Wednesday, 4 February 2009
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.
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.
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 th
e 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!
I am keen to find 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.
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 th
e 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!-------------------------------------------
I am keen to find 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!
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.
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.
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