Wednesday, February 2, 2011

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK:

Genre of the film: This is an action/adventure film because of the short, quick shot types that are shown in such a small amount of time. The actors are moving around a lot in this scene, more so than other genre movies, which makes it fast-paced and suspenseful. It's the type of movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The edits used are a combination of cuts. There were some close ups in the scene to emphasise the movement and emotion, overall to dramatize the scene as a whole.

Style of acting: The actors share little words with each other and usually don't have much time to do whatever they're doing, whether it be to escape, save a person, run after someone or take something from a certain place. This is why their movements are fast-paced and very dramatized throughout the scene, and more importantly the movie in its entirety. There is no sign of fear on the actors faces, which depicts them as being heroic, powerful and fearless.

Props: Indiana Jones always carries a whip with him. There was also the little golden monkey used at the end that Indiana Jones needed to catch. The cobwebs that were used when Indiana was walking through the cage helped to set an eerie mood.

Lighting: Even though the scene was outside, there were a lot of shadows to create a suspenseful atmosphere and a certain curiosity within the audience. Once Indiana Jones had entered the cave, the cold lighting created an eerie, scary, uncertain feeling which is what needed to be conveyed to the audience.

Setting: South America. In the depths of the Amazon jungle/wilderness.

NOTTING HILL:

Genre of the film: Romantic comedy.

Style of acting: The characters (generally the main actor and actress that fall in love) make themselves really likeable and down to earth. We get to see their vulnerability as they start to fall for someone. They over-think things, about how their relationship with that other person is progressing. All the little things that go with being in love.

Props: The brownie: was a metaphor for a reward, enhancing the dinner scene where the characters got to know each other a little better.
The fence: Showed that William was nervous and Anna was more outrageous and keen. Trying to emphasise how different their characters were.
The wheelchair: Showed that Anna was a caring person and even though she was famous she wanted to connect with William's family. She is down to earth.
The park bench: Symbol of true love. Talked about the two people that sat on that same bench, with their names carved in.

Lighting: It went from warm, cosy lighting in the house to the Summer's night, moonlight type of lighting in the second scene. The moon set a romantic, intimate moment for Anna & William.

Setting: Village town in London.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Look at the following images and describe:


-The shot type: This is an over the shoulder, close-up kind of shot.

-The angle of the shot: Low angle.

-The intention of the shoot? To create a sense of fear and isolation.

-Describe in detail the visual clues or conventions used to convey meaning.
It's as if we are looking 'up' at the Queen as she has power. She appears to be looking down on the frog servant, and also us, in the audience. When someone looks 'down' on you it means they are disappointed and feel they have full control, as the Queen does in this shot. Her facial expression and extravagant make up also helps the Queen to have this sense of control and domination. Her crown is smaller than her head, suggesting their is a visual metaphor that she a 'big head' in the sense that she loves herself and that the power she has, has ultimately gone to her head. The shot plays on the idea of good vs. evil, where the Queen is evil and the frog is good.

-The shot type: Long-wide shot.

-The angle of the shot: Low angle.

-The intention of the shoot? To emphasise the height of the cabinet. Suspenseful feeling.

-Describe in detail the visual clues or conventions used to convey meaning.
The window at the top, suggests he is going to try and escape. He could possibly be a professor, a scientist, or a mental patient - because of the white cape/coat he is wearing. His body language also shows the audience that he might be trying to open the drawer at the top of the cabinet. His balance is unsteady and the darkness of the room gives an uneasy feeling, of what is happening in the intense scene.

-The shot type: Close-up.
-The angle of the shot: Low angle.
-The intention of the shoot? To show us the Mad Hatter's face, and his expression, in detail.


-The shot type: Over the shoulder. Wide shot/Long shot.

-The angle of the shot: High angle.

-The intention of the shoot? To show the conversation between the Cheshire Cat and Alice. To show us the expression of Alice and how she is reacting to running into the Cheshire Cat in the forest.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Why learn how to read Film?

Emotional experience, for entertainment, to learn the story (historical events), to visually connect with character/s, perspective - human connection & condition.

Story, characters, setting, sound, image.

Is cinema a film or text? Does it tell a story? How?

Cinema is a visual art form. Cinema is not literature. A film is not a novel (however it can be taken from a novel...)

-However, a film is a text, just as a play, poem or novel is a text.
-Although the storyline is essential, when reading a film you must be able to examine interpret and analyse the visual elements and style.

Elements of film:
(all the things that need to be considered when creating a film).
Shot type (angle), props (items of interaction), setting, color scheme, lighting, dialogue, sound.

Using metaphors in film:
Movies themselves are metaphors for how humans experience life on a deeper, and more dramatic, level. Symbolic images help us to understand things that can't always be translated into words, for instance, abstract concepts. I'm very interested in incorporating some metaphors into my short film.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Descriptions:

Shot: A shot is a continuous piece of filming without any interruption from the time the camera is turned on and starts filming until it is turned off.
-In general most shots last for no more than about ten seconds.
-The camera or subjects may move during the shot, however the filming remains uninterrupted.

Edit: An edit is a break in the film where one shot ends and the next shot begins.
-The four continuous types of shots are: cuts, dissolves, fades & (occasionally) wipes.