1. AS Media Studies
Foundation Portfolio
PRELIMINARY TASK
• PHOTO STORY ASSIGNMENT (INDIVIDUAL TASK)
• VIDEO CONTINUITY ASSIGNMENT (GROUP TASK)
Mima Micic
2. Introduction
Minor task for my AS media studies coursework is to carry out two visual assignments in
order to master desired and necessary skills and techniques to successfully complete
film opening sequence coursework component.
Photo story assignment: Creating a photo story titled “meeting”. This is an
individual task which involves creating a narrative using a photo story format.
In this task I will need to demonstrate my understanding and ability to take set
of pictures that follow framing standards which are used in moving image
industry.
Video continuity assignment: In this group assignment the main aim is to
learn about technical elements when composing narrative structure. We need
to demonstrate our ability to use video camera and later on video editing
program in this sequence.
3. Photo story assignment
Establishing shot-ELS MS Over the shoulder-LS 2MS
High angle-
LS
2LS CU MCU
MCU Over the shoulder-MS Low angle shot-MLS 2CU
4. CONTINUITY TASK
Main focus of the video assignment is to produce a sequence that will show
my understanding and knowledge of the following three media techniques:
THE 180 DEGREE RULE: a basic guideline that states that two characters
in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to
each other
SHOT/REVERSE SHOT: when a character is shown looking at the second
character, and the second character is looking back at the first one
MATCH ON ACTION: when an action that started in one shot is continued
into another scene
5. THE 180 DEGREE RULE
During the filming of two elements, the camera must stay within a 180
degree field and not across the axis of action which refers to an imaginary
line that cuts through the middle of the scene, from left to right side of the
frame, with respect to the camera
The natural view of the subject is reversed if the camera crosses the axis of
action, so confusion and disorientation can be caused from the side of the
audience
The effect of it is that the audience feels included in the conversation by
using various shots of a quick pace to capture the facial expressions of the
characters
6. SHOT/REVERSE SHOT
This is an important technique when it comes to filming dialogues. The
process uses the 180 degree rule, eye line match and rule of change
among others
The essential components consist of a three camera setup
The basic shots required to fulfil this technique are a two shot of the
characters (wide or medium shot), over the shoulder shot on character A
and over the shoulder shot on character B
It is used to involve the audience into the dialogue due to them not being
able to notice the cuts
7. MATCHED ON ACTION
This editing technique includes cutting from one shot to another, portraying
the actions of the character from the first shot
It results in a visual bridge, so the action flows and no pauses that would
make the scene seem unnatural in terms of reality and validity are made
8. Preliminary task
Video assignment:
Meeting
Blind date
• Only 2 characters
needed
• No props needed
Job interview
• To formal
• Adults needed
Robbing a bank
• Location problem
• Adults needed
Late for exam
• Already seen
• Large number of
supporting
characters and
props
Meeting a friend
• Only 2 characters
needed
• No props needed
Meeting your
boyfriend side chick
• Only 2-3 characters
needed
• interesting
Meeting the Devil
• Lack of effects
• intriguing
Meeting a celebrity
• No props needed
• Only two characters
Meeting a ghost
• Lack of effects
• Intriguing
Meeting a voodoo witch
• Interesting
• Only 2 characters needed
9. Working title: Trick the Devil
One day, a socially and emotionally troubled girl decided to make a deal
with the Devil. In order to achieve her goal she decides to trade her soul for
the ability to persuade anyone into anything. She came to the Devil and
proposed her deal, and he accepted it. With new found ability the girl
attempts to trick and submit him under her will.
10. Devil: Evan Peters The girl: Madelaine Petsch
The lead character isn’t going to be
portrayed as a stereotypical devil.
Going against the grain, he will be
presented as a young teenage boy with
messy hair and dreamy eyes, making
every girl attracted to him. His looks
and charm make it easier to lure his
victims and steal human souls.
The girl is a stereotypical portrayal of a
innocent, gullible, fragile girl. Her skin is
pale and overall naïve appearance.
However, her red hair contrasts that
innocence. Through history, red heads
were burned since people believed they
were witches. It gives our character
toughness and cunningness it takes to
outsmart the devil.
23. Location filming
While editing, we’ve
experienced problems with
inserting the movie title we
made previously on
photoshop, so we had to
use the pre-made ones in
the program.
24. We also had issues with the camera focus,
since automatic focus was not working and it
was hard to get it focused well manually,
considering the light outside was bright and
backgrounds were diverse. This mistake was
especially seen in close-ups.
25. Some scenes, when the camera
is panning, are a bit shaky. This
was due lack of equipment and
inexperience. This could be fixed
by certain transitions or retaking
the panning shots and trying to
get the camera to move as
smoothly as possible.
26. In most scenes, the dialogue was
improvised since there wasn’t
enough time for the actors to
actually learn their script. If we were
to redo this, we would find available
students with a bit more free time on
their hands that are willing to learn
everything properly. We would also
provide them with the final script
earlier.
27. There’s a specific shot in
which the sound is muffled.
This is due the lack of
individual mics attached to the
actors.
28. All acting mistakes are due
the students not being
professionals and not having
enough time to rehearse.
29. Editing For preliminary task both
of us have decided to use
‘Pinnacle 15 studio’ video
editing program. This
program is considered
semi professional and it is
user friendly. Main editing
problem that we have
encountered is not being
able to insert Photoshop
created captions. Instead,
we had to use program
predesigned text. Credits
creator. As the focus was
on camera work and
editing. Used credits were
basic and simple.
