Saturday, January 5, 2019
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Q2 Weeks 8 & 9: Film Opening Research #1 - "Taylor Swift reputation Stadium Tour"
How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
"Netflix was displayed at the very beginning of the film, followed by "Taylor Swift Productions", and "Den of Thieves". "a netflix original film", "a taylor swift production", "a den of thieves production", and "a paul dugdale film" is displayed over a close-up shot of a snake's skin. The title of the film was only displayed once at the end of the sequence of pictures, videos, music, and voices.
What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
Images prioritized in the opening sequence are pictures of Taylor Swift as a teenager, leading up to her now in her career. A snake's skin also flashes between these pictures. The pictures are also distorted and fuzzy during certain parts as the music changes. These images are prioritized as they show the "Old Taylor" and the person the media portrays her as: a sweet, naive teenager.
What connotations do the images carry?
These images carry a nostalgic connotation as the images chronologically show a different era of Taylor Swift's career. They are also given a negative connotation as they are distorted and made to be seen from a different perspective of being false and questionable.
How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Genre is reinforced through symbolic and technical codes by using representative pictures and objects such as the snake the opening sequence often refers back to. Taylor Swift was called a snake by fellow celebrities, as well as the media, and she made the negative situation a positive one by accepting her new reputation. She becomes the snake physically through the use of wardrobe in both the end of the opening sequence, and the performance itself. This is an example of mise en scene. She also uses snake videos on the large screens often during the performance, and even has a large snake statue.
How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
This film establishes an enigma from the outset by being more interesting than a normal documentary. Documentaries usually carry the stigma of being boring, but the use of music and mystery in this film opening draws in the audience.
What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
Strategies that are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience are the use of nostalgia and mystery. Nostalgia is used for the viewers who are already fans of her and will be pulled into the film by Taylor Swift herself. Mystery is used for those who may not particularly like Taylor Swift, which they may begin to question as they put into perspective what she has gone through, why she is who she is today and why she makes the music that she does.
How has technology been used effectively?
Technology has been used effectively to add effects to pictures and videos as well as contribute to the overall mood given by lighting and sound during the performance itself.
Q2 Week 2 & 3: Film Viewing Practice Essay
Many different aspects of film are noticeable when watching the excerpt of Agent Carter. Aspects that are most prevalent would be camera angles, editing, sound, and mise en scene. Each of these aspects contribute to different components of the film.
Throughout the film, camera angles are relied upon to help better convey crucial parts of the film such as plot and setting. This film uses an over the over the shoulder camera shot during a conversation with Peggy and two men. Such a camera angle helps put the characters on a more even playing field which is significant in this film as the main character is a woman, and women are traditionally seen as being less powerful and capable than men. This camera angle helps to show the audience that Peggy is equal to the men in this film. The use of an establishing shot is also important, as it is used to show the audience the setting that is the city of New York. This helps convey a sense of action to the audience as New York is well known for its fast-paced lifestyle, cluing the audience in that the characters of the film are going to encounter some form of action.
Sound is also used during the excerpt of Agent Carter. The excerpt of the film begins with non-diegetic sound in the form of a violin. The use of the violin music helps convey the misfortune and sadness of the situation to the audience, effectively putting the audience in the same mood. A sound bridge is also used in the parallelism seem between Peggy and Steve. This helps connect the two scenes for the audience and establish that the two different situations are happening at the same time.
Editing is also a prevalent aspect of film throughout the excerpt of Agent Carter. The main use of editing in this portion of the film would be parallelism, which helps show the audience the differences and similarities between two different scenes. Some differences between Peggy's setting and Steve's setting would be the severity of the situation. With Peggy sitting in an office, it is easier for the audience to determine that she is in a safer environment. The opposite can be said for Steve; however, as it is evident to the audience that Steve is in a life-threatening situation in the aircraft. These seems are similar in the sense that both the characters present in this scene are in an obvious state of panic, helping induce similar emotions in the audience.
The last aspect of film that is most prevalent in Agent Carter would be mise en scene. The use of mise en scene in the excerpt of the film is focused mainly around Peggy. Where the use of low key lighting in the office hints to the audience that the environment is not the most ideal place for Peggy. An instance of high key lighting is also shown around Peggy when she talks about her future, showing that she is hopeful for change.
In conclusion, the film Agent Carter effectively uses camera angles, editing, sound, and mise en scene to convey meaning and emotion to the audience of the film, thus creating a thrilling experience for the audience.
Throughout the film, camera angles are relied upon to help better convey crucial parts of the film such as plot and setting. This film uses an over the over the shoulder camera shot during a conversation with Peggy and two men. Such a camera angle helps put the characters on a more even playing field which is significant in this film as the main character is a woman, and women are traditionally seen as being less powerful and capable than men. This camera angle helps to show the audience that Peggy is equal to the men in this film. The use of an establishing shot is also important, as it is used to show the audience the setting that is the city of New York. This helps convey a sense of action to the audience as New York is well known for its fast-paced lifestyle, cluing the audience in that the characters of the film are going to encounter some form of action.
Sound is also used during the excerpt of Agent Carter. The excerpt of the film begins with non-diegetic sound in the form of a violin. The use of the violin music helps convey the misfortune and sadness of the situation to the audience, effectively putting the audience in the same mood. A sound bridge is also used in the parallelism seem between Peggy and Steve. This helps connect the two scenes for the audience and establish that the two different situations are happening at the same time.
Editing is also a prevalent aspect of film throughout the excerpt of Agent Carter. The main use of editing in this portion of the film would be parallelism, which helps show the audience the differences and similarities between two different scenes. Some differences between Peggy's setting and Steve's setting would be the severity of the situation. With Peggy sitting in an office, it is easier for the audience to determine that she is in a safer environment. The opposite can be said for Steve; however, as it is evident to the audience that Steve is in a life-threatening situation in the aircraft. These seems are similar in the sense that both the characters present in this scene are in an obvious state of panic, helping induce similar emotions in the audience.
The last aspect of film that is most prevalent in Agent Carter would be mise en scene. The use of mise en scene in the excerpt of the film is focused mainly around Peggy. Where the use of low key lighting in the office hints to the audience that the environment is not the most ideal place for Peggy. An instance of high key lighting is also shown around Peggy when she talks about her future, showing that she is hopeful for change.
In conclusion, the film Agent Carter effectively uses camera angles, editing, sound, and mise en scene to convey meaning and emotion to the audience of the film, thus creating a thrilling experience for the audience.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Q2 Week 1: Mise en scene
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" opens to a street sign reading "Privet Drive", showing the audience that is where the following scene will be taking place. It is night and the area is foggy, signaling that something dark had happened or is going to happen. The area has low-key lighting and is dimly lit by a few streetlights. In deep space, a man slowly appears out of the woods, wearing a robe and a classic wizard's hat and pulls out of his robes a lighter. He proceeds to take all of the surrounding light away from the area, making it even darker than before. This signifies that something secretive is about to take place because it is obvious he does not want to be seen. A tabby cat then transforms into a woman who also has a robe and hat on, signaling that these two people know each other and are from the same group of people. It also shows that the group they are from is not of normal people.
The actor playing Dumbledore seems to practice non-method acting. It seems as if he was made to play this role and that it is very natural to him. He is soft-spoken and is not trying hard to show the audience that he is able to play a wizard, even though he is not one in real life.
I observed only the first four minutes of the movie because it is the most important due to the wonder it gives the audience of who the professors in the robes were, who the baby is, and why they dropped him off on a front porch. These first four minutes pulled the audience in and made them interested enough in the movie for seven more and a spin-off to be created after it.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" opens to a street sign reading "Privet Drive", showing the audience that is where the following scene will be taking place. It is night and the area is foggy, signaling that something dark had happened or is going to happen. The area has low-key lighting and is dimly lit by a few streetlights. In deep space, a man slowly appears out of the woods, wearing a robe and a classic wizard's hat and pulls out of his robes a lighter. He proceeds to take all of the surrounding light away from the area, making it even darker than before. This signifies that something secretive is about to take place because it is obvious he does not want to be seen. A tabby cat then transforms into a woman who also has a robe and hat on, signaling that these two people know each other and are from the same group of people. It also shows that the group they are from is not of normal people.
The actor playing Dumbledore seems to practice non-method acting. It seems as if he was made to play this role and that it is very natural to him. He is soft-spoken and is not trying hard to show the audience that he is able to play a wizard, even though he is not one in real life.
I observed only the first four minutes of the movie because it is the most important due to the wonder it gives the audience of who the professors in the robes were, who the baby is, and why they dropped him off on a front porch. These first four minutes pulled the audience in and made them interested enough in the movie for seven more and a spin-off to be created after it.
Sunday, October 14, 2018
Week 8: Five Master Edits With Sound Effects
Non-diegetic voice over: Despite the fact that the overall meaning of the scene was apparent, adding the voice over clarifies what the character (me) was thinking. You can hear an exasperated sound in my voice as I speak, adding to the overall feeling the scene is trying to convey.
Non-diegetic sound: I chose to add in this sound effect because I felt that it captured the feeling of "falling" into the book and as the camera zooms back out it creates the feeling of ascending back out.
Non-diegetic music: The music signifies the leitmotif and whenever it comes on the characters in that scene have to do that specific dance. Without the music, the audience would not understand the leitmotif.
Non-diegetic sound bridge: The sound bridge connects the two scenes of the two characters (Ryan and I) walking. This shows the audience that the two scenes are connected and that the same feeling should be felt for both scenes.
Diegetic direct sound: Without the direct sound of the two characters (Whitney and I) talking in this scene, the audience would not understand what the scene is trying to convey and what the characters are feeling.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Week 4: Movie Scenes
"The Sixth Sense"
from Director M. Night Shyamalan
I chose to comment on the movie "The Sixth Sense"'s different shots and angles used. This movie is a horror/thriller, so the use of camera angles affects the audience's level of thrill and surprise. I commented on this movie because I had been interested in watching it, and decided to use this assignment as an excuse to watch it. This film has a large variety of different shots and scenes. If these scenes were shot any other ways, the same emotions would not have been provoked.
This shot is a high angle shot. It is important to this scene because the audience is able to observe Malcome's reaction after being shot in the abdomen. You can also see his surroundings and his wife rushing in from outside the frame to try to assist him. This is the shot in which the audience observes him beginning to die and you can see him struggle to breathe.
This shot is a follow shot. This shot was important to the movie because at first, it follows Cole as he is walking slowly, but as Cole starts walking faster, and then running, the camera following along increases the speed at which it is moving as well. The viewer feels as if they are also running and the shot also makes them wonder why Cole is running or who he is running from.
This shot is a reaction shot. Cole's mother, Lynn, is studying the pictures of Cole on the wall as she is cleaning. She notices something interesting and confusing in each picture, which you are unable to see until the camera switches to that shot. This is important because the audience can recognize that she is beginning to be suspicious.
This shot is a point-of-view (POV) shot. This is from Lynn's point of view as she reads writing on Cole's desk. There is a voice over of Dr. Malcome talking during this shot, giving background information of what the writing is. This also shows that Lynn is beginning to think that something is going on with Cole.
This shot is a low angle shot. This shot shows how to flashlight casts a shadow onto Cole's face, creating a feeling of mystery and uneasiness. Some of his main facial features are erased due to the oversaturation from the light, giving Cole's face a scarier, creepier look. The classic scary/spooky look is a flashlight shining on a face, so I think the film uses this shot to fit that stereotype.
A camera angle used a lot in horror or thriller films is a close-up shot. Usually, this shot is used right before the shot of something surprising and shocking that is unable to be seen. In this scene, Cole's hand is shown on the door handle before he opens the door to an unknown room. It feels as if you are opening the door with Cole, immersing the audience in the scene. Also, the shot shows how slowly Cole opens the door, building up the audience's anticipation to see what it is in the room.
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