This is for our As Media coursework
Made By: Ed Skinner, Kim Goldspink, Shannon Hutton and Joe Wright
Monday, 30 November 2009
Sunday, 15 November 2009
G321 Thriller research - Notes on Vacancy & The Departed
Vacancy is a 2007 horror/thriller film, which all the action horror and action happens in 85 minutes, it stars n Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. It was distributed by Screen Gems and was released on April 20, 2007. It had a budget of $19,000,000 and made a Gross revenue of $35,300,645.
At the beginning of the film Vacancy when it is going thought the credits at the start the music which is playing for it is very repetitive and it builds a lot of tension, and in certain parts the music becomes even more frantic, and up beat. While this is going on the titles/credit which are been shown are in a blood red colour with black, so they are very down and grungy. Also some of the letters with long tails such as 'p', 'm' and there was other, the tails would like dribble down as if it was meant to be like blood, this helps builds the tension because thinking the film could be all blood and gore.
The film starts off with a married couple driving in the dark isolated road, with nothing at all about, so you have a feeling that something may happen because they are alone. The guy swerves a raccoon, ans wake his wife up. though out this scene they bicker at each other, the husband is makes some sarcastic comments about his wife. This shows that there relationship is abit on the rocky side of things. Also the man keeps rubbing his eyes when he is driving, this shows he getting very tired though he does say he took 'truckers pills' to keep him awake but as you watch the beginning you can see they are wearing off. We also find out later in the film why they disagree so much and are very unhappy with each others company, it is because they lost their young child 'Charlie'
A little way in to the beginning of the film roughly 3/4 minutes in they come across a very out of the way gas station in which they pull up because after swerving the raccoon the guy did something to the car. when they pull up they are still slightly bickering at each other and talking about the gas station, then suddenly a guy appears on but the drivers window, he is dressed in black and makes the wife scream, this makes you jump and become very on edge because you don't know what this new character is going to do. But then we find out that this new character is the gas station attendant, who then helps the stressed out couple and offers to look at their car, he acts like a good guy, but the the audience may think something of him, as he seems suspicious.
The Departed is a 2006 American crime drama film remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs. The Departed was directed by Martin Scorsese, written by William Monahan and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga and Mark Wahlberg. It has a running time of 151 minutes. It had a budget of $90 million and made a gross revenue of $290 million (worldwide). It was release date was October 6, 2006.
The Departed fits in the sub genre of Gangster Thriller. The film begins with a fight which is not normally expected in most films however this make you more awake as you wondering what going to happen next. but we soon discover that this fight is flash back. This flash back is about the racism and discrimination what happen years ago. The film is set in Boston as you can hear the seagulls and most seagulls are near beaches. There is also a narrator at the beginning of the film which does tell you abit about whats happened and this voice over is a gangster, we discover that this voice over is one of the main characters, Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) a..k.a Mr C.
Mr C come across as abit suspicious to begin with as he is in the shadow a lot to t the start of the film, it is like he has something to cover up- a dark side of the humour underground, bit of a mystery. We see Mr C go in to this shop of some sort demanding his late payment of money from the owner of the shop, so you wonder if he is a dealer, he scares people to get what he wants, he intimidates you- he is a bit of a bully. Yet he is abit of the ladies man because in this shop he tries chatting up the young girl behind the counter, and he makes her blush. There is a young boy in the shop in which Mr C asks him a question this new characher is a very innocent looking boy who has done nothing wrong, his name is Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) this young inncent boy become introducted in the organised crime, thanks to Mr C and and his helping hand of other youths in the neighbourhood, this shows how much power Mr C has power over things and we see young Colin goes into the state police force beacuse of Mr C.
:)
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Production Tips - Half Term Work
(Over the Half Term we were set the task to read up on a few pages from 'OCR Media Students for As' which had production tips on, and we had to summarise them in our own words)
Diegesis -
This is a moving image or a sound that creates a meaning for the audience. This includes Diegetic and Non-diegetic. Diegetic material is something that the character can hear. this can involve sounds effects such as a storm and dialogue. Non-Diegetic material is something that the characters can not hear but the audience can. this includes atmospheric music or a voice over narration etc. One example would be the music in 'Jaws', when something bad is about to happen, i.e. some one is going to be attacked, there is music played to the audiences as the attack get closer the music speeds up. This helps create a tense/on the edge atmosphere in the audiences.
Micro and Macro Origination -
If the material is appropriate, then a micro-macro strategy has been used. if the film is to follow the doings of a certain genre or style the micro element; types of camera work, music, style of title, etc will be used to add up to a macro theme and set of representation. In this instance I is important not to start filming the main part straight away. The preparation before filming is essential in order for the filming to be done in a smooth and orderly way. Always do your homework before anything else, research different types of film to ensure that your film will do what it says it will do.
Camera Work and Framing -
When it comes to steadying a camera the best method is a tripod, unless a hand held/documentary effect is required. if the camera is stationary, any movement becomes an effective exception to the norm. Don't use zoom unless the effect is required. When it comes to frames the types that should be used for film are mid-shots and long- shots, with close-ups used very sparingly, this is because the viewing screen is bigger than TV.
The 'Rule of Thirds' means splitting your image into 9 squares (3x3). Avoid using the centre as the eye is draw towards the off-centre squares, this allows concentration on objects or character.
Joining shots types like long and mid shots in the film enables you to create different moods in the film. This allows you to create action. This method of filming also allows you to capture two sides of a conversation. Also over-the-should shots and Point-of-view shots helps keep the audience focused and help situates the scene etc.
Camera angles are very important it determines how powerful a character maybe. For example High angle shots makes the character seem less powerful, where as compared to low angle shots it makes the character more powerful as they are looking upon you. The camera needs to be placed correctly to ensure that the character doesn't get cut out of the frame, so make sure this doesn't happen by making sure characters have room about there heads and around them if they are moving or been shown direction.
Simple tips to remember so stupid silly mistakes are avoided is to make sure you shoot far more footage then needed as because when it come to a later date it will be easier to edited as you will have more to work with. Also if a shot doesn't got perfect film it again, to get it perfect be a perfectionist, but could end up re-taking the same shot again and again, so be prepared!! Final thing MAKE SURE YOUR BATTERIES ARE CHARGED!!!
Mise en Scène -
Mise en Scène is the most difficult element of production to get right. Mise en Scène is all about atmosphere and continuity also detail being one of the important aspects.
Costumes, lighting location and props are to be chosen to create the right kind of 'feel/mood' needed to create a believable world of the text that is required. But one of the hardest things to ensure this is maintained shot by shot. As most students make the simple mistake of changing something such as haircuts or costumes mid-sequence, poorly chosen props, bad acting doesn't help as performance is another element of Mise en Scène so using drama students would help as they are more likely to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
Lighting -
Lighting is one of the important things when filming and most media students don't have the access to use top notch lighting equipment which the professionals use and this can be a disadvantage to media students and their creativity. However there are ways this can be over. 5 Tips by a man called Michael Massey wrote in an article for Media Magazine.
1) Use Natural Light - sunlight, in shadow, in mist, through rain - depending on the effect you need, and bearing in mind that you will have to be flexible about time if you need to wait for the right conditions.
2) Use Cheap and Cheerful artificial light - as long as you have carried out risk assessments, you can make use of candles, firelight, torches, car headlights, security lights, neon signs and street lighting.
3) Create colour filters - you can easily shine a light though coloured liquids, vases, ornaments and paper etc.
4) Position the light source for effect - Lighting a scene from above, below or in an obscured way will create different kinds of light source listed above.
5) Ultimately, lighting a scene is a scientific process! Massey describes the equation in helpful clear terms:
Once you have explored what your light sources can provide, experiment with the interaction of light with the objects in your frame
Combining Sound, Image and Titles -
Putting together titles, sounds and images is a lot harder than you think; I gain from my own experience from when I first started using editing software like 'Final Cut Express'. As you have to choose appropriate fonts, colours and sizes and this can vary in different editing software. You can spend hours upon hours combining these things going though trial and error to eventually end up with the most pleasing timing titles for your audience. You may have to make some decisions about whether you want to place each title over black between shots or over the action and how long each title stays on the screen these can be some pretty difficult creative decisions! Another need is to be able to understand what contribution each title is making, to help the audience get the understanding of the narrative, the genre and representational aspects which you need the audience to catch on quickly with. Further more you would add music to your start of a film and when doing this you got to think carefully about the semiotic function of music, this is to ensure that what the music suggests to the audience is keeping with what the tone and pace is of the drama in which you are unfolding. It would be a good idea to test this first with audience at an early stage so you can make changes if they don't respond as you expected.
The Grammar of Non-Linear Editing -
For the post-production work we would be using a non-linear video editing software package. We will be assessed on how well we can use the software, like how you can use it to it full potential, by how well we can edit the material to meaning is apparent to the viewer. How to achieve this there is a lot of reading up on rules of grammar that apple to editing and observe them closely! Also creating continuity and the right rhythm and pace. It is also essential to choose the right kinds of transition, and it most probably that the software that is being used will have a wide range of effects, as do most editing software’s do. Transitions that are exciting to use but do not reflect the conventions of the type film you are constructing are good thing to A.v.o.i.d!!!
90% of the sequence should be hard cuts and you can get away with the transition between titles and images but keep consistent! Do not use loads of different transitions for different images and titles ect.
Try making the editing invisible because that is basically what you’re meant to do as the viewer is meant to believe it is reality of the fiction that is being unfolded. You may use different techniques in editing for example a fade might be used to portray the passing of time, if establishing tension or action early in the sequence, you may use much more number of edits. A standard industry technique is cutting from on shot of a subject to a different subject and then back again, instead of moving immediately to the same image.
Editing allows you do what you can’t do in real life, it the manipulation of time and space. You can manipulate space by editing between to simultaneous pieces of action and manipulate time between two shots to move the narrative forward and bypass unnecessary time that is not interesting to the story.
Over all the execution of these forms of manipulation with out distracting or confusing the viewer is that is know and we call the ‘Grammar of the edit’
Compelted On: 28 October 09 Posted:04 November 09
Diegesis -
This is a moving image or a sound that creates a meaning for the audience. This includes Diegetic and Non-diegetic. Diegetic material is something that the character can hear. this can involve sounds effects such as a storm and dialogue. Non-Diegetic material is something that the characters can not hear but the audience can. this includes atmospheric music or a voice over narration etc. One example would be the music in 'Jaws', when something bad is about to happen, i.e. some one is going to be attacked, there is music played to the audiences as the attack get closer the music speeds up. This helps create a tense/on the edge atmosphere in the audiences.
Micro and Macro Origination -
If the material is appropriate, then a micro-macro strategy has been used. if the film is to follow the doings of a certain genre or style the micro element; types of camera work, music, style of title, etc will be used to add up to a macro theme and set of representation. In this instance I is important not to start filming the main part straight away. The preparation before filming is essential in order for the filming to be done in a smooth and orderly way. Always do your homework before anything else, research different types of film to ensure that your film will do what it says it will do.
Camera Work and Framing -
When it comes to steadying a camera the best method is a tripod, unless a hand held/documentary effect is required. if the camera is stationary, any movement becomes an effective exception to the norm. Don't use zoom unless the effect is required. When it comes to frames the types that should be used for film are mid-shots and long- shots, with close-ups used very sparingly, this is because the viewing screen is bigger than TV.
The 'Rule of Thirds' means splitting your image into 9 squares (3x3). Avoid using the centre as the eye is draw towards the off-centre squares, this allows concentration on objects or character.
Joining shots types like long and mid shots in the film enables you to create different moods in the film. This allows you to create action. This method of filming also allows you to capture two sides of a conversation. Also over-the-should shots and Point-of-view shots helps keep the audience focused and help situates the scene etc.
Camera angles are very important it determines how powerful a character maybe. For example High angle shots makes the character seem less powerful, where as compared to low angle shots it makes the character more powerful as they are looking upon you. The camera needs to be placed correctly to ensure that the character doesn't get cut out of the frame, so make sure this doesn't happen by making sure characters have room about there heads and around them if they are moving or been shown direction.
Simple tips to remember so stupid silly mistakes are avoided is to make sure you shoot far more footage then needed as because when it come to a later date it will be easier to edited as you will have more to work with. Also if a shot doesn't got perfect film it again, to get it perfect be a perfectionist, but could end up re-taking the same shot again and again, so be prepared!! Final thing MAKE SURE YOUR BATTERIES ARE CHARGED!!!
Mise en Scène -
Mise en Scène is the most difficult element of production to get right. Mise en Scène is all about atmosphere and continuity also detail being one of the important aspects.
Costumes, lighting location and props are to be chosen to create the right kind of 'feel/mood' needed to create a believable world of the text that is required. But one of the hardest things to ensure this is maintained shot by shot. As most students make the simple mistake of changing something such as haircuts or costumes mid-sequence, poorly chosen props, bad acting doesn't help as performance is another element of Mise en Scène so using drama students would help as they are more likely to feel comfortable in front of the camera.
Lighting -
Lighting is one of the important things when filming and most media students don't have the access to use top notch lighting equipment which the professionals use and this can be a disadvantage to media students and their creativity. However there are ways this can be over. 5 Tips by a man called Michael Massey wrote in an article for Media Magazine.
1) Use Natural Light - sunlight, in shadow, in mist, through rain - depending on the effect you need, and bearing in mind that you will have to be flexible about time if you need to wait for the right conditions.
2) Use Cheap and Cheerful artificial light - as long as you have carried out risk assessments, you can make use of candles, firelight, torches, car headlights, security lights, neon signs and street lighting.
3) Create colour filters - you can easily shine a light though coloured liquids, vases, ornaments and paper etc.
4) Position the light source for effect - Lighting a scene from above, below or in an obscured way will create different kinds of light source listed above.
5) Ultimately, lighting a scene is a scientific process! Massey describes the equation in helpful clear terms:
Once you have explored what your light sources can provide, experiment with the interaction of light with the objects in your frame
Combining Sound, Image and Titles -
Putting together titles, sounds and images is a lot harder than you think; I gain from my own experience from when I first started using editing software like 'Final Cut Express'. As you have to choose appropriate fonts, colours and sizes and this can vary in different editing software. You can spend hours upon hours combining these things going though trial and error to eventually end up with the most pleasing timing titles for your audience. You may have to make some decisions about whether you want to place each title over black between shots or over the action and how long each title stays on the screen these can be some pretty difficult creative decisions! Another need is to be able to understand what contribution each title is making, to help the audience get the understanding of the narrative, the genre and representational aspects which you need the audience to catch on quickly with. Further more you would add music to your start of a film and when doing this you got to think carefully about the semiotic function of music, this is to ensure that what the music suggests to the audience is keeping with what the tone and pace is of the drama in which you are unfolding. It would be a good idea to test this first with audience at an early stage so you can make changes if they don't respond as you expected.
The Grammar of Non-Linear Editing -
For the post-production work we would be using a non-linear video editing software package. We will be assessed on how well we can use the software, like how you can use it to it full potential, by how well we can edit the material to meaning is apparent to the viewer. How to achieve this there is a lot of reading up on rules of grammar that apple to editing and observe them closely! Also creating continuity and the right rhythm and pace. It is also essential to choose the right kinds of transition, and it most probably that the software that is being used will have a wide range of effects, as do most editing software’s do. Transitions that are exciting to use but do not reflect the conventions of the type film you are constructing are good thing to A.v.o.i.d!!!
90% of the sequence should be hard cuts and you can get away with the transition between titles and images but keep consistent! Do not use loads of different transitions for different images and titles ect.
Try making the editing invisible because that is basically what you’re meant to do as the viewer is meant to believe it is reality of the fiction that is being unfolded. You may use different techniques in editing for example a fade might be used to portray the passing of time, if establishing tension or action early in the sequence, you may use much more number of edits. A standard industry technique is cutting from on shot of a subject to a different subject and then back again, instead of moving immediately to the same image.
Editing allows you do what you can’t do in real life, it the manipulation of time and space. You can manipulate space by editing between to simultaneous pieces of action and manipulate time between two shots to move the narrative forward and bypass unnecessary time that is not interesting to the story.
Over all the execution of these forms of manipulation with out distracting or confusing the viewer is that is know and we call the ‘Grammar of the edit’
Compelted On: 28 October 09 Posted:04 November 09
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