Camera angles and production stages

We learnt about different camera angles such as Extreme close ups, Medium long shots and Two shots. Once we had learnt all about how camera angles can build tension and give different effects for example in ‘The Birds’ By Albert Hitchcock they use a low camera angle whilst running to create a fast paced scene. One of my favorite scenes is from Albert Hitchcock's 'Psycho'. Here is the scene:

I like this scene as the camera angles build great tension with the zoom out of the eye showing that the danger is over. The sound is also very important as the non-diagetic sound of the shower shows the normallism of the setting, then the sudden change to the loud dramatic music builds tension and then ends it with the return to the non-diagetic sound.

I hope to use some of the camera angles from this in my future tasks.

We were then set the task of coming up with an 8 box storyboard idea for the opening of a thriller. This was to get us used to adding camera angles in storyboards and building tension in thrillers by using typical features such as unseen killers and quick, fast paced shots.

To learn about Pre-Production, Production and Post Production we watched a programme on how they made a James Bond film. Pre-production includes:

• Script Writing
• Location Finding
• Drawing up the script into comic strips
• Camera Angles must be found
• The building of cars/gadgets
• And the safety team works out and dangers and makes safety checks

During Production:

• The director shouts out the camera speeds so that the cameras can be controlled
• There are normally 4 cameras, 2 operating and the 3^rd can be switched to quickly if needed.
• The director makes sure that all filming and all jobs are being done correctly
• The use of green/blue screens are used
• Costumes/props are given out
• And stunts are filmed

Post Production includes:

• Choosing the clips that they want to use out of hours of filming
• Loads of the shots are thrown away
• The clips are cut and edited using the storylines and imagination (this is decided by the editor)
• Shots are edited using effects such as the elastic band (when a wide shot is sped up and slows down when going into a close up)
• Marketing is organised, such as merchandise, DVD’s and advertisements
• And the sound is added to the clips to create tension and excitement