End of Year Reflection

Independent Film Research

I agree with Shaheed and think research script is the single hardest piece of writing that I've ever had to do. The amount of research you need to do is almost dependent on how much writing is available on the specific topic. I feel that more training would be needed in how to focus a search and how to pick a topic that would have widely available research. More time needs to be focused on what exactly to do. I think it would really help to watch more films in class and give less time to explain assignments to make more efficient use of class time. Focus more class time on developing film theories/history.

Oral Presentation Experience

This was the easiest aspect of the class for me. I was able to remember the bulk of my oral and had only a few areas that I could improve on. I felt the preparation was fine and I had no problem with anything really. The only other additional training could maybe be group oral presentations on an in class film like we did for Run Lola Run my junior film. Just hearing and talking about film is helpful.

Production Experience

I accomplished just about everything I wanted to this semester. I performed well in my production, as the cinematography was good, especially with it being my first time using a DSLR. I was also pleased as I co-wrote the script, my first time having a major role in the scriptwriting process, and I feel the script was a main reason Nutcracker was so successful as a film. I just feel if we were able to be more efficient as a group that the film could have been even better. But things happen and our group barely survived all the tension and conflict. The only suggestion for improving this is to further my point of watching more films.  I thought there was a lot of wasted time just explaining an assignment that we could have figured out on our own, time that could have broadened our film horizons.

Independent research script self assess/reflection

Independent Research Script

I did a suitable job with the first criteria as I referenced film history and genre topic. However, I felt that there wasn't a lot of reference to the film theory. I didn't feel comfortable writing about film theory as I felt I was required to find out all the information relating to a theory on my own as we didn't spend much time on film theory.

This is a somewhat unclear descriptor so its hard to judge, but I think this refers to the documentary type format/dramatization of the script. I felt my script flowed as an academic discussion relating to my research script.

I did poorly in this descriptor because there just simply weren't a lot of sources that related to my topic. I used a couple quotes but that was the best I could do.

I clearly identified the type of shot that I would use as an example and any accompanying dialogue or type of sound. This was one of the few categories I did good in.

This is a difficult category to score because of the word insightful. I felt I made some insightful comments, so I did an adequate job in this area, but it could have been better.

Sound and the Studio Years

Part 1: Explore how the inclusion of sound in the movie pictures impacted the Movie Industry. Detail how it happened, who was effected, what was lost. 

Sound was first included in the Warner Bros production The Jazz Singer , as the company had to gamble to try and stay afloat financially. The film used background music and only had 354 spoken words and was followed by another major sound production The Singing Fool, which was widely popular and successful. The films captured public attention, and the other studios adjusted and began implementing sound. However, these films ended many actors' careers as they struggled to adjust, and many musicians lost their jobs as music only needed to be recorded once to be played. However, cinematography became greatly hindered as the camera had to remain stationary and in a soundproof room called an icebox. Also, microphones had to be set very close to the actors, further limiting the use of sound in productions. 

Part 2: The 20 years between 1930 and 1950 are generally recognized as the studio years. Describe what the pros and cons were of this factory system.

During this time period, films increased in popularity and became strong investments, allowing the industry to adapt and change from 20-30 people on benches into large comfortable theaters, and the number of these theaters increased across the country's as the industry grew. Also, the beginning of this era took place during the great depression, allowing the cheap movies (35-65 cents depending on time) to serve as an escape for those facing the horrors of the time, and much of the second half was during  WWII further serving as an escape and propaganda. However, this time was not without its flaws. There was widespread control over actors, and smaller outside productions were almost doomed to fail. 

http://cybercollege.com/frtv/frtv003.htm

Writing About Film

What are the 5 kinds of film writing described in the article and what are the key details of each. 

• formal analysis, requires that the viewer be able to use the parts of the film to know how these parts affect the film in its entirety. 
• film history, states that all films reflect, influence and have history, offer up a critique or reflection of the values and culture of the time period the film was set, made or released, and that films contribute to and influence historical events that are happening at the time, or influence the perception of a past event. 
• ideological papers, states that all films support, suggest or idealize a belief or set of beliefs, and tries to force these beliefs upon the viewers of the film. 
• cultural studies/ national cinema, film's represent the culture and nation in which the film was created, and might not like films made in other countries that do not follow the norms that the audience developed.
• discussion of the auteur, based on the assumption that one person retains authorship and control.

What does “Annotating a Film Sequence” involve and what are it’s benefits?

First you pick a scene and label all of the shots in that scene. By annotating a scene, it is easier to follow a complex set of camera movements and it is easy to identify patterns, or changes in patterns in either directors or editors choice. 

What does the author imply when she says to “Think Beyond the Frame?”

The author is implying that as a viewer, we must look at what is inside the frame, and use that to deduce reasons as to the director's choices, and what the director wants us to think. We must discover the motives, and we must put ourself in the director's place and find out what is conveyed beyond the scene on camera. 

Film Trailer Review

The trailer I chose to review was that of the teenage heartthrob conclusion to the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

Figure 1

Narrative: This trailer laid out the basic premise for the movie: Bella is now a vampire and her daughter Renesmee is thought to be a monstrosity that she isn't, and the 'law enforcing vampires' have to fix this mistaken crime, causing the Cullen's to rally together to protect the child. The trailer was definitely fast paced and action packed, which really goes along with the drama/thriller/romance genres, with constant quick cuts and fade to black/fade in transitions. Figure 1 shows the introduction of the antagonists, and marks the change in the story from happy and upbeat to serious.

Figure 2

Mis en Scene: Figure 2 shows the scene days before the encounter with the Volturi, as the vampires have all gathered together to assist the Cullen's in their ploy to keep their child safe. This demonstrates the support that the Cullen's have, and displaying them in a home environment brings friendly feelings to the surface, hiding the strife that is boiling beneath. In addition, by having all the actors look at one place, it directs the audience attention, as they are anticipatory or what will come next, and also draws attention to the one werewolf, as he is the only one that isnt a vampire in the room.

Figure 3

Cinematography: Figure 3 displays a very creative shot following Bella as she is sprinting through the forest. She is blurry in the image to show her newfound vampire speed. In addition. the area around her seems distorted, signifying her new heightened vampire senses, and again her speed. Overall, the cinematography of the trailer focuses on a range of MS to CU, with a few long shots mixed in. Figure 3 is an over the shoulder shot.

Figure 4

Edit: The edit follows the actual plot line of the movie, which helps the continuity of the edit and allows for smooth flow. Dialogue from the movie is used to narrate the trailer, and also helps with the flow. All the cuts between shots are done as fade to black, then fade in. The cutting is really quick with almost no shot lasting for more than 2 seconds.

Figure 5

Sound Design: Most of the trailer has an intense beat that is fast paced to match the edit. In figure 5, the track changes to a single beat that matches the seriousness of the threat that has emerged against the Cullens. In addition, there is a slow buildup and then eruption of the background music as it builds up the suspense which erupts into the title info about the movie.

Documentary Pre-Production

Trevor Fisher Andrew Curd

Purpose: to gain knowledge on project SEARCH at san mateo hospital

Contacts: creators of the project interns

Interview Questions:

what is the program?

who/ how was it started?

what does it aim to do?

how has it helped society?

what are the goals?

how does the program reach these goals?

how successful has the program been?

how does the program benefit society?

What is a typical day for the interns

interview questions for interns

how has the program helped you?

whats a typical day for you like?

how long have you been an intern here?

Shot List

Opening shots of exterior of hospital. Hear voice of director of program

Interlace B-Roll with interview

Closer is telling how to help support and how to find out more information. closing shot shaking

her hand then slow fade to black?

B-roll

people working

shots of the hospital

Tentative dates:

December 2 first b-roll day? possible preliminary interviews?

Documentary Critique: IRL-In Real Life

1. The principle subject of this documentary is to discuss the addiction of World of Warcraft by Anthony. Its purpose is to highlight his addiction, with the hope of helping others get over the same addiction held by many that play video games. It is filmed to critique the nature of the addiction, and hopes to assist those to move past the addiction.

Figure 1

figure 2

2. This documentary opens with the quote seen in figure 1, giving an initial context as to the meaning and relevance of the documentary as a form of expression. In addition, the filmmaker later conveys a lot of information at once when he overlays multiple audio bits discussing his accomplishments in the game, but mostly uses an informal monologue with the viewer recounting his story. Additionally, he uses shots of his screen as he plays the game (figure 2) and still images of his own life (figure 3) to create a parallel between real life and the gaming world. 

figure 3

3. As previously stated, the filmmaker doesn't have actual footage besides his gameplay footage. This is done because it emphasizes the parallels between his real life and his game world. The filmmaker does this because it helps him to accentuate the problems that strike society as more and more individuals are becoming addicted to video games. Therefore, his choice to only use stills for his life separates it from his gaming life, as he attempts to show how much better his life is now without the game. 

4. This documentary is done entirely through voiceover, there is no footage of the filmmaker talking directly to the camera. His commentary mostly criticizes is own choices, which serves well with the visuals placed in for the gaming world. The visuals and commentary together further accentuates his need to escape from the shackles of his gaming addiction. 

figure 4

5. One powerful symbol I found was in the scene where he displays the messages the female he met over the game (figure 4) and when he lies to his friend to get out of going out (figure 5). These symbolized the extent to which his addiction had taken over his life. By not having voiceovers here, the filmmaker allows the viewer to experience the shock at the extent of his addiction, and how much control it truly had over his life. 

figure 5

6. Already answered

7. The film features no other voiceovers other than that of the filmmaker, and doesn't cite outside sources except the opening quote that gave context the documentary without showing any shots yet. 

figure 6

figure 7

8. My favorite use of his gameplay footage and graphics is shown in figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 highlights what i consider the most important and powerful graphic, that he started playing warcraft on valentines day, and has been single for 6 years. The following shot, figure 7, displays the in game sadness at his loneliness. These shots worked in tandem to lead to him getting over his addiction, and living his life among the living not the virtual. 

9. Doesn't directly address camera. 

10. There is little to no staging done as it is game footage and still images. I enjoy the close up in figure 7 however. 

11. As previously stated, his edit creates a parallel between reality and the virtual world and argues how pathetic his life is with warcraft at the center of his universe. There are more shots of his gameplay than of himself, as even the first shots of the filmmaker show him living his addiction. Later however, we see him enjoying himself and having fun and multiple images are displayed. By editing in this way, he guides the audience along his journey of addiction, helping show the audience how he is able to overcome his addiction and emerge as a better person without the game controlling his life as the game footage controlled most of the documentary. 

12.  Music is only used in the initial opening scene, and is used to build suspense and help build upon the context from the opening shot of the quote. 

13. Very little cinematic choices are made regarding the filming, as a majority of his message is conveyed through the shot choice, edit, and voiceover. 

14. I find the film very effective. I felt attached to Anthony, and was happy when I discovered his journey to rid himself of his addiction had succeeded. I was able to connect well with him, and felt he did an excellent job conveying his problem, and showing how others can move past their addictions like he did and live a better life after. i felt his film was triumphant enough to reach out to other forms of addiction, and help those suffering from other addictions, a true success of a documentary as it can transcend many addictions. However, I feel even just one direct shot of Anthony talking to the camera could've deepened the connection with the audience, but that is my only critique.