Category: 11th Grade

Cinematic Camera Angles & Movement

Cinematography is the art and science of capturing images in the form of light with a camera. The cinematographer has the task of figuring out where to place the camera in relation to the action, and determines the movement (if any) of the camera. These choices elicit different responses from the viewer.

In this exercise, students will tell a story through a video with no dialog. Use each of the following shots to support the following emotions in your story: detachment, intimacy, tension, conflict, curiosity, urgency, superiority, and inferiority.

-Establishing Shot: Extreme Long shot

-Long Shot

-Medium Shot

-Close Up

-Extreme Close up (Generally okay to cut off the top of the head — never the chin!)

-High Angle (Bird’s Eye)

-Low Angle (Worm’s Eye)

-OTS (Over the Shoulder)

-POV (Point of View)

-Zoom

-Pan

-Tilt

-Tracking Shots (leading, following and lateral)

-Rack Focus

-Dutch Angle (tilted horizon)

-Silhouette

 

Mosaic Project


Find a location where a lot of activity is taking place. With a partner, shoot 9 minutes of video with the camera locked off on a tripod and all settings set to manual. Import into FCP and cut the clip into 9 minute long sub-clips. Crop each sub-clip so that a unique 1/3 by 1/3 tile is remaining. Stack the clips and edit to 20 seconds. Export as a Quicktime movie.

Mosaic Video Tutorial

11th Grade Short Film Festival

The project for the quarter will be participation in a short film festival. Students must write, shoot, and edit a short film and submit it to one of the festivals below, or another festival or competition upon teacher approval. Students are responsible for learning the entry guidelines for their selected festivals, meet deadlines, and show proof of entry.

Every aspect (video, music, images, graphics, etc.) of the film must be original.

All projects must have a comprehensive pre-production plan (treatment, script, & storyboard).

By submitting your film to a festival, you are reaching a global audience. Your work should reflect your unique perspectives, be your best effort, and most importantly, make a statement.

Withoutabox.com has a comprehensive list of film festivals currently accepting submissions. In addition, check out the following:

http://www.youtube.com/projectreport

http://www.youtube.com/ytvideovolunteers

http://www.reelinsights.com/

http://www.ivieawards.org/cat_high.asp

http://www.naturalhigh.org/psa.html

http://my.billofrightsinstitute.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=351

http://nxtstage.net/content.asp?PageID=116

http://lashortsfest.com/content.asp?PageID=21

Found Footage Project

Internet ArchiveIn this project, students create a multimedia project entirely consisting of sourced material — the only thing original about this project will be the final piece resulting from the mix of found material.  Project must include multiple video tracks (min. 3), a music track, and a spoken word (poem, political speech, passage from an audio book, etc.) audio track.

This project is intended to create a new work of art from found materials.  Don’t merely mash together multiple clips and tracks — be thoughtful and attempt to convey a feeling or emotion through your work.

All material must be come from a trusted source that expressly states that users are free to download, remix, and reuse content.  Look for works licensed under Creative Commons or works that are considered Public Domain.

You must attribute (give credit) the works you use in the manner set forth by the original artists or hosting site.

Wikimedia Commons (“a media file repository making available public domain and freely-licensed educational media content -images, sound and video clips- to all) & Archive.org & Creativecommons.org are great places to begin.