Storyboarding

 Why are storyboards so important for planning your film?  How does the script relate to the storyboards?

    Storyboarding is important to planning your film because it helps visualize your film before you begin shooting so you can have an idea of the shots you want. It is harder to forget the shots you want to get if you have a visual representation of it on set. The script related to the storyboard because of the screen direction and scene description in the script already there to give you a guide of what to draw. You are drawing your storyboard based on your script. 

3-Act Structure

 In your own words, summarize each act of the three-act structure and explain what its role in the story is.

    The first act of a 3-act structure is the introduction into everything like; who, what, where, when, and why, that carries us into the second act. The second act adds more depth and grit that the first act didn't have. they introduce the external and internal conflicts that help build up into the crisis that takes us into the third act. The third act is essentially our checklist, you cover all the themes in the previous acts, wrap up the conclusion on if the goal was achieved or not, what happens in the end, and what happens to our protagonist and others to conclude everything. 

    

 What is a treatment?  What are three key points of advice this article gives on how to create an effective one?

    A treatment is a multipage document of the story of your script, it goes through the synopsis with more detailed elements such as action, dialogue, and it is also a step-by-step for the reader, writer, and producer. The length of your treatment should be around 10-12 pages, most don't include dialogue in their loglines which can preserve time and because dialogue will change throughout this process it's good to include some dialogue because it can show some emotion and some jokes to give insight to the vibe of the characters and such.

Synopsis VS Treatment

 In your own words, explain the differences between an outline, synopsis and a treatment.

    Outline is a breakdown of individual scenes in its most important parts, whereas synopsis is a 3 sentence breakdown of the entire film, a treatment is a short condensed essay of your script and story. In a way they are all summaries but they are all different lengths. They each focus on specific parts of the film or script to summarize. 

Raising Arizona Reflection

 How does Raising Arizona mix comedy with deeper themes like love and family, and how can you use this in your own films?

    Raising Arizona mixes comedy and deeper themes very well throughout this film, the use of comedy I really enjoyed because it was a very outlandish compared to the deeper themes that it contained. I think that doing a complete 180 of comedy to the deeper themes was used very well because they contrasted well with each other to a point where it felt like they weren't totally opposite. I could use this in my own films by trying to take two polar opposite themes and putting them together in one concise well meshed project. 

Pitching

 What are three major tips from this article that you took away on how to create a great pitch?

    Three major tips that stuck with me from this article were never try and tell your whole story, only focus on revealing essential elements of your story, and to answers the buyers questions succinctly. You should never tell your whole story when giving your pitch because you only have a small time slot to actually tell your story and the rest is discussing with your buyer. If you reveal your whole story to your buyer you waste time for yourself to be able to get into detail about the key elements of your story. You should focus on only telling the key parts of your story when pitching such as who is the hero and protagonist, how is the character at the beginning, why we should feel empathy, what opportunity is presented to the hero early on in the story, what is the visible motivation, and what is the conflict. You should focus on those main points to give your buyer the most important insight into your story. Lastly, you should answer your buyers questions succinctly, meaning to prep answers for some questions that could be asked and you should answer in no longer than ten seconds.

Pre-Production Intro

 What is pre-production?  What are the steps that a filmmaker must take to transfer an idea in their head into a form that is ready to be filmed on camera?

    Pre-production is the process of everything you must do before you start the actual process of filming your project. The steps for pre-production are: Script breakdown, budget, schedule, crew, planning, talent, and rehearsal.Script breakdown is when your project gets green lit to make and produce and your script is locked, you AD will comb through the script and break down everything you need on a technical level such as; location, time of day, props, characters, stunts, extras, etc. Once you finish breaking down the script they must go over budgeting because after you get down the logistics and technical aspect of your project you must go over how much everything will cost and how much you can spend on each part of this project. After sorting out budgeting you begin to start forming your schedule. The schedule will give you a more organized format on your shoot days and what scenes you will shoot on which days, where you will shoot them, and how long you will be shooting for. After forming your schedule you begin to assemble your crew and most importantly your department heads because once you get those guys they will be able to help you assemble the crew further. After assembling your crew you can begin planning, this consist of getting together your shot list, location scouting and getting permits for said locations, storyboarding, and figuring out props. After you get that together your producer will go over it all to ensure it aligns with the budget you had set in the beginning. After that you will begin to gather your talent AKA your actors, the casting director will hold auditions for the roles in your project and you will select who you want apart of it. Once all of that is completed you can begin rehearsals which will then lead you into the production process. 

    

Camera Unit Reflection

 Review your camera unit goals blog entry at the beginning of the unit.  What did you do to achieve those goals?  What did you learn in the Intro to Camera unit?  What are more questions you have about using a camcorder?

    Throughout the camera unit I managed to achieve the goals I had set for myself which were to: be more confident when operating a camera in manual, learn how to properly hold a camera steady when filming, and to be more well versed in all aspects of the camera. I learned many other things besides my goals this unit such as: balanced and unbalanced composition, golden mean and rule of thirds, fluid tripod set up, framing shots, and proper exposure and white balance for the lighting in your shot. More questions I would still have about operating the camera would probably be how to operate cameras with other lenses. 

Handheld Moving Shots

 What are the tips that John gives to give steady shots in this video?  How can you use this in your next video?

    When you are operating a camera with a camera strap you can put the strap on and extend the camera so that the strap is fully out and it gives you an anchor and a steady hold. You should walk heal to toe and roll your foot so it gives a smooth walk. Bend you knees to fix your center of gravity. Shoot wide so that small imperfections in your movement aren't noticeable. Follow 180 degree rule with your settings (shutter speed should be double your frame rate), and enable image stabilization. When going backwards stay on the balls of your feet. I can utilize these in my next video for when I am doing shots that require the camera to move. 

The Wheelchair Dolly

 What are three key tips that you found valuable from this video?

    When using a location and its a public location you must be very respectful and when leaving the location you must leave everything how it looked before you got their. If you are on a budget and time crunch you must accommodate to that such as being efficient with you shots such as hand holding them instead. Instead of having a dolly and wasting time to set up you can get a wheelchair and have someone pulling it around while the camera operator is on it filming. All of these saves time while being respectful of the space you are using. 

Dolly vs Zoom Shots

 What is the difference between zooming and dollying?  What do dollying and trucking add to the shot?

    Dollys are a way to draw the audience into the shot zooming is used in a different way and a different feel. Dolly adds to a shot by physically moving your subject along with the shot vs a zoom magnifying the shot. Zooms are a focusing tool you focus your shot in on the subject taking out all the surrounding environment. 

Camera Movement

Movement in film can be used in a variety of ways. What are some that you noticed are mentioned in this film? In what ways are they used? What are some films that you like that you could go home this weekend and study for their movement? What aspects of their camera movement interest you? Please explain. 

    They can be used in many ways in a psychological way they can be used to give the audience a different feeling with the way you are moving your camera. One use of movement is a dolly shot, moves the camera on a dolly without adjusting the zoom, you are physically moving the camera. A gib shot could bring the audience into a location of reveal a scene. A couple films I own that utilize camera movement to a great extent would be Vertigo, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The Shining. I am interested in the way they used camera movement to create tension and relationships and I want to study that.

Screen Direction

 What does the video narrator have to say about how characters should enter and exit the frame?  What happens if these rules are not followed?  How does this apply to diagonal movement in the frame?

    Characters should enter from left to right because when we read lines or sentences we read from left to right to its the best way for our brain to process the start of something. If the rules are not followed it will confuse the audience making them think the subject is switching their direction. 

Height of Camera

 What do low vs. high angles mean in relation to each other?

    Height determines how one interprets the scene and subject on screen. Shooting the subject from a low angle gives it power and makes the viewer feel intimidated by the subject looking down on them. When shooting from a high angle it makes the subject look weak and powerless and makes you look down at the subject in pity. 

Getting the shot right

 What are three key things that this video teaches you about composition? Why is each of them important to the images that you shoot?

    Key things to keep in mind when composing a shot is the height you place your camera. The way you place your camera determines on how your subject is viewed, if you are shooting from a low level angle you subject will look very powerful and strong if you're shooting from a high angle level your subject will look very weak and powerless, but the most neutral angle is the eye level angle. Each item is very important and integral to the way you frame your subject because each angle will give the audience a different emotion, so being intentional with the framing of your shots is a must because you want your audience to feel the feelings you want them to feel and not misinterpret it by the angles.