1. Question 6
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What’ve you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

2. Working with forms of technology
such as digital cameras, editing
software ect has taught me many
things about planning a film.
Firstly, that a film even as short as
two minutes of Angel Café takes a
lot of planning in order to work http://youtu.be/2VGanq-ReE0
and run correctly. However,
initially we didn’t plan enough and
therefore had to do a complete re-
film. This worked however I think
to our advantage, as it allowed us
not only to learn and correct our
mistakes, but to better the shots,
mise-en-scene ect.
http://youtu.be/_9mNW8IKVY8

3. From this I learnt that experience is an
important trait to have and helps when
planning a film, which is where the
preliminary task initially introduced us into
using the cameras, shot types, rules and
editing material. From filming our thriller I
learnt a lot about the key aspects of the genre
and the filming. Firstly, the digital camera
from filming the prelim task I learnt that using
a tripod enabled shooting to not only be a lot
easier, but also enables shots to look
professional and still. Also, with tracking shots
using a tripod makes it a lot easier, as when
filming hand held the camera shakes, making
the shots look amateur.
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4. Camera angles are also particularly
important to give effect/represent
characterisations. For example I learnt
how you film something/someone gives a
specific effect on the viewer. This can be
seen in the shots of Adrien for example,
he’s generally shot from a low angle in
order to connote him with power and
pose him as threatening. Whereas Darcie
was generally shot from a high angle to
make her look less powerful and small,
although there are subtle hints such as
the low angle shot of her stealing out of
the till suggesting power.
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5. Shot types are also important, as they can
reference other films. Such as the low angle tilt
shot we used through the café window
referencing The Third man. When considering
shot types it is also important not to break the
180 degree rule. The 180 degree rule is a
guideline that states two characters in the same
scene should have the same left/right
relationship and if the camera passes over the
imaginary line it breaks the rule. This includes
shot reverse shot, a technique we used to build
suspence between the two characters. I also
learnt about the rule of thirds, where the shot
is divided into 3 imaginary sectors. Lastly,
vanishing points which are a common trait of
thrillers, shown frequently during the opening
of Essex boys.
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6. I’ve learnt a lot about editing through Angel
Cake. I learnt how to cut clips and rearrange
them into different orders, and create shot
reverse shot between two characters. I also
learnt a lot about narrative structure, the
opening scene of Angel Cake being a
flashback, filmed in black and white similarly
to Kill Bill 1. I also learnt a lot about different
effects. I found that cross dissolving was a
good way to end a scene but to link two
characters together as one shot fades onto
the next. Also, fade to black is a good way to
end a shot and show that a small amount of
time has passed, and can also be quite
dramatic, especially when used in the ending
to the opening scene of Angel Cake.
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7. I got the soundtrack to Angel Cake from freesound. I got two
sound tracks one a piano and one being a synth. I uploaded it
onto the audio line of the edit bar. I began initially just with
the piano as its light, keeping some of the diabetic sound
such as the water pouring, door banging and when Adrien
bangs the spoon and coffee mug as they are subtle signs of
his personality. The synth comes in later, as its quite heavy
and raises the suspence and fear.
Lastly are the titles. My first titles introduce the Film
Company and Production Company. It then goes onto
announce the casting for the two main characters featured in
the opening scene. The titles fade in and out alongside the
shots, by adding the same effect to the titles as the shot.
Overall, I’ve learnt a significant amount about all of the above
elements of filming, which have helped and enabled me to
plan, film and edit Angel Café.
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