Wednesday 11 February 2009

TWO DAYS TILL DEADLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, really its like a day and a half D;
ALMOST FINISHED! But I keep worrying and thinking I've forgotten about something.

Today I edited everything in Final Cut Pro. It's looking alot better.
The plan for the next two days are as follows:

Tomorrow
- add in titles
- find people/teachers, get opinions
- add music

Friday
- get voiceover

- edit edit edit everything
- BLOG THIS!

If all goes to plan, I should be done on time :)

As tomorrow I am looking at titles, I started to think about where I want them, how long I want them for. It was really difficult to judge without watching a title sequence! I was quite suprised at how hard it is to make these decisions.

So here are some title sequences!



Le, Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (The Fabulous Destiny of 'Amélie Poulain)
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Released in 2001.

This is an AMAZING piece of film.
I posted the title sequence here as I like how the titles are WITH the footage. If you look back at my rough edit (http://videokid-media.blogspot.com/2009/02/title-sequence-rough-cut.html), it features a few titles, but they are over black and I don't want this.
I love how the titles do not remain in the same place.

Depending where the subject is, for example:


The chin here is justified more to the right, hence the text to be placed on the left side.

Here is the opposite, which is still nice. Throughout the title sequence it does this. It features a nice variety of footage, as some of my footage is purposely justified I wish to do this.



I'm a Cyborg, But That's Okay
Directed by Park Chan-wook.
Released in 2007 or 08?

A film Jake influenced me to watch.
NOTE: The video above is the part 1 of the film, not just the title sequence.



I really liked the title sequence!
Of course it lived up to the expectations of the amazing Chan-wook.
I loved the random choice of positioning with the text. I think it's really effective and different.



A Scanner Darkly
Directed by Richard Linklater.
Released in 2006.

Another film that places text at different places.

I really like this technique!
I think this is something I will play around with tomorrow !


Monday 9 February 2009

London Continued

Yesterday I posted a short blog on my day, today I plan to continue with this :)
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It took ages to get to London yeste
rday so the moment we got there, we ate! After we ate we visted China Town briefly then got to work. My first idea I posted yesterday in the blog below. I wanted to capture buildings from a distance and Jake suggested to do so by the thames. So from Oxford Street we walked to Waterloo East in the rain! The initial idea was to get somewhere high and shoot. I wanted to stand on the balcony in the photograph (far left) but it was Royal Festival Hall (best place for a gig ever), and I couldn't get up there =[

So instead I tried the same shot from many different angles. Here is a still of the next angle I tried. I liked the view and the dull clouds. When I took this I was just below the building in the image above. I think this shot is okay. I like the trees in shot (again, credit to Mr Saunders). I think the trees go with the tone of my film. There was just something about the trees, they had no leaves! I really liked this idea.


My next idea was to end my title sequence with a train driving by. I really like the sound, and this was just something I wanted to try. I guess this isn't really relevant, but I thought it was a nice idea.


Next I returned to the tree idea :)
But this time I got footage of random people walking by, I thought this could also work. Like a cut to a noisy, busy scene considering how calm the first few scenes are.

Also, I filmed people walking past me on the bridge. Again, just another spur of the moment idea. I like collecting random footage that could work. I have definately got more than enough footage, and tomorrow I will be working on it.




Sunday 8 February 2009

THE LAST SHOT!

Both my teachers suggested a nice shot to end the title sequence and to start a new scene. Something outside. I really wanted to get a shot of a building so today I went to London with Jake, took some photographs and filmed some buildings and landscape shots. Jake was really helpful today and had lots of good suggestions. We did so much walking today! But it was worth it as I got some good footage.

It was a really cold day today, and very windy. I had no tripod, but I managed to get a decent shot. Here is a rough idea of what I plan to do with my footage. Make it black and white, perhaps not this dark. I shot during the day, it was fairly bright out so I will alter the contrast to make the footage darker. I will also letterbox it, like so.

Friday 6 February 2009

I want a million different voices speaking in tongues..

I have done my rough cut of my opening, I am now starting to think about voiceovers as I am now editing in Final Cut.


Voiceovers.

I LOVE VOICEOVERS.

They are so powerful, and I really can't wait to use one.


There are many directions I can take this in. I could use a voiceover as a character device, a creative device, or as an educational or descriptive device. I think I am warming to a creative device more than anything. I think these are usually the most effective as they are more obvious way to establish the narrative. I really like the idea of a character narrating, telling the story.


In films voice-overs are often used to create the effect of storytelling by a character/omniscient narrator. For example, in The Usual Suspects, the character of Verbal Kint has voice-over segments as he is recounting details of a crime. This film is just amazing, not JUST because Kevin Spacey is in it, it also has a really good plot twist and ending. I love everything about it. The use of voiceover throughout this film is just incredible. I strongly recommend it as a film you MUST watch before die.

Sadly, I could not find a scene on youtube which featured the powerful voiceover. But here is one of my favourite scenes from the film, the famous lineup.




This scene is just so iconic, for me. This is the scene that the director thought of first of all. I love how this scene created the concept for the whole film. It is also a very funny scene aswel, apparently when they were filming this they could not stopped laughing.

Next..this scene from Moulin Rouge!



Again, another film you MUST see before you die. It is very, very good and features a nice mix of covers. The soundtrack is awesome.
I love this scene for many reasons.
- A very good cover of a very good song
- The cinematography is AMAZING
- The editing is fantastic
And also, I remember watching this right at the start of the year in one of my media lessons.

The use of voiceover is really nice in this film. Again, it is used throughout. I think its a very strong way of establishing the narrative and allowing it stay present, if you like.


Other examples of storytelling voice overs can be heard in Gattaca, Blade Runner, The Shawshank Redemption, Big Fish and Goodfellas.


VOICEOVERS FOR THE WIN.


Stills from Sin City


As I am now at the stage where I am about to pay homage to Sin City's visual style, it makes sense to take a look at some stills from the film. This way I have some idea at what I'm aiming for. Plus these are what I am inspired by..

These images are edited massively, and yes I won't to create something as amazing as this but I am using these as a guideline, if you like. Everything about them are just spot-on. The dramatic chiaroscuro lighting is just amazing. I plan to letterbox my footage and alter the contrast so it's very dark.


Thursday 5 February 2009

Title Sequence, Rough Cut!

Okay, here is my first rough edit!
It's not very good, but I think it is a good starting point.
I'm glad I did this as everything is now coming together!



I decided to create a genre piece for Dimension Films to distribute. As I am going for a Sin City style, I thought this would be a good idea. This could change, I think I'll get opinions before finalising this.

At the moment it is looking really boring, I think. Of course it is going to look loads more better once I edit in Final Cut and add in music and a voice-over. The opening shot is the character Henry, played by Alan Fairnie. The audience see a quick shot of him at a desk, it's dark and there is only one source of light. Here I was trying to create the illusion of this character staying at work after hours, establishing that he is working on something important.

It then cuts to a title credit and a quick glimpse of Claudia, played by Leanne Whittacker. I really like this teaser shot of Leanne's eye, as it does not give away too much and this is exactly what I was aiming for.

After this, we then see Alan's credit and a close-up of him running his fingers around his mouth. This here was a gag improvised by Alan. A nice film reference too. A tribute to Humphrey Bogart.

The title then appears.

------------------------------------------------------------------

At the moment it looks really unprofessional. When I edit this properly, I am going to use a better font, and also have the font appearing over the footage. My footage will be in black and white and will feature elements of red. I also plan to letterbox my footage, massively to create a real claustrophobic feeling.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Once the title fades, this is the point where the voice-over begins. We see Henry working at his desk, as it slowly zooms in Alan will begin to reveal his thoughts to us. I think this clip is either too fast or too short. I can slow this down or use another piece of footage.

He will begin to talk about Claudia and how he could use her as distraction in order to get the money. As he does this we begin to see teaser shots of Claudia. At this point we see her applying lipstick. I am very happy with this shot. It is nice and close, and just works really nicely I think.

We then return to Henry working, but this time at a different angle. He looks slightly frustrated and looks around. At this point I am going to get Alan to talk about how he could get Claudia. He then gets up and exits the frame.

Again, another cut showing even more of Claudia. I like this shot also, but not as much. I think it fits in nicely though.

Henry is now standing up, he walks over to the window and looks out. I really am happy with this shot. I love the lighting in it and the framing is wonderful.

As he is looking out of the window, Claudia walks by. In this shot you can see wires in the background as I used a fog machine. When I edit, I plan to alter the contrast and make the footage darker allowing the wires to become hidden.

He then turns away, and Claudia sparks up. As she does this, he returns to his seat. I think this is a really nice shot that is going to work well with a voiceover as he looks like he is in deep thought. I just need to ace the script and make it sound good. She then exhales.

He taps his feet. This shot represents anxiety, again this will work so much better with a voice over.

She flicks her hair, and Claudia has now been revealed!

The sequence ends with the same opening shot, but this time..panning out.

I know this is not very good but I am really happy I have done this. I can now write a better script as I have a rough idea of how my sequence is going to look. I may not stick to this order, and I may use different footage. The majority of it needs to be slower also, I think. We'll see.

I need a few more ideas on what other credits to include and what fonts to use. This is what I am going to focus on next, before editing in Final Cut Pro.

Wednesday 4 February 2009

Playing around with Final Cut



iMovie vs Final Cut Pro

Okay, so I am now in the editing process. Flitting back and forth between iMovie and Final Cut Pro. I decided to do a first rough edit on iMovie, then later convert to Final Cut and edit it properly.

After filming Leanne, I edited the clips on iMovie.
I made the clips b/w and altered the contrast on them.
ITS VERY CHEAP LOOKING.



Then I got Callum to help me with Final Cut Pro, and we created clips paying homage to Sin City's visual style.



Of course they aren't as good but I am pretty happy with them. I think the contrast still needs some tweaking, but I'm getting there :)

Screen Tests



Here are some of the screentests from Shoot #1. Before I started to film, I did a few screen tests to see how the lighting and positioning looked on camera. When I was working with Leanne and "my team", I made sure there were photographs being taken. I have posted the photographs before:
http://videokid-media.blogspot.com/2009/01/fog-machine.html

http://videokid-media.blogspot.com/2009/01/test-shots.html

so here is some of the footage.

Continuity Piece


Here is my first continuity piece I filmed. As you can see the first shot is not correct, I filmed it from the wrong angle. My actors were never free from this point on, just to spite me. So I thought instead of wasting even more time waiting around, I decided to re-shoot and edit all in one day. This time, correctly.

This time round I used different actors and a different location. My actors were more reliable and available on the day. It did not take long at all really, as I knew this time exactly what I needed to do. I am a lot more happier with this piece. It was a lot more easier the second time round also. I feel that this is a better location too, and everything fits together nicely.

Animatic


Animatic (First Draft)
No voiceover, or music.

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Media Audiences

To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience?

What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?


What assumptions about the audience are implicit in the text’s scheduling or positioning?

In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?

What do you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?

What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?

How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background etc?

These are many things I need to take into consideration when I come to identifing my target audience.
I'd say Sin City's target audience is white males in the 30s to 50s year old range. Although some women enjoyed the film also. I don't think that audiences were strong enough to keep it there. Pure brutality of man against man isn't very appealing, hence the delay and no news on the second and third release.

Monday 2 February 2009

Sin City

Sin City is the title of a series of comics by Frank Miller! They are told in a noir style, but a modern style also known as neo-noir.
I really like the opening. It's beautifully iconic.
Sin City is one of the first films to be shot almost completely on a digital backlot. The film used Sony HDC-950 high-definition digital cameras instead of normal cameras. The actors had to work in front of a green screen so the effects could be added in post-production.



After edit, :)








As you can see the film was distributed by Dimension Films.

Dimension Films
The film company is currently a part of The Weinstein Company. Formerly used as Bob Weinstein's label within Miramax Films. It was used to produce and release genre films. The Weinstein Brothers took this label with them when they departed the Disney-owned Miramax in October 2005. It is merely a brand, and does not exist as a separate company =[
Simply an alternate label for The Weinstein Company's genre releases.

I found this part really interesting...Some of Dimension's early releases were distributed on video by Paramount Pictures, eventually transferring its output to Buena Vista (Disney's flagship) when Miramax was bought by Disney in 1993, before the Weinsteins split from Disney in 2005.

!!!!

There is something really nice about the editing in this film. I thought it was different and just outstanding. The film gathered particular recognition for the film's unique coloring process! It rendered most of the film in black and white but added coloring for select objects. LOVE IT!

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I am keen to fin
d out what exactly, the target audience was for Sin City. If I am aiming for the same thing, I need a rough idea.
As a starting point, I suppose I should look at media representations.

In my opinion, both men and women are being represented in this film.
Men - are represented as powerful and dominant. They are represented in this way to maintain the patriarchal society even within a fictional world. where as Women are subordinate to men. Although women are given some power and can be represented in this way to reflect fiminism. The fact that women are only given power because men don't want it must be considered.

The representation of women within the film is neither fair nor accurate, with most women, if not all, are being represented as prostitutes or promiscuous femme fatales. Which is expected in most films.

What I love about this film is that facial expressions are highlighted with the use of colour. Features such as: eyes and faces are highlighted, using editing to emphasise expression. Additionally, shadows move across the actor's faces digitally to add a comic dimension to their expressions.

A voice-over is used to demonstrate the characters thoughts and feelings as the camera follows the character, he or she explains what is happening and why. I love voice-overs, they are amazingly powerful and work so well. With this on top of dominant images, this film is just amazing. As it is in monochrome, this allows the film to easily be categorized within the neo-noit genre. The opening scene uses the classic film noir iconography of a male detective in a trilby and trench coat.

Evaluation Notes

As I am now in the post-production stage, I thought I'd make a start on my evaluation. I shall be editing once the snow goes awayyyy..

I started to make notes, and draft a few questions..

How does your media product represent particular social groups?
This is a tough one.
In my opinion noir's are a very aqquired taste, I'm not too sure about social groups they appeal to. I suppose noir is more an adult genre. If I am going for a 50's style, am I focusing on the older generation? Or a modern adaptation, a younger, middle-aged audience?
This I am not too sure on.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
This, right here is an awesome question!
As I have no idea to this question, I am going to research a bit for it.
I think I am going for a Sin City style, so I am going to research the distribution for the film and audience.
Also am thinking about researching the major 6 and other independent films.

Who would be the target audience for your media product?
Again, needing to do some research for this one too.

What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this project?
I am looking forward to writing this one, as I have a few things I can say.
Here I'll mention things such as: the difference between broadcast and DV, talk about post-production..Final cut vs iMovie, the equipment and so on.

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full project?
Also a few things I can write about here too.
I feel the preliminary was a good starting point and stuff.
I can also talk about organization too.

As for the other two questions, I have no idea =[
Time is running out and the snow ruins all!

!!!!

With the deadline two weeks away, I have loads of things I still need to do!
As I am freezing from playing in the snow.. I thought I'd take advantage of this day off and get organized =D!

Brief
Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanged a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.

Main task: The titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.

All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.

The presentation of the research, planning and evaluation may take the form of any on, or combination of two or more, of the following:

- a presentation using slideshow software such as Powerpoint
- a blog of website
- a podcast
- a DVD with 'extras'

In the evaluation the following questions must be answered:

- In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
- How does your media product represent particular social groups?
- What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
- Who would be the audience for your media product?
- How did you attract/address your audience?
- What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
- Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full project?

DEADLINE: Friday 13th February 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.....


Things to do!

- Continuity Sequence
- Last day of filming and edit title sequence!
- Post animatic
- The first cut
- Rough edits

etc.

Continuity sequence
AHH.
I filmed and finished this months ago. There was one shot I needed to get, JUST ONE SHOT.
As I am forever chasing up my actors, and failing to get this shot.

I am going to re-shoot in one day, with more reliable actors and get it right this time.

Simples.