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.