Preliminary exercise

                                  Preliminary Exercise

In our following class of Media Studies our teacher guided us about our preliminary task. There main things that were required in that task were the 180 degree rule, shot reverse shot and a continuous flow shot. The scene should consist of two minutes and should include a person opening a door, entering the room and sitting on the chair, following the rules and shots mentioned above. What I understood by the above terms is that in case of 180 degree rule there will be an imaginary line and while shooting if audience is able to see right side of for example Mr.X and left side of Mr.Y then thought out it should be seen. In case if during the video we see left side of Mr.X and right side of Mr.Y we are breaking the rule. We can shot anywhere but within that imaginary line. Then, shot/reverse shot which is also known as over the shoulder shot is when people can see one character's shoulder and other character's face. A continuous shot means that there is flow in the video and editing is done smoothly.

Research on suspense genre

                                  Suspense (genre)

Suspense is a feeling of uncertainty and anxiety about the outcome of certain actions, most often referring to an audience's perceptions in a dramatic work. Suspense is not exclusive to fiction, though. It may operate whenever there is a perceived suspended drama or a chain of cause is Left in doubt, with tension bring a primary emotion felt as part of the situation. In kind of suspense described by film director Alfred Hitchcock, an audience experiences suspense when they expect something bad to happen and have a superior perspective on events in the drama's hierarchy of knowledge, yet they are powerless to intervene to prevent it from happening. In thrillers, suspense is the key element that authors used to try to leave the reader or viewer hanging, trying to view out what will happen next, especially when the author does this at the end of the story without actually telling what happens next. This particularly leaves a strong effect. Suspense is what gives a person on the edge feeling.  Suspense builds in order to make those final moments, no matter how short, the most memorable moments in the work. The suspense in a story just keeps the person hooked into reading or watching more until the climax is reached, and the thrill and amusement of the suspension finally comes too close. A Mystery/Suspense film centres on a person of authority, usually a detective, that is trying to solve a mysterious crime. The main protagonist uses clues, investigation, and logical reasoning. The biggest element in these films is a sense of suspense, usually created through visual cues and unusual plot twists. Alferd Hitchcock has made the best movies, sticking on the suspense Genre and he is world known for his movies. A movie that includes suspense can be a romantic movie with suspens, a sad movie that contains an element of suspense in it or a thriller movie which has suspense in it.

My first class in Media Studies

                         First Class In Media Studies

Today we studied about the camera angles, camera shots and camera movements. It is important that you do not confuse camera angles and camera shots. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of setting, themes and characters. Camera angles are used to position the viewer so that they can understand the relationships between the characters. These are very important for shaping meaning in film as well as in other visual texts. A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Camera shots are used to demonstrate different aspects of a film's setting, characters and themes. As a result, camera shots are very important in shaping meaning in a film. Composers of films also use camera movement to shape meaning. The following are some examples of common camera movements and how they can be used to shape meaning in films.

Camera Angles:

Eye level:

It is a natural shot. It shows the characters as in their real life.

High Angle:

This angle shows the character from above i.e: the camera is angled down towards the character.

Low angle:

This shows the object from below, giving them impression of being more powerful and dominant.

Bird's eye:

The scene is shown directly from above. This angle is used for dramatic effects. This can be used to show the positions and motions of a character, enabling the viewers to see the actions that the chartacters can't. This is helpful for shoting the documantaries, sports etc. This shot is also used for shoting the establishing shot.

Slanted:

It is also known as Dutch tilt, this is where the camera is purposely tilted to one side so the horizon is on the angle. This creates interesting and dramatic effects. Famous example can be "The Batman series."

Dutch Angle:

A Dutch angle is used to demonstrate the confusion of a character. The example above should disorientate you.

 

Camera Shots:

Exterme Wide Shot:

This is a shot in which along with a character the mise-en-scene(background) is shown. This helps to focus on the character as well as the happenings around the character.

Mid-Shot:

This shot is shooted inorder to keep the suspense of the character i.e: it is shooted below or above the waist. Allows connection with subject while providing room for gestures. Most frequently used shot.

Close-up:

Shows enlarged view of part of subject. This shot is shooted inorder to show the clear expressions of the character. Draws attention to details and adds emotion.

Extreme Close-up:

Extreme close up focuses the audience's attention on a particular detail. It has the effect of intensifying and emotion.This technique is quite common in horror films.

Over-the shoulder shot:

In order to show a conversation between two people over-the shoulder shot is preferred.

Long Shot:

A long shot contains landscape but gives the viewer a more specific idea of setting. A long shot may show the viewers the building where the action will take place.

Full Shot:

 A full shot contains a complete view of the characters. From this shot, viewers can take in the costumes of characters and may also help to demonstrate the relationships between characters.

 

Extreme long shot:

An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location (setting). This is also known as an establishing shot.

Reverse Shot:

Shot reverse shot is where one character is shown looking at another character  and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Since the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other.

Camera Movements:

Crane Shot:

A crane shot is often used by composers of films to signify the end of a film or scene. The effect is achieved by the camera being put on a crane that can move upwards.

Dolly Shot:

A dolly shot have the same effect. A tracking shot moves on tracks and a dolly shot is mounted on a trolley to achieve the effect in the example above. This camera movement is used in a number of ways but is most commonly used to explore a room such as a restaurant. By using a tracking shot or a dolly shot the composer of a film gives the viewer a detailed tour of a situation. It can also be used to follow a character.

Panning:

Panning is used to give the viewer a panoramic view of a set or setting. This can be used to establish a scene.

Tilt:

The tilt shot is similar to the pan shot, but the tilt shot moves vertically instead of horizontally. Like the pan shot, the tilt shot can be done hand held or with a tripod with a good head. We would highly recommended using a tripod for a tilt shot.

My Introduction

                          Why we choose Media Studies...

Media Studies is a very vast topic and a lot can be learnt by studying it. My name is Reejah Farooq and I selected Media Studies because I have always liked editing pictures and movies. Apart from this my hobbies are to read novels, draw/paint and play games.

I am not much into social networking and I have never used those websites for my past time. In fact I have never made an account, maybe because I find these a waste of time. Apart from social networking websites, other websites, newspapers, magazines, TV channels etc are all part of Media. The websites that I use regularly are 'Google' and 'Youtube'. They help me in my studies as well as in finding out information that I require.

Newspapers have never been my choice because I find them boring or maybe they have never appealed me towards them. But yes, I prefer reading Sunday newspaper, which contains a separate section for all the happening in the world media/showbiz industry. That's all what I read weekly and I wait for this piece of writing. Not only this but my routine is very tough and I do not have much time to waste in reading newspaper. Otherwise, I am not into reading anything that is related with politics in anyway.

Moving on magazines have always been my choice. I still love reading them. It helps us to stay connected with all the latest happenings around the world, whether they are related to showbiz, sports, latest gadgets etc. They help to increase knowledge and stay updated with the globe. I still remember the day when Twilight was to be released, as I did went through all the novels before hand, I was the most anxious person on earth to watch that movie. After it released, I became a great fan of Robert Pattinson. Though, I watched all the movies but my craze for both, the movies and Robert Pattinson ended before the release of eclipse somehow. I am very fond of listening to songs and my choice depends upon my mood. Apart from this I am a fan of Shakira and like listening to her songs.

In case of free time I sometimes prefer to watch anything but recently I am following The Voice, a music show. Its fun to watch it and a great pastime. Music that I listen to depends on my mood but usually prefer listening to slow music. I do not use ITunes for adding my songs in my Ipod instead I have a software Copy Trans that helps me in adding songs, video and pictures to my IPod. Other than this, I have watched all the movies of speed, destination and many other movies.  

And when it comes to novel reading, I love reading novels written by Nicholas Sparks. They usually end with a tragedy and there is a lot of suspense that maintains the interest of a reader. I have read all his novels and have watched three of the movies as well. The reason for liking his novels so much is that it includes suspense. And this why I chose Suspense as my Genre because it has always appeled me and secondly personally I feel that it keeps the reader/audience stick to what they are reading/watching.  

When it comes to games I go crazy at playing Need for Speed/racing games and games that include finding  out about the hidden object. This is in case when I use internet otherwise I play games on my Ipod that are usually card games.


Also that these days media has a great impact on the lives of people. The Media in my country, Pakistan is growing fastely and leaving both the negitaive and positive impacts on lives of people. Negiative impact in my opinion is that we are adapting a culture that does not belong from our religion and the positive impact that I feel is that people are free to share their opinion freely.