Production Equipment

The first camera designed was made by Louis Le Prince in 1888 which can be seen in Bradford National Media Museum. A motion picture camera is a device that takes pictures at a high speed sequence which when played gives the illusion of movement. Early movies had a frame rate of of 14-20 frames per second (FPS) which is lower than today's standard TV frames of 25 FPS and Cinema of 24 FPS.

Kodak in 1923 launched 16mm film stock for cameras which were at a lower cost than the alternative 35mm. In the 1930's experimentations were made with the digital camera by the BBC using cathode ray tubes, it would be many years before they started broadcasting though.

Colour cameras were introduced in the 50's and 60's. The 20th Century relied on VHS and Betamax to keep recordings. In the early 2000's the MiniDV was introduced, it was a mini VHS that could be placed in a camera. However since it was a tape it meant the tape would have to be rewinded for 40mins before playback on the computer. These were soon replaced by the DVD/SD/Hard Drive/Compact Flash Card/Solid State etc.
The MiniDV allowed for 720x576 recording in PAL (0.4 megapixels) which is standard definition. Current consumer cameras allow for high definition which is 1920x1080 (2 mega pixels).

Current film camera (35mm) can range from 10-24 mega pixels or even higher. Current digital standard is 4K which is 12 mega pixels. In a few years time it is likely that HD at only 2 megapixels will be replaced by 4K at 12 megapixels.

Cameras work by isolating the blank film inside from all light so when the shutters open light travels inside through the lens exposing the film and sensor. The image is imprinted on the film so when the shutter closes the film is moved so the next blank film moves into place. This happens at a very rapid rate in video cameras so that the illusion of movement can be given.

The sensor size of the camera has a big impact on the look and quality of the image. The larger the sensor the better the quality of image, it also means the camera can handle the dark better. The smaller the sensor is the higher the frame rate capability and zoom since the small images are magnified however the the image will be grainy in the dark and not have as good quality.

The shutter speed is how quickly the image is captured, the quicker this happens the smoother the movement will seem. Aperture controls how much light is let into
the film, a hole allows light through, the larger the whole the more light is allowed through, the smaller the hole the less light is allowed through. ISO controls how sensitive the camera is to the light, this is measured in numbers (100, 200 etc.) the lower the number the lower the sensitivity and the of the film and the finer the grain in the shot.

Lighting is used to create depth and bring the subject forward from the foreground and look more 3D. This is done by using Fill Lighting/Key Lighting/Backlight etc.
The Key Light is placed at a 45 degree angle from the camera. The Fill Light is used to fill in distracting and harsh shadows that the Key Light creates. The Backlight is used to add dimension and create a more 3D look, however the Fill light and Backlight shouldn't overpower the Key Light otherwise a very unnatural look may be created.

In situations where lights can't be used reflectors are very useful as the reflect natural light in the direction needed. White reflectors are used to bounce light light, silver reflectors are used to bounce a lot more light while gold reflectors bounce light while giving a warmer tone to the light.

There are also different microphones for different situations for example the Shotgun microphone which is used for filming outdoors, a Dead Cat can be used to cover the mike so that wind sound is reduced. Dynamic microphones are used by on stage performers like singers and live comedians. The Condense microphone is used in music studios by singers recording their voice or radio stations.

Good quality sound should be recorded by ensuring the microphone is facing the actor while sound levels are peaking however they should not be hitting maximum otherwise the sound will come out sounding distorted which can't be edited out.

Foley Sound

Foley noise for Princess Mononoke clip.

Coconut shells/ Rocks on different surfaces e.g grass/ wood to make horse and deer clopping noises. they will also be used to create the sound of the wooden bowl being hit by the deers foot.
Making the noises heavy for horse clops.
A jacket flapping will be used to make the rustling of the clothes in the wind. Wind will also be recorded.
A tent peg piercing the grass will be used to create the sound for the arrow piercing the ground.
Rustling of clothes as well as the squelching of ketchup will be used to make the sound of the virus moving underneath the clothes on his arm.
Human voices will be used to make the sound of the main character/ person/ soldiers/ deer and horses.
A metal or wooden pole hitting wood/ floor/ bag will be used to make the sound of the solder attacking the person.
The twanging of a ruler on a table will be used to create the twang of the arrow releasing from the arch and arrow pinning mans arms to trees. We will also test the sound of the twang of elastic.
A heavy bag hitting the ground will be used to create the sound of the bodies hitting the ground.
The sound of jiggling change/ tapping on metal will be used to create the noise of the solders armour.
The flapping of a leather jacket will be used to create the sound of the reins on the deer/ horses skin.
The sound of the arrow flying through the air will be made by swinging a wooden pole really hard.
The sound of the arms hitting the tree will be made by smacking raw meat against wood, this could also be done by hitting celery with boxing gloves.
The sound of hands and knees on the ground will be used to create the sound f the person crawling.

Unit 38 - Soundtrack Production For The Moving Image

Diegetic sound is sound that exists within the world or diegesis of the film, for example when someone closes the door you sound of it shutting is diegetic since it is made and heard within the world of the film.






Non-diegetic is the opposite, it is sound that may not exist within the world of the film or simply can't be heard by other characters for example in action scenes quick pace music is often playing even when the characters fighting are not near a music source. Or a narration may be an example of non-diegetic sound if the character narrating is not seen on screen or in the location that the narration takes place. Sound can switch back and forth from diegetic and non-diegetic for example in Lord Of The Rings: Two Towers after Sam saves Frodo from the Nazgul he begins to talk about stories, which starts of as diegetic sound since it is sound within in the scene however as his narration continues the scene cuts to the battle at Helm's Deep that is happening at the same time at this point the sound is now Non-Diegetic since the characters at the battle can't hear Sam and his voice is not at that scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xDD7egEN2k


Sound Bridges are also examples of sound that starts of non-diegetic before becoming diegetic, for example during a scene a phone may be heard ringing before there is a cut showing the phone being picked up. The noise of the phone starts of non-diegetic but then becomes diegetic when the phone is shown on screen.

A juxtaposition is where two text with two different meanings are placed side by side to create a completely different meaning. For example in BBC's Sherlock as Moriarty steals the crown jewels classical music is playing as he causes chaos. This is done to create comedy, since Moriarty is portrayed as a funny character who is however still threatening this is why the visuals show him easily stealing the crown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwoPSdtFqHg

A Wild Track is sound that is recorded to link dialog together, this sound is usually the noise in the environment before any dialog is spoken, for example if the characters are going to speak in the woods than the sound of the woods alone will be recorded. If the characters are going to speak in a room then the white noise of the room will be recorded. This means that when the dialog is recorded and put together it will won't sound like two different recording because the wild track will run in the background linking them together. This helps to create continuity and make the scene run smoother.

 Foley sound is a recording of sound made to be put in films, cartoons etc. when the naturally recording either didn't catch the original sound or needs to be emphasized more. In the case of cartoons apart from the dialog all of the sound is foley sound since animation does not create sound all of the noise must be recorded usually in post-production and placed in the final product. For example in Star Wars the sound of the doors closing and opening is made by recording a piece of paper sliding out of an envelope.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4v-qiFvBg

Broadcast Systems

There are three different TV analog system standards, PAL, SECAM and NTSC. These systems have several components that are broadcasted including technical parameters for signal, an encoder for colour and sometimes an MTS for sound. Countries all across the world use these systems and they all started being created around 1953.

PAL runs at 25 frames per second (FPS) and was adopted in mainly the Western European area. It was made when NTSC showed several weaknesses in being unable to keep consistent tone colour under poor transmission. The first broadcast to the United Kingdom and West Germany in 1967 which was used initially by BBC 1 and 2.  

SECAM runs at the same FPS as PAL and first began as SECAM 1 in 1961. It adopted in mainly communist Eastern European as well as France. However since PAL was created most Eastern European countries and African countries which used to use SECAM changed to using PAL. France is the only country that didn't change and continued to use SECAM. SECAM however has different colour outputs meaning the same program may be running on different channels with slightly different colour tones. 

NTSC named after the National Television System Committee was used mainly in most of America, South Korea, Japan and some Pacific Islands etc. In 1953 the second NTSC was adopted, which allowed colour television which was compatible with the existing black and white receivers. It was the main television standard until the 21st century when it was replaced by ATSC. 

Broadcasting systems are made up of radio stations, one of the first kind was terrestrial television which uses radio signals to transmit to antennas. The BBC began broadcasting using this method in 1929, there was practically no other way to broadcast tv until the 1950s which sparked the beginning of cable television. During the 1970s and 80s cable tv took over as the most common way to receive tv and terrestrial declined, however it picked up a little during 2010 with the introduction of digital tv.  

Cable television is a system of distributing television to paying customers through subscriptions. The tv is delivered through radio frequency signals transmitted through cables or light pulses through fibre optic cables. This is almost the direct opposition to tv delivered through terrestrial's method of radio signals to antennas. A large advantage that this method has over terrestrial is that the same cables can be used to provide high speed internet, telephone services and some non-television services. This is why companies that use cable sell multiple deals and bundles so that the different services can be provided in the best combination that is appropriate for the customer. For example Virgin Media offers the cheapest bundle at £26.50 a month for those who only want fibre optic broadband with unlimited downloads and it's most expensive bundle that includes broadband, tv, phone and SIM from up to £50 a month. 

Satellite television as it's name suggests involves sending television through a communications satellite which is received through an antenna. This used to be done through analog signal but now is generally replaced by digital since digital offers a much better quality picture. Companies like sky use this in a similar way to cable using subscriptions and bundles but with more focus on a wider range of television programs rather than internet. For example Sky will sell The Family bundle for £32 a month that includes over 80 channels, 240 free to air channels, Sky+, Catch up TV, On Demand and over 50 HD channels.       

TV stations like satellite (Sky), cable (Virgin/Broadband) and the internet (BBC I player) are part of digital TV which instead of broadcast through satellite like analog TV they broad cast through the internet. Systems such as Freeview is free for everyone as long as they have a TV licence however the quality is usually standard while other systems such as Virgin or Sky while they can be expensive offer much more variety and choice and at a higher quality.  

PAL has a resolution of 720 X 576 which is the same as SECAM but NTSC has a resolution by 720 X 480 this means that NTSC has a higher resolution meaning there are more  pixels to create a smoother picture.   

The difference is that an analogs TV signal is transmitted through radio transmissions and electromagnetic signals meaning that only bits of the signal is received, this can result in a static picture. While digital TV is broadcast as compressed signals of binary codes meaning more of the signal is received and in more detail of what should appear on screen, resulting in a better picture. However this can be a disadvantage since streaming videos from the internet relies on the provider which can sometimes become slow leading to buffering videos and slow signal. However another advantage of digital is that internet users do not need a TV licence to watch TV on I Player or 4OD etc as long as the shows they watch are not live.