Coursework: Preliminary exercise

The first aspect of your GCSE Media Studies coursework is a preliminary exercise that introduces the basics of narrative filmmaking.

This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know the basics of planning, filming and editing. You may even film a scene that you can end up using in your coursework in September.

Preliminary exercise: continuity task

Your preliminary exercise involves filming and editing a character walking down a corridor, going through a door, making (or answering) a phone call and having a short conversation that clearly demonstrates to the audience that this is a Science Fiction TV drama.

This task should demonstrate match-on-action, a vital aspect of continuity editing, and a variety of camera shots and movement.

Time allowed: three weeks

Key skills

Watch this great introduction to filmmaking - it covers the basics of the creative process:



Match-on-action

Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot showing the same action of the subject in the first shot.

This creates the impression of continuity - the action creates a 'visual bridge' which is easy for the audience to follow.

Look at this YouTube clip for match on action - the cuts you want to look at in particular are at 2 seconds, then again at 18 seconds:





Preliminary exercise: Science fiction continuity task

Task: Create a scene in which a character walks down a corridor, goes through a door,answers a phone call and has a short conversation.



Length: approximately one minute

Equipment: Smart phone or a school Canon Legria (limited numbers available). Note: you will need to bring in the cable to capture the videos from your phone.

Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can act in the film or operate equipment (e.g. camera, sound) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. You may want to get into groups of two or three to help each other complete this task.

What your film needs to include

Content: Your scene must include match-on-action editing and a conversation that clearly demonstrates to the audience that this is a TV drama in the Science Fiction genre.

Camerawork: You must include at least one long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot. You also must include both fixed camera shots and camera movement (e.g. handheld, tracking, pan etc.)

Editing: You must include match-on-action continuity editing.

Sound: You must include dialogue (phone conversation) and music to help establish genre. You can also include a voiceover if you wish. 

Deadlines

Planning and filming: Next week's lessons 

Editing and final deadline: Week of Monday 2 July 


Initial tasks: planning

Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:

Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.

Example statement of intent [102 words]: 

I plan to make a short Science Fiction television scene set in a school. I will use a variety of camera shots including close-ups, long shots, medium shots and one extreme close-up. I will also use a high angle shot to show that my character is in danger.

I will attempt to subvert the representation of young people in my TV scene. Usually, young people are shown to be anti-social, rude and likely to cause trouble. Instead, I will make my character a responsible hero who puts their own life on the line to save others from the threat of the alien invasion. 

Script: Stage directions and dialogue for phone conversation (and voiceover if required). To see how a TV script is presented, and to look at professional examples, check out the BBC Writers' Room and click on Script Library.

Casting: Who will be in your film.

Location: Where in school you will film (OR where you will film off-site if you wish to do this for homework). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons and your filming location must not disturb any other teachers in the school.

Shot list: Every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far more shots than you will actually use in the final version - plan extra close-ups, long shots, unusual angles and more. You can find an example shot list here. 

Extension - Storyboard: Draw a 5-frame storyboard mapping out your key shots.

Your planning needs to be completed by next week. Good luck!