Prelim Task

Preliminary Task:

I researched into the various camera shots, angles and motions that are typically used in music videos, specifically under the genre of pop. From this research, I have created a short video demonstrating the different shots; this has allowed me to practice my filming skills so that when it comes to filming my actual video I will have experience. Below is my video as well as research of each camera angle/shot/motion which I have explored, such as the positives and the negatives of each, as well as the positives and negatives of how each one look. 

Eye-Level Angle:

A Viewpoint is the apparent distance and angle from which the camera views and records the subject. This angle is taken at an eye-level angle.

Strengths:

• Natural because we are seeing everything from our point of view.
• Allows the viewer to be personal to the actor/artist.
• We can see the details in the objects and faces.

Weaknesses: 

• The shot can be shaky if you’re holding with your hand.

High Angle:

A high-angle shot is a technique where the camera looks down on the subject from a high angle. High-angle shots can make the subject seem vulnerable or powerless when applied with the correct mood, setting, and effects.

Strengths:

• Give meaning to a shot such as making someone look small and belittled.

Weaknesses:

• It can be difficult to film because you may have to reach up high or stand on something.
• Is informal.

Long Shot:

The long shot (sometimes referred to as a full shot or, and to remove ambiguity) typically shows the entire object or all the humans body and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.

Strengths: 

• Able to see the face and body
• Shows a variety in the shot

Weaknesses:

• Can be shaky 
• Can be similar to wide shot

Canted Angle:

The Dutch angle, also known as Dutch tilt, canted angle, or oblique angle, is a type of camera shot where the camera is set at an angle, the shot is composed with vertical lines at an angle to the side of the frame, or so that the horizon line of the shot is not parallel with the bottom.

Strengths:

• Gives a shot energy
• Builds tension
• Creative and interesting

Weaknesses:

• Difficult to film
• Footage can be shaky 

Wide Shot:

Typically shows the entire object or human figure and is usually intended to place it in some relation to its surroundings.

Strengths:

• Creative 
• Builds tension 

Weaknesses:

• Can be shaky 
• Can be similar to a long shot

Mid Shot:

In film, a medium shot, mid shot (MS), or waist shot is a camera angle shot from a medium distance.

Strengths:

• Able to see the face and body

Weaknesses:

• Can be shaky

Close up Shot:

Tightly frames a person or an object. Close-ups are one of the standard shots used regularly with medium shots and long shots

Strengths:

• Able to see the face and part of the body

Weaknesses:

• Can be difficult to film
• Can be shaky

Over the shoulder Angle:

It is a shot of someone or something taken from the perspective or camera angle from the shoulder of another person.

Strengths:

• Creative and interesting 

Weaknesses:

• Difficult to film 
• Can be shaky if held in your hands

Low Angle:

A photograph or film sequence taken from below the subject.

Strengths:

• Creative and interesting
• Gives meaning to the shot

Weaknesses:

• It can be difficult to film 
• Is informal

Point of view:

 A short film scene that shows what a character (the subject) is looking at (represented through the camera).

Strengths:

• More personal 
• Natural as it is in our point of view

Weaknesses:

• The shot can look shaky as it’s in your point of view
• Can be difficult to film 

Pan: 

It is a movement, it is to turn, or pan (from the word panorama), the camera horizontally so that it sweeps around the scene. It can also be tilted up or down in a vertical panning shot or in a diagonal pan, as when it follows an actor up a stairway.

Strengths:

• Builds tension 
• Creative and interesting 

Weaknesses:

• Can be shaky

Tracking:

A tracking shot is any shot where the camera moves alongside the objects it is recording.

Strengths:

• Creative and interesting
• Builds tension 

Weaknesses:

• Can be shaky
• Difficult to film

In conclusion, my video was successful. I learnt many new techniques and I now have an understanding of the variety of shots I can use in my final music video. It allowed me to see what shots I like and which ones I don’t, it also taught me which shots are difficult to film and require more time and also which are more easy to shoot. I did face some struggles such as in the over shoulder shot I struggled to video the shot over her shoulder  and into the mirror without being visible in the mirror. I also did a few shots wrong such as the long shot and wide shot, which are very similar to each other. This has taught me how I can improve my technique, for example, I could use a tripod for my actual music video t make it look more professional.