1 minute copy

Video I copied:

My copy:

As this was my first attempt at filming anything and having to think about lighting, camera angles, costumes, props etc It could of gone a lot worse. However looking back there are a lot of things that I could of done differently:

•  Different cuts are filmed at different parts of the day and so all the lighting was different which made it difficult to make the video look continuous. 
•  A lot of it was filmed after sunset so it made it difficult to set the lighting, as if I turned the lights on it would be too bright as the video is supposed to be set in a dark environment. Lucky, thanks to some help from friends, I used torches to light up the rooms, which in some places came out pretty well, making the shots in low key lighting which made it dark, intense and ominous, which is the feeling generally wanted form the video.
•  However in one shot, where the woman is running away from the man down the corridor, the torch lighting wasn't enough and its difficult to see what is going on, even with editing the video. 
• A clip came out so dark we could see what was happening, I had to film it with two completely different actors, wearing the wrong clothes and had slightly different skin tones, which was a continuation error.



Rule of thirds

This will help my creative eye develop.

Analysis of an opening scene

Opening scene of "Django Unchained"

Right from the start of the of the opening credits there is an idea of where the film is set from an establishing shot of an American desert. And who it is directed by (Quentin Tarantino) so the audience has some idea of what the film genre it will be - typical Tarantino film will involve violence, profanity and will be made for people over the age of 18.

The frame stays the same for 30 seconds before moving. In the those 30seconds names of start actors are shown. The fact that the cast of the film is very good would appeal to the public and the fans of those actors. The credits are in red which signifies blood and violence.

The camera then pans round to show a row of black men limping, topless with scares on their backs unable to see their faces, giving the audience an idea of when the film was set and what it was about - in 1800's America during the slave trade. Then the title of the film is presented joined with a climax of the theme song in the background. When the word "unchained" appears on the screen, it is accompanied by a sound affect of whip, Which will grab the attention of the audience and gives them the idea that the film they are about to watch involves violence.



We are now able to see the facial expressions of the characters in the frame and their anguish. The camera focus on one individual who we can assume is the protagonist - Django

Between 1:24-1:27 at another climax of the song, the camera zooms out very quickly - in time with the music. It shows the audience what environment the characters in and the hard conditions they had to walk in. Also as another credit comes up a whipping noise in the background is repeated, which could signify that it is a character of importance and the character they are playing is violent.

After a few more establishing shots, It is set at night, still with the characters limping. The lighting is very low key and contrasting. The characters are walking away from what little light there is, which could signify them walking away from any hope they have/had.

The opening credits and theme song finish in this frame. It is shows the slaves in the middle with white people on horses to the front and back of them. This could signify that the fact that they are higher up above the ground shows they have more authority and power.





Analyzing  this will help me analyise at future sequences and help me edit my own opening sequnce when it comes to it.

Mise-en-scene

Mise en scene.

Mise en scene comes from the french meaning "placing on stage". It communicates important information for the audience. The arrangement of everything in the frame, eg lighting, camera angles, props, costumes, positioning of actors and props, decoration etc. is Mise en scene. Placing on the stage in cinema is really placing on the screen, and the director of that production decides how the Mise on scene is presented. Even though there are many professionals involved in its creation, the director is the one who oversees the entire Mise en scene. Usually the director and important people in the crew (set designers, prop masters, location managers, costume designers, and scenic artists) to establish the look and feel intended for the production. All of these aspects the Mise en scene;

Lighting.

It could be argued that it is the greatest element to evoke emotions in a production. It is manipulated by the director to present their desires for the film in progress. there are to main lighting approaches; low-key lighting and high-key lighting. 

High-key lighting: 

High-key lighting is often seen in romantic films, comedies and musicals, creating even lighting and avoiding dark areas in the frame. Everything looks bright with little to no shadow at all. High-key lighting has little dramatic effect and generally has positive connotations.

Example of high-key lighting in film 'The grand Budapest hotel".
Frame is evenly lit with hardly any shadows.

 Low-key lighting:

Low-key lighting is often seen in horrors, thrillers and dramas. comprising of a lighting pattern that has both bright and dark areas in the frame. The bright-dark technique (or chiaroscuro), is portrayed by strong contrast, often used to create tension or to unnerve audience.

Example of low-key lighting in film "Inglorious Bastards"
 Shows the contrast in lighting; Actress, Melanie Laurent's character
 is lit while her surroundings are completely black. 

Set Design.

The set design is basically the decor of the the set, so the use of the furniture, props, and the set itself. Instead of just placing objects here and there, the director must know how to use the set to the best affect and how that will have significance in a deeper level, while also emphasising themes, creating meanings, and being thought provoking.

Example of set design from the "Harry Potter" franchise.
The interior architecture and design of the Weasley house is set out
carefully by the director and the set designers for a reason.

Costume.

The obvious purpose of costuming is to dress an actor/actress to fit their character. for example the rich wear suits, and the poor wear shabby clothes. Costumes tells us immediately whether the film is set in the present or the past and what society it will be set around.

However costumes can also be used to establish where someone stands in hierarchy. Even the colour of a costume can distinguish an enemy from a friend. Costuming may also be used to emphasise a theme.

Costume example in film "Twelve years a slave".
Costumes used here so audience can distinguish between hierarchy

Positioning of characters.

Positioning within a frame can draw our attention to an important character or object. A director of a film can also use the positioning between people to indicate their relationships with each other.

Facial expressions & body language.

Facial expressions provide a clear indicator of how someone is feeling. If someone is smiling broadly, we assume they are happy but we may feel differently if scary music is being played in the background. Body language may also indicate how a character feels towards another character or may reflect their relationship.

Example of facial expression in 'Star wars'
Shows anguish and despair

Learning about this will be useful for my future tasks as it shows how Mise en Scene can be a useful part of storytelling.

Camera angles

Camera angles.

In film, different camera angles and shots are used to help the audience to understand characters emotions and motives, as well as the settings of productions.

Establishing/ Extreme long shot.

Establishing shot from film
 "The devil wears Prada"
Tells audience film is set in New York city.

- Usually a shot taken outside which will establish location and time set of production.

- If there are any characters they will only just be visible to the audience.

- Often used the beginning of a production which will give the audience important information regarding setting for the story line.

Long shot.

Long shot in film
"Django Unchained"

- Establishing shot is often followed by a long shot of character, which allows the audience to the character from head to toe.

- It also allows the audience to see the relationship between the character and their environment.

Mid shot.

Mid shot shot in film
"The hunger games, Mocking jay" part 1

- May/often follows a long shot.
- Allows the audience to see the character from the waist up, and allows the audience to know what the characters motive is from their body language and facial expressions.

Two shot.

Two shot from film "Pulp Fiction"

- Two characters in the frame

- shot will express their relationship with each other and the action they find themselves in

- (often used in TV chat shows)

Close up.

Close up from film
"The Shining"

- Character head and shoulders with very little background allowing the audience to focus on characters emotions 

- Can be used on an object with significance to the narrative

- Also allows audience the emotions of the character at that specific point.

Point of view.

Point of view shot from film
"Harry poter and the Philosophers Stone"

- The close up of a character works as a reference for the point of view shot.

- The audience sees an object of significance from the characters view point 

- This allows the audience to understand the characters motive in the story.

Extreme close up.

Extreme close up from film
"Feris Bueller's day off"

- Draws audience closer into the characters emotions as attention is completely focused on them

- can be very intense for the audience because it is not a familiar view point. 

- Not able to see any other action taking place around the character, which will also cause tension

- Often focuses on eyes or an object of significance.

 This post will important for when I come to make my main task, I will know what camera angles I could use and what they are called. 

Top 5 films

My top 5 favourite films.

5) Scott Pilgrim vs The world. 

Front cover of
 Scott Pilgrim vs The world

Comic book (on the left)
 compared with movie
 (on the right)

Personally I feel Scott Pilgrim vs The World is a excellent film with a great cast. I love the originality of the story line and the way the director presented the film almost exactly what its like in the comics. I also really appreciate the weird yet wonderful humour in the film. 

4) The Wolf of Wall Street.

Front cover of
'Wolf of Wall street'

Character Jordan Belfort
 (actor Leonardo DiCaprio)
Body language and smart
appearance suggests he is a
man of power and authority.

This film is a classic Martin Scorsese production, with lots of long takes, freeze frames and the main protagonist narrating throughout. As well as the film being very entertaining and comical,  it does come with a very serious, moral message. It is in fact the real life depiction of former stockbroker, Jordan Belfort, played by the incredible Leonardo DiCaprio, who's performance got him an Oscar nomination. Some critics say that the film glorifies the life of Jordan Belfort who on a regular basis did cocaine and copious amounts of other drugs, had sex with prostitutes, and scammed people for their money. However, I feel it does the opposite as by the end he turns out to be miserable and looses his business, family and fortune. 

3) Django unchained. 

Front cover of
'Django Unchained'

Django Unchained is a typical Tarantino film, filled with over dramatised violence and star actors, such as Jamie Foxx, Christopher Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carrie Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. The fill is set during the slave trade, in 19th century Western America. Its brilliantly portrays the racisism of the time and how these black people had to deal with that, including the protagonist - Django. And of course as it is a Tarantino film, there is lots of blood and death, which we can also tell from the big red text of the front cover. So it is set for a particular audience.

2) Disney's Hercules. 

Front cover of Disney's
'Hercules'

Very comical moment in
film.

Although set for a young audience, Hercules is pretty much my all time favourite film. Throughout my childhood I used to have this film on repeat, and I could happily watch it on repeat now. It has excellent humour, brilliant songs and a very good moral message behind it. Its also a great adaptation on Greek mythology. This film never fails to make me feel nostalgic and always puts me in a great mood.

1) The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Front cover of
'The Grand Budapest Hotel'

The grand Budapest hotel is probably favourite film at the current moment, with a brilliant cast, filled with star actors and actresses. The story follows protagonist M.Gustave (played by actor Ralph Fiennes) when he accused for the murder of his elderly lover Madame.D (Played by actress Tilda Swinton) and the assistance of his lobby boy, Zero (played by actor Tony Revolori). The absolutely mad turn of events in the film are just hilarious, the humour is very original which I love. The hysterical sound track also adds to the craziness of the film. The presentation of the production is also very original, with lots of bright colours, and very unique camera angles. All of these aspects are even just shown in the trailer! This film never fails to put me in a great mood,                                                                    I've never seen anything like it.

Introduction

Alevel media is something that I have wanted to study for a long time, I know that the course will feel more like a hobby much more than a chore as I will hopefully really enjoy it.

During this course I am excited to learn about various camera angles, cinematography, analysis of film and media, developing my editing skills and to put all these skills into my practical work. I am also intrigued to update my blog on a regular basis as it is a new experience and something Ive always wanted to do, but never got round to.