The first question that comes up when you analyse something is what do you aim to gain from your analysis. So far in our project we have looked at 2 key areas before our filming; At short Films and at Director's behind what we're parodying. The reason we have looked at short films is that it is integral to delve into the information behind our medium. What makes it a short film, in terms of conventions, constraits and differences from other mediums, aswell as the way other directors have used the medium all are key pieces of information that as a group we need to know should our film be a success. Not because we should follow the information but rather as the information is a guideline in a way. With this guideline we can push boundries or stay conventional. It is all about having the information. In a similar way, looking at our parodied is key because we can gain invaluable knowledge into all of the key areas of the series, be it conventions, lighting, sound, editing and even the way the credits are presented.
Note: This may seem an odd placement of this post however I think it puts a formal 'Lid' on what we had researched for our film and why.
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Monday 14 December 2009
Hoping this post will get a good Reception .... Theory
Recently in the theory section of our lessons, we have covered the way post modernism has been incorperated into Film, Tv and even used by characters in the media spotlight. What effect has it had on us, as an audience? Well that was my most recent essay - but rather than quote from that, which includes things that dont relate to our production, I'm gonna go over the key way a Parody changes the Audience. Now how does a Parody change the Audience? Simple. Intertextuality - a word so long it must hold some power!
When an audience merely accepts what they see and dont really think much with a film, they are considered a Hyperdermic Needle Audience. This is effectly because the film or media is 'injected' directly into them and as an audience there is no kind of response or thinking. Intertextuality however changes this completely. Intertextuality draws directly from other mediums, items or people and uses them for an effect. Surely this cant make much of a difference? Well, in actuality intertextuality can split an entire audience, into two groups. Those that know of the reference's origins and those who dont. The group of the audience that aknowledge the intertextuality become a 'Receptive' audience. This is the basis behind Reception Theory.
Reception theory is centred around the concept that an audience can gain a greater experience from one 'text' than others. Why intertextuality is the key tool in Reception theory is that in using intertextual references, a director is relying on the audience to have some form of understanding of what is being refered to. And if they do, a heirarchy of understanding is created within an audience in some way.
When an audience merely accepts what they see and dont really think much with a film, they are considered a Hyperdermic Needle Audience. This is effectly because the film or media is 'injected' directly into them and as an audience there is no kind of response or thinking. Intertextuality however changes this completely. Intertextuality draws directly from other mediums, items or people and uses them for an effect. Surely this cant make much of a difference? Well, in actuality intertextuality can split an entire audience, into two groups. Those that know of the reference's origins and those who dont. The group of the audience that aknowledge the intertextuality become a 'Receptive' audience. This is the basis behind Reception Theory.
Reception theory is centred around the concept that an audience can gain a greater experience from one 'text' than others. Why intertextuality is the key tool in Reception theory is that in using intertextual references, a director is relying on the audience to have some form of understanding of what is being refered to. And if they do, a heirarchy of understanding is created within an audience in some way.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Stop, Camera, helping out editing!
These are the paintball videos that my brother filmed awhile back. After working out that there was an editing software on my laptop, he enlisted my help to edit them. Most of it is basic cuts and simple use of 'titles' as subtitles where my brother inputted various things that have happened thoughout the films.
As each film goes on more features have been added as we got to grips with them (ie: freeze shots, ect)
The music in each film is copyright (Jamie T - Man's Machine, Gorillaz - Kids with guns (audio currently blocked) and Kasabian - shoot the runner), however each peice of music has been referenced on Youtube (and i just referenced them for here) and since the videos arent being used for profit i think it sticks to all copyright rules.
As each film goes on more features have been added as we got to grips with them (ie: freeze shots, ect)
The music in each film is copyright (Jamie T - Man's Machine, Gorillaz - Kids with guns (audio currently blocked) and Kasabian - shoot the runner), however each peice of music has been referenced on Youtube (and i just referenced them for here) and since the videos arent being used for profit i think it sticks to all copyright rules.
Wednesday 9 December 2009
A few behind the scenes pictures (a few purely because my camera CF card was almost full at the start =/ )
These are a few of the shots that I took whilst the filming was taking place. The first 3 shots were for perspective Poster shots.The next two shots were taken by Dom while I was overseeing Laurens filming and the final 2 shots I took as:
We all struggled with the setting up of the tripod
and as Dom helped Tom with the script (i think) while Lauren led Jonny off for his scene at the start.
There would have been more shots had it been for the fact I ran out of CF Memory =[
Thursday 3 December 2009
One leg was harmed in the making of this film ...
Finally filmed! After much planning and some massive improvisations we have filmed all but 1 scene. Originally when me and lauren met up, both with sets of actors in tow, we had discovered that we had forgotten our plushie toy that was going to play 'antagonist' of the film. Additionally we had one scene that hadn't been storyboarded and upon reaching our first location - the big clearing - there were some council workers burning some wood. Initally it was a bit of a panic but in the end it actually worked to our advantage as the smoke worked really well to create a sense of drama in our 'poster shots'. Also the way we were forced to film ended up creating a clear route through the forest that followed with our storyline.
In terms of analysing the filming done, most of it was filmed by lauren, since she had only until lunch and it was originally planned that it would take much longer than it actually did - however laurens filming was really good, and she took two shots for each scene for the proof editing and in general had more confidence on camera. That said, I am relatively happy with the scenes i filmed and will hopefully take most of the riegns for the subsiduary peices.
The stuff filmed was also brilliant. There was alot of mess ups, some funny and on camera, a lot off (if we do a blooper reel all we can say is yes kicking that branch was painful for tom!). On a serious note though, the script was quickly distributed and Tom, Jonny and Darren all learnt their lines before each scene was shot and it was a really quick process. My favourite bit of the filming came from an idea me and lauren had whilst filming the scene where Tom and Darren are explaining why they are there,but due to Dom standing out of shot Jonny wasnt looking at them but at Dom. This lead to Doms cameo role in our film as someone in the distance (he was also sitting in a tree at one point (a deliberate placement) but that is less noticable). It was very Scrubs-esq.
The way we solved the polar bear error was when Ella, my friend who had come to watch the filming like Dom, had offered her Hello Kitty keyring plushie to be the 'evil plushie'. This makes for some pretty surreal scenes such as when darren gets attacked by it. It, I think, will be really funny because it completely works against the stereotypes of a creature feature esq antagonist, but for a comedic effect (another good reason why it's good to know of semiotics when filming!).
I think when our film is done it will look really melodramic in a fake and cheap way, BUT this i think will be the neice market that our film was originally intended for. And on that Bombshell im off as its nearly break.
(misc filming fact: Over 30 'That's what she said' jokes were used in the production of this film )
In terms of analysing the filming done, most of it was filmed by lauren, since she had only until lunch and it was originally planned that it would take much longer than it actually did - however laurens filming was really good, and she took two shots for each scene for the proof editing and in general had more confidence on camera. That said, I am relatively happy with the scenes i filmed and will hopefully take most of the riegns for the subsiduary peices.
The stuff filmed was also brilliant. There was alot of mess ups, some funny and on camera, a lot off (if we do a blooper reel all we can say is yes kicking that branch was painful for tom!). On a serious note though, the script was quickly distributed and Tom, Jonny and Darren all learnt their lines before each scene was shot and it was a really quick process. My favourite bit of the filming came from an idea me and lauren had whilst filming the scene where Tom and Darren are explaining why they are there,but due to Dom standing out of shot Jonny wasnt looking at them but at Dom. This lead to Doms cameo role in our film as someone in the distance (he was also sitting in a tree at one point (a deliberate placement) but that is less noticable). It was very Scrubs-esq.
The way we solved the polar bear error was when Ella, my friend who had come to watch the filming like Dom, had offered her Hello Kitty keyring plushie to be the 'evil plushie'. This makes for some pretty surreal scenes such as when darren gets attacked by it. It, I think, will be really funny because it completely works against the stereotypes of a creature feature esq antagonist, but for a comedic effect (another good reason why it's good to know of semiotics when filming!).
I think when our film is done it will look really melodramic in a fake and cheap way, BUT this i think will be the neice market that our film was originally intended for. And on that Bombshell im off as its nearly break.
(misc filming fact: Over 30 'That's what she said' jokes were used in the production of this film )
Monday 23 November 2009
J~ I Need a Heroes Analysis ~J
These were my notes for the presentation. In the end because i was ill i couldnt present them, so ill do it now! Effectively I watched the first episode of heroes whilst having the directors commentary on to get a brief insight into how heroes is filmed
Sound: The sound is mainly score to fit in with the action. Most sound is diegetic in the diologue but in general the non diegetic sound is a music score and not main stream music. In the first titles they have composed music from batman to fit in with the comic book feel.
Lighting: Much of the lighting is conventional with homes and streets but on occasion outside lighting had been used to illuminate areas around a house to make it seem as if it is day when it is night.
Mise-en- scene: Alot of this has been constructed to fit the characters or location theyre trying to film. For example in one scene instead of it being odassa, texas, it is actually a house in los angleas. Sets have been entirely built in some cases to tailor with the needs of one shot (ie: a house set was built with no roof for a 'dollhouse style shot'). The mise- en - scene is vital for heroes to work as a program and suspend the disbelief of the audience.
Editing: Special effects, green screening, cutting between stunt actors and real actors. Each interwoven story is like a slot. They have to be manuovered to see which ones fit best.
Narrative. Many storys that are cut in between each other. Some that llink, ect.
Lighting: Much of the lighting is conventional with homes and streets but on occasion outside lighting had been used to illuminate areas around a house to make it seem as if it is day when it is night.
Mise-en- scene: Alot of this has been constructed to fit the characters or location theyre trying to film. For example in one scene instead of it being odassa, texas, it is actually a house in los angleas. Sets have been entirely built in some cases to tailor with the needs of one shot (ie: a house set was built with no roof for a 'dollhouse style shot'). The mise- en - scene is vital for heroes to work as a program and suspend the disbelief of the audience.
Editing: Special effects, green screening, cutting between stunt actors and real actors. Each interwoven story is like a slot. They have to be manuovered to see which ones fit best.
Narrative. Many storys that are cut in between each other. Some that llink, ect.
Friday 20 November 2009
Post Modernism Madonna Essay
Post Modernism has always been difficult to describe as it is a contrast of cultures and ideals, all mixed, whilst given equality of value. The singer, Madonna has often been stated as a good representation of what post modernism is. In essence Post modernism is considered a way of finding something modern; through the consumption of other products, genre and movements, and Madonna does this through her music. For instance in the music video 'Like a Prayer' , a convergence between Gospel Choir and Pop is formed in the actual musical side of the performance. Likewise, other influences have been drawn upon and in some cases parodied or homage within Madonna's music videos. The long list includes intertextuality beyond that of music, but in other media, such as Musicals, fashion and art culture, and current worldwide religious or cultural events (In Like a Prayer, the narrative relates to the Rodney King murder as Madonna’s character witnesses a rape, and a black man who comes to help gets arrested and her character must decide whether or not to testify to release him and risk getting attacked by the real culprit or not).The philosopher, Friedrich Jameson has critised Post Modernism often as he believes that 'Postmodernism is a decorative, superficial, gratuitous eclecticism cannibalising the styles of the past' , which in principle means that the products of the movement are just a decorative combination of too much of everything, that swallows the beliefs and ideals of the past to fuel itself. This is something Madonna often does in her work and in some ways her life. 'Sometimes I feel guilty because I move though people...you take what you can and you move on.' (Madonna)
Beyond intertextuality and ultimate convergence, the philosopher Jean Francois Lyotard theorised that Post Modernism drives audiences to accept micro narratives (smaller beliefs and ideals) whilst rejecting the meta narratives (larger beliefs of sub cultures). Madonna has often rebelled against the Meta narratives in society, such as gender, class, race, sexuality and religion. Again, using the music video 'Like a prayer’ as an example, in addition to the convergence in the actual performance, other symbols were incorporated that created huge controversy due to this anarchy against societies beliefs at the time. For instance, in the video, she has sexual intercourse with a black 'Jesus' in the church. This action caused her to be dispelled from the Catholic Church as it was seen as heresy. This was because it was such a strong break of conventional presentation of a powerful religious figure, and not only that but because of the racism at the time also. Other controversial symbolism in the video included the representation of a female god, and provocative dancing in front of the burning cross (a symbol of the KKK). Like a Prayer strove to present equality within race and gender in religion, and this push for grand equality also been evident in other music videos such as Express Yourself ( finding love in lower classes- class equality) and Open Your Heart ( love beyond job title and class). Additionally in the 'documentary' - In Bed with Madonna, on tour, her dancers are often homosexual and when on stage male and female costumes and representations are manipulated to create a blur between the boundaries of gender.
Even if the meanings behind the music, the denotations of the narratives are taken away, Madonna still presents herself in a post modernist way. Another post modern theorist -Jean Baudrillard, believed that instead of having the choice to accept micro narratives, as an audience, we follow the Hypodermic needle model and accept the truths that are communicated by the media. There is no reality, but rather 'hyperreality', a reality that is a facade created by the media. This concept of created or constructed truth relates heavily to Madonna. In her work she is always wearing a mask, hiding behind the idea of a 'performance'. So much so that in the 1980's Madonna constructed an alternate identity or character, Deita, of which performed, divulging the audience in a world of often sexual fantasies that would leave the audience wondering at the end whether of not Deita was but one of Madonna’s many masks or an actual window into Madonna’s personality. In addition to this, she often incorporates symbols or icons that create connotations of theatre or a staged performance. These icons include; the tragic clown (on stage performances), various masks, the closing of curtains and choreographed dance sequences within the middle of a set narrative - all of which are synonymous with theatre or manipulated performance.
Madonna has a mixed opinion in society. Some people consider her simply an attention seeker with Ray Kerrison of the New York Post once stating that 'She will do anything, say anything to draw attention to herself and make a buck. She is the quintessential symbol of the age; self indulgent, sacrilegious, shameless, hollow.' Others believe that she is both a musical and cultural phenomenon; She presents herself as a rebel, the postmodern hero is always the rebel, always the anarchist, always the one tearing down the framework and deconstructing it.' (Jock McGregor). Either way, Madonna is a representation of what postmodernism is. The pro's and the con's of the movement are out there for the audience to see through her life, as it is lived through the media.
'I'm still curious and still hungry. I want more knowledge. I want more information. I want more experience.'' (Madonna)
Beyond intertextuality and ultimate convergence, the philosopher Jean Francois Lyotard theorised that Post Modernism drives audiences to accept micro narratives (smaller beliefs and ideals) whilst rejecting the meta narratives (larger beliefs of sub cultures). Madonna has often rebelled against the Meta narratives in society, such as gender, class, race, sexuality and religion. Again, using the music video 'Like a prayer’ as an example, in addition to the convergence in the actual performance, other symbols were incorporated that created huge controversy due to this anarchy against societies beliefs at the time. For instance, in the video, she has sexual intercourse with a black 'Jesus' in the church. This action caused her to be dispelled from the Catholic Church as it was seen as heresy. This was because it was such a strong break of conventional presentation of a powerful religious figure, and not only that but because of the racism at the time also. Other controversial symbolism in the video included the representation of a female god, and provocative dancing in front of the burning cross (a symbol of the KKK). Like a Prayer strove to present equality within race and gender in religion, and this push for grand equality also been evident in other music videos such as Express Yourself ( finding love in lower classes- class equality) and Open Your Heart ( love beyond job title and class). Additionally in the 'documentary' - In Bed with Madonna, on tour, her dancers are often homosexual and when on stage male and female costumes and representations are manipulated to create a blur between the boundaries of gender.
Even if the meanings behind the music, the denotations of the narratives are taken away, Madonna still presents herself in a post modernist way. Another post modern theorist -Jean Baudrillard, believed that instead of having the choice to accept micro narratives, as an audience, we follow the Hypodermic needle model and accept the truths that are communicated by the media. There is no reality, but rather 'hyperreality', a reality that is a facade created by the media. This concept of created or constructed truth relates heavily to Madonna. In her work she is always wearing a mask, hiding behind the idea of a 'performance'. So much so that in the 1980's Madonna constructed an alternate identity or character, Deita, of which performed, divulging the audience in a world of often sexual fantasies that would leave the audience wondering at the end whether of not Deita was but one of Madonna’s many masks or an actual window into Madonna’s personality. In addition to this, she often incorporates symbols or icons that create connotations of theatre or a staged performance. These icons include; the tragic clown (on stage performances), various masks, the closing of curtains and choreographed dance sequences within the middle of a set narrative - all of which are synonymous with theatre or manipulated performance.
Madonna has a mixed opinion in society. Some people consider her simply an attention seeker with Ray Kerrison of the New York Post once stating that 'She will do anything, say anything to draw attention to herself and make a buck. She is the quintessential symbol of the age; self indulgent, sacrilegious, shameless, hollow.' Others believe that she is both a musical and cultural phenomenon; She presents herself as a rebel, the postmodern hero is always the rebel, always the anarchist, always the one tearing down the framework and deconstructing it.' (Jock McGregor). Either way, Madonna is a representation of what postmodernism is. The pro's and the con's of the movement are out there for the audience to see through her life, as it is lived through the media.
'I'm still curious and still hungry. I want more knowledge. I want more information. I want more experience.'' (Madonna)
Thursday 19 November 2009
Everybody Hates Benches
Today we went out and filmed around mousehold to get a rough estimate of what areas would be good, what areas would be bad, ect. In all, there was alot of good aspects to the forest, including a large clearance of which would be a good starting point, a ridge that was not dissimilar to the wraith scene from lord of the rings and and almost a runway of sorts - that was ajacent a patch of forest.
The main negative was the benches that were EVERYWHERE. This could prove a minor problem, however they may be able to be used for a comedic effect.
NOTE: as lauren uploaded the film and everything has changed system wise recently, ill have to show the filming and camera shots we got through Laurens Post
The main negative was the benches that were EVERYWHERE. This could prove a minor problem, however they may be able to be used for a comedic effect.
NOTE: as lauren uploaded the film and everything has changed system wise recently, ill have to show the filming and camera shots we got through Laurens Post
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Planning for a group presentation
It has to be 7 minutes, including:
-Semiotics
-Meta Analysis
-Analysis of Directors
-Sound
-Lighting
-Camera
-Editing
-Evidence of critising and denotation
-Script
-Storyboarding
-Locations
Key resources: http://www.getaheadocrmedia.blogspot.com/
http://www.virtualmediastudies.com
-Semiotics
-Meta Analysis
-Analysis of Directors
-Sound
-Lighting
-Camera
-Editing
-Evidence of critising and denotation
-Script
-Storyboarding
-Locations
Key resources: http://www.getaheadocrmedia.blogspot.com/
http://www.virtualmediastudies.com
Monday 16 November 2009
A short - ''Stiffy''
Before signing off i decided to watch one last short film that was more tailored to what I am doing. The again oddly named 'Stiffy' is a 4 minute short directed by Jaqueline Wright and written by Alice Lowe. It follows a coroners short term 'Love' of a deceased woman (note there is no necrophilia) and it is a really quiant comedy that even had me laughing out loud at the end. In this the music plays a key part in the films success, as it starts out with eeire breathing (that is ironically oxymoronic in that the female is deceased by yet there is female breathing in the backround) to further eerie music as the coroner runs off before returning with a black sliding trolley. It makes out like it will be a dark film, with the actual camera quality being not great. Then upbeat guitar comes in as the coroner starts sharing love filled glances with her, ect. This adds to the dark but sweet comedic values of the film as the audience knows that the coroners twisted but ultimately innocent love affair with this dead woman will always be unrequited and feel sorry for him but yet warmed by his innocence.
This, like ''Thrush'' before it, really is boosting my affection for short film as a medium. It is such a makeshift form of art in its own way but that is what makes it so great. The continuity errors, bad camera quality, the low budget soundtracks and actors. It is all really personal and doesnt have to rely on style to appeal to an audience but rather the content.
Apart from the analytical side of things - watch Stiffy if you can. It is generally quite heartwarming and funny(even if the concept is a little sick)!
Finding Out what it is to be a Short Film through ''Thrush'' ( it's as not painful as it sounds)
Before I had started this project I hadnt really seen any short film. To me, a short film was simply something that was maybe shown at the start of a Pixar movie involving an old guy playing chess. That was why when I was asked what a short film actually is, it took me a little by suprise. What officially is a short film?
Well wikipedia's definition was saying simply that it is a film that is roughly 40 minutes or less... after that pearl of wisdom I decided that wasnt really enough. The only way to experience, to find out what makes a short film is to watch one or many. It is kind of like looking for a wikipedia definition of a painting to find out what one is. After some quickfire google'ing I found the bbc film networking site and watched the first short film i could find, which happened to be the ....intruigingly named Thrush.The premise of the film was that one guy's (the directors - Gabriel Bisset-Smith) relationship, from birth to death was covered entirely in photographs. Over the top of the photographs there was some light 'Bassy' music and a commentary from Gabriel. An initially simple idea and to be honest i was really sceptical. By the end I was really mindblown by how impressive it was played out. It generally flows well. The commentary links exceptionally with the photographs and unlike many of the superficial hollywood films of today that are tailored to fit the whims of a traditionalist audience, it wasn't tailored for anyone. It is a personal documentation, a personal slice of life that is shown willingly to the audience from the director. Now it could be said that this means it is not deliberate in how it is played out. That Gabriel Bisset Smith is playing with pictures he had and fitting everything else or that they could be superficial photographs. But it doesnt come close to such superficiality. Instead it is almost as if the photo's are but an example to Gabriel's social commentary on how frail relationships can be and how we all are much too reliant on photographic documentation. The pure volume of photographs used in the film (it has a running time of around 4 minutes and frequently shows 1 or many photo's) is a case for this point.
Thrush has shown me alot about what a short film is can be, so this isnt a definition as such. These films have to be so much cleverer than the average film as they can cover anything, from an entire relationship to a conversation on a bus. They are more of an artform than most films as there is no special effects available to most so a personal response is often the subject and subsequent hook to the film. In a way alot of this doesnt apply to our short film that we are planning but then again a short film can be whatever. Running time, topic, genre filming style (or even if any filming is actually needed!). All of these dont matter. A short film is a response. Short and sweet (sometimes). It doesnt look towards big audiences but rather to speak out not in the loud manner that a hollywood film does.
If you are intrested in seeing Thrush or any other short films either press thrush for the page or have alook at http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films
Well wikipedia's definition was saying simply that it is a film that is roughly 40 minutes or less... after that pearl of wisdom I decided that wasnt really enough. The only way to experience, to find out what makes a short film is to watch one or many. It is kind of like looking for a wikipedia definition of a painting to find out what one is. After some quickfire google'ing I found the bbc film networking site and watched the first short film i could find, which happened to be the ....intruigingly named Thrush.The premise of the film was that one guy's (the directors - Gabriel Bisset-Smith) relationship, from birth to death was covered entirely in photographs. Over the top of the photographs there was some light 'Bassy' music and a commentary from Gabriel. An initially simple idea and to be honest i was really sceptical. By the end I was really mindblown by how impressive it was played out. It generally flows well. The commentary links exceptionally with the photographs and unlike many of the superficial hollywood films of today that are tailored to fit the whims of a traditionalist audience, it wasn't tailored for anyone. It is a personal documentation, a personal slice of life that is shown willingly to the audience from the director. Now it could be said that this means it is not deliberate in how it is played out. That Gabriel Bisset Smith is playing with pictures he had and fitting everything else or that they could be superficial photographs. But it doesnt come close to such superficiality. Instead it is almost as if the photo's are but an example to Gabriel's social commentary on how frail relationships can be and how we all are much too reliant on photographic documentation. The pure volume of photographs used in the film (it has a running time of around 4 minutes and frequently shows 1 or many photo's) is a case for this point.
Thrush has shown me alot about what a short film is can be, so this isnt a definition as such. These films have to be so much cleverer than the average film as they can cover anything, from an entire relationship to a conversation on a bus. They are more of an artform than most films as there is no special effects available to most so a personal response is often the subject and subsequent hook to the film. In a way alot of this doesnt apply to our short film that we are planning but then again a short film can be whatever. Running time, topic, genre filming style (or even if any filming is actually needed!). All of these dont matter. A short film is a response. Short and sweet (sometimes). It doesnt look towards big audiences but rather to speak out not in the loud manner that a hollywood film does.
If you are intrested in seeing Thrush or any other short films either press thrush for the page or have alook at http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/films
Thursday 12 November 2009
Ratchet & A2 Media: A Crack in Timetabling
Hey all! Finally started organising timetable for the filming (and almost finished!). After much asking of peoples timetables and excessive use of excel (ANY use ofexcel is excessive in my books) Me and Lauren finally settled on Wednesday as the probable day of filming. Thoeretically I will be acting as the cameraman most of the day with Lauren pitching in when her art lesson ends which is good. As for the actual possible people available for filming we have Tom Bircham and Jonny Ellis available for the day (we still have to check Jonny is willing to be a main character). We also have Darren Stapleton and Dominic Rowell available either in the center or afternoon for definate filming.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Thursday 29 October 2009
Windows 7 sunk my battleship! feat. Brief update of happenings
hey! havent posted in awhile! Quick update on things; Windows 7 doesnt have a driver for my capture card so that idea is in Major jepourdy. That said have come up with a back up plan in doing a possible series of game reviews that are fillmed with a few of my friends as a back up project but to be honest that isnt likely.
In terms of our Lost parody, just finished really rough storyboarding and will have them up in a couple of days (or a week if im feeling lazy) for peoples critisisms or praise! (if praise i will love you long time lol) . Getting pretty excited about it and next tuesday will have a meeting with lauren about it all. Will post all about that when it happens! In the meantime I lost the game, and im off to contemplate a weekend of Art Hwk ... FUN!
In terms of our Lost parody, just finished really rough storyboarding and will have them up in a couple of days (or a week if im feeling lazy) for peoples critisisms or praise! (if praise i will love you long time lol) . Getting pretty excited about it and next tuesday will have a meeting with lauren about it all. Will post all about that when it happens! In the meantime I lost the game, and im off to contemplate a weekend of Art Hwk ... FUN!
Monday 26 October 2009
Theres something wrong with this post! 'What is it?!' A post is something on a blog, but thats not important...
Recently I found an article on filmreference.com that looks a little - but in an in depth way, at Parody. Two key aspects that I found interesting was the viewpoint of Freidrich Jameson that Parody should rightfully be a Pastiche, and that Parody uses 6 techniques to create a comedic effect. The 6 Techniques it lists are:
Reiteration: which is the process by which the parody establishes its connection to the source text, using, for example, horses to evoke the western, handheld cameras to evoke the documentary, and so on. Many parodies take great care in reproducing the iconic elements of the source genre. (Directly sourced from the article as best describes the technique)
Inversion : This is when the parody completely opposes the nature of the parodied. The example that was given in the article was the Cannibal: The Musical stage production that in essance is creating a joyous community feeling to horrific violence.
Misdirection: Using Conventional methods to build up a certain feeling (ie: Melodrama) before completely misleading the audience by breaking that feeling, normally due to the use of comedy. For example in Airplane! a representation of a shady bar is conveyed to the audience and the protagonist is narrating on top, commenting on how unsavoury characters and brawls were the norm. Then there is a traditional Poker scene involving a cheat, and when the camera zooms out it reveals two girl guides who then begin to brawl, completely contrasting the mood created by the narrative and build up.
Literalization: When the most literal meaning is used instead of the contextual meaning. For example in Airplane 2: The sequel when the Love interest says the character Simon is 'Falling apart'. The camera cuts to Simon and his arm falls off. The iconic reply '...And don't call me Shirley' was born in Airplane! from after the Protagonist asks the doctor something, saying 'Surely you don't mean ...'.
Extraneous Inclusion: When a conventional representation includes items or elements that are completely out of sorts. Again using Airplane 2 as an example; a character is buying some items from a shop. One of which is a timebomb that when mentioned the sales woman picks it up from a shelf full of normal gift shop items, despite the obvious break in convention.
Exaggeration: takes an aspect of the source text and renders it absurd through excessive emphasis. This technique can apply to simple objects, like the enormous helmet worn by the character Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) in Spaceballs (1987). It can also apply to narrative or stylistic conventions, as in The Naked Gun , which references the discreet Hollywood practice of cutting away from sex scenes to symbolic images of curtains blowing in the breeze or fireworks exploding. The montage of images in this love scene (flowers opening, a train entering a tunnel, an atom bomb exploding into a mushroom cloud) is both more suggestive and more extensive than the convention permits.
(Sourced directly from Article as best describes the technique)
Reiteration: which is the process by which the parody establishes its connection to the source text, using, for example, horses to evoke the western, handheld cameras to evoke the documentary, and so on. Many parodies take great care in reproducing the iconic elements of the source genre. (Directly sourced from the article as best describes the technique)
Inversion : This is when the parody completely opposes the nature of the parodied. The example that was given in the article was the Cannibal: The Musical stage production that in essance is creating a joyous community feeling to horrific violence.
Misdirection: Using Conventional methods to build up a certain feeling (ie: Melodrama) before completely misleading the audience by breaking that feeling, normally due to the use of comedy. For example in Airplane! a representation of a shady bar is conveyed to the audience and the protagonist is narrating on top, commenting on how unsavoury characters and brawls were the norm. Then there is a traditional Poker scene involving a cheat, and when the camera zooms out it reveals two girl guides who then begin to brawl, completely contrasting the mood created by the narrative and build up.
Literalization: When the most literal meaning is used instead of the contextual meaning. For example in Airplane 2: The sequel when the Love interest says the character Simon is 'Falling apart'. The camera cuts to Simon and his arm falls off. The iconic reply '...And don't call me Shirley' was born in Airplane! from after the Protagonist asks the doctor something, saying 'Surely you don't mean ...'.
Extraneous Inclusion: When a conventional representation includes items or elements that are completely out of sorts. Again using Airplane 2 as an example; a character is buying some items from a shop. One of which is a timebomb that when mentioned the sales woman picks it up from a shelf full of normal gift shop items, despite the obvious break in convention.
Exaggeration: takes an aspect of the source text and renders it absurd through excessive emphasis. This technique can apply to simple objects, like the enormous helmet worn by the character Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) in Spaceballs (1987). It can also apply to narrative or stylistic conventions, as in The Naked Gun , which references the discreet Hollywood practice of cutting away from sex scenes to symbolic images of curtains blowing in the breeze or fireworks exploding. The montage of images in this love scene (flowers opening, a train entering a tunnel, an atom bomb exploding into a mushroom cloud) is both more suggestive and more extensive than the convention permits.
(Sourced directly from Article as best describes the technique)
Saturday 24 October 2009
Youve been Psyched out!
The other day, I sat and watched two comedy films, one a general comedy (Step Brothers), and the other a Sports Parody ( BASEketball). Both were awesome because they created comedy through manipulating the way certain aspects were represented.
Synopsis of stepbrothers : Brennan Huff and Dale Doback are both about 40 when Brennan's mom and Dale's dad marry. The sons still live with the parents so they must now share a room. Initial antipathy threatens the household's peace and the parents' relationship. Dad lays down the law: both slackers have a week to find a job. Out of the job search and their love of music comes a pact that leads to friendship but more domestic disarray compounded by the boys' sleepwalking. Hovering nearby are Brennan's successful brother and his lonely wife: the brother wants to help sell his step-father's house, the wife wants Dale's attention, and the newlyweds want to retire and sail the seven seas. Can harmony come from the discord?
The 40 year old characters that Will Ferrell and John C Reilly portrayed had the personality traits of a ten year old and that strange contrast with the action and age of the characters generated most of the films comedy( and the fact that there were chewbacca masks and industry strength, nightvision goggles!!!) It makes me wonder whether a similar technique could be used in our movie
Synopsis of BASEketball Two losers from Milwaukee, Coop & Remer, invent a new game playing basketball, using baseball rules. When the game becomes a huge success, they, along with a billionaire's help, form the Professional Baseketball League where everyone gets the same pay and no team can change cities. Coop & Remer's team, the Milwaukee Beers is the only team standing in the way of major rule changes that the owner of the Dallas Felons wants to institute.
BASEketball is a really good sports parody and an intresting way that it creates a comedic effect is by stuff that happens, Out of the main scene that is happening (ie: someone playing solitaire on a computer behind a news reporter in the studio, 'Squeak' getting tied to the garage door and getting stretched out by the opposing team as Coop and Reemer walk across the screen talking). That is another way we could film our scenes for a comedic effect.
Here is a trailer for BASEketball: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi79233305/
Note: descriptions of films and BASEketball trailer sourced from imdb
Synopsis of stepbrothers : Brennan Huff and Dale Doback are both about 40 when Brennan's mom and Dale's dad marry. The sons still live with the parents so they must now share a room. Initial antipathy threatens the household's peace and the parents' relationship. Dad lays down the law: both slackers have a week to find a job. Out of the job search and their love of music comes a pact that leads to friendship but more domestic disarray compounded by the boys' sleepwalking. Hovering nearby are Brennan's successful brother and his lonely wife: the brother wants to help sell his step-father's house, the wife wants Dale's attention, and the newlyweds want to retire and sail the seven seas. Can harmony come from the discord?
The 40 year old characters that Will Ferrell and John C Reilly portrayed had the personality traits of a ten year old and that strange contrast with the action and age of the characters generated most of the films comedy( and the fact that there were chewbacca masks and industry strength, nightvision goggles!!!) It makes me wonder whether a similar technique could be used in our movie
Synopsis of BASEketball Two losers from Milwaukee, Coop & Remer, invent a new game playing basketball, using baseball rules. When the game becomes a huge success, they, along with a billionaire's help, form the Professional Baseketball League where everyone gets the same pay and no team can change cities. Coop & Remer's team, the Milwaukee Beers is the only team standing in the way of major rule changes that the owner of the Dallas Felons wants to institute.
BASEketball is a really good sports parody and an intresting way that it creates a comedic effect is by stuff that happens, Out of the main scene that is happening (ie: someone playing solitaire on a computer behind a news reporter in the studio, 'Squeak' getting tied to the garage door and getting stretched out by the opposing team as Coop and Reemer walk across the screen talking). That is another way we could film our scenes for a comedic effect.
Here is a trailer for BASEketball: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi79233305/
Note: descriptions of films and BASEketball trailer sourced from imdb
Tuesday 20 October 2009
''Noooo I can sense the RAM disappearing ......'' - Chris
Finally found out that chris's (my brothers) computer CAN use the dazzle which is awesome news! however at the moment, having a bit of problem getting it to actually work which to be honest i expected. Wednesday after seeing Age of Stupid, im likely to meet up with dom and get him to see if he can get it to work.
Thursday 15 October 2009
Some say ...
This week...Lauren came up with another idea for a possible power for a person. People could read HIS mind. It could make for some interesting moments between the characters and was a really good idea!
Meanwhile! A not so good idea was that of the opposite guy. Lauren mentioned that would be hard to film and make obvious he goes the exact opposite way to where he wants to go. We'll have to come up with a better character power ... with 20% less saturated power.
And on that bombshell ...
Meanwhile! A not so good idea was that of the opposite guy. Lauren mentioned that would be hard to film and make obvious he goes the exact opposite way to where he wants to go. We'll have to come up with a better character power ... with 20% less saturated power.
And on that bombshell ...
Cardcaptor Kyle strikes again (and by again I mean for the first time)
Finally got the dazzle platinum capture card, so am really close to being able to film the machinima in my free time between sorting out our actual Project. Me and Lauren have decided that I will do the 'filming' but she will help out with the editing when im finished! Its getting pretty exciting, but that said the prospect of another storyboard that ill have to do is less appealing! =p
Image sourced from http://www.venturaes.com/dazzle/images/dazzle_vcp.jpg
ps: bought Son of Ranbow so will watch that soon and maybe analyse?
'Hes psycho Semiotic - that boy needs therapy...'
Last week we learnt about Semiotics, which initially was quite confuzzling but after looking at it in detail,I found it linked well with our topic. Heres the stuff I found out:
Semiotics is the study of signs and meanings. However for the purpose of a semiotic study, a sign is any physical object with a meaning. When looking into the significance of signs within our society there is always three key areas that need to be assessed and those are; the sign itself, the way this sign is integrated or the system of which it is placed and finally the culture that the sign operates within. A key theory about Semiotics is that in relation to signs there is only the Signifier (the actual sign) and the signified (that which the sign refers to within a society or consciousness). This view came from the structuralist Saussure. Later Roland Barthes pushed Saussure’s theory beyond that of the sign and the topic which a sign conjures. He believed that a Signifier had two sets of meanings. The blatant one which is often the purpose or cultural identity of a sign (Denotation) and the meanings that are much more personal or relative to the context of where or when the sign is (Connotation).
This theory links heavily with the idea of parodying. To parody, conventions, ideals and storylines must be studied, and furthermore manipulated. In a way those 3 key parts of the makeup of a genre are a signifier to the perspective audience. For instance if an audience sees a romantic comedy they immediately know the meanings and general possible outcome. They are not surprised because we live in a culture where most films follow conventions. Parodies work to change that which is signified, whilst the signifier isn’t changed at all. Normally in a film, the signified is the denotation of what it could mean. Now despite this there will always be connotations created from the denotation and a parody often harnesses those connotations that are out of context with the films storyline and are normally random, and uses a comedic connotation in place, whilst fitting the storyline around it.
In order to successfully parody, it will require knowledge of what the audience is thinking at a certain moment or signifier, division of the connotations from denotation and use of the most comedic connotation in the scene that is being parodied. Other conventions and signifiers within film can be similarly changed for an effect, that can be in some ways significant because it is, as was said, a society where conventions make up most films thus making changes more noticeable.
Semiotics is the study of signs and meanings. However for the purpose of a semiotic study, a sign is any physical object with a meaning. When looking into the significance of signs within our society there is always three key areas that need to be assessed and those are; the sign itself, the way this sign is integrated or the system of which it is placed and finally the culture that the sign operates within. A key theory about Semiotics is that in relation to signs there is only the Signifier (the actual sign) and the signified (that which the sign refers to within a society or consciousness). This view came from the structuralist Saussure. Later Roland Barthes pushed Saussure’s theory beyond that of the sign and the topic which a sign conjures. He believed that a Signifier had two sets of meanings. The blatant one which is often the purpose or cultural identity of a sign (Denotation) and the meanings that are much more personal or relative to the context of where or when the sign is (Connotation).
This theory links heavily with the idea of parodying. To parody, conventions, ideals and storylines must be studied, and furthermore manipulated. In a way those 3 key parts of the makeup of a genre are a signifier to the perspective audience. For instance if an audience sees a romantic comedy they immediately know the meanings and general possible outcome. They are not surprised because we live in a culture where most films follow conventions. Parodies work to change that which is signified, whilst the signifier isn’t changed at all. Normally in a film, the signified is the denotation of what it could mean. Now despite this there will always be connotations created from the denotation and a parody often harnesses those connotations that are out of context with the films storyline and are normally random, and uses a comedic connotation in place, whilst fitting the storyline around it.
In order to successfully parody, it will require knowledge of what the audience is thinking at a certain moment or signifier, division of the connotations from denotation and use of the most comedic connotation in the scene that is being parodied. Other conventions and signifiers within film can be similarly changed for an effect, that can be in some ways significant because it is, as was said, a society where conventions make up most films thus making changes more noticeable.
Thursday 8 October 2009
Britains got Superpowers - The auditions! (if only that was a REAL show ... =/)
I was coming up with some rough ideas of characters 'abilities' while wandering round the house over the last week or so. So far we were trying to draw ideas from lost as it is the basis of our parody, and I know that in lost there was two moments that we can parody quite well; the flashbacks and a polar bear that is found on the island.
As Flashbacks are integral to Lost I was trying to think of a gimmick that could make them some sort of Ability. Then I thought, what if they always turned out being adverts? so basically the main character can be having a flashback but in someway it turns out being an advert.
The polar bear will blatently fake as we have no access to a real polar bear(*sigh ..*) so me and lauren were thinking a plushie ...that KILLS!! that made me think, Could we have someone who could talk to plushies? but then again, what if they could talk to another type, but not that type and get eaten? thats another possible idea.
The final idea was to have a character who can always go in the exact OPPOSITE direction to where he actually wants to go. that could in a way prove to cause problems and maybe solve the problem at the end?
Anyways only rough ideas so yeah peace out and any feedback saying 'oh that would be aload of poop' would be apprieated ...or ignored
As Flashbacks are integral to Lost I was trying to think of a gimmick that could make them some sort of Ability. Then I thought, what if they always turned out being adverts? so basically the main character can be having a flashback but in someway it turns out being an advert.
The polar bear will blatently fake as we have no access to a real polar bear(*sigh ..*) so me and lauren were thinking a plushie ...that KILLS!! that made me think, Could we have someone who could talk to plushies? but then again, what if they could talk to another type, but not that type and get eaten? thats another possible idea.
The final idea was to have a character who can always go in the exact OPPOSITE direction to where he actually wants to go. that could in a way prove to cause problems and maybe solve the problem at the end?
Anyways only rough ideas so yeah peace out and any feedback saying 'oh that would be aload of poop' would be apprieated ...or ignored
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Speaking of Superpowers and the like ...
A brilliant Parody involving superheroes is the AMAZINGLY understated Mystery Men! I'll have to bring it in for Lauren to watch and for those of you who have no idea what it is heres the trailer, purely because not sharing the genius of this film would be a crime .. against Everything!
Also will look at Son of Rambo(w) which i hear links with our project. May try to deconstruct them both depending on how much other things i have to do (aka resisting urge to play xbox360 )
NOTE: the video was sourced from youtube.com
Also will look at Son of Rambo(w) which i hear links with our project. May try to deconstruct them both depending on how much other things i have to do (aka resisting urge to play xbox360 )
NOTE: the video was sourced from youtube.com
A Wild 'Idea' Appeared, What Pokemon will you send out?
Hey, back after yet another discussion about ideas and we actually have a rough idea of what we're doing, whoopage! After deciding that 'Action' Genre would be the way to go, me and lauren began to kind of brainstorm just ideas that came to head and possible influences (stuff like IT Crowd, Peep Show amoungst general stuff like ' Comic Book adaptations'. The comic book idea actually was quite appealing, as stupid powers could make for some really funny and fun filming. Also as we were mainly drawing influences from TV shows for the comedy (yes scrubs was mentioned, cos it rocks), the tv programs Lost and Heroes popped up (One has super powers and flashbacks the other has just flashbacks). These are two pretty well known tv shows that have such obscure storylines (and one has superpowers which will always appeal) that parodying them whilst sticking to close inter textuality references could be quite easy to storyline. Another major appeal of parodying tv shows is that each episode has a structure that a film shares but is done across a much larger timescale, so would be hard to fit in into 5 minutes. So yeah, at the mo we're settled on doing Heroes/ Lost parody as the basis of our storyline. now need to research, but considering what me and lauren did in two discussions (going from idea less to an idea) maybe we might just achieve world domination soon ..... ish.
Im off to work on that evil laugh ... I think mwahaha is the way to go
NOTE: The image was sourced from http://blog.9thwonders.com/modblog/Heroes2_SDCC_cover.jpg
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Slight untangling of not having ideas at the mo ... in HD! ....just kidding
Today had a discussion with Lauren about what sort of thing to do our short film about. We both want to do a parody so the next thing to do was go through some of the ones we know to get some ideas. The list we came up with ranged from Monty Python, through to Hot Fuzz, but we didnt really come up with much from that so we began running into stuff like what sorts of genre we could do a parody of as this is the fundamentals of ANY parody.
The two ideas that we thought of were Drama and Action. Drama for the mass melodrama that would ensue and how that could maybe be used at every little thing for effect . Action, because lets face it, action parodies do rock and it would allow us access to stuff like Lord of the Rings and any comic book stuff. we have yet to decide but thats just the next step.
The two ideas that we thought of were Drama and Action. Drama for the mass melodrama that would ensue and how that could maybe be used at every little thing for effect . Action, because lets face it, action parodies do rock and it would allow us access to stuff like Lord of the Rings and any comic book stuff. we have yet to decide but thats just the next step.
Sunday 20 September 2009
Little late night research on the machinima issues
When I was thinking about a possible side project of a machinima two issues raised themselves: equipment and copyright infringement issues. When searching various avenues I found out that;
In terms of actual filming I would need a capture card (probably external as its for more non tech peeps) and editing wise I would probably need a sound editing software like audacity and general editing, but theres the macs in school so I might use them to edit the raw footage.
The copyright issue is MUCH more complicated and really varies depending on the people or game involved. So far the most love i've got from one of these companies is Microsoft who have kindly got game content usage rules. They basically say not to base the story of the machinima on the backstory of the game, not to use abusive or racist content and not to use the soundeffects or music of Anything but Halo 3 as they have a special agreement with them. So far so good then. The list of games they have on the site that could be used are :
Age of Empires (all versions)
Flight Simulator (all versions)
Forza Motorsport (all versions)
Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3
Kameo
Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing (all versions)
Rise of Nations (all versions)
Shadowrun
Viva Piñata
This narrows my options alot but I will try to see what i can do to broaden them by checking various developers and EULA's.
Peace out and off to do some Art Hwk!
In terms of actual filming I would need a capture card (probably external as its for more non tech peeps) and editing wise I would probably need a sound editing software like audacity and general editing, but theres the macs in school so I might use them to edit the raw footage.
The copyright issue is MUCH more complicated and really varies depending on the people or game involved. So far the most love i've got from one of these companies is Microsoft who have kindly got game content usage rules. They basically say not to base the story of the machinima on the backstory of the game, not to use abusive or racist content and not to use the soundeffects or music of Anything but Halo 3 as they have a special agreement with them. So far so good then. The list of games they have on the site that could be used are :
Age of Empires (all versions)
Flight Simulator (all versions)
Forza Motorsport (all versions)
Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3
Kameo
Perfect Dark Zero
Project Gotham Racing (all versions)
Rise of Nations (all versions)
Shadowrun
Viva Piñata
This narrows my options alot but I will try to see what i can do to broaden them by checking various developers and EULA's.
Peace out and off to do some Art Hwk!
Thursday 17 September 2009
Enter the Era of Stupid (Aka 2000 +)
Just been told that 21st October we're all going to see the 'Age of stupid' - Sounds ..... intresting. Ironicly it looks back on 2008/9...sounds about 'write'
heres a link if it sounds as intruiging to you as it does to me: http://www.ageofstupid.net/
heres a link if it sounds as intruiging to you as it does to me: http://www.ageofstupid.net/
Random Thoughts (the artist formally known as thought spa ms)
Rough idea's so far for our short film: Parody-esq (Hot fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) , alot of nerdy references(looking at IT Crowd, Scrubs possibly), use of animation (probably not claymation). Just need a storyline!
Also may do a 'machinima' (computer game based thing) but i need to check out whether i can or not but 'dont wury guyz its k' as will focus on short film as not to get distracted
Also may do a 'machinima' (computer game based thing) but i need to check out whether i can or not but 'dont wury guyz its k' as will focus on short film as not to get distracted
My blog ... where bad puns go to die
Hey Guys! This is my first post (of HOPEFULLY) many and as these go along its likely to cover a very long, stressful media project! Bearing half the stress with me will be Lauren, who is really passionate about media and will even out my emo vibes throughout the course. The type of shiz that we will be doing is probably lots of mini essays, youtube clips and maybe a crisis meeting or two and maybe between all of this we'll actually create a Short film, a poster, a radio trailer and a film magazine(over-use of commas? Pah!). So yeah Enjoy! .....At your peril! (ish)
Peace Out
Peace Out
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