Research: Director Simon Hooks comes for a visit

Simon Hook's Background-
On the 7/11/14 Director and writer for shorts, Simon Hooks came to our media class. He has been creating and writing films from a very young age, featuring in many different shorts and series such as Hollyoaks and MI5 from the BBC. He has worked as a director for 20 years, learning and developing skills such as shooting the film and certain special effects. He also writes and directs plays for a youth theatre, working with young actors. He then wrote and directed award winning Shorts. "Knit your own Karma, won the sci-fi shorts competition and Best British Short at Britspotting. It had the biggest theatrical release of a short film since the 70s supporting Tim Burton's "Planet Of The Apes". Then in June the short got nominated for the Best British Independent Film Award. He has won many other awards for his shorts at festivals and ceremonies in Britain. His TV successes has lead him to direct in Hollyoaks, M.I High, Rivercity on BBC Scotland. He is also currently working on a Comedy feature film for Masses Entertainment.

Learning new Techniques-
 He came for an hour tutorial lesson where he taught us about effective camera angles and shots in a scene and certain rules to remember when shooting a film. He got us involved by the class taking it in turns to change the angle of the camera to cover a whole scene known as 'coverage'.

Getting the actors comfortable with the script-
We started off with the scene, two actors following a certain script making a realistic scene and learning camera shots with that certain scene. We chose a basic location that linked to the scripted with basic props of a table and chairs not to over complicate the focus of using the correct shots in the scene and to show the simple storyline to the audience (the class). This method helps the actors to relax and feel comfortable with their characters and the narrative. This technique of getting the actors prepared and relaxed for the scene is a good method to consider when shooting my trailer as I want the narrative to flow more easily and natural.

Equipment used-
The equipment we used was a high definition Canon camera enabling the camera to connect with a certain software on the Apple Mac that allowed us to see what the camera was shooting on the screen. This helped with establishing what shots work and what didn't for the scene. This also helped with getting the shots in frame with the screen and allowing the audience to give feedback when recording, as the shots are more clearer and locate problems quicker than viewing on the camera itself. We also used a light pointing at the ceiling to enhance the lighting and gave the whole shot more lighting and enhances the quality of the shot as the room was quite dark as the weather wasn't sunny on that day. I need to consider lighting when shooting my trailer as the filming period will be in the Winter season therefore the lighting will be dark. I need to enhance the lighting to improve the quality of my shots to the audience. The Tripod used was stable and had grip of the camera this allowed the shots to be smooth and stable without shakes. I need to ensure I use a tripod when shooting my trailer as it allows me to get smooth shots for the audience and enhances the quality, allowing the storyline to flow more easily.

Coverage-
This means shooting a scene with just one shot. This is done several times with many effective shots appropriate for the scene. This allows the director to see the whole scene from different angles to see the more effective one that shows the message they want to communicate to the audience such as emotion by a close up of the actor's face. This also helps the director to see all the detail and to see how effective the main focus to the audience, allowing them to take parts out which isn't important to the main message of the scene, ensuring they don't miss anything important. Directors feel doing separate shots for one scene takes to much time. After this process the director can choose the best shot for that scene.

We tried this technique with the scene we were going to shoot with the director. We did a range of different shots to cover the scene and then chose the best shot that was most effective for the scene to show a message of emotion and meaning, connecting the audience with the narrative.

Shots-
The first shot we tried was an over the shoulder shot that showed the characters emotion and meaning towards the narrative. He taught us how to create the over the shoulder shot in the most effective way. I decided to write it in steps to help understand the method better to get this effective shot when filming:

Step 1- Ensure the camera is eye level to the character facing the camera to have the characters in frame.

Step 2- Once the camera is eye level to the character facing the camera, move the camera back to ensure both characters and perhaps the mise en scene in the background is in frame. Then zoom in to the characters in order to show emotion. Use a long lens to capture the quality better.

Important Rule- Never zoom in when filming as it looks low quality and unprofessional towards the audience. Always adjusted zoom before or after shot by cutting or doing the zoom before filming begins.

Top Ten Rules for Directors, for film and TV-

Simon Hooks taught us the 10 rules for directing a film and I manage to find a YouTube video of Simon Hooks explaining the 10 rules for directing a film to Oxford Digital Media company -

This will help me to improve my directing skills when I have to film my trailer. I feel the rules give me a list and structure to follow as a director and helps me to develop the standard of filming. This will hopefully improve my knowledge and skill to make my trailer the best I can.