a DSLR? (compared to last year)
- What are the three elements that combine to control exposure?
- How do I set up a Canon 600D in preparation for filming?
- How do I focus on a Canon 600D?
- How do I control selective focus on a Canon 600D?
- Which lens should I use? Why?
- How does the Cokin filter system work and when should I use it?
- Can I apply all this knowledge to shoot footage successfully?
Task
Classroom based tutorials, videos and workshops will help you to address questions 1-7 in the first part of the lesson. This should be a fairly straightforward session as most of the issues were addressed in the embedded videos you watched as out of hours learning!
To demonstrate your ability to apply this knowledge successfully (question 8) you have two weeks to complete a task that will help you to develop & demonstrate your skills using the new hardware & software. This week is devoted to the planning of the task and the shooting of all your footage. Next week will be devoted to the editing of your completed film in Final Cut Pro X. You will work in groups of 4.
The groups for this task only are;
Group A : Deanna, Dan S, Charlotte S & Cameron
Group B : Tina, Dan V, Robbie & Tilly
Group C : Lucy, Charlotte B, Jack & Tom
Groups will/may change for the rest of the course (Main & Ancillary Products). Your task is to...
Film a short documentary style sequence, lasting no longer than 1.30 mins, entitled Litter. You should include the following elements in your sequence ;
- An Establishing Shot.
- A Voice-over element
- Cutaway Shot(s)
- Talking Heads Interviews
- Actuality Footage (or reconstruction)
- Split Edits
- Natural lighting
- Use of text to anchor images
On location (diegetic) sound must be recorded separately using the On Location Recording Kits as the on-board mics on the DSLRs may pick up the sound of the camera lens motor as it focuses (and that's bad). We will import the separate sound files as connected clips during the editing phase (more on that next week).
- A non-diegetic soundtrack
During the planning phase, consider the following questions;
- What is your view/message that you want to promote? This will help construct your exposition.
- What B-roll footage do you need to shoot?
- Who are you going to interview? When?
- What questions are you going to ask the folks you interview?
Unlike a fiction film where the order and framing of each shot and the complete narrative is planned in advance, the structure, and often the narrative, of a documentary is defined in the editing phase (it's only the total duration that is decided beforehand). Therefore, it is not possible to construct a detailed storyboard of your film.
Watch this short sequence and this tutorial (from 3.02) to get an idea of some of the conventions you should follow.
Ready?...Stead?...Film!
RETURN TO THE ONLINE TARGET SETTING FORM AT THE END OF THE LESSON. DID YOU ACHIEVE WHAT YOU WANTED TO ACHIEVE TODAY?
Out of Hours Learning (Homework)
- Complete the shooting phase of your task in preparation for the editing phase next week.
- Review your progress and complete the Lesson Targets For Individuals document (in sidebar).
