CREATIVE AND MEDIA PRODUCTION

LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA

Single Camera Techniques

Film and video editing techniques

Unit 16 & 22 LO1; LO2; LO3

Sarah Wilson & Adam Jones

Date Issued: 10th September 2015

Final Deadline: 6th November 2015

Aim and purpose

In this unit learners will explore the characteristics of single camera production, and develop

the creative, organisational and technical skills required to devise, plan and implement their

own productions.

Unit introduction

With the introduction of more television channels, some specifically dedicated to drama, the

single camera drama production has become very popular with broadcasters and

audiences. This means that there should be more opportunities for people with skills in single

camera techniques to gain employment in this sector. This might be in terms of technical skills

in production or creative skills in developing ideas into production. This unit aims to give

learners an opportunity to use production skills, already gained from previous units, and

develop them further to create a production using single camera techniques. The unit gives

learners the opportunity to explore existing single camera productions. This will help them to

think about, plan and produce their own productions. As part of this exploration learners will

investigate the use of camera scripts and storyboards as tools of storytelling. Learners will

develop the organisational skills required for the planning and implementation of a single

camera drama production. They will identify key production roles and take on one or more

of these roles during their own production. Set design, cinematography, lighting, use of sound

and editing techniques will all be part of the skills learners develop through following this unit.

Health and safety issues will also be addressed in both location and studio shoots, with

learners producing risk assessments prior to any production work.

Guidance:

Create Tabs on website

Unit 16 and unit 22

U16 LO1

U22 LO1

U16&22 LO2&LO3

Referencing:

Please make sure all research is referenced – any work being plagiarised will fail

http://www.wikihow.com/Cite-a-Website - Guidance can be found here

U22 LO1: Features of single camera production

Deadline: 6h lesson of week commencing 21st September 2015

LO Aim: To comprehensively explain the features of single camera production with

reference to elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology

correctly

Task Description:

The British Film Institute has commissioned Vibe Productions to

produce two one minute productions that they can use at

the BFI to demonstrate to the public the importance of mise-

en-scene and setting the scene within TV and film.

This assignment requires you to engage in a variety of theory

and practical tasks. You are required to research elements of

single camera techniques as well as produce two one minute

productions based on the conventions you have learned.

You will work in groups to produce one Period Production and one

Crime Production. You will need to focus on camera angles, mise-en-

scene (costume / props / location) and narrative.

Whilst you experiment with different production processes you must record and

critically assess the effectiveness of using a single camera. These notes should be

written on up on your websites next to your final productions.

Task 1: Formats

a) On you own research what a TV format is

b) Write a definition of a TV serial; TV series and

single camera production and provide examples of

each.

You should upload a YouTube excerpt and write

beside each clip exactly what it is that makes it

either a serial, series or single camera production.

You should provide at least one example for each

Task 2: Genre

a) What is genre?

b) What are conventions?

c) List a variety of different TV genres?

d) Pick 2 of these genres to analyse in more detail. What are the conventions of

these genres? Provide examples of TV shows that demonstrate these

conventions.

Task 3: Narrative

a) What is narrative? Different narrative structures.

b) Below is a list of narrative structures – write a definition for each one, detail the

pros and cons of using these in TV shows and provide at least one example

for each discussing why it was used and if it was effective.

Linear; non-linear; realist; anti-realist; flashback; open ended; closed ended

NB: Reference all websites

Task 4

You are required to produce 2 short TV shows, no longer than one minute in length,

(sequences) to demonstrate an understanding of single camera techniques. You will

work in groups of 4 and will follow certain production roles. No pre-production is

required for either of these shows.

Production roles: Camera person / Director / Costume designer / Sound engineer

You must swap roles for each show so you have carried out at least 2 of the above

roles.

You will all edit your own version of the production and upload to your website. Next

to each production you will write a short evaluation on the process of using a single

Camera

Show 1

Your first show MUST follow this structure:

Format: Single Drama Genre: Period Linear Narrative

Realist Closed Ended

Show 2

Your second show MUST follow this structure:

Format: Single Drama Genre: Crime Non-linear narrative

anti-realist open ended

U16 LO1: The development and principles of editing

Deadline: 5th lesson of week commencing 5th October 2015

LO Aim: critically assess the development and principles of editing with supporting

arguments and elucidated examples, and consistently using subject terminology

correctly

Task Description:

The British Film Institute is putting on an exhibition on The

Development and Principles of Editing at the beginning of

October. They have asked Vibe productions to provide them

with a variety of information to give to the public in the form

of a visual display.

This assignment requires you to engage in a selection of

theory and practical tasks. You are required to individually

research the development and principles of editing and then

in groups of 3 produce a wall display focusing on two chosen

case studies, which will go up at the BFI exhibition.

You will watch excerpts from a variety of films dating back to the

beginning of the 20th century along with the feature length film The Godfather. You

will use these case studies in your display

Class Activity 1: Development

Class discussions and focus groups looking at: in-camera editing;

following the action; multiple points of view; shot variation; manipulation of diegetic

time and space; film, video; analogue; digital

Task 1:

Individually research the difference between digital and analogue focusing on the

advantages and disadvantages.

Write your finding up in your blog along with illustrations.

NB: Reference all websites

Task 2: Purposes

Storytelling

How can narrative:

a) engage the viewer

b) create pace

Discuss the above using examples to back up your theory.

Class activity 2: Conventions and techniques

Define and provide examples of the following:

Seamless editing; continuity; editing rhythm

Task 3: Conventions and techniques

In pairs you are required to film the following techniques, upload them to your

account and then define what they are and the meaning they create to the

audience

montage; jump-cutting; parallel editing; 180 degree rule; transitions; POV; shot-

reverse-shot;

Task 4: Techniques

In pairs film a running scene and then cut it to two different soundtracks. Slow down,

speed up and cut to the beat to match the music. Then upload to your websites

Class activity 3: Development

In class we will watch a variety of films dating from the beginning of the 20th Century

up until now. You are required to makes notes on the sequences (these notes go

towards your final marks). We will focus on shot variation, cutting and effects and

how these have developed over time.

Task 5: The Godfather

Watch The Godfather over 2 lessons. You are required to

make comprehensive notes which will be marked. The

DVD will be stopped to highlight keys points relating to

your assignment.

Analyse the filming and editing techniques of The

Godfather. You MUST refer to what you have

learnt in previous tasks and use technical

language as much as possible.

Comprehensive notes are to be taken during the

screening of the film – these will be submitted and

marked as part of the assignment.

You will then be required to work in groups of 3 – 4

to create a display piece covering numerous

examples of how The Godfather uses film and editing

techniques. You will need to print screen sections from

the internet in order to illustrate your points

U16 and U22 LO2 and LO3: Plan a single camera

production

LO2 & LO3 Deadline: Friday 6th November 2015

LO Aim: Generate thoroughly thought through ideas for a single camera production

showing creativity and flair and working independently to

professional expectations

Task Description:

The British Film Institute is holding a film festival during the

October half term for young film makers aged between 16 and

20.

The top 3 productions from each category will be shown at the

festival and a winner will be chosen by VIP guests.

The Categories are:

a) Period Drama

b) Crime Drama

Entrants must individually plan and develop an idea focusing on Single Camera

techniques, Mise-en-scene, location shooting, sound and editing.

The drama must be 5 minutes long and include one of the following elements:

a) Flashback

b) Split Screen / parallel editing

Planning and post production will also be taken into account during the final

assessment

Task 1

a) Create a mind map and mood board for your 5 minute drama.

b) Write a treatment for your production. Treatment can be found on the pre-

production tab

Task 2

a) Define the narrative structure of your production.

b) Write the script for your drama – Scrip must contain stage

direction

Task 3

Storyboard your production – to be photographs NOT

hand drawn

Task 4

Location Recces including photos – multiple to be completed

for ‘possible’ locations

Task 5

Props list and sound table, Lighting and equipment list 9all forms can be found on

vibe)

Task 6

Produce a Production Schedule

Task 7

Call Sheet and Risk Assessment

Task 8: Film 5 minute drama

Your drama must use 1 camera only, have multiple shots from multiple angles. Your

mise en scene, costume and make-up must match your genre and your film must

contain a flashback or parallel editing

Task 9: Manage your footage

Save raw footage onto a MEMORY STICK (do not edit from the SD card)

Make sure folder on memory stick are named correctly (print screen for portfolio)

Import you footage onto Premier Pro: You must name the project correctly, name

folders correctly (print screen for portfolio)

Create an edit decision list – look over your footage and decide what you are going

to use (edit decision list to be found on vibe)

Task 10: Edit 5 minute drama

Make sure sound level are correct before export and that you have end credits

Export, upload to YouTube and upload to you website

Resources

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Student Book

Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al – BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media Production, Teaching Resource

Evans R – Practical DV Film Making, 2nd Edition

Figgis M – Digital Film Making

Gloman C— No-budget Video Production: Producing Professional Quality Commercials, How-to’s, Training

and Features – for Virtually Nothing

Hardy P – Filming on a Microbudget, 3rd Edition

Jones C and Joliffe G – The Guerilla Film Makers Handbook, 3rd Edition

Kindem G and Musburger R – Introduction to Media Production: From Analog to Digital, 4th

Logan J and Schellhardt L – Screenwriting for Dummies, 2nd Edition (J Wiley, 2008)

Millerson G – Video Production Handbook, 4th Edition (Focal Press, 2008

Musberger R – Single Video Camera Production, 4th Edition (Focal Press, 2005

Roberts-Breslin J – Making Media: Foundations of Sound and Image Production, 2nd Edition (Focal Press, 2007)

Thurlow C – Making Short Films: The Complete Guide from Script to Screen, 2nd Edition (Berg, 2008)

www.bbc.co.uk/dna/filmnetwork/Filmmakingguide – BBC information about film making

www.britishfilmmagazine.com/filmmaking.html – website of The British Film Magazine

www.firstlightmovies.com – First Light exists to encourage film making amongst young people and has links to

Skillset and the UK Film Council

www.primary-film-focus.co.uk/filmpreproduction.html – information about film production techniques

Grading Criteria

Unit 22: Single Camera Techniques Unit 16: Film and Video Editing Techniques