VT Research

The studio project we are going to be creating is a film review programme. We will have a VT of a comedy sketch that we cut to during the film review, for example two of the participants will dress up as characters from the film that got the best review and stand in front of a green screen and then we will edit it in final cut pro. We will use a voice recorder and boom pole. The shooting schedule is from the 3rd Oct - 7th Oct when we get back from the half term we will start straight away on the shooting the VT. 

Studio Planning

Topic/Issue: SNL Kimye Talk Show...this a talk show parody making jokes about The Kardashions and Kanye West who have their own morning talk show. I was thinking about a Talk Show starring normal people dressed as famous celebrities to parody celebrities in the public eye at the moment such as Nicki Minaj, Justin Bieber etc and using comedy to humiliate them.

Possibly have a host like James Franco in this VMA skit, blatantly mocking the celebrities he has on his show to anger them it's quite like The Office where David Brent thinks he is a funny boss but actually everyone hates him. Although instead of real celebrities we will dress up like them to create a humorous interview show. 

 I want to programme to be very humourous and make people laugh in a silly parody way, dressing up as celebrities and not taking yourself too seriously, also I want the host to be insulting and I want it to have quite insulting language to add humour. In the studio there could be a green screen and two seats and the green screan could show LA, so it makes the audience believe that they're in a studio in Hollywood. They're will be graphics of pictures appearing on the screen such as recent photos of the celebrities people are impersonating like they use on the Ellen Show...

Research the target audience:

 I think my audience would relate to both genres but mostly younger people in their teens and early twenties because they are usually people who are up to date with recent celebrities and would understand the humour and jokes made. I think it would be popular because lots of younger people spend alot of time on Youtube and the most popular channels are parody channels of people making a joke out of celebrities and they're songs. A youtuber called Bart Baker who makes parody's about celebrities recent songs has 4,133,310 subscribers so I think that it's a popular and funny thing for teenagers to watch. 

Constraints:

I think some problems with this idea is that some people might not have the guts to not take themselves too seriously and won't be up for making themselves look silly dressed up as celebrities, also I think that finding the right clothes to look like the celebrities we are paordying on the talk show. To get over this problem I think we would have to use clothes that we already have and hope for the best, also get confident people who are up for it. But I think that the set design will be simple just a green screen and clips of celebrities and pictures and possibly like the VMA skit video, some footage of people on the visual mixer showing that they're not taking their job seriously on the talk show, so its a disaster intensely.


Genre: 

It's comedy and parody, the programme is a talk show and it's not following the typical conventions because I want it to be a joke about it being a bad show.


Guests/Crew needed: 


In this production we will need a director, production manager, floor manager, two vision mixers, three camera operators, and a sound technician we will need three microphones. We will need a presenter and two participants to play the role of two celebrities, the people playing the celebrities have to have a good sense of humour and confidence to act in front of the camera.  

VT needed:  

We can pre film a comedy sketch of someone dressed as a celebrity walking in the general public, asda or somewhere where normal everyday people are and acting like a diva for example throwing things off the shelves in asda and asking people "Don't you know who I am?" and the host can cut back to the studio and ask the celebrity if they've been taking drugs or are having a mental breakdown. 


Outline structure: 

ACT ONE: Presenter in the studio introducing themselves and explaining who they'll be having on the talk show today, they're will be graphics edited onto the screen of celebrities who are taking part in the show and the first guest will walk into the studio and sit down with the presenter, the presenter will ask stupid questions which will anger the guest and they'll become frustrated with the presenter

ACT TWO: Who will then show footage from a "source" such as TMZ which will seem like paparazzi footage of the celebrity "Lindsay Lohan" acting like a diva or doing something outrageous and funny and the presenter will then cut back away from the clip and ask if they're having a mental breakdown or have a drug addition. Which then the celebrity will walk away from the studio in anger. 

ACT THREE: Another guest will walk in "Justin Bieber" the presenter will also mock them and show footage they've found which embarrasses them, the celebrity will tell the presenter this is the worst talk show they've ever been on and will punch him in the face, afterwards it will cut to the vision mixers saying it's a wrap the shows over and we will hear ambulance sirens.

Unit 23 assignment 1

Examples of programmes that use multi camera productions 

X FACTOR

LOOSE WOMEN

I'M A CELEBRITY GET ME OUT OF HERE!

DEAL OR NO DEAL

SKY NEWS

FOOTBALL AND SPORTS EVENTS

STRICTLY COME DANCING

JEREMY KYLE

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND

FRIENDS

A multi camera production means a programme that needs more than one camera to film, to capture every detail needed to keep the audience interested. Usually using over several cameras and camera men/women are employed on the set and simultaneously record or broadcast a scene. Multi camera productions involves various shots and angles, when we are watching a football match they're are many different players and we need to see the match from different angles and perspectives for example mid shots, birds eye view and close ups. Programmes such as live news need to be filmed with multi cameras to capture everything perfectly such as special guests, the news reporters, videos and weather and interviewers because there's a lot to film with just one camera. Film's also use multi camera productions whilst filming dance routines in musicals and dance films to capture every aspect of the dance. This is also used when filming expensive stunts this is used because it's too expensive to only use one camera and everything needs to be perfectly capture in different shots and angles. Although they're are two different types of multi camera productions, one uses a vision mixer this means the shots are changed by changing the channel whilst being filmed live example cutting to a break or different material and the second type is recorded on tape where this can be then edited in post production process. With multi camera sitcoms will only be 'fixed' locations in the show. For example there will be a "front door" that leads into the living room from the right of the set, which will feed into a kitchen on the left side of the set. There's usually a flight of stairs directly behind the couch in the living room, etc. Also, practically every multi cam sitcom will be a laugh track and you can see the generic conventions immediately. Friends is a good example because this scene is set in Monica and Rachel's apartment, which is one of the shows most used sets as we see this in every episode. There is a front door that leads to the kitchen and the front room. They also use laughing tracks when a character has said something funny. But a downside to multi camera productions is that there is less control over the angles of various shots and there is obviously a more limited range of shooting locations so it has to be filmed on a simple set. 

Multi camera production diagrams

SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTION

A single camera production uses one camera, that are able to get up in the actors face, which helps the audience to feel what the characters are feeling by the camera movements and it's more free from the constraints of a multi camera setup. It's also free range and is able to be allowed the freedom of movement so we can see a lot more interesting movement with the camera shots. This also allows more varied cinematography and creative expression since the camera isn't stuck in one spot in a generic sitcom set up. This can mean that the show can have more complicated sets and a much higher prevalence for exterior shots. Single camera sitcoms also rarely use a laugh track when a character says something funny. They are generally far more energetic/layered than a traditional sitcom, especially since the actors don't have to compete with a laugh track, or have to deal with the other limitations of a typical multi camera studio set. 

EXAMPLES OF SINGLE CAMERA PRODUCTIONS...

 These programmes I have chosen pictures of are all single camera productions. Television producers make a distinct decision to shoot in single-camera or multiple-camera unlike film producers who almost always opt for single-camera shooting. In television, single-camera is mostly reserved for prime-time dramas, made for TV films, music videos and advertisements. And soap operas, talk shows and some sit coms more frequently use the multiple camera set up. The reason that these examples of Single Camera Productions have used this method of filming is because they use the technique to have specific camera angles and camera movements in their programmes. Mostly television producers use the multi-camera technique because it's a lot cheaper and takes less production time. Because these are single camera television shows they are mostly produced without a laugh track. 

The following web links talk about the pros and cons of working in a multi camera set up.

http://journeytosuccess92.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/multi-camera-techniques.html

http://www.quora.com/What-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-single-camera-versus-multiple-camera-filmmaking

http://jacksinglecameraproductionblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-single.html

 Summary of these websites the pros and cons are...

• Time Saving – If you wish to view the same scene from many different angles, using a single camera set up would require the scene to be acted out three times. With a multi-camera set up footage of all three angles can be recorded at once.
• Live Events - Some events occur live and simply could not be repeated so that they could be filmed from multiple angles. This may include things such as sports matches or concerts
• Live Audience - Sometimes it is beneficial for a television show to have a live studio audience, to provide feedback to the writers and director in regards to the reception of their production and also to provide a laugh track. A multi-camera set up enables the scene to flow and allows the audience to react.
• Continuity - There would be less continuity errors using a multi=camera set up as the scene would only be being acted once.
• Editing - It will not be necessary to use time and money editing as this will have been done during production using a vision mixing desk.

Despite the above points there are times when Single camera production is a more viable option. Here are the con’s of Multi-camera production.

• Less flexibility - There are limited options on where camera’s can be placed in a scene. For example you may not be able to do an over the shoulder or point of view shot for fear of getting the recording equipment caught on camera.
• Lighting compromises - It will take a lot longer to light a multi-camera shoot than it would a single camera production because more of the scene will be on show. A better lighting set up would be achieved if the cinematographer only had to focus on how the scene would look from one camera angle. Also it is important to remember there are more people on set and avoid placing lights in places that could cast shadows across a scene.

One important thing to consider in any type of production is Cost. I feel it definitely needs mentioning however as times have changed it no longer seems to be a pro or a con…

• Cost – Initially equipment costs were what prevented multi-camera set ups from bein used. However in recent years equipment costs have lowered. Multi-camera may in some cases be the cheaper option nowadays if you consider the amount of money spent on locations, crew, and actors in a much longer single camera production.

The following types of broadcast use multi camera set ups:

Panel Show - 8 Out Of 10 Cats

"This programme uses multi camera techniques. The timecode 00:20-00.45 which shows how they have used different cameras to show mid shots of the guests who are starring on the show. They then show a wide shot at 00.53 and then zoom into the the host Jimmy Carr's face to show the audience who is hosting the show. We then see a tracking shot of the audience and panel at 26.14-26.17, this shows us that they have used more than one camera because if they we're only using one camera the show would be seen to the audience like this. 

So they have to use more than one camera because it would really boring for the audience and also viewers want to see the guests reactions to jokes and close up's of their faces. 

Quiz show - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Quiz shows need to use Multi Camera Productions to give the programme an intense vibe to make the audience wonder if the guest will win the quiz or not and walk away with a million pounds. 

While the questions are being asked at by the quiz host we see a high angle tracking shot  at 00.53-1.04 that moves down into a mid shot of the guests face. 

In my opinion I think this technique adds intensity to the show and captures every aspect of the show, plus if the camera was just on both men and they we're just asking each other questions it would be rather boring so choosing shots and soundtracks makes this multi-camera production a much more enjoyable show. 

Also at 2.19-2.20 we see a member of the audience overjoyed that the man has won a large sum of money, involving the studio audience into the show adds a sense of realism and this could only be achieved whilst using more than one camera.

Studio News - Sky News

At 0.16-0.36 we see a reporter in mid-show informing the viewers on a news topic in a studio with a multi-cam set up, showing the reporter speaking to the camera informing the audience about what is going on in America when 9/11 just happened.  

The camera then cuts to a VT showing the live footage of the buildings, they use multiple cameras to show 

Sports Events - Football Match

 "This programme uses multi camera techniques. The timecode 00:01-00:04 shows how they have used  one camera to wide shots of the field and then from 00:34 to 00:37  they have cut from a wide shot to a medium long shot of a player with the ball. They have had to use more than one camera because has to follow the action of the ball and filming a sporting event from one camera position would be really boring for the audience." 

Comparison:
When looking at 8 out of 10 cats compared to the live football coverage, they have both used successful methods of interesting the audience by following the action, Which is giving the audience the action from different angles and showing all of the action.  Out of these two multi-camera productions, i would say that the football coverage is most successful as it is keeping the match interesting for the audience as well as showing the action thoroughly and from different angles. I don't believe that this live coverage will have been able to be filmed as a single camera production as it would just be one static shot throughout, making it quite boring for the audience as well as not showing the whole action.

Unit 33 Assignment 1 - Valley of The Dolls

Unit 33 Assignment 1 Evaluation

Evaluation

At the start of my stop motion planning I set out to make a fashion video, showing different styles of fashion during summer and winter and my target audience was teenage girls and I would call the video "Valley of the Dolls". For this I wanted to achieve something unusual and creative, the type of stop motion I was going for was 'surreal'. I wanted letters to appear onto the white sheet to show the name of the video and vinyls with letters on worked more than just letters on their own because they couldn't blow away in the wind with how heavy they were and gave it more of an interesting and arty feel to the video. The goal I was trying to achieve was to make an artistic and unusual fashion video to appeal to girls and show different outfits in the two different main seasons of the year. I think i've personally achieved my goal, from my very first idea I wanted the sky to be moving and then revolve around a girl in the grass in the summer with flowers slowly moving towards her, everything I originally  put into my storyboard and planned I made reality in my video. 

Heres a list of moments I thought we're the best in my stop motion... 

• 

I thought this part was a good start to the animation because it was my very first idea that I planned of the moving clouds in the sky to open the video with and I followed through with my idea. I wrote ''ValleyOfTheDolls.com'' which I got this idea from an advert I saw on TV for a fashion website online called PrettyLittleThing.com, I thought this would help the audience understand that it is a fashion website before they saw the model and clothes and knew what the name of the shop was before they got to the very end where I spell out VALLEY OF THE DOLLS on the white sheet using vinyls and letters cut out from newspapers as I thought that this would cause less of a confusion for the audience. 


I was very happy with how the ending turned out, I tried to film this part with just the letters but then realised that they blew away in the wind and needed something heavy that would stay in place. The vinyls added a great look for the animation as they add colour and life and the fact they're all large and the same shape as one another. It also adds a certain type of style which I wanted to create in the video, as the type of fashion I was going for was quite vintage/boho-chic and make it seem like a small fashion boutique online. I like how the chimes audio I put on this scene makes it look magical and I did a voice over saying "Valleyofthedolls.com" in a slow voice to get the message across incase the audience can't read what the letters say on the vinyls. 

I also think in my animation I used the sound very well and as I go to smell the rose the birds start singing and chirping to make it have a summer vibe, which you can already tell by the flowers and clothing I am wearing but I think it's a good way to add a certain effect to your animation and sound has a huge impact on the audience. Also I got Marina & the Diamond's voice saying Valley of the Dolls, which keeps getting the name of the website into the audiences head the way it's always repeated and in your face. Making people remember and check the fashion website out, I think the way it's creative would also appeal to people. 

3. 

I also think the props of the flowers add the summer feel so the audience can tell that the set design is showing the summer season and match the clothes and lighting is meant to be bright and vibrant to add to the narrative. The sound design also relates to the season by the chimes and birds chirping. In this part I also think it's good how the image tricks the mind into thinking I was wearing an outfit underneath my first outfit and the way I always put the other clothes to the side of myself still in the eye of the audience. 

I think that the worst part of my stop motion is the winter part, I had to film these shots during a rainy day so the lighting wasn't great so I had to put a filter called "Dream" over the pictures, this did add a more winter effect but it could of been better if I choose a better day to the winter part although it wasn't meant to be as bright as the summer. The pictures are faster than the summer ones as well so you can't really tell which clothes i'm wearing in detail. 

My target audience was for teenage girls, I think I successfully targeted them because of the "girly" fashion and bright colours I used also the flowers and the fact a teenage girl is promoting the fashion. I am targeting my audience by wearing clothes that would be appealing to a stereotypical teenage girl (depending on her fashion sense) from shops such as Topshop, River Island and Zara, these are some of the most popular clothing shops for teenagers and I'm meant to be promoting my own brand of online clothing Valleyofthedolls.com so by using clothing ideas from other popular shops means it will target my audience. 

I used audio of birds chirping, wind blowing, chimes, rain and thunder. I also used Marina and The Diamonds soundtrack Valley of the Dolls and her other track SU-BARBIE-A, because it uses the same instrumental as Valley of the Dolls but uses interesting voices from Barbie adverts and films which reference fashion and how much of an impact it has on girls. I think that the most successful sounds I used we're the soundtracks and defiantly the audio's because I think that it makes the seasons become more noticeable to the audience. 

                 PUBLIC SCREENING QUESTIONS

Conclusions from feedback data

The most common answers about the target audience was that straight away people could tell it was for teenage girls because of the types of clothes I was wearing, myself being a teenage girl and also the colours, flowers and the natural setting and the fact it's for a fashion website people could tell that it only targets teenage girls and not boys because it shows no males in clothes and only girls and fashion they would usually buy. The public could tell that the storyline was for fashion and was for an advert that you could access online for clothes for different seasons. It was made obvious due to the voice over and text at the start whilst the clouds are moving. 

Also the public liked the fact that the animation was real life and objects instead of using clay models, the character design was well chosen and works well because it fits the videos audience teenage girls and using a real life teenage girl reaches out to the target more and is creative showing different types of fashion on a person and wouldn't worked as well if I used a clay model, someone stated that it would of saved time which was true but was done well and suits the video. 

The colours were bright and effective and you could tell it was summer because of the flowers colours and the bright blue sky and clouds, the green grass and the white sheet made the model stand out more plus the colourful summer clothes stood out even more because of the white background. The colours in the winter part we're really dark and it was hard to tell and concentrate on the clothes used in the winter part because there wasn't as bright lighting to show the clothes in detail. Also the colours of the records with the letters stood out but they couldn't really see the letters I cut out from newspapers and stuck on the vinyls because the records we're so bright but they understood the idea. 

The set was effective because it was simple and was placed in a garden showing grass and a white sheet and was based there, it was a new idea compared to other fashion adverts which are usually shown in expensive studios with a green screen or big city's like London and New York City. But this created a more realistic setting because real like teenage girls aren't super models and it made the video seem quite innocent and 'cute'. 

The common answers about the reasons it could of been better we're that the winter part could have been slowed down towards the end along with the record and letters because it started off slower and become to fast for the audience to catch the clothes in detail because I changed them too fast in the winter part. Also the lighting in the winter season could have been improved rather than having a dark filter because it looses the detail of the clothing aswell as it becoming too fast. The letters on the records at the end could of stood out more, the letters should have been brighter than the background making them stand out so the audience could read that it says Valley of The Dolls, but the text at the start and the voice over makes up for it. 

And I agree with everything the general public have gave me to take into consideration, I agree that the winter part was quite rushed and slightly too dark to look at the clothes in detail which is something I wish I would have taken into consideration whilst making the animation but it was a short amount of time we we're given to make the video and the winter part was shot on a winters day so I thought putting a filter over it would also make it seem more like a winters day than just dark bad lighting. 

Compare your stop motion to something similar

This fashion stop motion video is for an actual website called www.jeanmachine.com. The model stays the same throughout the video and looks like a realistic older woman, which I think is the same in my stop motion fashion advert as I'm not trying to be a supermodel and neither is this woman which adds realism and reality to the video. The shots are perfectly in-sync to make it seem like she is wearing numerous outfits underneath each other which I tried to create but it mine wasn't as professional as this. We both used the colour white to make the fashion stand out and have background music. The lighting throughout is bright compared to mine having filters and she seems to be showing winter fashion in the video whereas mine shows summer and winter.