Friday 27 November 2015

MEST 2: Research and Planning

MEST2: Research and Planning

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind




Instantly, in this scene we can tell that there is unease from the first words that this female protagonist utters "Damn it" This is then replaced with a man saying hello this suggests that the man being introduced could potentially be the disequilibrium in this women's life. Furthermore, the fact the female protagonists posture and facial expressions changed into more of a slouch reinforces how this women's life has changed negatively. On the other hand, the non-diagetic background music that comes into the scene towards to the end suggests that the relationship between both characters is coming to an end. This idea is reinforced through the way the background music is changed through a phase.


In this clip the cinematography is used to show the status between both characters. For example, the use of tracking shots suggest that the female protagonist is the one in the relationship with the more dominant role because the shot is following her and not the man. This is effective in showing the status between these two characters as the male character is "chasing" after the female character. On the other hand the constant use of Medium shots of the female protagonist could  suggest that she is trying hide her true feelings or she is hiding something from the audience or the male protagonist.


Finally, the mise-en scene in this clip is used effectively to show the relationship of the characters in the scene. For example the fact that the brown haired man is chasing after a red haired female could suggests that they were never meant to be. The use of bright red clothing for the female and a dull brown colour for the male protagonist this could also show that the dull brown colour is the emotions that he shows on the outside where as , he is creative and red and lively on the inside. Furthermore, this is reinforced through the fact that the male protagonist had a sad look on his face when his eyes were closed but when he opened them he started to smile



It Follows







Instantly, from the protagonists facial expressions of shock and realisation we can suggests that the character is facing a scary horrible monster in which she has previously seen. Furthermore, the characters ragged movements and lack of composure suggests that she cannot trust or turn to anyone near her for protection. This is then reinforced through the way she allows people she knows into the room with her but hesitantly.


The loud non-diagetic sound that occurs at the start of the play effectively creates tension as it shows how the protagonists death is inevitable. In addition to this,the slow motion editing of when she goes up the stairs also suggests that she will not get away from the terrors she is facing. The slow and loud beat reinforces the character's mindset of how lost and confused she is, which then later calms down when she allows her two friends into the room. This is then reinforced through the way she allows her friends to open the door for another one of their friends, at this point the eerie background music is completely quiet as the protagonist thinks their is nothing there to worry about anymore. This false hope was shattered as the protagonists worst fear came back with the crashing loud eerie background music as before.

Finally, the lighting is significant as it holds synergy with the expectation of an old house. This is usually a dull beige colour with hardly any lights on and a lot of natural lighting to heighten how realistic it looks. Furthermore, the use of back lighting when the last women character knocks on the door heightens the suspense of the audience. This is then reinforced with the top lighting used to show the key features of the tall man that comes up behind the woman.




The Falling





Instantly, we can tell that the person narrating is the person whom received those bruises. this is evident in the way she describes everything that has happened in a few words. The sound bridge that is used to switch scenes is effective as makes the audience picture a school scene. Furthermore, the the non-diagetic sounds that appeared in the montage suggested the genre of the film; Sci-fantasy.

The cinematography used was effective as it contained all the necessary features required of a Sci-fi/fantasy genre. The use of an extreme close up suggests that the bruise on this young girls leg is a significant factor in the story line. In addition to this the fact that the first shot was an extreme close up suggests that it was used to maintain the audience's attention as well as keep a personal relationship with the protagonist.

Finally, the editing was effective as it managed to maintain the narrative whilst showing a montage of some sorts. In addition to this the continuous use of cuts could suggests that the audience are being asked to find something that is off with what is happening. In addition to this the blond characters pause when meeting the protagonist suggested that their is something wrong with the protagonist that is making people act differently around her. This is reinforced with the way the bell girl is just standing their after the two girls leave as if she is waiting for something. However, the fact that it fades out suggests that it is an enigma code,Roland Barthes, getting the audience to want to find out more.


Ill Manors







Instantly, we can tell that the genre of the film is urban due to the establishing shots of the urban areas of London. The use of cuts suggests that the editor is trying to represent the parts of London that are not being shown. Furthermore, the use of a fade when one of the characters are coming out of prison suggests that this is where the disequilibrium takes place. The use of a fast forward enhances how intense and action packed this film's going to be.

The lighting used in Ill Manors is mainly low-key lighting this represents the genre urban as the dark setting suggest a sense of danger. In addition to this it represents the characters as untrustworthy and evil as they are dwelling in the dark. Furthermore, the high key lighting used enhances how drugs are the main things that motivate the characters. The high key lighting of the razor blade on the floor enhances the danger that comes with being in the drug business. This is reinforced through the way back lighting and high key lighting were used to enhance the fact that there is a child behind the gun holding the trigger this heightens the importance of the first two lines of text that appeared at the start of the trailer; "We are all products of our environment. Some environments are just harder to survive in"

Finally, the cinematography used in this trailer is effective. For example the use of the establishing shots of the blocks create a sense of crime. This uses Andy Medhurst's theory of representation by showing the audience glimpses to use their previous knowledge to associate what is being shown with stereotypes they are use to. Furthermore, use of close ups show the audience which characters to look out for which then helps in building anticipation.




Samurai



Instantly, the audience can tell from the low angle shot that the person being shown is the one with the most power or status. This is evident in the slightly  low angle shot that is shown of the other characters. Furthermore, we can tell that the protagonist is the first person being shown because through out the whole fight scene the camera follows his movements. The use of an extreme close up of the protagonist's sword/katana suggests to the audience that the sword/katana is his preferred weapon of choice. The use of a long shot to show the protagonists enemies is effective as it really shows how powerful he is compared to everybody else. The use of a establishing shot to show the the number of people suggests that this is a fight that would act as the disequilibrium or potentially cause the new equilibrium.

The lighting used in Samurai is mainly low-key lighting this is used to represent the genre as being old and urban. In addition to this the low key lighting used creates a more realistic approach to the fight that is taking place. The use of high key lighting on the protagonist is used to enhance the protagonists physical features and facial expressions. Furthermore, the enhanced sound effects of the blade hitting its target reinforces how strong the protagonist is.

Finally, the editing used in Samurai is effective as it makes the battle seem more intense. For example, the slow motion effect of when the protagonist parries certain attacks and kills the people makes the audience feel like they are apart of the action creating a personal relationship with the protagonist and his victims.







GLITCH: Evalualtion

Evaluation


Introduction
The brief we were given told me that we were to film and a edit a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. The filming should contain a match on action shot, shot reverse shot and should abide by the 180-degree rule. The time allocated for this production is 2 weeks. The production that I created I named Glitch, it is about an experienced 17 year old assassin being hired by a mysterious man to do one impossible hit; to assassinate the US president.

Pre-production
When it came to the planning phase I believed that I chose to go with a hybrid genre of action and thriller. This is because I am familiar with the cinematography and the type of sounds that would occur in a production of similar genre. The storyboard and shot list particularly helped with my filming as I was able to tick off what I had done and what I didn’t do. Furthermore, the script was effective as it showed where each person was meant to speak and where they shouldn’t as well as what they are meant to be doing whilst they are waiting for their next line.
I decided on the mise-en scene by familiarising myself with the location, the costumes, the lighting and the actors facial expressions and movements that would typically be in a production of a similar genre. I then decided to make the protagonist not look like the typical assassin as I made him look like a typical teenage boy. This is effective as it completely goes against the dominant representation of an assassin. Furthermore, it also challenges the dominant representation by having a teenage boy as being the assassin and not the target of the assassination.


Strengths
As I worked by myself I had to be more time efficient and get the planning and research done effectively and in half the time it would take if ours in a group. This is because it would take more time do all the editing and filming as I have to pay attention to what is happening in the scene and what is not happening. Furthermore, I was able make decisions myself because I knew what I was capable of thus making it easy to persuade other actors or people that I required in the filing and editing phase.

Weaknesses
Weaknesses that I encountered were to do with the editing and sound. Firstly, the editing was a weakness because I was not use to the software that I used to edit productions with. It was also a weakness because I was not able to make a title sequence that gave the audience the name of the production. Furthermore, the sound was a weakness because in the first shot the sound could not be heard. The cinematography was a weakness because the over the shoulder shot used was not angled right so that the there was a lot of empty space to the right hand side of the shot.






Tuesday 24 November 2015

GLITCH: Shot List


  1. Establishing shot of E block panning to B block
  2. Long-Medium shot of Abael walking downstairs and past the camera.
  3. Medium Shot of Hussein making a phone call to his employer.
  4. Long shot of Abael walking around a corner.
  5. Extreme Close up of Abael's feet going past camera.
  6. Long shot of Abael tapping security card on door.
  7. Match on action of the card hitting the scanner and door opening.
  8. Over the shoulder shot of Abael entering room and being told to "sit down".
  9. Point of view of Abael seeing his previous employer.
  10. Over the shoulder shot of employer handing Abael a file.
  11. Over the shoulder shot of Abael declining and then standing up out raged.
  12. Point of view shot of Abael opening the file and examining its content then declining.
  13. Over the shoulder shot of employer saying how only he can do it and that it is his final job.
  14. Point of view shot of Abael agreeing then looking towards  his hand and seeing it vigorously shaking.

Storyboard

GLITCH :Script

GLITCH
Episode #1






Act One
Fade In:
EXT. LOCATION #1: Day – School
HUSSEIN walks from A block around B block.
He then walks to E block and is observed from a suspicious person.
The person then makes a call and disappears after a crowd walks past camera.

INT. LOCATION #2 – Drama Studio
HUSSEIN
Hello
(Pause)
Anybody in here?
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
Take a seat!
HUSSEIN
Who are you?
And where is Paul?
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
He was effectively disposed of
HUSSEIN
Oh no!!!!!


End of ACT 1

Wednesday 18 November 2015

Film Noir lighting


Film Noir Lighting: Blog Task





This opening sequence follows the typical expectations of a film noir scene. The back lighting used when introducing the interrogater/investigater suggests that the interviewer is trying to hide his identity at the start. However, when comes closer into the light key lighting enhances the protagonists facial features and expressions this is effective as it gets the audience to form a personal connection with the characters being seen. The shadows that are potrayed in this scene are coming from one light source this is effective as it reinforces the realism that is trying to be shown.

Media Awards

Media Awards



Labrat
I chose Labrat as being my favourite production because of the effective use of cinematography. This is evident in the close ups and extreme close ups of lab equipment. In addition to this Labrat is my favourite production because of how the monotone editing complements the non diegetic music of the title sequence. Futhermore, Labrat is my favourite production because of its narrative of how a lonely boy ends up creating a formula that could potentially be dangerous in the wrong hands.


The Experiment

The experiment was my second favourite production also because of its effective use of cinematography. This is evident in the way camera movement was used to help us (the audience) identify more with the protagonist running. In addition to this The Experiment is my second favourite production because of its use of editing and how the scenes do not always just cut to the next clip and sometimes fades or jump cuts.



Narrative

Narrative Task

1) Choose three clips from YouTube and embed them in your blog - one from film, one from TVand one of your choice.

FILM: 




 TV: 



Hitman Agent 47:




2) For EACH clip, apply the three narrative theories: Barthes' action and enigma codes; Todorov's equilibrium; Propp's stock characters. Make specific reference to aspects of the clip (as you would in a film language analysis). Remember to highlight media language.


The Equalizer trailer follows  Propp's theory of character types. The use of cinematography enhances who the hero is and who the damsel in distress is. This happens specifically in the extreme close up of Denzel Washington taking the ring off the frightened cashier as the medium shot of when he was observing the woman get thrown into the car. However, this trailer contains more than one damsel in distress which could suggest how much of a hero the protagonist is as well as to heighten the importance of him. In this trailer we can tell that there is no one being of help towards to protagonist which could also enhance the stereotype of how men are the ones saving the female with out help.




The Blacklist trailer follows Rowland Barthes theory of Equilibrium, Disequilibrium and New equilibrium. Instantly we could tell that the protagonist is Raymond Red Reddington due to the establishing shot of him sitting at a bench outside the FBI building. This is reinforced by the fade to black and cuts that were used to show that he carries an errie atmosphere around him as he enters the building. The equilibrium in this trailer was shown through the calm and serene atmosphere before Raymond face was shown in a close up. In addition we can tell that this trailer follows Vladamir Todorov's narrative theory due to the fact that Raymond Reddington was the catalyst that caused the disequilibrium. However, this trailer also makse the audience assume that it could follow Roland Barthes theory of action and enigma codes because when Raymond placed his briefcase down and took his jacket off it made the audience question if something was going to happen.


Hitman Agent 47 also follows Roland Barthes and Propps narrative theories. This is because the first scene we see is of a sniper looking directly at the camera this is an enigma code due to the fact that it instantly gets the audience wondering what is happening. Furthermore, we then see a head appearing from below the fact that this is happening after the sniper looked like it was targeting the audience suggests that the protagonist/hero is the person who the sniper is now aimed at thus helping the audience identify with him more. This is also following Propps theory of character types as there is a close up of a woman looking into the mirror, later on in the trailer we see the same woman being told that her life is in danger which suggest that she is the damsel in distress 



Sound editing

Clockwork Orange





The film clip that I chose to analyse is from Clockwork Orange.

Through out the course of the film their was a non-diegetic very distinctive piano being played in the background, this soundtrack was contrapuntal which created a very sadistic scene. Furthermore, what could be seen was a very violent scene this suggested that the mind set of this "leader" was unstable. Additionally, the diegetic yet contrapuntal narration from the protagonist suggest that he is trying to make the audience understand his mindset. This could suggest that the protagonist assumes that he is too elite to be saying what was on his mind to his subordinates. At the start of the clip the audience could here a beat of some sort which connoted that something major was going to happen in this scene. This in addition to the narration suggest to the audience that these four people are criminals or are on the wrong side of the law.

Parallel & Contrapuntal

Parallel


 


Contrapuntal