Boostweek workshop English - film

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-4

Boostweek workshop English - film

During this workshop you will...

• Dive into the making of a film: what does a script look like? How do camera angles influence the scene? How does the acting and music influence the scene? 
• Write your own short script.
• Record your own short film. 

This lessonup...

...provides you with all of the information you need to be able to write and produce your own short film or video. 

The exercises you're going to do are on the back of the poster that the teacher gave you! Read the information and use it to make the best video/short film possible :) 

Let's start by learning more about the making of films 

Important things to consider:

1. Camera angles
2. Camera distance
3. Mise-en-scene
4. Acting
5. The script 

The next few slides will explain more about each item! 

1: Camera angles

There are different camera angles used in film. The next few slides will show you the 4 most important camera angles.

1: Camera angles 

• Straight-on or eye-level shot: "normal", the camera is at eye-level of the character.

1: Camera angles

• High-angle shot: also called the "Bird's-eye view shot". The viewer looks down on the character, which makes the character look small, powerless and valuable. 

1: Camera angles

• Low-angle shot: also known as the "hero angle". The viewer looks up to the character, as it makes the character look powerful and large.

1: Camera angles

• Over-the-shoulder shot: the viewer looks over the shoulder of a character. Commonly used when two characters are talking to each other.

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2: Camera distance

The camera distance positions the viewer. It gives the viewer a sense of being close to or far away from the mise-en-scene (= everything that can be seen during a scene: props, location, actors, clothing, makeup, etc.)

2: Camera distance

• Extreme long shot: used at the beginning of a scene. It shows the environment and helps the viewer understand where the scene is happening.

2: Camera distance

• Long shot: the full-body shot. Used to fully show the character(s) and their surroundings. It enables the viewer to see how the character(s) interact with the surroundings as well as their body language.

2: Camera distance

• Medium shot or mid-shot: shows the character from the knees/waist to the head. Often used for dialogue (conversations) between characters, as it allows the viewer to see facial expressions. 

2: Camera distance

• Close-up: shows the top of the shoulders to the top of the character's head. It’s used for capturing a character’s facial expression, heightening emotions and building tension. It’s another great shot type for dialogue. 
• Extreme close-up: when an object, item or body part fills the frame, which is used for emphasis, showing detail and, once again, heightening emotion.

3: Mise-en-scene

The mise-en-scene is a fancy word for everything that can be seen by the audience during a scene. Everything in front of the camera:

• Props (= any moveable item, for example:  a gun, a wineglass, a light saber, etc.)
• Actors (= acting, styling, make-up)
• Set design (= the location)
• Lighting 

When making your own short film, you have to carefully think about everything that is placed in front of the camera. What do you want to show the viewer? Why?

3: Mise-en-scene

4: Acting

If you choose to use people in your short film, you have to think about the acting. Acting is more than just "saying what the script says you have to say", it's also:

• Body language: how is the actor standing/sitting/moving?
• Facial expressions: what is the actor's emotion and does his facial expression reflect what they're feeling?
• Movements: what is the actor doing?

It's important that the words the actor is saying, matches with their body langugae, facial expressions and movements, otherwise it can get confusing for the audience.

4: Acting

You mention the actor's body language, facial expressions and movements in the script as well. You don't have to describe the expressions in great detail, as the actors need to have some room to interpret it the way they want to as well. 

5: The script

The script is not just the text that the actors have to say. It describes everything from the mise-en-place, to the camera angles and distace, to the acting. It is the exact guideline that tells everyone who is involved in producing the film how the scenes should turn out. 

Scriptwriting

Start with a scene heading:  where & when

1. First, indicate whether the scene is inside or outside: INT. = the scene is happening inside, EXT. = the scene is happening outside
2. Next, explain where the scene is set in 1 to 5 words. 
3. Then, explain when the scene is happening in 1 to 5 words. 

Example: 

INT. CADY'S ROOM. EARLY MORNING.

Scriptwriting

For example, your heading could look like:

INT. KITCHEN. SUMMER DAYTIME. 

EXT. GARDEN. LATER THAT DAY. 

INT. CAR. THE NEXT DAY. 

EXT. BEACH. TWO WEEKS LATER. 

INT. MAGGIE'S LOUNGE. SUMMER 1959 MORNING. 

Scriptwriting

Next, you'll describe the camera distance and angle. For example: In EXTREME LONG SHOT, HIGH ANGLE we see a car driving on an empty road. 

Then, you'll describe the mise-en-scene: In EXTREME LONG SHOT, HIGH ANGLE we see a car driving on an empty road. It is dark and raining heavily. The brown, broken car is driving slowly. The road is lit up by the yellow headlights of the car. We can't see the driver. 

Scriptwriting

So, now you've got: the heading, the camera distance/angle and the mise-en-scene: 

EXT. DARK EMPTY ROAD IN LONDON. 1930S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. 

In EXTREME LONG SHOT, HIGH ANGLE we see a car driving on an empty road. It is dark and heavily raining. The brown, broken car is driving slowly. The road is lit up by the yellow headlights of the car. We can't see the driver. 

Scriptwriting

Next describe the character(s):

• What do they look like? What are they wearing?
• What is their facial expression/body language/movement?

For example: 

The camera ZOOMS IN to reveal the driver. We see a man with black, short hair sitting behind the wheel. He is wearing a blue blouse and jeans. He looks sad, like he just cried. 

Scriptwriting

Then, describe what the viewers are hearing. This can be music, background noises, but also: what the characters are saying. For example: 

The next few slides will show a few examples from the script from "Mean Girls"

Scriptwriting

Some other useful language: 

• Fade in: indicates start of a scene
• Fade out: indicates end of a scene
• CUT TO: cut to a different part of the scene 

Scriptwriting

If you want to see more of the Mean Girls script, click on the website (see next slide!)

assets.scriptslug.com