BLK feedback

Matt, you haven't linked your continuity sequence to your evaluation yet, can you sort it out?

Please keep up with your Stage 1 posting - you need to show how the project is developing from your own perspective. Try to avoid long-ish gaps between posts.

Please see the main blog posts for advice on how to proceed with your individual blog if you're not sure what you should be doing.

I know you've been really busy with the play, but it's not good to get behind on this as things move so fast. I'll give you an amnesty for a day or two to move forward with this.

Preliminary Task

1. Who did you work with and how did you manage the task between you?
In my group we had me, Tom Deason, Daniella Andrean, and Alice King. We managed the task by signing a role to each person in the group, Danni and Alice were actors, I was the cameraman and Tom was the sound technician. When Alice wasn't acting she would preform the role of production assistant. In the editing room Alice started off editing and after about 15 minutes she had learnt all the basics quickly, I then took over for the remainder of the session while the other members of the group offered suggestions.

2. How did you plan your sequence? What processes did you use?
When planning the sequence we found that deciding the location was very important because it then made visualising the sequence much easier. It was decided that the Sports Hall would be a good place to film as it was brand new and very modern looking. We discussed how the scene would play out and how we could incorperate a variety of shot techniques, such as match on action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule, in to the sequence. Also, while discussing the scene we created a shooting script which made things very organised when it came to filming as we knew what order to shoot things and saved a lot of time. As Danni and Alice were acting they wrote the dialogue for the scene which was just a normal conversation about school.

3. What technology did you use to complete the task, and how did you use it?
The camera used for filming was a Sony HDV camera with a boom mic attached to the top of it outputing the sound through Sennheiser headphones. The camera was attached to a tripod which allowed us to do smooth pan's and keep the shots very steady creating a very controlled sequence. In the editing room we used Adobe Premier to edit our scenes together.

4. What factors did you have to take into account when planning, shooting and editing?
When planning we had to minimise problems by making sure that the room we wanted to shoot in was free at the time we needed to film. We booked the room and checked with the teacher that it was ok. Also we needed to check out the classroom we were using beforehand so we could become familiar with the location and realise any problems that might arise when filming. When we were shooting everything went very smoothly and efficiently. It was important too make sure the surroundings were quiet so that the boom mic didn't pick up background noise. However, in one of our shot reverse shots the school bell rang in the middle of it when we were filming and we didn't realise that the boom mic picked it up. We realised in the edit room that it was a problem and it prevented us from editing together our shot reverse shot, so were worked around it instead.

5. How successful was your sequence? Please identify what worked well, and with hindsight, what would you improve/do differently?
I think our sequence was quite successful as our cuts flowed quite smoothly especially our match on action as it was edited together very well. We succesfully caried out the 180 degree rule and would have done the shot reverse shot if there hadn't been a problem with the sound. If i could re-do aspects of the sequence I would definatley do more takes of each shot as you can never have enough footage.

6. What have you learnt from completing this task? Looking ahead, how will this learning be significant when completing the rest of your foundation coursework, do you think?
I have learnt a lot from this task as it has given me practice with shooting a variety of camera techniques aswell as understanding the process and the planning which must go in to a scene beforehand. I also got more practice using Adobe Premier. All of this will be very useful when I come to complete the rest of my foundation coursework as I will have had this experience and this practice of understanding the process.

Film Openings

A Clockwork Orange (1972 - Stanley Kubrick)
"There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie and Dim, and we sat in the Korova Milk Bar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening." One of the most iconic opening shots in the history of cinema introduces us to the main characters, the film's Nadsat language, its distinctive interior design and the intentions of Alex and his gang. The shot is just a straightforward tracking shot, starting on a close up of Alex's face, made-up and staring malevolently out at the audience, and pulls slowly back to reveal the gang, the bar, other customers and and a white-clad bouncer. It is simple, but still cinematic perfection.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Title Sequence


This title sequence serves to introduce the main actors and makers of the film. It is an animated sequence which is done to the style of the film and gets the audience ready for what is about to be shown. The sequence incorperates the theme of love (kiss) and violence (bang) and is portrayed through guns shooting out flowers or leaves. It mixes blood splattered on a piece of paper with a red lipstick kiss next to it which again combines the two unlikely elements. As with all title sequences the sequence must have a specific colour scheme which relates to the film - in this case it's orange. This helps the overall visual effect of the film making look really attractive. In this particular opening sequence everything seems very abstract - even the camera as it tracks and pans at different speeds, changing from one sequence to the next. This title sequence is very similar to the ones you would see at the beginning of a James Bond movie such as Casino Royale. However, for someone such as me to create something like this I would need to be very proficient in programs such as After Effects - and I'm not :(

Hostel Part II 720p Stills - REALISM

I've taken some snapshots of the film 'Hostel Part II' as I think they portray realism through: location, props, lighting, and special effects very well - espesially with the blood.


This still shows how a good location can take the look and cedibility of a film to new heights. The shot is simply beautiful and very authentic. The location looks very abandoned and taking the film 'Hostel II' in to consideration, that is a very important feeling given to the audience making things seem all the more real. This shows how a location in a film can add to it's overall effect - it's got to be believable and seem real in order to convince the audience it's real and this still does just that.


The lighting in this still is very low key, however, artificial light shines on everything relevent in the still. (The table of weapons/tools/props, the mans face and the sinister plastic flaps which you would find at a butchers). The props, the lighting and his outfit are all realistic in order to convince you of the films realism, we know deep down it's not truly real, but if everything is so authentic it keeps our mind off the fact it isn't and therefore at the time of viewing it's that much more scary. Low key lighting has become symbolic in the horror genre as most of the locations are isolated, such as basements and cemeteries and the darkness hides everything and creates a feeling of entrapment and loneliness.


The still above gives a feeling of vulnerability as it is very low key and the gag in her mouth shows that she can't do anything to help herself. The blood in the 'Hostel' franchise is some of the most realistic blood I have seen in film today and this is very important in this type of film because to the viewer the gore is what it's all about. Again everything is so realistic and convincing - these elements are essential to a film.

HORROR TIMELINE

The timeline shows the history of horror movies, from when the genre starts and from when it finishes. The genre was kicked off from 'the master of suspense' Alfred Hitchcock in the 1960s with all time classic 'Psycho' and set the bar for horror movies too come. After other such successes such as 'The Birds' we then move on in to the 1970s. The 1970s was all about taking horror to another level and this was achieved through shocking films such as 'The Exorcist' which caused quite a stir from the public due to it's satanic type story. This is the decade where a lot of these films would be re-made at a later date as their storylines were original and that combined with the special effects of the 21st century would make convincing films. The 1980s for me is the last decade where horror films shone and classics such as 'Nightmare on Elm Street' were produced and sequels would later be made. The 1990s in my opinion is where horror films start to go downhill, sure there are still classics such as 'Scream' but the genre is starting to die out and get a little bit repetitive. With this in mind, the 21st century changes the typical horror film by taking it in to a sub-genre the likes of which no-one had ever seen. Films such as 'Saw' and 'Hostel' are not your typical horror films as they are whats know as 'torture porn' in this modern day. These films capitalise on mass amounts of blood, gore and guts to freak the viewer out and it has found a credible audience giving a large appeal for such films as sequels to the above movies have been made. They have only got worse and worse in terms of how much blood and how far they go with scenes of torture. In my opinion these types of films won't too long before the appeal reduces as there is an extent to how many times you can 'up the ante'.

Genre Elements

HORROR

Iconography

The mask from Scream
Psyco shower scene
The red coat from Don't Look Now
Frankenstein
The axe in The Shining
Dracula's cape and fangs
Dark silhouettes

Props

Weapons
Masks
Blood
Candles
Cloaks
Daggers

Style

Darky, shadowy sets
Very low key lighting
Night
POV shots
Fast cuts/ Jump cuts
Scary music
Climactic moments

Settings

Basements
Dark areas
Haunted Houses
Churches
Graveyards
Cemetery's
Cupboard under the stairs
Castles
Mountians
Forests

Narrative

Co-incidence
Chase
Supernatural
Entrappment
Few survivors
Character being cut off
Vengence
Murder and Death
Mentally Ill
Obsession

Characters

Killers
Serial killers
Monsters
Women as victims
Demons
Devils
Vampires
Vunerable characters
Strong characters
Cocky Characters

Themes

Fear
Isolation
Pursuit
Traps
Death
Blood
Detailed torture
Premonitions
Dark
Scary Locations

Sound Types

Sound in movies today has developed 10 fold since it first began. A digital synchronised soundtrack combining dialogue, music, and sound effects.

DIEGETIC SOUND: The sound that happens in the world of film as we see it, sound which we can hear from actions inside the shot.

DIEGESIS SOUND: Sound which belong to the world of film, something happens off screen and wee still hear it to create an extra dimension to what we see.

Both of these types of sound help the viewer to imagine that what their seeing is more realistic, by making you feel there is more than just what's just on-screen. For example, in the movie Trainspotting at the beginning we are introduced to the characters and we see a baby on the floor crying in the flat. The camera then moves away from the baby and it's off-screen but we can still hear it crying in the background making it all seem very realistic.

This use of off-screen and on-screen sound creates a three-dimensional world instead of a flat two-dimensional screen.

Sound Bridges

Often in movies sound will continue from one shot to the next, and although the images are changing the sound is still flowing from shot to shot, and this is called a sound bridge. Sometimes we hear the saound from the next scene before the scene is even showed. It gives a coherent effect and links the film together creating a flow of continuity.

Parallel and Contrapuntal Sound

Sound in a film usually complements what we see, for example, happy images means happy sounds, exciting scenes require exciting music. This is parallel sound as the mood matches the musical tone. However, when music is not in synch - what wee see does not mach what we hear - it is called contrapuntal sound.

Script Writing

Script Writing Secrets: http://www.scriptwritingsecrets.com/contents.htm

Show it don't tell it, and don't direct it... unless you have to!

IMPORTANT NOTES

As a writer, your goal is to tell a story, that will be seen not read. But before it is bought, it'll be read, not seen. So, you have to tell it in a way that makes the reader "see" it. And you want them to feel like they're seeing a movie, not a slide show.

"Telling" most often refers to characters who describe something we could just as well see. If they're describing a past event, we might, instead see it in a flashback. If they're talking about another character doing something, it might be more interesting to see the other character do it. If a character says, "I love you," would it be more interesting to see the character gently kiss his love on the forehead and place a rose petal on her lips as he leaves. If a picture tells 1000 words, a moving picture tells 10 times that!

TITLE PAGE

The first thing that a reader should see when they look at your script is the Title Page. A Title Page is nothing special! More specifically, don't make your Title Page special in any way. Don't use graphics. Don't use colored paper. Don't put a photo of your dog or cat on the Title Page. Just put the bare necessities on there in plain old 12 point Courier.

In the center of the page:

• The script's title
• Your name

In the lower right corner:

• Your address or your agent's/manager's contact information

In the lower left corner:

• If you've registered your script with the Writers Guild, it's okay to add a line that says "Registered, WGA"
• You might also add a copyright notification like "© 1998, Me"

A script example of the new Max Payne Movie:

Successful Horror Directors

William Friedkin

William Friedkin is an Academy Award-Winning American movie director and is best known for directing The French Connection (1971) and The Exorcist (1973). His most well-known film was The Exorcist and is considered by many to be the greatest horror movie of all time and was also nominated for 10 Awards. It was also surrounded by a lot of controversy as the special effects were dramactically graphic, such as the posessed childs face. The actor playing the child was Linda Blair, and after the film was released she recieved many death threats and bodyguards were hired to protect her for 6 months. William Friedkin was also critisised for using subliminal messaging throughout the film as the demons face pops up quickly and he stated,

'The subliminal editing in The Exorcist was done for dramatic effect — to create, achieve, and sustain a kind of dreamlike state.' - William Friedkin

Also subliminal messaging requires the images to be below the threshold of your concience and this was simply not the case with The Exorcist. The film shocked people in all cinemas and showed the audience levels of horror they had never witnessed using the technology of special effects and it became the most talked about movie of its time. The film seemed too real for a lot of people to bare and they had to leave the cinema before the film even finished.

William Friedkin changed the face of horror forever creating movies which were so realistic other horror directors had to match it and from then on horror became a much more developed genre with films such as Halloween, A Clockwork Orange, Texas Chainsaw Massacare and The Omen.

Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick directed a number of highly acclaimed and sometimes controversial films. Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects, his slow method of working, the variety of genres he worked in, his technical perfectionism, and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life. He is very well known for a lot of his feature films but The Shining and A Clockwork Orange are two of his most famous. A Clockwork Orange features disturbing, violent imagery to facilitate social commentary on youth gangs, and other topics in a futuristic dystopian Britian. Many people found it too be quite a sadistic motion picture as it includes scenes of rape and ultra-violence. Stanley Kubrick commented to the New York Times regarding this film,

'Man isn't a nobal savage , he's an ignoble savage. He is irrational, brutal, weak, silly, unable to be objective about anything where his own interests are involved—that about sums it up. I'm interested in the brutal and violent nature of man because it's a true picture of him. And any attempt to create social institutions on a false view of the nature of man is probably doomed to failure.' - Stanley Kubrick

This statement definately shows that Kubrick had views about the world and the people in it, it also may gain him the reputation of a cynic. He often related his views to his films, not only in A Clockwork Orange but in Full Metal Jacket aswell.

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock is known to many as the master of suspense as he has directed and produced many great psychological thrillers in his time, such as Psycho and The Birds. Psycho is considered to be one of Hitchcock's best movies and it was nominated for 4 Academy Awards. It was genre defining and shaped the future of the horror genre. Critics saw it as techniqually flawless and even a work of art. The shower scene was one of the most discussed scenes at the time and stuided to find out why it was just so terrifying. The combination of the screams and high pitched music coupled with the fast jump cuts, disorintates the viewer and makes everything seem very realistic.

Psycho starts with Marion who steals $40,000 from the office where she works and drives to California to the man she wants to marry Sam who needs the money to pay off his ex-wife. She stops off over night at the Bates Motel where see meets Norman Bates who shows her to her room. Later in to the night we see a figure murder Marion when she is in the shower and we see Norman clear up the mess when he finds it, eliminating any incriminating evidence. Private detectives visit the hotel and question Norman, they search the room Marion stayed in and find the $40,000. Marions sister goes in to Normans home and finds Normans mother in the basement as a mummified corpse, Norman comes up behind her wearing his mothers clothes and runs at her yelling with a knife, but the detective saves her just in time. We then find out that Norman was impersonating his mother the whole time as when he was younger his father died and his mother found a new love which enraged him and he killed them both - preserving his mother. It created a split personality and at times he truly believed he was his mother.

Wes Craven

Wes Craven has created many great iconic horror films, such as Nightmare On Elm Street, The Scream Trilogy, The Serpent and the Rainbow, and The People Under the Stairs. Most popular and successful is probably Nightmare On Elm Street which featured the icon Freddy Krueger. Wes Craven often experiments with the nature of reality in his films, for example, in The Serpent and the Rainbow the film presents a man who can not disinguish the difference between nightmarish visions and reality. Also, the characters in Scream refrence horror films similar to their position and at one point Loomis tells his girlfriend that lifes just one big movie. A more recent motion picture Wes Craven has directed is The Hills Have Eyes which also has a sequel. Both are very graphic and almost fall in to the genre of 'torture porn'.
During his career, Wes Craven won eight awards and received three nominations. He did well in the box office, since he was known for his thriller films.