Technical Skills

By Dilan Ganatra

Nikon D3200 DSLR: • The Nikon is used to not only take high quality pictures with but it is

also used to take high quality videos with. The D3200 allows the user to control the shutter speed, aperture and ISO as well as having a function to allow compatibility to have an external microphone connected. The function that allows you to control the Aperture will allow me to control the lens and how much it opens by therefore this will enable a specific amount of lighting and this will allow me to focus on what I will be videoing. Therefore, the use of aperture will allow me to create a professional trailer. There are also limitations to the use of this camera for example; you need to book out the camera in advance due to their only being six available in the media studies department. In addition, you can’t take the camera offsite after school hours, which restricts you to filming in only school hours.

Tripod Velbon Sherpa 450:

• The tripod is used to take accurate and steady videos and also still photographs that help to focus on a subject. The Tripod is used to provide a video that will be enable a smooth and precise moving image whilst eliminating any unsteadiness. The tripod can be used indoors to help with high angle shots and panning and tilting up and down. However, the tripod also has its limitations, as it can only be used outside and on steady terrain. Therefore, the tripod must not be taken out on grass, mud and loose gravel.

Paglight- C6 Power Pack: • The Paglight is used to provide a constant light source on the subject

which is being videoed. The reason why the paglight is effective for videography is because it is a constant running light which can not only be used in a studio but it can also be taken outdoors. For example, if you were filming in a dark ally but wanted to create a shadow you could use the Pag light. In addition, the Paglight comes with ‘Barn-doors’ and this is used to provide a different filter of light and it also comes with a diffuser which allows the light to be spread equally. Therefore, providing a subtle amount of light that still makes a significant difference. There are however limitations to using a Paglight as it takes a very long time to charge (8hours) and the battery life is on 90 minutes. Also the school only have five Paglights available therefore, the Paglight must also be booked out with at least a days notice so that the battery can be charged.

Reflectors + Diffuser: • The reflector and diffuser both come together and they tend to be used in

both indoor and outdoor videography or photography. The reflector is used to aim natural light at a specific subject to create a ‘natural effect on to the subject being videoed as you are not using artificial lighting. The diffuser is used to project softer natural light outwards on to the subject; this form of lighting is not harsh and provides a soft a subtle effect. In addition, there are different colours that can be used to provide different forms of soft lighting on the face. The limitations, they must be booked out before use, the reflectors and diffusers come as one (attached together). Lastly, there are only three available for use in the school.

Photoshop CS6:

• Photoshop is an editing software used to help create posters, magazine covers etc. This is because, Photoshop can be used to manipulate photographs and you are able to crop, edit colours, highlights, layers, saturation etc. The use of Photoshop will be very important in creating our film magazines and posters to, as a way to provide a successful overall movie campaign. This is because, we are able to use different layers and edit our photos using industry standard software. The only limitations to Photoshop is the difficulty of using it however, there are numerous tutorials to help us and considering we used it last year it will not be too hard to create a film magazine and a movie poster. Secondly, is that as it costs Photoshop is only available in school art rooms and in the media room.

Wix:• The platform Wix is used to present all of our coursework material on

from the research section right through to the construction and evaluation. Wix is useful because it is a modern/contemporary program and we can use it to present all work in a professional manner. Wix allows users to enable html codes, upload media and it can be used to analysis results and target market research. The only limitations of Wix are that only one person can be on at any one time so that you do not overwrite what others in your group are doing. Secondly, you must have Internet connection to use Wix as it is run of the Internet. Other than that, Wix is a creative, fun and sophisticated way to present work on.

Final Cut Pro X:• This is an editing software which is used to cut videos/films as well as

allowing you to add frames, text and also enhance the sound, lighting and providing the user with multiple editing techniques to enhance the quality of their trailer. We will use Final Cut Pro X not only for editing and producing our trailer but also for the editing and production of our interviews and focus groups for target audience research. Therefore, Final Cut is an important tool that will aid us in creating a successful film trailer. Although, there are some limitations; Firstly, Final Cut is only available on the ‘Apple iMac’s’ in the media room (11 computers in total) and Final Cut also has a very expensive subscription fee.

Go Pro Hero:• The Go pro camera is a useful piece of technology that can be used in a

film trailer to provide a distorted view as well as capture footage that would not be able to be captured using any other device other than a Go Pro. For example, the Go Pro can be stuck to cars, helmets, bikes or be used hand held as well as being used underwater to provide shots that the Nikon D3200 can not. The Go Pro also has a fish eye lens which means it is able to capture angles that are very wide and allows a lot of the surrounding to be in the video. There are limitation to the Go Pro for example the school only have a limited number and it can not be used outside of school hours. Therefore, it is hard to capture footage at night. Lastly, the Go Pro cameras are also expensive to buy.

Tracks/ Dolly:• The tracks and dolly are used for a tracking shot which rolls alongside the

action in a straight line. This is a useful piece of equipment as it provides us with an absolutely steady shot that simply rolls alongside a character of a piece of action. We would be able to use the Tracks/Dolly in a trailer during a conversation or to track a small piece of action. This is because, variation of camera angles is a way to constantly keep the audience entertained. There are a few limitations to the tracks/dolly. For example, the dolly can only go in one straight line and the tracks can not bend or turn. Secondly, it cannot be used outdoors due the terrain and surfaces. Lastly, the school only has one and it must be booked out prior to use with staff supervision.

Microphone and Boom:• Microphones are an imperative part of the filming process and this is because it is

the only way to ensure that you can enhance the sound clarity and quality of the overall trailer. The standard shotgun microphone helps for close by audio as it picks up direct sound that is ahead of the microphone. The shotgun mic tends to only pick up sound waves that are close by and ahead of the camera. In addition, the shotgun microphone can also come with a ‘deadcat’ as the covering over the microphone and this stops the noise from the wind that may disrupt the sound quality. There are limitations to the Microphone. For example, the shotgun microphone can only pick up sound waves that are close and there are only two available. Secondly, the Boom is also in production and films this is because the microphone can be extended and the microphone can be brought forward directly to the subject which means the camera and be further away but the audio from the subject will still be clear and of a high quality. There are limitations however, for example to operate the boom takes a while to get use to due to the sheer size of it and also due to the size there is a long length of wire which on occasion can cause a muffled sound.

Crane:• The crane is a device that the camera can be attached to and the

crane can provide you with shots up easily up to 15meters high. The crane allows you to tilt up and down as well as 360-degree turn as well. This means that the crane can be used for establishing shots as you can have a brief introduction of where the scene is set. The crane provides you with a shot that is of profession videography quality and of the quality you expect to se from high budget films. Therefore, I will ensure that I use the crane to create an establishing shot with as a way to provide a balanced variation between camera angles. There are limitation to the crane however. For example, you must have staff supervision due the complexity of setting it up, it takes AA batteries for the camera operation stand. Lastly, the crane costs a substantial £1600 as well so there is only one available.

Thank you

By Dilan Ganatra