VIDEO & SOUND PRODUCTION | EXERCISES
MODULE BRIEF
LECTURE NOTES
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| Figure 2.1 Types of Camera Shots By Size (CC : Studio Binder) (Week 1, 27/4/2025) |
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| Figure 2.2 The 3-Act Structure (CC : Studio Binder) (Week 2, 4/5/2025) |
The three-act structure is a classic storytelling framework that divides a narrative into three main parts: Act One (Setup), Act Two (Confrontation), and Act Three (Resolution). It’s widely used in film, TV, and literature because it creates a clear progression that keeps audiences engaged and stories well-organized.
Act One introduces the main characters, setting, and the world of the story. It establishes the protagonist’s normal life and sets the tone and genre. Early in this act, the inciting incident occurs—an event that disrupts the protagonist’s world and introduces the central conflict. This leads to the first plot point, where the protagonist makes a choice or is pushed into action, officially beginning their journey.
Act Two is the longest section and presents rising tension and obstacles. The protagonist faces challenges that test them and push the story forward. Around the middle is the midpoint, a turning point that raises the stakes or changes the direction of the story. As Act Two progresses, things get harder for the protagonist, often leading to the lowest point or a major failure that sets up the final act.
Act Three brings everything to a climax. The protagonist makes a final attempt to reach their goal, usually resulting in a dramatic showdown or resolution. The climax is the peak of tension and emotional payoff. Afterward, the denouement wraps up the story by resolving any remaining subplots and showing how the characters have changed.
The three-act structure is effective because it mirrors how humans naturally understand stories—with a beginning, middle, and end. It helps guide writers through the storytelling process and ensures that narratives have direction, tension, and satisfying resolution.
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| Figure 2.3 Storyboard Example (CC : Studio Binder)(Week 3, 11/5/2025) |
A storyboard is a visual representation of a film sequence made up of illustrated panels arranged in the order of the shots. It is used to pre-visualize how a story will play out on screen, serving as a blueprint for filmmakers during pre-production. Each panel typically shows what the camera will capture in a particular shot and often includes additional notes such as shot descriptions, camera movements (like pan, tilt, or zoom), framing types (wide shots, close-ups, etc.), dialogue, sound cues, and character actions. Storyboards help directors, cinematographers, production designers, and editors work together by clearly communicating the visual style and structure of a project before any filming begins.
There are different types of storyboards used depending on the project. Traditional hand-drawn storyboards are common in animation and concept development, while digital storyboards, created with software like Storyboarder or StudioBinder, are increasingly popular for live-action films. Thumbnail storyboards are small, rough sketches used for quick planning, and animatics are storyboards edited into a video format with temporary audio to simulate pacing and timing. These tools allow creators to experiment visually and solve potential issues before stepping on set.
Storyboarding is most useful during the pre-production stage, especially for projects with complex visual sequences such as action scenes, commercials, music videos, and animations. Even simpler productions benefit from storyboarding, as it speeds up the shoot and post-production process by minimizing guesswork and confusion. Compared to a shot list—which is a written breakdown of all the shots needed—a storyboard offers a visual version of that breakdown and is often used alongside the shot list to plan a shoot more thoroughly.
Creating a storyboard involves reading the script and identifying key visual moments, breaking scenes down into individual shots, and selecting framing and camera angles. Artists then sketch or use digital tools to illustrate each shot and add relevant notes. Once complete, the storyboard is reviewed and revised collaboratively to ensure the vision is clear. The benefits of using a storyboard are numerous—it enhances communication among departments, anticipates technical challenges, aids in budgeting and scheduling, and guides creative decisions throughout the production process. In the industry, storyboards are used by major studios like Pixar and renowned directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg, demonstrating their value in both animation and live-action filmmaking.
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| Figure 2.4 Example of Filming BTS (CC : Studio Binder) (Week 4, 18/5/2025) |
The process of film production is typically divided into seven key stages, each crucial to bringing a movie from concept to screen. It all begins with development, where an initial idea is transformed into a workable script. This stage involves writing or acquiring a script, creating a treatment, developing a pitch, securing funding, and bringing a producer or production company on board. Once the project is greenlit, it moves into pre-production, where detailed planning takes place. This includes finalizing the script, budgeting, scheduling, hiring the cast and crew, scouting locations, designing sets and costumes, and obtaining necessary permits and insurance. Storyboards and shot lists are also created to prepare for the shoot.
The third stage is production, also referred to as principal photography, which is the actual filming period. This phase is often the most expensive, as it involves managing the cast, crew, equipment, and locations. During this time, all the visual and audio elements are captured according to the pre-production plan. After filming is complete, the wrap phase follows. This stage involves returning equipment, dismantling sets, processing payments, and often celebrating with a wrap party to mark the end of filming.
Following wrap is post-production, where the raw footage is edited and polished into a finished film. Editors assemble scenes, sound designers enhance audio, visual effects artists add any necessary effects, and colorists adjust the film’s look. Music, dialogue editing, and final touches like trailers and posters are also completed in this stage. Finally, the film enters distribution, the stage where the project is released to the public. This can include theatrical releases, film festivals, streaming platforms, or physical media like DVDs. Each stage is essential and builds upon the last to ensure a smooth and successful film production.
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| Figure 2.5 Example of Mise en Scene (CC : Studio Binder) (Week 5, 25/5/2025) |
Mise en scène, meaning "placing on stage" in French, refers to all the visual elements arranged in a film scene. It includes settings, props, lighting, costumes, actor movement (blocking), and how these elements work together within the frame. This concept shapes how a story is told visually and emotionally.
The set defines the environment—time, place, and mood. It could be a detailed interior or a vast natural landscape, both essential in grounding the narrative. Props, or objects within the scene, support storytelling. Some carry symbolic meaning or move the plot forward, like iconic items in Inception or Titanic.
Lighting sets the tone—bright setups suggest warmth or clarity, while shadows and contrast can create mystery or tension. Directors use it to guide viewers' emotions. Costumes reflect character identity, status, or transformation. In The Dark Knight, for example, the Joker’s clothing visually matches his chaotic personality.
Blocking, or where and how actors are placed or move, helps express relationships and power dynamics. Subtle placement can suggest distance, control, or vulnerability, as seen in films like Midsommar. Composition, the arrangement of everything within the frame, directs focus and enhances the story—often using rules like symmetry or the Rule of Thirds.
Beyond the visible, film medium and form—such as shooting on film vs. digital, or using animation—affect the texture and tone. Depth of field, or what’s in focus, can isolate important details or characters, helping shape the viewer’s attention, like in The Shawshank Redemption.
Sound and music, while not visual, contribute to the mise en scène by setting rhythm and emotion. Thoughtful sound design and song choices, as in Tarantino’s films, reinforce scenes and elevate their impact.
In short, mise en scène is about how everything in a scene is intentionally arranged to support the story. When done well, it creates a rich, immersive world that feels natural and emotionally resonant.
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| Figure 2.6 Colour Grading VS Colour Correction (CC : Vimeo) (Week 6, 1/6/2025) |
Colour plays a vital role in visual storytelling, both technically and emotionally. Colour theory forms the foundation for how we understand and use colour in design, photography and film. It is a combination of scientific understanding and artistic application. At the heart of colour theory is the colour wheel which usually maps the relationship between primary, secondary, and tertiary colours. This tool helps creators understand colour harmony, which refers to combinations that are visually pleasing, such as complementary (opposite on the wheel), analogous (side-by-side), and triadic (evenly-spaced). Another key principle is colour context, which describes how a colour's appearance can change depending on surrounding hues.
The origins of modern colour theory trace back to Isaac Newton, who introduced the concept in his 1704 work Opticks. He identified original colours - RED, ORANGE, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, INDIGO, and VIOLET (ROYGBIV) - and compound colours formed by blending them, such as teal from blue and green. In visual media, understanding colour theory allows creators to guide the viewer's attention, evoke emotional responses, and support narrative themes.
Once footage or imagery is created, it typically undergoes colour correction, which is the technical process of adjusting the visual content to appear natural and consistent. This step ensures accurate colour representation and fixes issues such as:
- Incorrect white balance
- Over- or under-exposed lighting
- Inconsistent contrast or saturation
The goal of colour correction is to create a clean, neutral baseline that looks realistic and uniform across all shots.
After correction, the next step is color grading, which focuses on enhancing the emotional and aesthetic tone of the visuals. This process is more artistic and involves creative decisions that support the mood and storytelling. For example, a filmmaker may use:
- Warm tones to suggesr comfort, nostalgia, or intimacy
- Cool tones to suggest comfort, nostalgia, or intimacy
- High contrast or stylized hues to evoke a specific cinematic look or brand identity
- Apply colour correction to ensure technical accuracy and realism.
- Use colour grading to add mood, symbolism, and stylistic identity.
EXERCISES
