This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know the basics of planning, filming and editing. You may even film a scene that you can end up using in your actual coursework production!
Preliminary exercise: The chase
Your preliminary exercise involves filming and editing a chase scene between two characters that ends in a short conversation that reveals a disruption in the narrative. This simply means a problem, conflict or development that will need to be fixed later in the episode. The chase scene, narrative and conversation needs to be appropriate to the fantasy genre and a family audience - so similar to a show like His Dark Materials.
The scene must include cross-cutting between the two characters, match-on-action editing and at least three different shot types (e.g. establishing shot, close-up, over-the-shoulder shot) and two types of camera movement (e.g. pan, handheld camera, zoom).
Here's an example of a chase scene some American film school students produced:
And here's a compilation of classic foot-chase sequences from films:
Finally, here's a great masterclass from a professional director on how to shoot a chase scene:
Key skills
Watch this great introduction to filmmaking - it covers the basics of the creative process:
Match-on-action
Match on action (or cutting on action) is an editing technique for continuity editing in which one shot cuts to another shot showing the same action of the subject in the first shot.
This creates the impression of continuity - the action creates a 'visual bridge' which is easy for the audience to follow.
Look at this YouTube clip for a basic match on action example:
Fantasy genre examples
The fantasy genre can be a difficult genre to work with but it also gives you brilliant creative possibilities. Have a look at these example scenes if you need some inspiration:
Class: Trapped in a Confession Prison
This is a fantastic example of a narrative disruption - the characters are trapped in a type of prison with a mysterious object that makes them tell the truth.
Doctor Who: Love and Monsters
This is a good example of a chase-style opening scene to engage the audience.
Doctor Who: Crane chase
This is another classic chase scene although it's more in the science-fiction genre. There are some great angles and close-ups in this scene.
Preliminary exercise tasks: The chase
Task: Create a chase scene between two characters that ends in a short conversation that reveals a disruption in the narrative. The narrative and conversation needs to be appropriate to the fantasy genre and a family audience.
Length: approximately 30-60 seconds.
Equipment: Smart phone or a school camcorder (limited numbers available). Note: you may need to bring in the cable to capture the videos from your phone or use data to upload to Google Drive / iCloud.
Groups: None. You MUST work individually. However, other people can act in your scene or operate equipment (e.g. camera, sound) as long as they are directed by the candidate submitting the work. You may want to get into groups of two or three to help each other complete this task.
What your TV drama scene needs to include
Content: Your scene must include match-on-action editing as explained in the clip above. It must also include a narrative disruption - a problem, conflict or development that will need to be fixed later in the episode.
Camerawork: You must include at least three different shot types but you will hopefully include much more (e.g. long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, over-the-shoulder shot and either a high or low angle shot. You also must include both fixed camera shots and camera movement (e.g. handheld, tracking, pan etc.)
Editing: You must include match-on-action continuity editing and edit to clearly show the progress of the chase.
Sound: You must include diegetic sound (from within the world of the TV show) which will be dialogue and any background sound. You can also include non-diegetic sound (e.g. music) to help establish the atmosphere and genre if you wish.
Deadlines
Planning and filming: This week's lessons.
Editing and final deadline: Next week.
Specific deadlines: see Google Classroom.
Initial tasks: planning
Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:
Initial tasks: planning
Before creating anything in Media you need to plan out exactly what you are going to do. You need to complete the following planning tasks on your blog before you can film anything:
Create a blogpost called 'Coursework preliminary exercise' and produce the following.
1) Write a 100 word statement of intent explaining what you are going to make for your preliminary exercise.
Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.
3) Casting: Who will be in your preliminary exercise scene?
4) Plan your locations: Where you will film your preliminary exercise? (You can film off-site if you wish to do this for homework - this is what we would strongly recommend). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons OR disturb any other lessons in the school. If you wish to film in-school then you will need to film with Mr Harrison supervising or after school with a Media teacher present.
5) Write your shot list: every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far MORE shots than you will actually use in the final edited version - plan extra angles, close-ups, long shots and more. You can find an example shot list here.
Extension task - Storyboard: Draw a 5-frame storyboard mapping out your key shots. Storyboard sheets are available in DF07.
Your planning needs to be completed this week. Good luck!
Statement of intent: 100 words explaining what you plan to make.
Example statement of intent [133 words]:
I plan to make a 45-second TV drama scene for a show called Connection. This is a fantasy drama about a young school student, Alex, who has mysterious powers. This scene will be the moment the student is chased by the show's other main character, Ryan, before Alex admits she has these powers and the dangers that they are facing.
Both characters will be dressed casually as London students and the chase will take place in Fresh Mill Lane alongside school. I will film the whole chase several times and use a variety of camera shots and movements - particularly wide shots and low-angle medium shots - so I can create a fast-paced, dramatic chase when editing. There will be a low, tense non-diegetic soundtrack playing behind the conversation to add atmosphere to the scene. [133 words]
2) Write a script for your preliminary exercise on your blog. This needs to include stage directions AND dialogue. To see how a TV drama script is presented, and to look at professional examples, check out the BBC Writers' Room and click on Script Library.
3) Casting: Who will be in your preliminary exercise scene?
4) Plan your locations: Where you will film your preliminary exercise? (You can film off-site if you wish to do this for homework - this is what we would strongly recommend). Important note: You CANNOT take any students out of any other lessons OR disturb any other lessons in the school. If you wish to film in-school then you will need to film with Mr Harrison supervising or after school with a Media teacher present.
5) Write your shot list: every shot you plan to film. This needs to be far MORE shots than you will actually use in the final edited version - plan extra angles, close-ups, long shots and more. You can find an example shot list here.
Extension task - Storyboard: Draw a 5-frame storyboard mapping out your key shots. Storyboard sheets are available in DF07.
Your planning needs to be completed this week. Good luck!
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