Making Media: Foundations of Sound and Image Production

Description

Taking essential media production processes, this book deconstructs them into the most basic components. Students will learn the concepts of media production – frame, sound, light, time, motion, and sequencing – and be able to apply them to any medium they choose, from film and television to fine art and online applications. They will also become well-grounded in the digital work environment and the tools required to produce media in today’s digital environment. The primacy of content and the importance of an ethical approach to media making are also emphasized. This new fifth edition is fully updated throughout, featuring updates on technology and processes. Included is new information on shooting with a cell phone, developments in mirrorless cameras, color grading, tips for recording good audio, intimacy training, and much more. Fully illustrated, this book includes sidebar discussions of pertinent issues throughout. There is a companion website with interactive exercises for each chapter, allowing students to explore the process of media production. This book is ideal for media students on courses including media production, film production, audio production, and photography. Cover Half Title Dedication Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Content and Development The Primacy of Content Developing Story Ideas Knowing Your Audience Matching the Medium to the Message Classifying Content Cultural Perspective Linear Versus Nonlinear Storytelling Defining the Stages Development Financing Script Visualizing the Script Branching Structures Alternatives Ethical and Legal Responsibilities Ethical Responsibilities Production Ethics Postproduction Ethics Cultural Sensitivities Legal Issues Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing Writing and Doing Chapter 2 Composing the Frame Seeing the World Through a Frame The Still Image Controlling the Frame The Shape of the Frame What’s in the Frame and What Isn’t: Shot Sizes The Weight and Magnetism of the Frame Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing Writing Doing Chapter 3 Reproducing the Frame PART 1: Creating the Image Lenses Focal Length Lens Characteristics Aperture Shutter Speed Sensitivity Focus Resolution PART 2: The Frame Applied to Different Media Analog Versus Digital Reproduction Still Image Making Film Digital Resolution Compression Motion Pictures Film Digital Video Scanning Shutter Speed Sensitivity Video Compression Types of Video Cameras Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing Writing Doing Chapter 4 Depth, Movement, and Time Media Illusions Creating Visual Depth Placement Lens Choice and Focus 3D Movement Movement Within a Still Frame Moving Images Frame Rate and Shutter Speed Subject Movement Camera Movement Drones Types of Camera Movements Movement Through Editing Movement Considerations in Different Media Movement and the Long Take Long Takes in Fiction Narratives Long Takes in Documentaries Budget Considerations Animation and Motion Graphics Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Time and Space Frozen Time Series Sequence Sounds and Images Existing in Time Real Time Recorded Real Time Illusion of Real Time Ellipsis of Time Defying Time Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing Doing Chapter 5 Light The Importance of Light Understanding Light Quantity Exposure Contrast Quality Direction Color Reproducing Color Color Temperature Sources of Light Daylight Existing Artificial Light Added Lights Lighting Concerns of Different Media Film Color Reproduction Color Temperature and Film Stocks Video and Digital Images Color Reproduction Three-Chip Cameras Large-Format Single-Sensor Cameras Accurate Color Shooting in Log Virtual Relighting Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing and Writing Doing Chapter 6 Sound The Importance of Sound Understanding Sound Sound Waves The Ear Reproducing Sound Microphones Using Microphones Transducer Pickup Patterns Microphone Usage Types Balanced Versus Unbalanced Analog Versus Digital Recording Audio Compression Sound Variations Quantity of Sound Signal-to-Noise Ratio Quality of Sound Reverberation Presence Direction of Sound Moving Sound Recording Clean Sound Recording Formats Digital Formats Digital Audio Recorders Types of Audio Media Radio Podcasts Music Recording Alternative Audio Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing and Writing Doing Chapter 7 Sound and Image A + B = C Elements of Sound Design Sound/Image Combinations Sound Recording for Different Media Film Sound Digital Video Sound Audio- and Computer-Based Media Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing and Writing Doing Chapter 8 Approaches to Production Determining Your Approach Production Team Studio Versus Location Single Versus Multiple Sources Single Source Multiple Sources A Different Look Linear Or Interactive The Production Team One Size Does Not Fit All One-Person Crew Small Crew Industrial Model The Role of Collaboration Small Group Collaboration Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing and Doing Writing Chapter 9 Making It Happen The Preproduction Process Sources of Financing Out of Pocket Crowdfunding Equity Presales Grants Deferred Payments In-Kind Contributions Product Placement Tax Incentives Budget Budgeting Personnel Legal Considerations Copyright Intellectual Property in the Digital Age Insurance and Permissions Talent Releases Location Releases Equipment Planning Production Safety Talk It Through Safety On the Set Cables Light and Light Stands Weapons and Fire Stunts Background Flats Ladders Traffic Electricity Be Smart On Set Good Preparation Gives the Freedom to Improvise Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Writing and Doing Chapter 10 The Theory of Linear Structure Putting the Story Together Creating Pacing and Rhythm On the Screen Issues of Structure in Preproduction Approaches to Structuring Motion Pictures Continuity Style Action Shot Size Sequencing Eyeline Match Props, Costumes, Hair, and Makeup Lighting and Sound Screen Direction Maintaining Continuity in Production Montage Verbally Driven Structure Breaking the Rules Applications of Structure Multicamera Video Observational Documentaries Audio Continuity Uses of Montage Montage Within Narrative and Documentary Verbally Driven Structure: A Staple of Documentary Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Observing Writing and Doing Chapter 11 The Practice of Linear Structure Sound and Image Transitions Live Editing Postproduction Editing Preparation Is Key Linear and Nonlinear Distinctions Stages of Editing Analog Nonlinear Editing Film Digital Nonlinear Editing The Digital Editing Process Compression Revisited The Process Ingesting Logging File Management Storage Sequencing Mixdown Color Grading and Effects Output Issues of Convergence and Compatibility Film to Video Digital Intermediates Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Doing Chapter 12 Nonlinear Structure Understanding Nonlinearity Random Access Interactivity Nonlinear Design Interactive Media Types of Interactive Media The Web Databases User-Generated Content The Process of Making Interactive Media Technical Concerns and Accessibility Software Applications Image Creation Image Manipulation Audio and Video Editing Motion Graphics and Animation Putting the Pieces Together HTML CSS JavaScript Web Builders Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Writing Doing Chapter 13 Exhibition and Distribution Changing Media Forms Still Images Film Digital Video Audio Film Festivals Getting the Work to an Audience The Future Making Media Professionally Conclusion Putting It Into Practice Doing Index