VIDEO AND SOUND PRODUCTION

22.9.2025 - 15.10.2025（Week 1 - Week 3)
Lee Xiang Ling / 0384095
Video and Sound Production / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Exercise

LIST / JUMPLINK

LECTURES

Week 01_Film Languages

1. Shot Size

Shot size defines how much of the subject appears in the frame and how close the camere is to it.

Extreme Wide / Exetreme Long Shot (EWS / ELS)
This subject appears very small within a vast environment , often evoking isolation or scale.

Fig. 1.1 - Example of Extreme Wide Shot

Wide / Long Shot (WS / LS)
The subject is fully visible within the frame, providing spatial context.

Fig. 1.2 - Example of Wide Shot

Full Shot (FS)
Shows the subject's entire body, often for movement or group composition.
Medium Wide Shot / Medium Long Shot (MWS / MLS)
Frames the subject roughly from the knees up.
Cowboy Shot (CS)
From mid-thigh upward, famously used in Westerns.
Medium Shot (MS)
From the waist up, ideal for dialogue scenes.
Medium Close-Up Shot (MCU)
From the chest up, balancing intimarcy and context.
Close-Up (CU)
Focuses on a subject's face or detail to convey emotion.
Extreme Close-Up (ECU)
Zooms in on a small detail (e.g. eyes, lips, hand, or an object)
Establishing Shot
Introduces a scene's location and spatial relationships.

Fig. 1.3 - Example of Shot Size

Key Insight: Shot size controls emotional proximity -- the closer the subject, the stronger the intimacy and emotional focus.

2. Camera Framing
Framing determines what and how many subjects are in the shot and their spatial relationships within the composition.

Common framing types:

Single Shot: Focuses on one character or subject.
Two-Shot: Includes two characters, often emphasizing dialogue or relationship.
Three-Shot: Frames three characters togerther, common in ensemble scenes.
Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OTS): Captures a subject from behind another's shouder, emphasizing perspective in conversation.

Fig. 1.4 - Example of Over-the-Shoulder Shot

Over-the-Hip Shot (OTH): Similar to OTS but positioned lower, oten showing power dynamics.

Fig. 1.5 - Example of Over-the-Hip Shot

Point-of-View Shot (POV): Represents a character's direct visual perspective, creating audience immersion.

Key Insight: Framing defines narractive relationships -- who is dominant, who is observed, and how the viewer perceives interaction and hierarchy.

3. Camera Angle
Camera angle refers to the camera's height and tilt relative to the subject, shaping emotional and psychological interpretation.

Common angles:

Eye Level: Neutral, balanced view -- feels natural and objective.
Low Angle: Looks up at the subject, conveying strength, power, or intimidation.

Fig. 1.6 - Example of Low Angle

High Angle: Looks down at the subject, suggesting weakness or vulnerability.

Fig. 1.7 - Example of High Angle

Hip-Level / Knee-Level / Ground Level / Shoulder Level : Each emphasizes different body gestures or enviromental dominance.
Dutch Angle (Tilt): The camera tilts diagonally, creating uneasr or disorientation.
Bird's-Eye View / Overhead / Aerial: A top-down view showing spayial layout or insignificance of characters.

Key Insight: Changing the angle can entirely reshape audience perception -- altering power, mood, and emotional tone.

4. Shot Composition
Composition is the arrangement of visual elements within the frame to guide attention and express meaning.

Rule of Thirds
Divide the frame into thirds to place key elements alonh intersections for balanced tension.
Leading Lines
Use natural lines (roads, architecture) to direct focus.
Symmetry vs. Asymmetry
Symmetry conveys order and calm; asymmetry introduces dynamism or tension.
Negative Space / Headroom / Leadroom
Space around subjects gives balance and breathing room.
Point of Interest
Control where the audience looks through contrast, focus, or placement.
Visual Tension
Introduce imbalance or motion cues to evoke unease or anticipation.

Key Insight: Composition is storytelling through visuals -- every framing choice communicates emotion, hierarchy, or theme beyond dialogue.

Week 02_Three-Act Structure

Act I – Setup

Introduces characters, world, and conflict. The inciting incident disrupts normal life and pushes the protagonist to act. Ends with a decision or turning point leading into Act II.

Act II – Confrontation

The longest section (~50 %). The protagonist faces obstacles, rising tension, and personal growth. Includes the midpoint (a major shift) and ends with another turning point leading to the climax.

Act III – Resolution

The climax delivers the highest tension and resolves the main conflict. The character’s arc completes, and the story closes with a sense of transformation or closure.

Key Notes:

Balance: roughly 25% - 50% - 25%
Each act drives the next through cause and effect.
Use as a flexible framework, not a rigid rule.

Week 03_Storyboard

A storyboard is a visual outline of a film or video, showing each shot in sequence through sketches or images. It helps filmmakers plan visuals, camera angles, and movement before shooting.

Key elements:

Panels showing main shots or scenes
Notes on action, dialogue and camera direction
Shot details like angle, size, and movement

Purpose:

Visualize the story before filming
Improve communication between team members
Save time and costs during production

Storyboards can be simple or detailed, and modern digital tools (like StudioBinder) make it easy to create and share them.

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LECTURES' QUIZ

Week 01 - Shot Size

Week 02 - Three Act Structure

Week 03 - Storyboard

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INSTRUCTIONS

EXERCISES

Week 1

In the first week, we followed the professer’s guidance to editing video practice using Adobe Premiere Pro and learned about the "Mark In" and "Mark Out".

Exercise practice in class: Mint

After that, we were required to complete another exercise on our own using the same method.

Another Exercise: Doritos

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Week 2

This week, the professor gave us a brief review of shot sizes and asked us to work with another classmate in class to film the required shots.

The list of shot:

Low angle Wide shot
Frontal MCU
Frontal MS
ECU
Side angle MS
3/4 angling MCU
CU
Eye Level Medium Wide

Shooting Exercise 1: Link

This week, we conducted our second editing exercise. Based on the provided Lalin storyboard, we reassembled and edited the existing footage to form a coherent narrative. This exercise was adapted from the Thai commercial “Lalin”.

Exercise 2: Editing Lalin

After understanding the three-act structure, we need to use what we've learned to answer the following questions:

1. “Lalin"

Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.

Act 1
Depicts Lalin’s daily life and emotional state, while also revealing the reasons behind her personality and inner emptiness. This act establishes the foundation of the narrative and subtly foreshadows the changes and developments that follow.
Act 2
The offline meeting between the boy and Lalin introduces significant psychological and emotional conflict, forcing her to confront her true self and genuine feelings. This moment allows the audience to gain deeper insight into Lalin’s inner world, while highlighting the struggles and contradictions she faces.
Act 3
The book left behind by the boy becomes a crucial emotional turning point for Lalin, allowing her to truly understand and accept both her appearance and emotions. She chooses to face her true self and pursue the boy, bringing emotional closure to the story and leaving the audience with a sense of resonance.

What is the inciting incident in the movie?
The inciting incident occurs when Lalin meets the boy offline, an event that serves as an emotional trigger, disrupts her ordinary life, and sets the narrative in motion.
What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
The midpoint occurs during Lalin’s emotional conflict, as she becomes deeply insecure about her appearance not matching her idealized online image. This moment marks a shift from narrative setup to the active development of emotional conflict.
What is the Climax scene in the movie?
The climax occurs after Lalin finishes reading the book left by the boy, when she chooses to confront her insecurities and true emotions. This moment brings the film’s emotional tension to its peak and marks her internal transformation.
What is the theme of the movie?
The theme of Lalin revolves around the boundary between reality and virtual identity, self-awareness, and the courage to embrace imperfection. The film encourages the audience to move from avoiding imperfection to accepting their true selves, recognizing that authenticity holds its own beauty and leads to emotional growth.

2. “Everything Everywhere All at Once"

Which part is act 1, act 2, act 3 respectively? Describe each act with ONE paragraph only.

Act 1
Portrays Evelyn’s chaotic life, strained family relationships, and overwhelming pressures, laying the foundation for the film’s narrative. She longs for a chance to change her life and believes she may have missed the opportunity to make the right choices. The story truly begins when an alternate version of Waymond introduces her to the multiverse and reveals her unique role within it, setting the narrative in motion.
Act 2
Evelyn gains a deeper understanding of the multiverse and gradually acquires its powers, which intensifies both her internal conflicts and external chaos. She is forced to confront issues of identity, regret, and her fractured relationship with her daughter.
Act 3
With the support of her husband, Waymond, Evelyn confronts herself and commits to her choices. She ultimately resolves the multiversal conflict and returns to her ordinary life with greater understanding, acceptance, and compassion.

What is the inciting incident in the movie?
The inciting incident occurs when Evelyn learns about the multiverse and her role in preventing its collapse.
What is the midpoint scene in the movie?
The moment Evelyn fully masters and uses her multiversal abilities makes her realize the heavy cost of this power, symbolizing her shift from passive confusion to active confrontation.
What is the Climax scene in the movie?
The climax centers on the emotional confrontation between Evelyn and her daughter. Through love and understanding, she overcomes nihilism and despair, confronts her flaws and the world around her, and ultimately reconciles with her daughter, bringing the conflict to an end.
What is the theme of the movie?
The theme of Everything Everywhere All at Once centers on family, love, and self-identity. The film explores meaning within chaos, the importance of kindness, and the power of choosing love in an absurd world, while highlighting the profound value and possibilities within ordinary life.

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Week 3

This week, the professor first asked us to form groups to collect sound effects for Project 1, and then continue with the assigned shot filming just like last week.

The list of shot:

Deep Focus - FG: MCU, BG: Full Body
O.S on M.S
O.S on M.W.S
Tight M.S
Tight M.S Side Angle

Shooting Exercise 2: Link

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REFLECTIONS

Through this exercise, I realized that a significant amount of planning and consideration is required during the pre-production stage, including narrative structure and shot planning. The exercise was both engaging and hands-on, allowing me to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between shooting and editing through practical experience.

XiangLingLee (0384095)

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