VSP | EXERCISES


21.04.2025 - 02.05.2025 /Week 1 - Week 6
Loh Kai Xuan (0365780)
Video & Sound Production, 
Bachelors of Design (Honours) in Creative Media, Taylor's University
Exercises


TABLE OF CONTENTS

✦ Instructions
✦ Tutorial/Practical
✦ Asynchronous Class

✦ Exercises

✦ Reflection



1. INSTRUCTION




2. TUTORIAL/PRACTICAL

Week 01: Briefing

Week 01 Slides

Week 02: Framing and Storyboard

Week 02 Slides

Week 02: Flipped Class

Understand storytelling

Reading: 
Video
 
Reading: 

After read and watch the articles and video, do the quiz below to test your understanding on 3-act story structure:


1. What are the foreground, midground, and background in composition? Provide an image for explanation.

Fig 1.1. Question 1 image Example

Foreground: The element in an image nearest to you.
Midground: The space between Foreground and Background.
Background: The space furthest from you.


2. What is depth of field?

The distance between the nearest and the furthest objects giving a focused image.


3. What is deep depth of field? Provide an image for explanation.

Fig 1.2. Question 3 image Example

A deep depth of field is a larger area in focus, as it keeps more of the image sharp and clear. 


4. What is shallow depth of field? Provide an image for explanation.

Fig 1.3. Question 4 image Example

A shallow depth of field is the small or narrow area in an image that is in focus.


5. What is the 180 degree rule?

The 180 degree rule is a filmmaking guideline for spatial relations between two characters on screen. The 180 rule sets an imaginary axis, or eye line, between two characters or between a character and an object. By keeping the camera on one side of this imaginary axis, the characters maintain the same left/right relationship to each other, keeping the space of the scene orderly and easy to follow.


6. What is screen direction?

Screen direction, also known as camera direction, is the direction that characters and objects move in the scene in relation to the frame. In describing screen direction, you might say that a character is moving camera left vs camera right.


7. What happens if the camera crosses the line?

Both characters will look to the same side of the frame and the audience think they are looking in the same direction.


8. What is  dynamic screen direction?

It is when you employ dynamic movement to convey action, emotion, and narrative progression.

Week 02: Framing and Storyboard


 




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3. 
ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS

Week 01:

Preparation for Week 02 + Quiz

Shot size: 

Framing:
 
 
Composition:
 
Additional:

Composition:
 
Quiz:


Week 01 Quiz Results


Week 02: Flipped Class

Understand storytelling

Reading: 
Video
 
Reading: 

After read and watch the articles and video, do the quiz below to test your understanding on 3-act story structure:

Week 02 Quiz Results


Watch Lalin and Everything, everywhere, all at once.


Based on each of the movies,
Answer the questions twice, separately for 1.  Lalin, 2. Everything, everywhere, all at once.

1. Lalin

Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.


Act 1: It is the introduction of Lalin, a net idol who refused to remove her masks and only posts her edited face on the net. Her past story of her moving to Japan for a new life after the bullying. It introduces us to how Lalin is not confident without her mask but also makes us wonder why she does not.

Act 2: It happens when she starts building relationship with Astronaut Nut, who is a graphic novelist that contacted her for Japanese Translation. But one day, he comes to visit Lalin in person.

Act 3: The disapointed Astronaut Nut left as Lalin refused to meet him. But after reading the novel Astronaut Nut left for her to read, she went to chase him down, realizing it was her old classmate that changed and came to meet her again. It ends with her finally removing her masks but failed to catch Nut before he left.

What is the inciting incident in the movie?
Lalin moving to Japan after the beginning scene of her getting bullied.

What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
When Lalin found out Astronaut Nut came to visit her, and she'll have no choice but to reveal her face without the mask.

What is the Climax scene in the movie?
Lalin chases down Nut after realizing he was an old classmate that changed himself just to meet her again.

What is the theme of the movie?
Self-love and Self Esteem


2. Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.


Act 1: Everything
We are introduced to Evelyn and her family and the conflicts starts with an audit of their family business as well as family relationships.

Act 2: Everywhere
Alpha Waymond makes an appearance, informing Evelyn about a multiversal problem, Jobu Tupaki, which is Joy from the Alpha Universe. She was then told she was the only one who can save all the universes.

Act 3: All at Once
She manages to solve the conflict with Jobu Tupaki without killing her. The world did not get sucked in by the giant bagel and she reconciles with her daughter in her own universe.

What is the inciting incident in the movie?
Evelyn's meeting about Alpha Waymond and learning about the multiverse.

What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
Evelyn finding out she was the only "special" one that can save the universes.

What is the Climax scene in the movie?
When Evelyn became able to experience all the universes at the same time. Making her able to understand Jobu Tupaki.

What is the theme of the movie?
Generational Trauma, Surrealism, Acceptance


Week 03: Storyboard

Storyboard in filmmaking is a visual representation of a film, animation, or video game, much like a comic strip. It's made up of a series of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.
Storyboards are used to plan shots, understand the narrative flow, and to communicate ideas to the production team. They can include details such as camera angles, character movements, dialogue, and even notes about special effects or sound. This helps the director, cinematographer, and other crew members visualise the scenes and prepare for the shooting process.

Storyboarding is a crucial part of the pre-production process because it allows filmmakers to experiment with different visual approaches, identify potential problems, and make necessary adjustments before the actual filming begins, saving time and resources.
 
What is a storyboard?
How to make storyboard
Take the quiz below to test your understanding of storyboards:

Week 03 Quiz Results


Week 04: Production 

The production stages in filmmaking can be broken down into three main phases: pre-production, production, and post-production. 

Here's a brief overview of each stage:

  1. Pre-production: This is the planning stage of filmmaking, where all the necessary preparations are made before filming begins. This includes tasks such as writing the script, creating storyboards, casting actors, scouting locations, designing sets and costumes, and hiring crew members.

  2. Production: This is the stage where the actual filming takes place. The production team will work together to capture all the footage needed for the film, using the plans and preparations made during pre-production as a guide. This stage can be physically and logistically challenging, as it involves coordinating a large team of people and managing a complex schedule.

  3. Post-production: This is the stage where the footage is edited and assembled into a final product. This includes tasks such as cutting and arranging scenes, adding music and sound effects, colour grading, and visual effects. Post-production can be a time-consuming process, as it requires careful attention to detail and a keen eye for storytelling.
After post-production, the film may go through additional stages such as distribution and marketing, but these are not considered part of the production process.


Take the quiz below to test your understanding on production stages: https://forms.gle/1FuJL1mKmFqeCdZp8 

Week 04 Quiz 1 Results




Production Crew:

The production crew is a team of professionals who work together to create a film or video. Each member of the crew has a specific role and set of responsibilities, which are essential to the overall success of the production. Here are some of the key production crew members and their tasks:
  1. Director: The director is responsible for overseeing the entire production and ensuring that the creative vision for the project is realised. They work closely with the cast and crew to block out scenes, direct the actors' performances, and make creative decisions about the look and feel of the film.

  2. Producer: The producer is responsible for the logistical and financial aspects of the production. They secure funding, hire the crew, coordinate the schedule and locations, and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget

  3. Cinematographer: The cinematographer, also known as the director of photography (DP), is responsible for the visual aesthetic of the film. They work closely with the director to choose the right camera, lenses, and lighting to achieve the desired look and mood for each scene

  4. Production Designer: The production designer is responsible for the overall visual design of the film, including the sets, costumes, and props. They work closely with the director and cinematographer to create a cohesive and immersive visual world for the story

  5. Sound Designer: The sound designer is responsible for the audio aspects of the film, including recording and editing dialogue, sound effects, and music. They work closely with the director and editor to ensure that the sound and picture are seamlessly integrated

  6. Editor: The editor is responsible for assembling the footage into a coherent and compelling story. They work closely with the director and sound designer to shape the pacing, tone, and structure of the film.
There are many other roles on a production crew, including grips, gaffers, makeup artists, and stunt coordinators, but these are some of the key positions and tasks involved in the filmmaking process.

 
Reading:

 
Take the quiz below to test your understanding on production crew task:https://forms.gle/965RgTsfLfVP7v8P9 

Week 04 Quiz 2 Results




Week 05: Mise en scene 

Mise en scène is a French term that translates literally to "placing on stage." In the realms of theater, film, and other visual storytelling mediums, it refers to the overall visual arrangement and presentation of a scene. This concept encompasses everything that appears within the frame or on stage and how these elements are organized to convey meaning, emotion, and narrative to the audience.

Key Components of Mise en Scène

Setting and Location:

Physical Space: The environment where the action takes place, whether it's a realistic setting like a living room or an abstract, symbolic space.

Time Period: The era in which the story is set, influencing costumes, props, and set design.

Props and Objects:
Items used by characters or present in the scene that can symbolize themes, indicate character traits, or advance the plot.

Costume and Makeup:
Clothing and makeup that reflect a character’s personality, social status, occupation, or psychological state.

Lighting:
The use of light and shadow to create mood, highlight specific elements, and guide the audience’s focus. For example, high-contrast lighting can create a dramatic or tense atmosphere.

Composition and Framing:
How elements are arranged within the frame or on stage, including camera angles in film or the positioning of actors in theater. This affects how the audience perceives relationships and power dynamics.

Performance and Acting:
The actors’ physical movements, facial expressions, and interactions contribute significantly to the mise en scène, conveying emotions and subtext.

Color Palette:
The selection of colors used in costumes, sets, and lighting can evoke specific emotions or symbolize thematic elements.

Spatial Relationships:
The distance and arrangement between characters and objects, which can indicate intimacy, conflict, or hierarchy.

Reading Materials: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/mise-en-scene-elements/ 

Video 01: What is Mise en scene?

Video 02: Tim Burton's Eccentric Set Design and Art Direction Explained

Video 03: How location affects your scene

Video 04: Color in film

Video 05: Costume & Make-up

Video 06: Lighting

Video 07: Camera Placament

Video 08: Composition

Video 09: Acting

Video 10: Blocking
 

Week 04 Quiz Results

Week 06: Colour Theory


➤ Back to to✮♱ ༻¨*:·


4. EXERCISES

Week 1: Exercise 1 & 2

Install After Effects, Premier Pro, and Audition

✦ Create NEW Premiere Pro Project
✦ Import footage into Premiere Pro
✦ Arrange shots on timeline with proper order
✦ Export video

 

Exercise 1:

Exercise 1 Outcome. Mint



Exercise 2:

Exercise 2 Outcome. Doritos



Week 2: Exercise 3 & 4

Exercise 3: Shooting practice, shoot & editing (add caption:Adobe Premiere Pro CC - Basic Titles for Beginners), post it in your blog under Exercises section.


Exercise 3 Outcome


Exercise 4: Editing Practise 1(Lalin) 
 
✦ Download the footage:
✦ View the Original video:
 
Watch the Editing tutorial video:


Exercise 4 Outcome

Week 3: Exercise 5

Exercise 3: Group shooting practice, shoot & editing

Exercise 5 Outcome


5. REFLECTION

Week 1: Reflection/ Shot Sizes. Camera angles, and composition

Through this I was able to learn even more about shot sizes, camera angles and composition. The videos from studio binder was extremely helpful.

Week 2: Story Telling

I was surprised we learned about this but thinking now, it was crucial. It was confusing for me at first to differentiate plot points and other terms but this helped me know the differences clearly.

Week 3: Storyboard

Storyboards were something I already enjoy, I love looking at behind the scenes of productions I like as it was fun to see how it was planned and even find out the other versions. Being able to learn more about storyboards gives me an insight of how video productions works.

Week 4: Production

This was a really interesting topic, allowing us to peek behind the scenes of a production and the process. Learning about the different roles of crew members were helpful with our upcoming filming project.

Week 5: Mise en scene 

This topic allowed me to better understand placing on stage and the elements to look out for when choosing setting and location. This gave me insight on the directing process in filming and I believe this will help with our project 2 group filming.

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