DSLR Camera Focus Tips (Tutorial)

I went online to get a small amount of help with camera focuses. This knowledge will help me throughout filming my main task, and my preliminary, I want to get the highest grade possible, and create a well filmed movie opening, and learning how to correctly focus a camera in different ways will help me to achieve this.

Final Cut Express Tutorial

I went on youtube to look up a few tutorials, as I have been struggling with final cut express. It's my first time using the software, and this tutorial helped with the bare necessities of the programme, including things like cutting clips, editing volume, and generally manipulating clips along the timeline.

Audience research

I had two people from my class that fit my target audience, sit and watch the opening to the film Zoolander. I recorded their reactions, and asked them a few questions  about what they watched. In a later post, i will analyse what they said and use it to better suit my main task for my target audience.

Textual analysis (Austin Powers)

I have chosen to use this clip for my textual analysis as it is very unique in terms of comedy movie openings. It is done in the style of a music video, and uses the iconic Austin Powers music that comes to be known by millions.

We get very little information about the narrative of the film, except that it is based around Mike Myers' character Austin Powers. The small details given about this character are subtle, but are picked up by most members of the audience through different techniques used by the director. The comedy factors of the opening are based on the hope that the audience understands and appreciates the use of British stereotypes throughout the scene, as the introduction of the character relies heavily on this theme. The character is represented as somewhat of a gimmick or joke with the use of ridiculously overdone British stereotypes giving the audience an instant idea of what type of film its going to be. This is reinforced with the different shots throughout the scene such as the character being chased through the streets by dozens of women and his general presence throughout the scene saying things like "oh  behave" and doing dance moves in the street.

Unlike lots of other films, this opening scene doesn't actually effect any of the narrative in the slightest. It is mostly just a fun video for the audience to enjoy, and to fill up the parts of the film that displays names and production companies.

In terms of shot types, Mike Myers' character is always the focus of the shot, making him seem important and instantly centers the story around him. There are lots of long - mid shots in order to show the general surroundings of the character, and the occasional close up mostly used for comedic effect such as when he says "oh behave!". There are no POV or over the shoulder shots throughout the entire opening sequence, which suggests the director wants the audience to feel like a bystander watching the scenario from a back seat. This links to the film being somewhat of a gimmick or parody, as the director doesn't try to create any form of empathy in the scene.

The editing is purposely tacky and overdone throughout the scene with lots of freeze frames used for comedic purposes. This further emphasises the pointless yet humorous aspects of the clip. The cuts from shot to shot are done very well throughout the scene though, as they (as well as the mise en scene) coincide with the music used.

Researching camera shots

I have researched a bunch of different camera shots, and found out how and why they are used. I have also mentioned how each shot can help me with shooting my preliminary task, and my main task. I will attempt to incorporate a lot of these shots in my task so i can achieve different effects used by professional directors.

Barthes' Theory research

I have researched a text used in a past examination and applied Barthes' different theory points to it. I have done this because i would like to evaluate, and allow for in depth evaluation by including Barthes' codes within my film. This will help, as i can look how a professional media company intentionally or unintentionally applies these theories.

Character profile #2 (preliminary planning)