Document your creative journey by publishing blog posts with screenshots.
Stay on task and carry out tasks fully.
You ideas are good but some time has been wasted when filming. It is a task that needs to be approached with care and precision. Set up each shot and record three takes.
Study skills need to improve including completing tasks outside of class time.
You have filmed two sequences now which provide variety. Finalise an edit now and develop a narrative.
Thursday, 11 December 2014
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
Blue velvet
The opening sequence of blue velvet starts with violins playing which is relaxing and calm to start with in contrast with nearer the end of the opening sequence it gets louder which could show foreshadowing of the dangers to come. The title then dissolves into a downwards pan. a tilt shot then reveals a near cloudless blue sky, white picket fence and red roses. The red roses are very significant as the colour red symbolizes danger, death and blood and also roses portray imagery of loss or a funeral that will occur. The music in which is played is the song blue velvet. the roses then dissolve into a collection of shots of typical American suburb life.
In the next scene, it is a sunny day but there is a man who is watering his garden but this then cuts to his wife watching a crime show on television which is ironic. there is the quick cuts between the man untanglin his hose, the knot in the hose and the water valve this raises tention then the man falls to the ground and suspeted heart attack. All these shots are slightly unfocused and blurry and lit in a very soft way. Making them seem more like memories than actual places and events. we then see a wide shot of the man on the ground and the dog trying to bite the stream and a small child coming to see what was happening.
Next, we see hundreds of beetles fighting underneath the ground whilst the background music fades away and changes into a disturbing drone. this builds to a crescendo. the shots are starkly lit and are full of erratic movement which unsettles watchers and gives them a feeling of disgust.
In the rest of the opening scene,the town is portrayed as a very safe town like with the markings on the road for the children going to school and the lollypop lady helping them get to the other side. There is also an old fire engine that drives past too showing irony as the man is stood right on the edge of the truck as it is driving which isn't safe so the image contradicts itself.
This sequence really sets the mood for the rest of the film. the message is that no matter what the surface shows there is always a darker, more sinister side to perfect things. The contrast in lighting between the underworld of the grass and suburbia. Soft and sunny for above, dark and shadowed for the insect scene. One is innocent and happy, the other is filthy and violent. Both co-exist but are completely unaware of each other.
In the next scene, it is a sunny day but there is a man who is watering his garden but this then cuts to his wife watching a crime show on television which is ironic. there is the quick cuts between the man untanglin his hose, the knot in the hose and the water valve this raises tention then the man falls to the ground and suspeted heart attack. All these shots are slightly unfocused and blurry and lit in a very soft way. Making them seem more like memories than actual places and events. we then see a wide shot of the man on the ground and the dog trying to bite the stream and a small child coming to see what was happening.
Next, we see hundreds of beetles fighting underneath the ground whilst the background music fades away and changes into a disturbing drone. this builds to a crescendo. the shots are starkly lit and are full of erratic movement which unsettles watchers and gives them a feeling of disgust.
In the rest of the opening scene,the town is portrayed as a very safe town like with the markings on the road for the children going to school and the lollypop lady helping them get to the other side. There is also an old fire engine that drives past too showing irony as the man is stood right on the edge of the truck as it is driving which isn't safe so the image contradicts itself.
This sequence really sets the mood for the rest of the film. the message is that no matter what the surface shows there is always a darker, more sinister side to perfect things. The contrast in lighting between the underworld of the grass and suburbia. Soft and sunny for above, dark and shadowed for the insect scene. One is innocent and happy, the other is filthy and violent. Both co-exist but are completely unaware of each other.
Friday, 14 November 2014
Casting
Femme Fatal- Jessica hall
Detective- Fortune sibanda
Assistant- Ellesse darkes
Location-
landau forte academy auditorium
we chose this location as its a large space and we can adjust lighting to suit the scene even before editing.
Get props actors together and prepare for filming.
Friday 21st- practice filming 10am
final filming- Monday 24th
Tuesday- editing
final editing
evaluate
Get props actors together and prepare for filming.
Femme Fatal- Jessica hall
Detective- Fortune sibanda
Assistant- Ellesse darkes
Location-
landau forte academy auditorium
we chose this location as its a large space and we can adjust lighting to suit the scene even before editing.
Get props actors together and prepare for filming.
Friday 21st- practice filming 10am
final filming- Monday 24th
Tuesday- editing
final editing
evaluate
Get props actors together and prepare for filming.
rous. Over the years the detective has always been represented in a familiar way for the audience to recognise. 2 films i have analysed are 'Se7en' and 'The Maltese Falcon' which are both film noirs and include a main detective role. Even though the time periods are different and you can tell more previous detectives are slightly more modern, the main attire is still the same. 'Se7en' has challenged the roles of the detective however because they have used a different ethnicity compared to a typical white ethnic man.
The femme fatal
The Femme fatal is a manipulative character who traps males into a web reeling them in with her beauty and sweet talk. the Femme fatal is like a black widow which is a female spider which eats the male their a very controlling species and the females are in control. women were housewives and home makers before but now they have changed to become strong and independent women. within being strong their power came across cunning and clever hiding there criminality and deceiving the detectives. the Femme fatal demonstrates she is a strong and independent woman and are very intelligent to out smart the detective by making him believe shes innocent and making herself out to be something else. She always makes herself very desirable so that all the males want to help her in the end and show off to her.
Femme Fatals also have very negative characteristics as they use their beauty to be sly and use the detectives to get help money and attention and to make them believe in everything she says. The way they present themselves when accompanied by the male is very acted and fake. They seduce and draws in the male to feel sorry for her and so he falls for her stupidly.
These women are doomed because film in the 1940s had to reinforce the status quo. at the end of the Maltese falcon the women goes to jail the Femme fatal can only fool for a certain amount of time before their caught out.
The detective
The detective have a down fall We used a variety of conventions to suit our film noir genre. We went with the stereotypical male detective and femme fatale. We chose their costumes to fit the conventions of a film noir; the detective wore a suit and hat and the femme fatale wore a long fur coat a. i analysed 'Se7en' and 'The Maltese Falcon' both film noirs but Even though the time periods are different the main attire is still the same. 'Se7en' has challenged the roles of the detective however because they have used a different ethnicity compared to a typical white ethnic man.
The Femme fatal is a manipulative character who traps males into a web reeling them in with her beauty and sweet talk. the Femme fatal is like a black widow which is a female spider which eats the male their a very controlling species and the females are in control. women were housewives and home makers before but now they have changed to become strong and independent women. within being strong their power came across cunning and clever hiding there criminality and deceiving the detectives. the Femme fatal demonstrates she is a strong and independent woman and are very intelligent to out smart the detective by making him believe shes innocent and making herself out to be something else. She always makes herself very desirable so that all the males want to help her in the end and show off to her.
Femme Fatals also have very negative characteristics as they use their beauty to be sly and use the detectives to get help money and attention and to make them believe in everything she says. The way they present themselves when accompanied by the male is very acted and fake. They seduce and draws in the male to feel sorry for her and so he falls for her stupidly.
These women are doomed because film in the 1940s had to reinforce the status quo. at the end of the Maltese falcon the women goes to jail the Femme fatal can only fool for a certain amount of time before their caught out.
The detective
The detective have a down fall We used a variety of conventions to suit our film noir genre. We went with the stereotypical male detective and femme fatale. We chose their costumes to fit the conventions of a film noir; the detective wore a suit and hat and the femme fatale wore a long fur coat a. i analysed 'Se7en' and 'The Maltese Falcon' both film noirs but Even though the time periods are different the main attire is still the same. 'Se7en' has challenged the roles of the detective however because they have used a different ethnicity compared to a typical white ethnic man.
Friday, 7 November 2014
research into AS
In general lighting is important if you film in in the dark you won't be able to see the production sows need to make sure there is another light for example if you film in a dark alley you need some sort of lighting like a lamppost unless you have specialised equipment. another point is you need to make sure your lighting fits the codes and conventions of your genre.
With your camera angles you need to make sure you don't break the 180 degree rule as this confuses the audience.
Film Noir screenplay
Trahison
Screenplay by Jessica Hall and ellesse Darkes
FADE IN
INT. PARIS/DETECTIVES
OFFICE – MID-DAY
Establishing shot of
the Eiffel tower.
Detective walks in
with a green trench coat a fedora on rolling a cigarette; He’s 32, with bright
blue eyes.
DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: (V.O) My name Is Adolphe riche, I’m a
detective lonely and unknown to what my day holds, but today was going to be
different, something was going to happen that would change my life forever.
Then she walked in beautiful blonde locks and a fur coat, eyes that instantly
connected with mine. That’s when I knew things were going to change; but was I
blinded by beauty? Or was she really something special?
We’re looking down at
a desk from overhead. Adolphe welcomes The lady in and sits her down.
DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: Why
do you ask for my assistance sweetheart and may I ask your name.
(he places a cigarette
between his lips and lights it up.
CLARA: my names Clara
and I’m so sorry to come without notice but I’m in desperation for someone with
your expertise. My husband has been missing …
Clara starts to cry
DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: Is
there anything I should know about your husband.
CLARA: I think he was having an affair with another man. I
found hotel receipts….
She passes him the
receipts
He’s been sharing a room with his business partner or shall
I say secret lover. I can’t believe he would do this to me we were so happy. I
was happy.
DETECTIVE ADOLPHE: leave it to me doll face, I will help you
in every way I can. Meet me at the trahison restraunt at 5pm tomorrow we were
continue business their call me if you know me sweetheart.
He slides a business
card across to her she touches his hand as she takes the card.
CLARA: Thank you handsome.
She walks away and the
sound of her heels begins to fade.
Phone rings.
Detective Adoplphe: Hello, detective Adolphe here, George,
ezura is dead! I’ll be there in 10 minutes.
EXT. HOTEL ALLEYWAY. NIGHT
Detective Adoplphe
walks down the alleyway of a crime scene to see a man lying dead underneath a collection
of bin bags. An over shoulder shot shows
him taking a look at the body, shot reverse shot shots his reaction and a zoomed in image of the
victims face.
Detective Phillip is a
British male who wears a long navy coat with short brown hair , combed back. He
has been assigned to be Adolphe’s sidekick and to train him whilst Phillip’s in
training.
Phillip: we have a
young male age 27 shot and left at this crime scene he is married to a lady
names Clara Arnold.
Detective Adolphe: she
was the lady that came in to request our help heart as pure as snow
Phillip: You’re the
head of detectives your suppost to think not feel. Is there anything you want
to tell me?
Detective Adolphe:
Your not suggesting I’m involved with that woman in anyway are you?
Phillip looks at
Adolphe and the tension is shown through their eyes.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
November feedback
You need to add posts regularly.
You are working at level 2 for research and
planning and need to apply yourself fully to achieve your potential.
To reach level you must provide a;
Script
Storyboard
Analysis of 4 opening sequences
Targets for November
Film
Risk assessment
Edit
Consider sound and titles to add meaning
and atmosphere
Manage your time effectively
Publish a schedule
Monday, 13 October 2014
Feedback on progress
Jess,
many film noir set in the golden age of Hollywood were in black and white due to the technology available and early costs of colour film. Later film noirs such as the Roman Polanski masterpiece 'Chinatown' were set in colour.
You identify codes and conventions and could expand on this.
Your analyses of opening sequences are very promising and show a good understanding of the texts and how to de-construct a media text.
Add the 'Blue Velvet' sequence also.
many film noir set in the golden age of Hollywood were in black and white due to the technology available and early costs of colour film. Later film noirs such as the Roman Polanski masterpiece 'Chinatown' were set in colour.
You identify codes and conventions and could expand on this.
Your analyses of opening sequences are very promising and show a good understanding of the texts and how to de-construct a media text.
Add the 'Blue Velvet' sequence also.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Film Noir
Film Noir = black film (french)
film noir set in the golden age of Hollywood were in black and white due to the technology available and early costs of colour film. Later film noirs such as the Roman Polanski masterpiece 'Chinatown' were set in colour. They were intentionally put in B&W because of the emphasis of the shadows. the colours also suggest the lack of happiness in the film. Film Noir was mainly filmed between early 1940's and late 50's.
Film noir included many codes and conventions including the following~
Characters
The main character is usually a detective and usually have a weakness which is normally the femme fatal as she usually comes to the detective for help and intentionally makes him fall in love with her so she can frame someone else for her crime. Their other downfall is alcohol usually whiskey as this is a typical male drink and very strong and was drunk a lot casually in the period they were set in. Vladimir propp identified 7 characters usually included within film noir. These are the villain, a doner, a helper, a princess, a false hero, a dispatcher and a hero. there re to types of women that are shown in a film noir ones the princess who is innocent caring, trustworthiness and loving whereas the femme fatal is deceiving, often guilty of a crime and are dangerous. The femme fatal's beauty often shadows their real self. they are often made out to be more hierarchy than the males this is shown by using a high angle shot or for example in double indemnity (1944) she is on the top of the stairs wrapped in a towel and he is at the bottom, this moment of sexual desire seals his fate. A shot reverse shot then shows the man below her looking at her showing his attraction towards the femme fatal.
Lighting
shadows are used a lot including shadows of barrister rods or blinds which can be cast upon a character. sometimes a characters face is totally obscured by darkness. The lighting creates the mood of the scene and can be symbolic. the use a key light which is the most dominant light, the fill light fill in the shadows left by the key light then the back light adds an outline which separates the background. hard light leave shaper edge shadows so this is more likely to be used in a film noir movie and defines the look. if a soft light is used its often to glamourises a scene where the femme fatal is present as soft light leave a fuzzy shadow. cucoloris are cut outs of wood or plastic and they go between the fixture and actor and are used to cast a patterned shadow and can create different patterns depending how they are cut. flags are used to only highlight the eyes and brows to show expressions and blocks out all light.
Cinematography/use of camera
This is often distorted and uncomfortable to look at to put the viewer on edge and the camera is often using high or low angles. They often use dutch tilts or irregular framing of shots. reflections and faces are often obscured through objects.
Low angle shots make the subject of the shot appear more powerful this is often used to hint to viewers that the femme fatal is deceiving as stereotypical you would suspect the male to have control and be on the higher level. It's is also used to allow the audience to interpret the change in power throughout the film.
Mirror reflections are often used to show relationships between character or even can reflect the two sides of the femme fatal one she knows and the other the detective knows.
Iconography
'Maltese falcon'
The 'Maltese falcon' is set in San Francisco, America. we can tell this from the golden gate bridge which is a well know attraction associated to San Francisco. We see the establishing shot straight away and then also a subjective point of view shot which shows the detective is in his office. the detective is calling the femme fatal 'sweetheart', 'precious' and 'darling'. this tells us the period the film was made in and the setting of the film with the language which is used. the woman is very pretty which is typical of a femme fatal to glam her self up and seduce the male. the femme fatal is wearing a fox scarf which represents wealth and dressed up beautifully we can tell she isn't innocent straight away by her acting so sweetly its obvious she's hiding something. There is a shot reverse shot between the femme fatal and the detective showing close ups on their faces. she speaks in an english accent which makes her more believable as english accent are quite assertive and honest as she's attempting to get sympathy. Archer and Spade the detectives are blinded by her beauty whilst she explains a story which has been twisted. There is also a softer focus used on the femme fatale to show her as a more perfect character. There is A lot of different camera shots used including an over shoulder shot, a mid shot, high angle and low angle shots and a shot reverse shot which are all typical of film noir. There is very low key lighting again and often just a lamp or a single light source lighting the whole scene. This creates a mysterious feel and shadows are developed everywhere.
film noir set in the golden age of Hollywood were in black and white due to the technology available and early costs of colour film. Later film noirs such as the Roman Polanski masterpiece 'Chinatown' were set in colour. They were intentionally put in B&W because of the emphasis of the shadows. the colours also suggest the lack of happiness in the film. Film Noir was mainly filmed between early 1940's and late 50's.
Film noir included many codes and conventions including the following~
Characters
The main character is usually a detective and usually have a weakness which is normally the femme fatal as she usually comes to the detective for help and intentionally makes him fall in love with her so she can frame someone else for her crime. Their other downfall is alcohol usually whiskey as this is a typical male drink and very strong and was drunk a lot casually in the period they were set in. Vladimir propp identified 7 characters usually included within film noir. These are the villain, a doner, a helper, a princess, a false hero, a dispatcher and a hero. there re to types of women that are shown in a film noir ones the princess who is innocent caring, trustworthiness and loving whereas the femme fatal is deceiving, often guilty of a crime and are dangerous. The femme fatal's beauty often shadows their real self. they are often made out to be more hierarchy than the males this is shown by using a high angle shot or for example in double indemnity (1944) she is on the top of the stairs wrapped in a towel and he is at the bottom, this moment of sexual desire seals his fate. A shot reverse shot then shows the man below her looking at her showing his attraction towards the femme fatal.
Lighting
shadows are used a lot including shadows of barrister rods or blinds which can be cast upon a character. sometimes a characters face is totally obscured by darkness. The lighting creates the mood of the scene and can be symbolic. the use a key light which is the most dominant light, the fill light fill in the shadows left by the key light then the back light adds an outline which separates the background. hard light leave shaper edge shadows so this is more likely to be used in a film noir movie and defines the look. if a soft light is used its often to glamourises a scene where the femme fatal is present as soft light leave a fuzzy shadow. cucoloris are cut outs of wood or plastic and they go between the fixture and actor and are used to cast a patterned shadow and can create different patterns depending how they are cut. flags are used to only highlight the eyes and brows to show expressions and blocks out all light.
Cinematography/use of camera
This is often distorted and uncomfortable to look at to put the viewer on edge and the camera is often using high or low angles. They often use dutch tilts or irregular framing of shots. reflections and faces are often obscured through objects.
Low angle shots make the subject of the shot appear more powerful this is often used to hint to viewers that the femme fatal is deceiving as stereotypical you would suspect the male to have control and be on the higher level. It's is also used to allow the audience to interpret the change in power throughout the film.
Mirror reflections are often used to show relationships between character or even can reflect the two sides of the femme fatal one she knows and the other the detective knows.
Iconography
- rain (pathetic fallacy)
- alcohol (whiskey)
- guns
- mainly set in bars/offices
- gambling
- cigarettes, cigars
- trench coats
- fedoras (hats)
'Maltese falcon'
Thursday, 25 September 2014
SE7EN
In my opinion this is a great opening sequence as all the effects were done using materials for example glass was used at some point to create an effect instead of computer editing everything.
The very graphic clips of someone shedding their skin off their fingertips hints thats someones trying to hide their identity this gives away that their is a serial criminal involved.
Its very individual, the glitchy and fuzzed up graphics made a very stylized sequence especially the credits.
The opening credits are a montage of different clips put together of someone doing different things. You’re unaware of who the person, this creates tension for the audience and the information that is given in the opening credits could be associated with the serial killer.
The opening credits are a montage of different clips put together of someone doing different things. You’re unaware of who the person, this creates tension for the audience and the information that is given in the opening credits could be associated with the serial killer.
Their is a build up in the music as the credits get nearer to the end and when more graphic images where revealed. This added more tension and added to the nervousness and unknown to what was about to happen. The music in the opening credits is called
“Take me closer to god
Almost straight away you could tell it was to do with detectives and crime as we see one of them get ready and has his uniform, he's badge, gun and audio signifier out on his bed ready for the day ahead.
The director was a particular fan on pathetic fallacy which is when nature is related to humans emotions. We see a lot of scenes with rain he did this to represent the film being very dark and a lot of the lighting was dim to also represent this.
The very graphic clips of someone shedding their skin off their fingertips hints thats someones trying to hide their identity this gives away that their is a serial criminal involved.
There is a shot of the American dollar bill in the sequence and someone is cutting out the word god out of this this shows their is some sort of religious input somewhere in the film and it represents the man making himself out to be god. he judges all these people for committing one of the 7 deadly sins and punishes them to make an impact on people and hope everyone learns from this.
Finches the film maker made his own effects and i like how he scratched his credits into a scratch board this suggest the dark part of the serial killers personality.
There are a few clips of john crossing out faces and words out of books and we see him cross out words such as marriage and pregnancy related this shows he doesn't believe that we should have the privilege of these things as he has a rage over peoples behavior and likes to have control.
Overall i believe finches creativity was very interesting and makes the opening sequence very different to any over.
Finches the film maker made his own effects and i like how he scratched his credits into a scratch board this suggest the dark part of the serial killers personality.
There are a few clips of john crossing out faces and words out of books and we see him cross out words such as marriage and pregnancy related this shows he doesn't believe that we should have the privilege of these things as he has a rage over peoples behavior and likes to have control.
Overall i believe finches creativity was very interesting and makes the opening sequence very different to any over.
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
Mission imposible 2
when i analysed the opening sequence of mission impossible 2,
you could tell straight away the location and setting of the opening sequence which was the grand canyon the tilted angle shots made it more intense, set in the desert. This was shown my using an establishing shot. The idea of him being in a desert area conveys loneliness however it could also imply peacefulness.
The grand canyon is far away from people and the rest of the world which represents his isolation, the high cliffs and as he is seen climbing them shows his capabilities and strengths.
The camera does some pan shot to prove that he has no support and that he is only supported by his strength. The camera then zooms out to give the audience a clear view of the grand grand canyon.
when he begins to carry on climbing we get a close up of his face to show his fearless expression the camera then gives a birds eye view of the area.
The camera then pans around like a bird would flying around and then it shows the character hanging of the rocks in a crucifixion position this could represent strength or in religious terms this showed jesus being a saviour so maybe this is telling the audience that he will save someone at some point in the film.
when the sequence starts, you can hear a person speaking and in the background, you can hear non-degetic-soungg and there is incidental music playing in the background, the music reflects on genre of the film with the upbeat rhythm reflecting the action. the music also compliments the fact he is climbing up a cliff which is a dangerous and difficult task.
when he reaches the top of the cliff there is 360 degree angle or moving shot which represents the bird coming down and moving around but not harming him.
The music tempo increased when the man slipped of the rock which added to tension.
an aerial view was used to show how high the man was and helped us gain an idea of where he was.
the whole idea of him free climbing shows us he is a risk taker and loves the thrill of doing dangerous things despite the risks, this also gives us an indication what the rest of the film is going to be about.
Ambient sound is used throughout this scene, the sounds used was breath, wind and the eagle. the sound of the wind blowing shows how high up the man is as the further you are up above ground level the stronger the winds are.
The fact their is is eagle sounds symbolises toms character. It shows he is powerful and strong and a fighter as eagles are predators and creatures that aren't afraid to put up a fight.
The actual meaning of an eagle is to be free so maybe he is trying to escape for freedom or he is free.
overall the opening sequence to mission impossible to is a simplistic one but very deep when you look at the smaller details and you understand the directors aims.
you could tell straight away the location and setting of the opening sequence which was the grand canyon the tilted angle shots made it more intense, set in the desert. This was shown my using an establishing shot. The idea of him being in a desert area conveys loneliness however it could also imply peacefulness.
The grand canyon is far away from people and the rest of the world which represents his isolation, the high cliffs and as he is seen climbing them shows his capabilities and strengths.
The camera does some pan shot to prove that he has no support and that he is only supported by his strength. The camera then zooms out to give the audience a clear view of the grand grand canyon.
when he begins to carry on climbing we get a close up of his face to show his fearless expression the camera then gives a birds eye view of the area.
when the sequence starts, you can hear a person speaking and in the background, you can hear non-degetic-soungg and there is incidental music playing in the background, the music reflects on genre of the film with the upbeat rhythm reflecting the action. the music also compliments the fact he is climbing up a cliff which is a dangerous and difficult task.
when he reaches the top of the cliff there is 360 degree angle or moving shot which represents the bird coming down and moving around but not harming him.
The music tempo increased when the man slipped of the rock which added to tension.
an aerial view was used to show how high the man was and helped us gain an idea of where he was.
the whole idea of him free climbing shows us he is a risk taker and loves the thrill of doing dangerous things despite the risks, this also gives us an indication what the rest of the film is going to be about.
Ambient sound is used throughout this scene, the sounds used was breath, wind and the eagle. the sound of the wind blowing shows how high up the man is as the further you are up above ground level the stronger the winds are.
The fact their is is eagle sounds symbolises toms character. It shows he is powerful and strong and a fighter as eagles are predators and creatures that aren't afraid to put up a fight.
The actual meaning of an eagle is to be free so maybe he is trying to escape for freedom or he is free.
overall the opening sequence to mission impossible to is a simplistic one but very deep when you look at the smaller details and you understand the directors aims.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)