In order to fully understand the codes and conventions that are established within a short film, it was crucial to share ideas and different perspectives with somebody else conducting the same short film task.
Typical codes and conventions of a short film:
1. Lack of dialouge= story is told through the camera. This is seen in "The First Time It Hits" where CGI is used to express the love and hurt shared between the two characters.
2. Black background with a white font= adds to 'thrillerness' of the text.
3. Simple narrative= only few characters
4. Music reflects narrative/ genre= parrallel music= non-diegetic
5. Title sequence using CGI
6. Majority of Close up shots, especially in the beginning of the text in order to keep the audience members engaged from the very early stages of the short film.
7. Fast paced editing or slow paced editing= two extremes of editing, no medium. This is reinforced through either punchy, fast music or slow, classical music to match the action of the narrative.
8. Mise en scene= helps to establish the mood/ tone of the narrative
9. More than one range of representations throughout the text, so that the audience appeal is more widely spread.
10. Engagement occurs from the very beginning of the text, i.e. pace of editing, music.
11. A voiceover is most commonly used= mainly non- diegetic, but can be diegetic as seen in the short film "About A Girl".
Thursday 25 June 2009
Evaluation from research
Deciding my brief
From looking at my skills sets for each of the following briefs, I have decided that I will be best suited to conducting the short film task. The predominant reason being that I will only have to use a camera and tripod. I feel that -especially from the last task- I can take a variety of shots in order to represent the narrative in the best way possible.
From my research...
As part of developing my understanding about the key concepts, features and codes and conventions of a short film it was vital to form an analytical and technical opinion about each of the extracts.
From looking at the short film called 'The Plan' I liked the way in which the black and white editing was used in order to create a darkness or mystery to the male protagonist in the narrative. As an audience member I felt engaged with the character from the very beginning of the extract. This was emphasised through the use of the spoken narrative throughout the text; thus meaning that as an audience member I had no option but to listen to what the protagonist had to say. This idea of a spoken narration was also seen in the short film 'LOL' in which the female protagonist informs the audience members on her name, home, relationship status, friends and current events. (This links to Hayden White's theory that narratives address issues of order, desire and law, authority and its legitimation of subversion. The demand for closure in the historical story is a demand, I suggest, for moral meaning... -sismedia.wetpaint.com/page/narrative+theory-)
Throughout the course of the spoken narrative, a variety of scenes are shown to audience members. This is good for presenting each scene in a particular way as it is seen from the 'eyes' of only one character in the form of non-diegetic dialouge. Whereas, the short film 'About a Girl' the audience members become engaged with the female character in a different way as the female protagonist speaks directly to the camera in the form of a monologue or spoken diegetic dialogue. Nevertheless, as the protagonist is just speaking about her life in the backdrop of her home-town, the audience members gradually lose interest and become disengaged with the actual narrative of the text. Thus, meaning that if I were to use this narrative form in my short film I would use non-diegetic engagement as it would allow me to present a variation of shots, angles, characters and mise en scene. This links to the "Auteur" theory, in which the "basic principle was that the film was a work of art; just like a novel or painting, it was essentially the product of an individual's imagination". (Genre and Auteur theory)
I felt that in each short film the use of realism was maintained in different levels, I especially noticed a certain level of realism in the short film 'LOL'. The mise en scene of the text was landscaped around the idea of being a teenager, being at school, hanging out with a mate and going to a party. Each scene was carefully thought out to meet with a particular mindset of being a teenager. For example, the use of the social networking group 'Facebook' and the continual use of the mobile phone stresses the advance in technology in modern day society but it also helps to represent a relatable concept to audience members. This links to the theory put forward by Robert Stam, in which he pointed out "While some genres are based on story content (the war film) others are borrowed from literature (comedy, melodrama) or from other media (the musical). Some are performer-based (the Astaire- Rogers films) or budget-based (blockbusters) while others are based on artistic status (the art film), racial identity (Black cinema), location (the Western), or sexual orientation (Queer cinema)".
This idea of a relatable concept is also seen in the short film 'Accident' in which it becomes apparent that an injury or troubled situation has occurred in a London town. The idea of realism is maintained as no non-diegetic sound is used -i.e. a soundtrack or song- thus helping to create a realistic situation through the use of ambient sound instead. Thus, enabling me to link Aristotles theory from the 4th Century BC "the most important is the plot, the ordering of the incidents; for tragedy is a representation, not of men, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness".
As well as this, I also recognised the use of close ups that were used an extensive amount throughout the majority of the short films. This was evident especially in the short film 'Accident' whereby close ups were formed in order to focus the attention of particular characters, facial expressions, props and personal belongings. Through using this particular shot it meant that audience members were given key hints to the climax of the narrative, however they were not giving the complete mystery of the extract. Thus, helping to maintain a sense of realism as in the rush of an accident it is not always apparent to notice all aspects surrounding the scene. This idea of mystery was also seen in the short film 'About a Girl', in which it was recognised that the young girl felt troubled by her family life and background as she was always kept out of the way. This was clearly emphasised upon the use of close ups surrounding the majority of the text. Thus, showing that the girl has something to hide from not just her family but her audience members too; consequently helping to keep audience members enticed to keep watching. Nevertheless, the audience members are given hints to the progression of the narrative through a variety of shots. This is especially noted in the beginning scene where a long shot is used to establish the main protagonist, however her face is 'blacked' out so that the audience members are unable to see the face and features of the girl. From this I feel that it is important for me to create the same effect, therefore I will use close ups in order to distinguish a clear narrative and keep the audience members waiting for a climax within the narrative.
From looking at my skills sets for each of the following briefs, I have decided that I will be best suited to conducting the short film task. The predominant reason being that I will only have to use a camera and tripod. I feel that -especially from the last task- I can take a variety of shots in order to represent the narrative in the best way possible.
From my research...
As part of developing my understanding about the key concepts, features and codes and conventions of a short film it was vital to form an analytical and technical opinion about each of the extracts.
From looking at the short film called 'The Plan' I liked the way in which the black and white editing was used in order to create a darkness or mystery to the male protagonist in the narrative. As an audience member I felt engaged with the character from the very beginning of the extract. This was emphasised through the use of the spoken narrative throughout the text; thus meaning that as an audience member I had no option but to listen to what the protagonist had to say. This idea of a spoken narration was also seen in the short film 'LOL' in which the female protagonist informs the audience members on her name, home, relationship status, friends and current events. (This links to Hayden White's theory that narratives address issues of order, desire and law, authority and its legitimation of subversion. The demand for closure in the historical story is a demand, I suggest, for moral meaning... -sismedia.wetpaint.com/page/narrative+theory-)
Throughout the course of the spoken narrative, a variety of scenes are shown to audience members. This is good for presenting each scene in a particular way as it is seen from the 'eyes' of only one character in the form of non-diegetic dialouge. Whereas, the short film 'About a Girl' the audience members become engaged with the female character in a different way as the female protagonist speaks directly to the camera in the form of a monologue or spoken diegetic dialogue. Nevertheless, as the protagonist is just speaking about her life in the backdrop of her home-town, the audience members gradually lose interest and become disengaged with the actual narrative of the text. Thus, meaning that if I were to use this narrative form in my short film I would use non-diegetic engagement as it would allow me to present a variation of shots, angles, characters and mise en scene. This links to the "Auteur" theory, in which the "basic principle was that the film was a work of art; just like a novel or painting, it was essentially the product of an individual's imagination". (Genre and Auteur theory)
I felt that in each short film the use of realism was maintained in different levels, I especially noticed a certain level of realism in the short film 'LOL'. The mise en scene of the text was landscaped around the idea of being a teenager, being at school, hanging out with a mate and going to a party. Each scene was carefully thought out to meet with a particular mindset of being a teenager. For example, the use of the social networking group 'Facebook' and the continual use of the mobile phone stresses the advance in technology in modern day society but it also helps to represent a relatable concept to audience members. This links to the theory put forward by Robert Stam, in which he pointed out "While some genres are based on story content (the war film) others are borrowed from literature (comedy, melodrama) or from other media (the musical). Some are performer-based (the Astaire- Rogers films) or budget-based (blockbusters) while others are based on artistic status (the art film), racial identity (Black cinema), location (the Western), or sexual orientation (Queer cinema)".
This idea of a relatable concept is also seen in the short film 'Accident' in which it becomes apparent that an injury or troubled situation has occurred in a London town. The idea of realism is maintained as no non-diegetic sound is used -i.e. a soundtrack or song- thus helping to create a realistic situation through the use of ambient sound instead. Thus, enabling me to link Aristotles theory from the 4th Century BC "the most important is the plot, the ordering of the incidents; for tragedy is a representation, not of men, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness".
As well as this, I also recognised the use of close ups that were used an extensive amount throughout the majority of the short films. This was evident especially in the short film 'Accident' whereby close ups were formed in order to focus the attention of particular characters, facial expressions, props and personal belongings. Through using this particular shot it meant that audience members were given key hints to the climax of the narrative, however they were not giving the complete mystery of the extract. Thus, helping to maintain a sense of realism as in the rush of an accident it is not always apparent to notice all aspects surrounding the scene. This idea of mystery was also seen in the short film 'About a Girl', in which it was recognised that the young girl felt troubled by her family life and background as she was always kept out of the way. This was clearly emphasised upon the use of close ups surrounding the majority of the text. Thus, showing that the girl has something to hide from not just her family but her audience members too; consequently helping to keep audience members enticed to keep watching. Nevertheless, the audience members are given hints to the progression of the narrative through a variety of shots. This is especially noted in the beginning scene where a long shot is used to establish the main protagonist, however her face is 'blacked' out so that the audience members are unable to see the face and features of the girl. From this I feel that it is important for me to create the same effect, therefore I will use close ups in order to distinguish a clear narrative and keep the audience members waiting for a climax within the narrative.
Wednesday 24 June 2009
Research into different types of genre for short films
Main Film Genres : filmsite.org
Action Films
Action films usually include high energy, big-budget physical stunts and chases, possibly with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises (floods, explosions, natural disasters, fires, etc.), non-stop motion, spectacular rhythm and pacing, and adventurous, often two-dimensional 'good-guy' heroes (or recently, heroines) battling 'bad guys' - all designed for pure audience escapism. Includes the James Bond 'fantasy' spy/espionage series, martial arts films, and so-called 'blaxploitation' films. A major sub-genre is the disaster film. See also Greatest Disaster and Crowd Film Scenes and Greatest Classic Chase Scenes in Films.
Adventure Films
Adventure films are usually exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales, very similar to or often paired with the action film genre. They can include traditional swashbucklers, serialized films, and historical spectacles (similar to the epics film genre), searches or expeditions for lost continents, "jungle" and "desert" epics, treasure hunts, disaster films, or searches for the unknown.
Comedy Films
Comedies are light-hearted plots consistently and deliberately designed to amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners, jokes, etc.) by exaggerating the situation, the language, action, relationships and characters. This section describes various forms of comedy through cinematic history, including slapstick, screwball, spoofs and parodies, romantic comedies, black comedy (dark satirical comedy), and more. See this site's Funniest Film Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated, and also Premiere Magazine's 50 Greatest Comedies of All Time.
Crime & Gangster Films
Crime (gangster) films are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or mobsters, particularly bankrobbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life. Criminal and gangster films are often categorized as film noir or detective-mystery films - because of underlying similarities between these cinematic forms. This category includes a description of various 'serial killer' films.
Drama Films
Dramas are serious, plot-driven presentations, portraying realistic characters, settings, life situations, and stories involving intense character development and interaction. Usually, they are not focused on special-effects, comedy, or action, Dramatic films are probably the largest film genre, with many subsets. See also the melodramas, epics (historical dramas), or romantic genres. Dramatic biographical films (or "biopics") are a major sub-genre, as are 'adult' films (with mature subject content).
Epics/Historical Films
Epics include costume dramas, historical dramas, war films, medieval romps, or 'period pictures' that often cover a large expanse of time set against a vast, panoramic backdrop. Epics often share elements of the elaborate adventure films genre. Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure, and add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes, accompanied by grandeur and spectacle, dramatic scope, high production values, and a sweeping musical score. Epics are often a more spectacular, lavish version of a biopic film. Some 'sword and sandal' films (Biblical epics or films occuring during antiquity) qualify as a sub-genre.
Horror Films
Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films feature a wide range of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today's CGI monsters and deranged humans. They are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens. The fantasy and supernatural film genres are not usually synonymous with the horror genre. There are many sub-genres of horror: slasher, teen terror, serial killers, satanic, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. See this site's Scariest Film Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated.
Musicals (Dance)
Musical/dance films are cinematic forms that emphasize full-scale scores or song and dance routines in a significant way (usually with a musical or dance performance integrated as part of the film narrative), or they are films that are centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography. Major subgenres include the musical comedy or the concert film. See this site's Greatest Musical Song/Dance Movie Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated.
Science Fiction Films
Sci-fi films are often quasi-scientific, visionary and imaginative - complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic technology, unknown and unknowable forces, and extraordinary monsters ('things or creatures from space'), either created by mad scientists or by nuclear havoc. They are sometimes an offshoot of fantasy films, or they share some similarities with action/adventure films. Science fiction often expresses the potential of technology to destroy humankind and easily overlaps with horror films, particularly when technology or alien life forms become malevolent, as in the "Atomic Age" of sci-fi films in the 1950s.
War (Anti-War)
War films acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) on land, sea, or in the air provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film. War films are often paired with other genres, such as action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy (black), suspense, and even epics and westerns, and they often take a denunciatory approach toward warfare. They may include POW tales, stories of military operations, and training. See this site's Greatest War Movies (in five parts).
Westerns
Westerns are the major defining genre of the American film industry - a eulogy to the early days of the expansive American frontier. They are one of the oldest, most enduring genres with very recognizable plots, elements, and characters (six-guns, horses, dusty towns and trails, cowboys, Indians, etc.). Over time, westerns have been re-defined, re-invented and expanded, dismissed, re-discovered, and spoofed.
Action Films
Action films usually include high energy, big-budget physical stunts and chases, possibly with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises (floods, explosions, natural disasters, fires, etc.), non-stop motion, spectacular rhythm and pacing, and adventurous, often two-dimensional 'good-guy' heroes (or recently, heroines) battling 'bad guys' - all designed for pure audience escapism. Includes the James Bond 'fantasy' spy/espionage series, martial arts films, and so-called 'blaxploitation' films. A major sub-genre is the disaster film. See also Greatest Disaster and Crowd Film Scenes and Greatest Classic Chase Scenes in Films.
Adventure Films
Adventure films are usually exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales, very similar to or often paired with the action film genre. They can include traditional swashbucklers, serialized films, and historical spectacles (similar to the epics film genre), searches or expeditions for lost continents, "jungle" and "desert" epics, treasure hunts, disaster films, or searches for the unknown.
Comedy Films
Comedies are light-hearted plots consistently and deliberately designed to amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners, jokes, etc.) by exaggerating the situation, the language, action, relationships and characters. This section describes various forms of comedy through cinematic history, including slapstick, screwball, spoofs and parodies, romantic comedies, black comedy (dark satirical comedy), and more. See this site's Funniest Film Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated, and also Premiere Magazine's 50 Greatest Comedies of All Time.
Crime & Gangster Films
Crime (gangster) films are developed around the sinister actions of criminals or mobsters, particularly bankrobbers, underworld figures, or ruthless hoodlums who operate outside the law, stealing and murdering their way through life. Criminal and gangster films are often categorized as film noir or detective-mystery films - because of underlying similarities between these cinematic forms. This category includes a description of various 'serial killer' films.
Drama Films
Dramas are serious, plot-driven presentations, portraying realistic characters, settings, life situations, and stories involving intense character development and interaction. Usually, they are not focused on special-effects, comedy, or action, Dramatic films are probably the largest film genre, with many subsets. See also the melodramas, epics (historical dramas), or romantic genres. Dramatic biographical films (or "biopics") are a major sub-genre, as are 'adult' films (with mature subject content).
Epics/Historical Films
Epics include costume dramas, historical dramas, war films, medieval romps, or 'period pictures' that often cover a large expanse of time set against a vast, panoramic backdrop. Epics often share elements of the elaborate adventure films genre. Epics take an historical or imagined event, mythic, legendary, or heroic figure, and add an extravagant setting and lavish costumes, accompanied by grandeur and spectacle, dramatic scope, high production values, and a sweeping musical score. Epics are often a more spectacular, lavish version of a biopic film. Some 'sword and sandal' films (Biblical epics or films occuring during antiquity) qualify as a sub-genre.
Horror Films
Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films feature a wide range of styles, from the earliest silent Nosferatu classic, to today's CGI monsters and deranged humans. They are often combined with science fiction when the menace or monster is related to a corruption of technology, or when Earth is threatened by aliens. The fantasy and supernatural film genres are not usually synonymous with the horror genre. There are many sub-genres of horror: slasher, teen terror, serial killers, satanic, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. See this site's Scariest Film Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated.
Musicals (Dance)
Musical/dance films are cinematic forms that emphasize full-scale scores or song and dance routines in a significant way (usually with a musical or dance performance integrated as part of the film narrative), or they are films that are centered on combinations of music, dance, song or choreography. Major subgenres include the musical comedy or the concert film. See this site's Greatest Musical Song/Dance Movie Moments and Scenes collection - illustrated.
Science Fiction Films
Sci-fi films are often quasi-scientific, visionary and imaginative - complete with heroes, aliens, distant planets, impossible quests, improbable settings, fantastic places, great dark and shadowy villains, futuristic technology, unknown and unknowable forces, and extraordinary monsters ('things or creatures from space'), either created by mad scientists or by nuclear havoc. They are sometimes an offshoot of fantasy films, or they share some similarities with action/adventure films. Science fiction often expresses the potential of technology to destroy humankind and easily overlaps with horror films, particularly when technology or alien life forms become malevolent, as in the "Atomic Age" of sci-fi films in the 1950s.
War (Anti-War)
War films acknowledge the horror and heartbreak of war, letting the actual combat fighting (against nations or humankind) on land, sea, or in the air provide the primary plot or background for the action of the film. War films are often paired with other genres, such as action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy (black), suspense, and even epics and westerns, and they often take a denunciatory approach toward warfare. They may include POW tales, stories of military operations, and training. See this site's Greatest War Movies (in five parts).
Westerns
Westerns are the major defining genre of the American film industry - a eulogy to the early days of the expansive American frontier. They are one of the oldest, most enduring genres with very recognizable plots, elements, and characters (six-guns, horses, dusty towns and trails, cowboys, Indians, etc.). Over time, westerns have been re-defined, re-invented and expanded, dismissed, re-discovered, and spoofed.
Short film 5: About a girl
A long shot is used to establish the main protagonist within the text this helps audience members develop a motion towards her as she reoccurs throughout the narrative. Upon seeing the girl the audience members cannot detect all of her features as a black contrast has been used against the light sky backdrop. Thus, highlighting that the girl is not in the ‘centre of attention’ despite thinking that she is a popstar/ singer. Consequently, showing that the girl may have problems at home which means that she cannot fulfil her ambitions. Furthermore, the use of the black editing may also suggest that the girl is unable to express her identity and therefore covers it in front of other people.
A handheld camera is used when the girl speaks directly to audience members giving personal details about her home-life. Upon saying words like “lav” and “Old em”, the audience members distinguish that the girl is from a poor family with a troubled background. Thus, helping to identify with why the director has used a handheld camera as it helps to show the distress, imbalance and inequality of her life. This distress is highlighted through the use of close up shots to express what the character is saying. Whilst also showing that the character maybe hiding something as audience members never see her full silhouette apart from a long shot from the back (1:15).
The effect of spoken diegetic dialogue throughout the narrative makes it apparent that the girl wants help and guidance, despite the lack of help that her family show her. Therefore, by speaking directly into the camera about her ‘life-story’, it makes audience members evoke sympathy for her as it becomes apparent that she is alone. As there is no soundtrack or running diegetic sound it makes her life-story seem more realistic. This idea of sound is also emphasised through the female protagonist singing at the beginning and throughout parts of the narrative, thus showing how she only believes in her voice and uses her personal music selection to express her identity.
The use of the song “Stronger” by Britney Spears shows the struggle to which the girl is going through. However, it is ambiguous to audience members what her struggle actually is. She only sings certain parts of the song one part being “you, I, think that I won’t make it on my own”. The significance of this girl saying she is on her own is reinforced when a long shot of her is used. This isolates the protagonist as it makes her appear smaller than the rest of her surroundings. This may show that the little girl is handling a big problem on her shoulders and feels endangered.
Upon looking at perfume bottles the girl says that her mother is “blind”. As audience members we know that this is not true, however the girl may feel that her mother is blind to what the girl actually does throughout her life. The attitude of her family’s lack of consideration or care is expressed in the shot with the girl and her father. A MS shot is used to show both characters being distant from one another –which is clearly not just in this scene, but in life as well- and the positioning of either character shows the father to be superior than the daughter as he is framed higher. Nevertheless, the use of the father’s newspaper poses as a distraction from what his daughter is actually saying; thus helping to reinforce his disinterest.
A tilt and pan shot is used in the climax of the text in order to show the significance of the scene that is about to occur. This helps to establish her surroundings, that predominately being a river. Thus, showing that the girl is going to wash her problems away by throwing the baby into the river. The use of black and white credits shows the ‘thrillerness’ of the text, which was also briefly introduced in the beginning of the short film.
Tuesday 23 June 2009
Short film 4: LOL
From looking at the text, I was able to determine the ways in which the director has used the key concepts in order to create a particular representation to audience members.
The extract opens with a CGI style title sequence in which a variation of characters are introduced. The effect of CGI shows an increase in the technological advance in society today. This representation of modern society is reinforced through the use of non-diegetic rock music in which it becomes apparent that the narrative of the story will be based around a group of teenagers. Throughout the title sequence, the director uses still images in order to show the relationships formed between characters. This brief introduction makes it easier for audience members to relate to the narrative throughout the course of the text.
The CU of the mother's hand grasping and shaking the bottle of pills emphasises the problem or potential problem within the course of the narrative. The director has used a CU as it focuses on the character as being essential to the development of the main protagonist with other characters. This poignant character (mother) is also made more explicit through the use of black and white editing; which reinforces her significance throughout the text. The director has used black and white editing because it shows an older generation in the narrative. Thus helping to distinguish the rest of the characters who act the 'youth' within the narrative, this is reinforced and highlighted as the director has used colour in their shots instead of black and white. Thus, helping to make certain audience members relate to the differences in age that will affect how something progresses over a significant period of time.
The CU of the main protagonist -Keeley Cooper- focuses the attention of the narrative onto her. This is reinforced when a spoken narration from Keeley is implemented; thus showing her significance. The narrative perspective informs audience members on Keeley's age, network, relationship status and home. This helps audience members to relate to her because of the details that are found on the social networking group 'Facebook' (which is something that is reinforced throughout the text from the mothers point of view).
The director uses a panning shot to show Jazzy and her boyfriend kissing, upon seeing this audience members become engaged with innate disspointment that Keeley shows. Upon saying the word 'single' the non diegetic sound drops and the audience members are made to evoke sympathy for the character.
When the non- diegetic sound is removed, the audience members distinguish that the 'introduction' to the text is over and the real action is about to commence. This is also made evident through the use of colour instead of black and white, which helps to show a clear declaration of time moving on.
The scene moves onto the party to which editing is highly used in order to create the effect to which the director is trying to portray. A selection of images 'flash' to show they have been taken to be uploaded on the social networking group. Not only this but colour is used to show the teenagers at the party, thus helping to show the time passing throughout the night. The use of an over-the-shoulder shot from Keeleys perspective is used in order to match the exact shot that Keeleys mother used when looking at her daughters Facebook. Thus, showing that despite Keeley trying to get away from her mum she still has an instinct that something might go wrong or that she may need to return home sooner than she thought.
Short film 3: Accident
The extract begins with a selection of panning shots of London buildings, in order to establish the location and setting of the text. The slow paced editing shows the distance of each building and the suspense within the narrative. Upon audience members seeing the opening scene, a white font is used on a black background. As this is something generically seen in thriller films, it entices audience members to become engaged with a hybrid of genres that will be presented in the text; thus showing that the text may obtain‘thrillerness’ to it.
The director uses mid shots to emphasise the differences between the two white males and the Indian male. This is also reinforced through the positioning of either character in which they are facing one another (two whites opposite the Indian male). Thus, helping to show that the theme of race is going to become a predominant focus throughout the text.
Upon the discovery of the victim in the middle of the road a handheld camera is used to emphasise the panic in the situation. This panic is again reinforced when close up shots of strangers/ witnesses are used in order to make audience members informed of the surroundings within the scene. Ambient sound is used to highlight the realism behind the event and the effect of no soundtrack or non-diegetic sound stresses this realism so that audience members can engage to the text.
After the accident takes place the director uses a selection of close up shots in order to show the reaction and facial expressions of the witnesses within the text. This makes audience members build suspense as they are unable to determine who maybe guilty of the accident that has just taken place. The effect of suspense would not be so explicit if a long shot were used because it would mean that the audience members can see all/ the majority of the shot. Therefore using a close up is appropriate for building a particular effect on the audience members; thus helping to further engage them into the narrative as they are made to evoke concern and sympathy for the duration of the scene. This ambiguity and suspense is also built upon the use of the handheld camera because it reinforces the ‘strangers’ within the scene and how they do not really know what they should be doing in order to save the endangered victim.
An over-the-shoulder shot looking at the police men is used in order to show how the whole accident is perceived by the general public. Thus, helping to make it seem as if the audience members are also apart of the general public in the scene. Consequently, engaging the audience to build a compassion for the situation that has occurred. As well as this, the audience members also get the opportunity to build a reaction from the police men questioning the witnesses. This helps to keep audience members informed and apart of the investigation.
After the ambulance arrives the editing of the text becomes sharper and the shots are cut at a faster rate. This helps to reinforce the investigation that has occurred as facial expressions, witnesses, weapons and personal belongings are identified. Thus, helping to keep the audience members well informed of the situation that has just occurred and the reasons for it occurring in the first place.
The director uses mid shots to emphasise the differences between the two white males and the Indian male. This is also reinforced through the positioning of either character in which they are facing one another (two whites opposite the Indian male). Thus, helping to show that the theme of race is going to become a predominant focus throughout the text.
Upon the discovery of the victim in the middle of the road a handheld camera is used to emphasise the panic in the situation. This panic is again reinforced when close up shots of strangers/ witnesses are used in order to make audience members informed of the surroundings within the scene. Ambient sound is used to highlight the realism behind the event and the effect of no soundtrack or non-diegetic sound stresses this realism so that audience members can engage to the text.
After the accident takes place the director uses a selection of close up shots in order to show the reaction and facial expressions of the witnesses within the text. This makes audience members build suspense as they are unable to determine who maybe guilty of the accident that has just taken place. The effect of suspense would not be so explicit if a long shot were used because it would mean that the audience members can see all/ the majority of the shot. Therefore using a close up is appropriate for building a particular effect on the audience members; thus helping to further engage them into the narrative as they are made to evoke concern and sympathy for the duration of the scene. This ambiguity and suspense is also built upon the use of the handheld camera because it reinforces the ‘strangers’ within the scene and how they do not really know what they should be doing in order to save the endangered victim.
An over-the-shoulder shot looking at the police men is used in order to show how the whole accident is perceived by the general public. Thus, helping to make it seem as if the audience members are also apart of the general public in the scene. Consequently, engaging the audience to build a compassion for the situation that has occurred. As well as this, the audience members also get the opportunity to build a reaction from the police men questioning the witnesses. This helps to keep audience members informed and apart of the investigation.
After the ambulance arrives the editing of the text becomes sharper and the shots are cut at a faster rate. This helps to reinforce the investigation that has occurred as facial expressions, witnesses, weapons and personal belongings are identified. Thus, helping to keep the audience members well informed of the situation that has just occurred and the reasons for it occurring in the first place.
Saturday 20 June 2009
Short film 2: The first time it hits
First Time It Hits - Watch the best video clips here
Throughout the course of the text the director uses a wide variety of shots in order to create a certain effect to the audience member watching. This technique becomes very apparent in the first opening shots of the extract. (0:04 to 0:35) Within the first shot, the audience members are made to become engaged with the male protagonist. This is reinforced through the shot where the audience members view the scene through the use of the skateboard in which the male is on. This means that audience members just primarily see what is on the ground or in the far distance. Thus, helping to reinforce the length of the narrative and the measurements to finding something.
Each shot that has been taken within the short film is coloured black and white (0:01 to 2:42). This helps to reinforce the ambiguity of the text and keep the audience engaged with the flow of the narrative. This ambiguity is also reinforced through the fast paced editing whereby the audience members only see certain aspects of the scene. Nevertheless, similar to "The Plan" the audience members are given hints to certain points of the narrative in order to create a build up to the entire sequence. An example of this would be how the director has used predominately CU's and MS shots of the two protagonists in order to establish certain features about them. The audience members become intuative with the dynamics of the character. This means that they learn that the characters are teenagers with a relationship or connection between one another.
The audience members never actually hear any spoken dialouge from either character, thus helping to maintain the ambiguity of the text. Nevertheless, it also suggests a certain level of realism as teenagers in this situation tend to be shy and/ lost for words. However, the use of the two different types of sound helps to identify the two different characters and how they are represented. When the boy is on his skateboard, the audience members are engaged with a rock/ punk music. Whereas, when the focus is on the girl the music becomes softer and more of a melody. Thus, helping to represent what it means to be feminine and masculine and a teenager. The distinction between either character is done intentionally so that the narrative can flow, change and develop.
The development of the text is emphasised when the director uses CGI in the formation of a red heart coming from the females head (1:10 to 1:30). This has been used as a point of change within the narrative, which is also reinforced when the sound changes to become a softer melody. Furthermore, the pace of the extract slows down to show the two characters that have finally become united. Thus, helping to direct the audience through the text and maintain a sense of realism that the director cleverly achieves.
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Option 2: Short film 1: The Plan
Short film 1: The Plan (Award winning short film)
From looking at this award winning short film, I distinguished the ways in which the text has been structured to show a clear representation to audience members. The use of black and white editing shows the blatant message/ purpose of the text, that being the differences in gender, class and wealth. As there are two predominant characters in the text, the contrast of the two colours help to identify the opposing ideas that both characters present. The black colour is used to highlight the darkness of the male character and emphasise the distressful narrative. This makes audience members feel as if the character has just come out of a bad experience and is trying to save himself. This is emphasised through the spoken non-diegetic sound at the beginning of the extract, "quit my job, pack the essentials to sustain life". Thus, showing the troubled situation that the male protagonist is trying to overcome. Sympathy is evoked from the very beginning of the text, this is reinforced through the light/ soft melody played. It makes audience members percieve the male as being naieve.
The extract opens with an establishing long shot of an american highway, thus showing the freedom of the male protagonist. Whilst, also showing that the character is unable to decide where he wants to go in life. This is reinforced through the use of ELS's in this particular scene, thus showing the distance of finding something, i.e. love, money, adventure. The audience members become engaged with the character as he narrates the text, thus meaning that the audience members are made to follow the story from the mans perspective.
A shot reverse shot is used, in order to introduce the female character to the text. Thus, helping to increase the continuity of the text and allowing the audience members to engage with the new character through the use of close up and mid shots. Another way in which the director has maintained the continuity of the text is by creating ambient sound. This helps audience members relate to the text and it also makes the whole film appear more realistic to real life. Whereas, if ambient sound were not used -the scene was quiet with just two characters speaking- it would cause audience members to lose interest and make the text devalued.
Upon discovering that the male protagonist has taken a picture of the female the main action of the narrative begins to take place. The director uses straight cuts at a faster rate to emphasise a build-up to the narrative of the text. This helps engage audience members as they are kept waiting for more action but are being given hints that something is going to happen that will alter the flow of the narrative.
From looking at this award winning short film, I distinguished the ways in which the text has been structured to show a clear representation to audience members. The use of black and white editing shows the blatant message/ purpose of the text, that being the differences in gender, class and wealth. As there are two predominant characters in the text, the contrast of the two colours help to identify the opposing ideas that both characters present. The black colour is used to highlight the darkness of the male character and emphasise the distressful narrative. This makes audience members feel as if the character has just come out of a bad experience and is trying to save himself. This is emphasised through the spoken non-diegetic sound at the beginning of the extract, "quit my job, pack the essentials to sustain life". Thus, showing the troubled situation that the male protagonist is trying to overcome. Sympathy is evoked from the very beginning of the text, this is reinforced through the light/ soft melody played. It makes audience members percieve the male as being naieve.
The extract opens with an establishing long shot of an american highway, thus showing the freedom of the male protagonist. Whilst, also showing that the character is unable to decide where he wants to go in life. This is reinforced through the use of ELS's in this particular scene, thus showing the distance of finding something, i.e. love, money, adventure. The audience members become engaged with the character as he narrates the text, thus meaning that the audience members are made to follow the story from the mans perspective.
A shot reverse shot is used, in order to introduce the female character to the text. Thus, helping to increase the continuity of the text and allowing the audience members to engage with the new character through the use of close up and mid shots. Another way in which the director has maintained the continuity of the text is by creating ambient sound. This helps audience members relate to the text and it also makes the whole film appear more realistic to real life. Whereas, if ambient sound were not used -the scene was quiet with just two characters speaking- it would cause audience members to lose interest and make the text devalued.
Upon discovering that the male protagonist has taken a picture of the female the main action of the narrative begins to take place. The director uses straight cuts at a faster rate to emphasise a build-up to the narrative of the text. This helps engage audience members as they are kept waiting for more action but are being given hints that something is going to happen that will alter the flow of the narrative.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
Option 1: advertisements
In order for me to reach a final decision as to which brief I am going to conduct, it is important that I conduct many forms of research. This means looking at existing footage (e.g. adverts and short films) to see how they have presented the media product in order to target a specific audience. By doing this, it means that I can determine which brief I want to continue with as I have closely identified what exactly would be acquired of me in order to correctly achieve the specification being set.
ADVERT 1: IPOD 1,2,3,4...
Company: Apple
Singer: Feist
Made: 2007
Advertising agency: TBWA advertising
From looking at this advert, I liked the ways in which it represented a youthful approach to music and an advance in technology. Thus, helping to represent a 'post modern world' and a high-tech generation. The simple white background helps upon reinforcing the actual purpose of the ad; that being the product. The continual change of the Ipod product helps to also emphasise this, along with the change of colour. The straight cuts have been used quite rapidly, this helps to show how popular the product really is. This is also emphasised through the hand that grabs the Ipod to which a new coloured Ipod is presented. Along with the fast paced editing it again reinforces the popularity of the product in the ever changing technological age. Diegetic sound has been used to show the 'indie' music being presented in the ad. Not only this, but the sound also shows the clarity and quality of the actual Ipod product. This means that as well as engaging audience members with the visual 'music video' on the ipod, the sound also helps to reinforce the youthful, new musical modern era that the business (Apple) intends to promote.
Additional research for the singer Feist:
Prior to the airing of an Apple iPod Nano commercial featuring this song, The Reminder was selling at approximately 6,000 copies per week, and "1234" at 2,000 downloads per week. Following the commercial, the song passed 73,000 total downloads and reached No. 7 on Hot Digital Songs and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100; The Reminder jumped from No. 36 to No. 28 on the Billboard 200, with sales of 19,000. Following the television advertisement for the iPod nano in the UK, the single beat its original chart position of 102 to become number 8 in the UK charts. Time magazine named "1234" one of The 10 Best Songs of 2007, ranking it at #2.
ADVERT 2: Sky HD
Company: Sky
Advertising agency: WCRS (Named agency of the year)
I felt that this advert best represented an advert that has been created predominately around editing and pace. Straight cuts have been used to separate the different types of genres being presented in the advert. The slow paced editing has been used to emphasise the clarity and definition of each shot. Thus, helping to show the product (that being the Sky box) in the best way possible. The spoken non-diegetic sound shows the simplicity of the product and the advance in technology. Not only this, but it helps Sky target a specific audience that being people who like watching TV in extensive amounts and who have enough disposable income to purchase the expensive product each month. The particular shot (0:22) shows how the advert has used colour and high definition, in order to present the product in the best possible way. The striking blue eyes help engage audience members, which is reinforced with the CU shot of the animal. Not only this but the high definition has also been used to centralise protagonists within a particular shot. Thus, helping to express their facial expressions and make it appear as if they were actually 'here in real life'. Thus, helping to show the sophistication of the product which could not be expressed in any other way apart from the actual advert itself.
ADVERT 1: IPOD 1,2,3,4...
Company: Apple
Singer: Feist
Made: 2007
Advertising agency: TBWA advertising
From looking at this advert, I liked the ways in which it represented a youthful approach to music and an advance in technology. Thus, helping to represent a 'post modern world' and a high-tech generation. The simple white background helps upon reinforcing the actual purpose of the ad; that being the product. The continual change of the Ipod product helps to also emphasise this, along with the change of colour. The straight cuts have been used quite rapidly, this helps to show how popular the product really is. This is also emphasised through the hand that grabs the Ipod to which a new coloured Ipod is presented. Along with the fast paced editing it again reinforces the popularity of the product in the ever changing technological age. Diegetic sound has been used to show the 'indie' music being presented in the ad. Not only this, but the sound also shows the clarity and quality of the actual Ipod product. This means that as well as engaging audience members with the visual 'music video' on the ipod, the sound also helps to reinforce the youthful, new musical modern era that the business (Apple) intends to promote.
Additional research for the singer Feist:
Prior to the airing of an Apple iPod Nano commercial featuring this song, The Reminder was selling at approximately 6,000 copies per week, and "1234" at 2,000 downloads per week. Following the commercial, the song passed 73,000 total downloads and reached No. 7 on Hot Digital Songs and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100; The Reminder jumped from No. 36 to No. 28 on the Billboard 200, with sales of 19,000. Following the television advertisement for the iPod nano in the UK, the single beat its original chart position of 102 to become number 8 in the UK charts. Time magazine named "1234" one of The 10 Best Songs of 2007, ranking it at #2.
ADVERT 2: Sky HD
Company: Sky
Advertising agency: WCRS (Named agency of the year)
I felt that this advert best represented an advert that has been created predominately around editing and pace. Straight cuts have been used to separate the different types of genres being presented in the advert. The slow paced editing has been used to emphasise the clarity and definition of each shot. Thus, helping to show the product (that being the Sky box) in the best way possible. The spoken non-diegetic sound shows the simplicity of the product and the advance in technology. Not only this, but it helps Sky target a specific audience that being people who like watching TV in extensive amounts and who have enough disposable income to purchase the expensive product each month. The particular shot (0:22) shows how the advert has used colour and high definition, in order to present the product in the best possible way. The striking blue eyes help engage audience members, which is reinforced with the CU shot of the animal. Not only this but the high definition has also been used to centralise protagonists within a particular shot. Thus, helping to express their facial expressions and make it appear as if they were actually 'here in real life'. Thus, helping to show the sophistication of the product which could not be expressed in any other way apart from the actual advert itself.
Thursday 11 June 2009
Choosing a brief
In the lesson we were given six different briefs in which we were to decide which one we would continue to work on throughout the course of the year.
These briefs/ options included:
1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, no longer than five minutes duration, together with:
a cover for its release on DVD
a magazine advertisement for the DVD
2. A promotion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with:
a film magazine front cover, featuring the film
a poster for the film
3. An advertising package for a new product or service, to include two TV advertisements, together with
a radio advertisement
a web pop-up
4. A promotion package for a new soap opera, to include a TV trailer, together with:
a listings magazine front cover featuring the new soap
a poster for the soap
5. A selection of materials related to an original children's TV drama, to include the title sequence to the TV programme, together with:
the front cover to a magazine for the series
a DVD cover for the series
6. A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:
a poster for the film
a film magazine review page featuring the film
Upon looking at each option I decided that my best choice would be to opt for the brief that best matched the skill set in which I currently obtain. However, despite looking at the range of options I am now deciding between two options.
One option being the advertising task as I feel that it would allow me to apply my business knowledge to the task. Thus, meaning that not only am I linking in my current knowledge but I can also build and develop a new set of skills for the future. Another option in which I am thinking of doing is the short film, this is predominately due to the fact that I already have experience in making, filming and editing footage to meet with a brief that has been set. For example, for my AS media coursework I had to film the opening of a thriller film with titles, credits and actual footage. Through doing this, it meant that I built a new set of skills. Nevertheless, I am unsure as to whether I should try and challenge myself by building an entire new set of skills.
These briefs/ options included:
1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, no longer than five minutes duration, together with:
a cover for its release on DVD
a magazine advertisement for the DVD
2. A promotion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer, together with:
a film magazine front cover, featuring the film
a poster for the film
3. An advertising package for a new product or service, to include two TV advertisements, together with
a radio advertisement
a web pop-up
4. A promotion package for a new soap opera, to include a TV trailer, together with:
a listings magazine front cover featuring the new soap
a poster for the soap
5. A selection of materials related to an original children's TV drama, to include the title sequence to the TV programme, together with:
the front cover to a magazine for the series
a DVD cover for the series
6. A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:
a poster for the film
a film magazine review page featuring the film
Upon looking at each option I decided that my best choice would be to opt for the brief that best matched the skill set in which I currently obtain. However, despite looking at the range of options I am now deciding between two options.
One option being the advertising task as I feel that it would allow me to apply my business knowledge to the task. Thus, meaning that not only am I linking in my current knowledge but I can also build and develop a new set of skills for the future. Another option in which I am thinking of doing is the short film, this is predominately due to the fact that I already have experience in making, filming and editing footage to meet with a brief that has been set. For example, for my AS media coursework I had to film the opening of a thriller film with titles, credits and actual footage. Through doing this, it meant that I built a new set of skills. Nevertheless, I am unsure as to whether I should try and challenge myself by building an entire new set of skills.
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