Exercises
[ 23/04/25- 28/05/25] (Week1- Week6)
[ Ng Jia Xuan / 0375273 ]
[Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media]
[ Video & Sound Production ]
[ Exercises ]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Instructions
- Lectures
- Exercise
- Feedback
1. INSTRUCTIONS
WEEK 1 (23/04/2025)
SHOT SIZE:
1. Extreme Long Shot (ELS)/Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Credit: https://bit.ly/3UgVmAq
-Making the subject feel: Distant/unfamiliar, overwhelmed.
-Use to emphasize location or isolation.
2. Long Shot (LS)/Wide Shot (WS)
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| Credit: https://bit.ly/3UgVmAq |
-Same energy with ELS but closer.
-Your subject whole body will be in view but not filling the shot.
-Allow us to see the background, giving more context for the audience
3. Full Shot (FS)
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-Letting your subject fill the frame while keeping emphasis on scenery
-Allow us shot multiple characters in a single shot
4. Medium Wide Shot (MWS)
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-Shot above the knees
5. Cowboy Shot (CS)
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-Shot above the mid-thighs
6. Medium Shot (MS)
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-Shot above the waist and through the torso
-Emphasize the subject while keeping their surroundings visible
-Often used as a buffer shot for dialogue scenes
7. Medium Close Up Shot (MCU)
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-Shot above the chest
-Favors the face but still keeps a distance with the subject
8. Close Up (CU)
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-Use to reveal subject's emotion & reactions
-Perfect for important moments
*We can catch up the tiny emotion but not so close that we lose visibility
9. Extreme Close Up (ECU)
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-Great to capture small detail that are the focal point
-Often shows eyes, mouth and gun trigger
10. Establishing Shots
-Appears at the beginning of the film (as a opener)
*Show location (In my understanding is 'giving context')
*Tips to shot establishing shots:
1. Envision your shot: Think before shooting
2. Plan your shot: Do a research
3. Be efficient: Don't overdo
*Different shots can convey different message/information
(Use various shots/create shot size contrast to let the audience know the film better!)
FRAMING:
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| Reference Credit: https://pin.it/4WIByS3eI Drawn by me |
1. Single Shot
-A shot that captures one subject
*Dirty single shot: Technically it has more than one person in the frame, but the character in the foreground isn't featured.
2. Two Shot
-A shot that captures two characters
*Useful for allowing performances to play out in a single take, especially comedy.
3. Three Shot
-A shot that captures three characters
* Useful in adventures films, because it drain a lot of time to shoot three single shot just to show every character.
4. Over The Shoulder Shot (OTS)
-Dirty single shot: Show your subject from behind the shoulder of another character.
-Common in conversation scene
-Provide orientation
-Connect characters on an emotional level
5. Over The Hip Shot (OTH)
-Similar to OTS but the position is at a character's hip
6. Point of View Shot (POV)
-A shot that show the POV of your character, showing the viewer exactly what the character sees
*A point of view shot (POV) is generally sandwiched between two other shots, a technique called shot reverse shot:
1. A camera shot of a character looking at something
2. Cut to your (POV) point of view camera shot
3. A camera shot showing the character's reaction
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| Credit: https://pin.it/iQMLQUlTv |
1. Eye Level Shot
-When your subject is at eye-level they’re in a neutral perspective (not superior or inferior)
(Mimics how we see people in real life, our eye line connecting with theirs)
2. Low Angle Shot
-Frames the subject from a low camera height looking up at them.
-A superior character with the upper hand is often framed from down low.
(Makes an inferior feel like they are looking up to them)
3. High Angle Shot
-Camera points down at your subject.
(Create a feeling of "looking down" on your subject)
4. Hip Level Shot
-When your camera is roughly waist high.
5. Knee Level Shot
-When your camera is as low as your subject's s knees.
6. Ground Level Shot
-When your camera's height is on the ground level with your subject.
7. Shoulder Level Shot
-When your camera is roughly shoulder high.
*More standard than eye level shot.
8. Dutch Angle/Dutch Tilt Shot
-The camera is slanted to one side.
- Create a sense of disorientation.
9. Bird's Eye View Shot/Overhead Shot
-An overhead shot is from way up high, looking down on your subject.
-Create great sense of scale & movement.
10. Aerial Shot
-A shot that is really high.
-Establishes a large expanse of scenery.
*Taken by drones or helicopter.
COMPOSITION:
1. The Rule of Thirds
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
-Keep the image on the intersecting lines
2. Balance & Symmetry
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
3. Leading Lines
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
-Is an actual lines or sometimes imaginary ones, that lead the eye to key elements in the scene
4. Eye Level Framing
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
-Positions the audience at eye level with the characters
(Giving an idea that we are equal with them)
5. Depth of Field
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
*Rack Focus:
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source Drawn by me |
*Bokeh:
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source |
-Everything (In the background) except the subject/character is blurry
6. Deep Space Composition & Deep Focus
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| Credit: CLICK me to image source Notes drawn by me |
WEEK 1 QUIZ:
WEEK 2 (30/04/2025)
THREE ACT STRUCTURE :
1. Act I: Setup
-Introduction of the characters, story world & "inciting incident"
2. Act II: Confrontation or Build
- Raise the stakes
-Main chunk of the story
3. Act III: Resolution or Payoff
-Bring some kind of catharsis or resolution
THREE ACT STRUCTURE BREAKDOWN :
As most films follow this structure, the story beats they hit are nearly identical.
K.M. Weiland synthesized those recurring story beats into a three act structure that is subdivided into 8 sections:
K.M. Weiland synthesized those recurring story beats into a three act structure that is subdivided into 8 sections:
1. The Hook:
Opening, the goal is to captivate the audience
2. The Inciting Event
3. First Plot Point:
There is no way to go back/return, after the characters cross this barrier
4. The First Pinch Point:
First obstacle, albiet minor & involves the antagonist
5. The Midpoint:
Redirects the plot, the character thinks they have figured out something when they are in a hard situation
6. Second Pinch Point:
Letting the audience guess & wonder how will the protagonist get out of the hard situation
7. Third Plot Point:
It segeues the audience into the highest stakes of the story
8. Climax:
Basically the final (battle, kiss)
9. Resolution:
A moment to catch our breath & see how the journey has permanently affected the characters
WEEK 2 QUIZ:
3-ACT STRUCTURE EXERCISE:
1. Lalin
Based on this movie,
1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.
Act 1:
Lalin is an internet idol. She regularly uploads photos of herself and shares her life in Japan with her fans. However, behind the phone, Lalin is actually a girl with low self confidence due to the acne on her face. In the past, she was bullied because of her acne. Eventually, she flew to Japan, a place where no one knew her to start a new life as an internet idol.
Act 2:
As time goes by, Lalin gains more followers, more likes, and also more hate comments. One day, a man named Astronaut Nut contacts Lalin, seeking help to translate a book he is working on. Eventually, they grow closer each day, texting and talking on the phone regularly. Later, Nut comes to Japan and asks Lalin out, but she rejects him because she is afraid he will hate her due to her acne and the difference between her real appearance and the one she presents on social media.
Act 3:
After Nut left, Lalin read the book he had left behind and realized he was one of her classmates. He already knew her true self. After this realization, Lalin ran out of the restaurant and rushed to the train station to stop Nut from leaving. However, by the time she arrived, Nut had already left. But now, she understands that love isn’t based on appearance and that self-love is important.
2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?
Lalin reveals her real self to the audience. She is not the "pretty Instagram idol" she appears to be, and she uses beauty apps to hide her acne that is her insecurities.
3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
Nut came to Japan to meet Lalin. Lalin faced the dilemma of whether she should reveal her true self, fearing that Nut might not accept her.
4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?
After shutting Nut down and Nut has left, Lalin read the book Nut wanted to publish and discovered that he had known her true self all along. After this realization, Lalin ran to the train station to stop Nut from leaving.
5. What is the theme of the movie?
There is always a "beauty standard" in our society, and it's becoming more extreme nowadays due to social media. Everyone is imperfect, so don't hate yourself because of insecurities or imperfections. Love is definitely not based on appearance, but on personality, the connection between people, and acceptance. Self love is important, everyone is worthy of being loved by themselves and by others.
2. Everything, everywhere. all at once
Based on this movie,
1. Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.
Act 1:
Evelyn Wang is a middle aged woman who owns a laundromat. Her life is filled with chaos and overwhelming problems: a crumbling marriage, a typical overbearing Asian father who pressures her, and a strained relationship with her daughter. To make matters worse, the IRS begins auditing her business. During a visit to the IRS office, something strange happens, her husband is suddenly possessed by Alpha Waymond, a version of him from another universe. He tells her that she is the only one who can save the multiverse, which is being threatened by Jobu Tupaki.
Act 2:
Evelyn learns to "verse-jump," a way to travel between different universes and use the skills of her other selves. She visits strange worlds like the hot dog finger universe and the rock universe. Along the way, she finds out that the villain, Jobu Tupaki, is actually another version of her daughter Joy. In one universe, Joy was pushed too hard by Alpha Evelyn, which caused her to break down and become Jobu. Jobu created the "Everything Bagel," a symbol of feeling like nothing matters. As Evelyn travels more, she starts to feel overwhelmed and begins to think the same way. She starts to lose herself and hurting everyone in every multiverse. But with Waymond’s kindness and belief in love and empathy, Evelyn realizes that caring for others is what gives life meaning.
Act 3:
With a new mindset, Evelyn begins to use her powers to heal and help others across the multiverse, including Joy. Instead of resorting to violence, Evelyn uses love and understanding to reach Joy. Even if the world feels like it's falling apart, she promises to always be there for Joy. After all the chaos, things start to improve, including her relationship with her family.
2. What is the inciting incident in the movie?
During the visit to the IRS office, Waymond gets possessed by Alpha Waymond and tells Evelyn that she is the only one who can save the multiverse from Jobu Tupaki.
3. What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
After constantly traveling, Evelyn becomes overwhelmed and starts losing herself, becoming like Jobu Tupaki.
4. What is the Climax scene in the movie?
After gaining a new mindset, Evelyn uses empathy to heal her enemies across the multiverse instead of fighting, including Joy. She reaches out to Joy with love and promises she will always be by her side, no matter what.
5. What is the theme of the movie?
Every choice has its own reasons; there is no such thing as the "perfect choice," and love is a powerful weapon. Love provides the assurance and emotional support we need in this chaotic life.
WEEK 3 (05/05/2025)
ABOUT STORYBOARD:
What is storyboard?
-A visual representation of a film sequence and breaks down the action into individual panels.
-A series of ordered drawing with camera direction, dialogue or other details.
Format & layout:
Traditional storyboards: Basic sketches that included detailed information
Thumbnail style storyboards: With no writing at all
How directors approach boards?
It depends on the director, some make it for every scene while others only use them for complicated sequences
How to make storyboard?
1. Identify key scenes in the script
2. Map out the key scenes
3. Add images or sketches
*Idea landscaping
4. Describe what happens in each frame
*Including composition & framing, transitions, character blocking, emotion & expression, annotations and dynamic action
5. Share it with your team
*Share feedback with them
WEEK 3 QUIZ:
WEEK 4 (12/05/2025)
STAGES OF FILM PRODUCTION:
Five stages:
1. Development:
-The head, when a producer/screenwriter has an idea about making a movie
*Need to think about the package & financing
2. Pre-production:
-All the necessary preparation before filming starts
*To do list: Outline a budget, getting the team together, pre-visualizing
3. Production:
-Start filming!
*Things needed: Call sheet, Set up
4. Post-production:
-Editing starts!
*Including: Picture, Sound editing, Additional Visuals (eg: CGI, color correct)
5. Distribution:
-Letting the audience know this movie exist
*Marketing job starts!
PRODUCTION CREWS:
1. Producer: Responsible for managing the production from start to finish
*Finalized script, arranges the financing, manages the production team. etc
2. Director: Responsible for overseeing the shooting & assembly the film
a) 1st Assistant Director : Has many responsibilities both in production & pre-production
(eg:Create shooting schedule, keep things on schedule)
b) 2nd Assistant Director: Makes daily call sheets & take care the talent
c) 2nd 2nd Assistant Director
3. Screenwriter: Shapes the sequence of events in a film
4. Production Designer: Create storyboards that serve as the film's first draft
5. Art Director
6. Cinematographer: Responsible for capturing the script on film
a) Camera team:
>1st Assistant Camera: Responsible for controlling the focus of a shot
>2nd Assistant Camera: Responsible for tracking & maintaining camera gear & accessories
>Camera Operator
b) Grip & electric department:
>Gaffer: Head of lighting
>Key Grip: The head of Grip
>Best Boy: Assistant to either Gaffer (electric equipment) or Key Grip (Lighting arrangements & maintaining inventory)
>Grip: Set up equipment
*Dolly Grip
>Electrician
c) Lighting department:
>Generator Operator
-Film Loader
-Cast
-Casting Director
-Intimacy Coordinator
-Director
-Set PA: Production assistant
-Hair and Makeup department:
>Makeup artist
>Costume Designer
>Hair Stylist
>SPFX Makeup Designer
>Prosthetics Designer
-Sound Team:
>Boom Operator: Capture clean audio with boom microphone
>Sound Assistant
>Sound Mixer
-Choreographer
Stunt Team:
>Stunt Coordinator
>Stunt Performer
-Special Effects Coordinator
-VFX Supervisor
-VFX Coordinator
-Location Scout
-Craft Services
And much much more.......
Lectures provide by sir: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-crew-positions/
WEEK 5 (19/05/2025)
MISE EN SCÈNE
-Visuals of a film
-Including: Set, Props, Lighting, Costumes, Actor blocking and shot composition
What is important?
1. Location choosing:
-The environment says a lot about the theme
2. Color palette
-Colors affect the mood
3. Setting for your world
-It establish your world
4. Props
-Item that will interact with the actor can be a very important element in the film
eg: Heart of the Ocean diamond in Titanic
5. Costumes, Hair & Makeup
-The clothing and makeup says a lot about the world and is essential to create a character
eg: Alice in Wonderland
6. Lighting
-It sets the tone & mood
7. The choice of camera
8. Camera placement, Composition & Framing
-It affect how the audience perceives information (Learn a lot from previous lecture)
9. Frame rate (Control the speed of the film)
-Control the tempo of your world
10. Sound design & Music
-Set the tone and vibe plus it's a way to communicate with the audience
11. Actors
-Suitable actors is essential, his/her overall performance will affect the whole film
-Every movements has it's own motivation
-Background action create context
12. Post-production
WEEK 5 QUIZ:
WEEK 6 (26/05/2025)
COLOR IN FILM
COLOR IN FILM
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| Credit: https://vimeo.com/blog/post/color-grading-vs-color-correction-explained |
Color Correction:
-Process of correcting colors in a video or film as a way to get them back to what they should look like for my project.
-FIVE step for color correcting:
1. Normalize the footage as much as possible
2. Fix the saturation
3. Fix the brightness & contrast
4. Set a new white balance
5. Double check the skin tones
*The relationship between saturation & brightness are the elements we should consider more.
Color Grading:
-Process of grading colors in a video or film to give them a stylistic look and convey visual tone or mood to heighten the narrative.
-FIVE step for color grading:
1. Normalize the folate as much as possible
2. Follow the steps to correct the colors
3. Choose my desired look & style
4. Make the color adjustments in my editing program of choice
5. Double check skin tones & vector scope
*Should be done after the video or film have been normalized
WEEK 6 QUIZ:
3. EXERCISE
WEEK 1
Notes in class:
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| Fig 3.1.1: Notes drawn by me |
-Press arrow up & down=Jump up & down at the editing point
MINT EDITING:
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| Fig 3.1.2: Download the footage |
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| Fig 3.1.3: Start editing in Premium Pro |
In this task, we are required to connect the footage according to the numbers on the video list provided by Sir.
THE FINAL OUTCOME:
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/vvkYtoLysvk
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| Fig 3.1.4: Download the footage |
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| Fig 3.1.5: Start editing in Premium Pro |
THE FINAL OUTCOME:
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/eJCpW2Cmp6A
he Mint editing was quite simple, I just followed what Sir did, and that was it! But for the Doritos editing, I had a hard time finding the right footage since everything was messy and out of order.
WEEK 2
SHOOTING EXERCISE 1:
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| Fig 3.2.1: The shot that we have to film |
We are required to film these shot at school (each videos is 5 second), and use Premium Pro to edit and put subtitles in it.
After watching the tutorial, I start to edit my video.
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| Fig 3.2.2: After importing my videos, I change the workspaces to Graphic |
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| Fig 3.2.3: Switch on the safe margins as a guide when editing |
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| Fig 3.2.4: Putting the text in the video |
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| Fig 3.2.5: Last, I adjusted the audio that I put in earlier and export the video |
*Source of the audio: Married Life from UP
For this task, it's basically the same as the 'Mints' exercise, but this time we have to arrange the footage ourselves. The numbers on the video list are incorrect.
REFLECTION:
Shooting is a new experience for me, as I’ve never participated in any shooting clubs in the past 20 years!
The most memorable part of the editing process was choosing the caption color. I had to consider the visibility of the captions. Some layouts looked great, but I needed to figure out how to prevent my captions from blending into the background.
The most memorable part of the editing process was choosing the caption color. I had to consider the visibility of the captions. Some layouts looked great, but I needed to figure out how to prevent my captions from blending into the background.
WEEK 3
SHOOTING EXERCISE 2:
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It is similar to exercise 1, we are required to film these shot at school (each videos is 5 second), and use Premium Pro to edit and put subtitles in it.
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THE FINAL OUTCOME:
REFLECTION:
It's similar to the previous task, but this time I am more familiar with the shooting. Personally I really like over the shoulder shot, I think it is a interesting shooting angle.
WEEK 5
STORYBOARD PRACTICE:
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| Fig 3.5.1: Script provided by sir |
Today, we are required to make a storyboard according to this script provided by sir.
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REFLECTION:
I have drawn some storyboard before, but it is not official and not formal at all. For this practice I get to learn how to make a formal and completed storyboard! For example writing down the shot list, sound effect and props in the board.
TEAM SHOOTING PRACTICE:
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| Fig 3.5.3: Script provided by sir |
In this practice we are required to work with our shooting team and shoot this practice in class.
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| Fig 3.5.4: BTS photos |
Here are some behind the scene photo from our practice shoot.
REFLECTION:
This so new for me!! I have never participated in a group shooting before. In this shooting I get to learn how to use the light equipment, how to coordinate with the shooting team, the sound team etc. It is fun as we need to analyze the light source, plan the shooting angle and discuss the props that we need. Overall it is a fun experience for me and I am excited for the official shooting next week.
WEEK 9
AFTER EFFECT EXERCISE:
Cut: Command+Shift+D
Snap: Press Shift
In this task, we are required to make a short special effect video. After downloading the footage provided by sir, we started to edit it in After Effect.
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| Fig 3.9.1: Using keylight tools to remove the background |
After removing the background, a clean footage of the flicking hands is made and put on the left side of the screen.
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| Fig 3.9.2: Adjust the size (from near to far) |
The girl is supposed to fly due to the flicking hand, so we have to adjust the size from near (big) to far (small).
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| Fig 3.9.3: Using easy ease to make it smoother |
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| Fig 3.9.4: Color Correction |
THE FINAL OUTCOME:
REFLECTION:
It's my first attempt at making a special effect. Even though it is short, it still takes some time for me to learn it as it is new for me.
WEEK 2
-For this module, be able to visualize a storyboard is the most important objective, not filming
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