Sunday, January 26, 2020
Genre Research: The Final Decision
Based on all of our genre research, my group and I decided the final task to be horror. In our recent group discussions, we eliminated the choices of musical, comedy, and action genres. This is because we all don't like it and it would've been difficult to create a film following those common elements. Those eliminations being set, my group and I narrowed the rest of the genres down to action and horror. After extensive research, we chose horror because it would be easier to create a film following the common horror elements, which are stated in the previous blog. Also, it is fun to capture the audience's imagination and be able to terrify them towards the ending of our film. As strange as it sounds, people usually find more of thrill in being scared or watching a film up to the point of a cliffhanger.
Genre Research: Action and Horror
My teammates and I researched the genre action, also referred to as “action-adventure.” By definition, the action film is the constant slam-bang of fights, chases, explosions, and clever one-liners.
Lighting: Dim lighting is often used in action films due to the nature of the film. Towards the end where the resolution of the plot appears bright lighting is often seen; this symbolizes a better future.
Actors: The good guys/ protagonists are usually men who are brawny, strong and confident. On the other hand, the antagonist/ villain is usually the same, however, they are malicious.
Makeup: Typical makeup used in action films are bruises, cuts, blood, and sweat.
Props: Getaway cars, knives, guns, bombs, big vehicles, helicopters, and planes.
Setting: Common locations are places that are very populated such as urban areas, and popular countries such as America and England. By using popular places, the producer is able to attract an audience through familiarity.
Lighting is gloomy, silhouette lighting, harsh lighting, and dark.
Actors are usually young and very naive.
Makeup is white or pale skin, and dark under the eyes. There would be fake blood or stitches over the body.
Props are typically knives, guns, fake blood, television, baby carriage, doll, chainsaw, video camera, ouija board, and masks.
Settings are haunted houses, cabin, hotel, hospitals, asylums, graveyards/cemetery, schools, carnivals, and woods.
- C.A.M.S. (Camera Angles, Movements, and Shots)- The common camera angles and shots are wide-angle, establishing shot, long shot, medium shot, close-up, extreme close-up, two-shot, and over-the-shoulder. The common camera movements are dolly zoom or vertigo shot and a single take shot.
- Mise-En-Scene C.L.A.M.P.S-
Lighting: Dim lighting is often used in action films due to the nature of the film. Towards the end where the resolution of the plot appears bright lighting is often seen; this symbolizes a better future.
Actors: The good guys/ protagonists are usually men who are brawny, strong and confident. On the other hand, the antagonist/ villain is usually the same, however, they are malicious.
Makeup: Typical makeup used in action films are bruises, cuts, blood, and sweat.
Props: Getaway cars, knives, guns, bombs, big vehicles, helicopters, and planes.
Setting: Common locations are places that are very populated such as urban areas, and popular countries such as America and England. By using popular places, the producer is able to attract an audience through familiarity.
- Common Editing- Cross-cutting, jump cut, cutaway editing, establishing shot, eyeline match, fade to black, and straight cuts.
- Common Elements of Action Genre- Fighting, stunts, car chases or explosions, take precedence over elements like characterization or complex plotting. The action typically involves individual efforts on the part of the hero, in contrast with most war films.
- Examples of Action Films-
- Common Sound Effects- Crowds, War sounds, Vehicles (skitting), Trains, Static sounds, Explosions, Sirens, Guns, Screams, and Monster sounds.
- Elements We Like/Dislike- This genre is liked because we like impressive fight scenes with special effect explosions. The elements of this genre that do not appeal to us are the lack of plotline and character development.
- C.A.M.S. (Camera Angles, Movements, and Shots)- The common camera angles and shots are high angles, close up, tracking or panning shot, reverse, tilted angle, (extreme)long shot, low angles, handheld shot, point of view shot, zoom, and over the shoulder shot. The common camera movements are dolly zoom or vertigo shot and a single take shot.
- Mise-En-Scene C.L.A.M.P.S-
Lighting is gloomy, silhouette lighting, harsh lighting, and dark.
Actors are usually young and very naive.
Makeup is white or pale skin, and dark under the eyes. There would be fake blood or stitches over the body.
Props are typically knives, guns, fake blood, television, baby carriage, doll, chainsaw, video camera, ouija board, and masks.
Settings are haunted houses, cabin, hotel, hospitals, asylums, graveyards/cemetery, schools, carnivals, and woods.
- Editing- Cross-cutting, jump cut, cutaway editing, establishing shot, eyeline match, fade to black, and straight cuts.
- Elements of Horror Genre- The common elements are fear of death, the dark, creepy and crawly things, scary places, disfigurement, dismemberment, suspense (anticipation and expectations), spooky music.
- Examples of Horror Films-
- Common Sound Effects- Ghosts, monsters, witches, screams, evil laughter, heartbeat, creaks, howls, chainsaw, splats, and the wind blowing.
- Elements We Like/Dislike- This genre is liked because it shows fears while making the audience still give off feelings of anticipation. The elements of this genre that do not appeal to us are the jumpscares, gory scenes, and when you know what is going to happen next.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Genre Research: Musicals
At the beginning of my AICE Media Studies course, my teacher assigned my group mates and I a genre project, shown below. A list of movie genres such as Horror, Musical, Action, and Comedy was randomized and handed out to each group. Evidently, my group was assigned to the genre Musical. Including myself, there were four people within my group. We were tasked with researching the norms and conventions of Comedy: common sounds, lighting, movements, angles, and Mis-en-scene. Additionally, we inserted picture examples of comedic films, naming some elements of comedy and breaking down the elements which we liked and disliked. This project familiarized us with the filming techniques of the Comedy genre. If we were to do a Comedy film for our final task, we would have an advantage being that we already have background research and knowledge surrounding the genre.
Friday, January 17, 2020
The Final Pitch
Pitch 1: Ghost(The house on 10th Ave)
Pitch 2: Serial Killer
For our first pitch, the girls will be walking down the street and playing with a ball in the evening, which will roll in an abandoned house. They look and see something in the window, which makes them run away and head back to the house, they talk about the figure they saw and go to sleep. The following day, one of the girls convinces the two other girls to go back to the abandoned house; they go inside to find the ball, along with creepy details embroidered around the house. One of the girls walks off to record the back of the house, but the ghost is waiting there; he possesses her and she screams in fear. Soon after, the other girls come running after her and question if she’s okay, but the possessed girl says yes and acts normal. Later, the possessed girl has a weapon in her hand and one of the girl's notices and this is where the final scene will cut. The second pitch is our serial killer idea, this pitch will have the protagonists walking down the street and having fun. Then, from an over the shoulder shot, a man will be watching the group from a distance and the group will continue to walk and the man will continue to follow. One of the members of the group would spot the man and inform her friends. The friends become scared, then start to run and arrive at one of their friend's house. The friends become comfortable again, but then again, from an over the shoulder shot, the man is watching the group through the window. The final scene will be the serial killer getting stabbed, then the audience will see a low angle of the killers hand moving.
The first pitch is a good idea to do for our final project because it is more planned out. Immediately after the idea came up of making a film involving ghost creativity flew in the air. Anyeska and Jazmin started to discuss how the scene would begin, escalate and end. Later they discussed to the other group mates what they had come up with. Lesly and Britania added ideas of their own as well. One of the reasons we knew right away this was a good idea was because of the location. Already we had an idea where the haunted house would be and how we would decorate it. Anyeska soon told us the perfect place that had an abandoned house we would be able to use. Locations, props, makeup, camera angles, and scripts are already being taken care of. We also thought this would be a better decision because Lesly will be able to film us and make our ideas come to real life. Finally, we wanted to make a film that would engage the audience and make them remember this film. We want them to wonder what will happen next.
The second pitch is not a good idea because the scenes we would film would be very repetitive. The serial killer is basically a stalker who follows these girls. There is nothing special or new about this concept. We wanted to go outside the box and think of something better. To add on, we wouldn’t have that many places to film. The only two places would be the park and the home of one of the girls. Scary movies are much better than these slasher type films. Also, it would be very hard to end the intro with a cliffhanger. As we explained in the first paragraph our end scene for our second pitch was for the serial killer to move his hand. This has already been done with movies like Halloween where they think the main killer is dead, but he never is. Another thing is having someone to film us. Since Lesly is playing the ghost from pitch one, he doesn’t need to be in that many scenes. So he is able to film us if we did pitch two we would have to ask someone else to film and it would not be guaranteed they would fulfill our vision.
In the end, we all have decided to do the first pitch because we all love the idea. This pitch is the one that stuck out the most to us because we spent so much time on it. From the location to the final scene. The few months we have to work on this project will be used wisely and efficiently. Making sure we make the creepiest and unsettling intro we can. Adding special effects and eerie sounds, that we wouldn’t have been able to add in the serial killer film. Our group even came up with a name already. We already know each detail and angle that is going to take place. Pitch one is definitely the best choice and even though some things might get changed along the way. All four of us are determined to do the best we can for our viewers and teachers.
Pitch 2: Serial Killer
For our first pitch, the girls will be walking down the street and playing with a ball in the evening, which will roll in an abandoned house. They look and see something in the window, which makes them run away and head back to the house, they talk about the figure they saw and go to sleep. The following day, one of the girls convinces the two other girls to go back to the abandoned house; they go inside to find the ball, along with creepy details embroidered around the house. One of the girls walks off to record the back of the house, but the ghost is waiting there; he possesses her and she screams in fear. Soon after, the other girls come running after her and question if she’s okay, but the possessed girl says yes and acts normal. Later, the possessed girl has a weapon in her hand and one of the girl's notices and this is where the final scene will cut. The second pitch is our serial killer idea, this pitch will have the protagonists walking down the street and having fun. Then, from an over the shoulder shot, a man will be watching the group from a distance and the group will continue to walk and the man will continue to follow. One of the members of the group would spot the man and inform her friends. The friends become scared, then start to run and arrive at one of their friend's house. The friends become comfortable again, but then again, from an over the shoulder shot, the man is watching the group through the window. The final scene will be the serial killer getting stabbed, then the audience will see a low angle of the killers hand moving.
The first pitch is a good idea to do for our final project because it is more planned out. Immediately after the idea came up of making a film involving ghost creativity flew in the air. Anyeska and Jazmin started to discuss how the scene would begin, escalate and end. Later they discussed to the other group mates what they had come up with. Lesly and Britania added ideas of their own as well. One of the reasons we knew right away this was a good idea was because of the location. Already we had an idea where the haunted house would be and how we would decorate it. Anyeska soon told us the perfect place that had an abandoned house we would be able to use. Locations, props, makeup, camera angles, and scripts are already being taken care of. We also thought this would be a better decision because Lesly will be able to film us and make our ideas come to real life. Finally, we wanted to make a film that would engage the audience and make them remember this film. We want them to wonder what will happen next.
The second pitch is not a good idea because the scenes we would film would be very repetitive. The serial killer is basically a stalker who follows these girls. There is nothing special or new about this concept. We wanted to go outside the box and think of something better. To add on, we wouldn’t have that many places to film. The only two places would be the park and the home of one of the girls. Scary movies are much better than these slasher type films. Also, it would be very hard to end the intro with a cliffhanger. As we explained in the first paragraph our end scene for our second pitch was for the serial killer to move his hand. This has already been done with movies like Halloween where they think the main killer is dead, but he never is. Another thing is having someone to film us. Since Lesly is playing the ghost from pitch one, he doesn’t need to be in that many scenes. So he is able to film us if we did pitch two we would have to ask someone else to film and it would not be guaranteed they would fulfill our vision.
In the end, we all have decided to do the first pitch because we all love the idea. This pitch is the one that stuck out the most to us because we spent so much time on it. From the location to the final scene. The few months we have to work on this project will be used wisely and efficiently. Making sure we make the creepiest and unsettling intro we can. Adding special effects and eerie sounds, that we wouldn’t have been able to add in the serial killer film. Our group even came up with a name already. We already know each detail and angle that is going to take place. Pitch one is definitely the best choice and even though some things might get changed along the way. All four of us are determined to do the best we can for our viewers and teachers.
Starting the Final Task
I am Anyeska, a hardworking student who has created various projects in the AICE Media Studies class. The project I will be starting now is the final task. This project will need an extensive amount of research in order to progress. I will be doing lots of background research before I am able to film it. Since I am a plan-ahead type of person, I like to make a schedule and think everything for it. Personally, I like to be the director and editor of the films. This is because it gives me the ability to create films on how I want it to be and to my own liking. Which is why I am excited to make a two-minute opening scene for a horror film. For this project, I will be working with the same people as the last. The people from the last projects were Lesly, Britania, and Jazmin. I preferred to work with them because it's more fun and efficient.
I have learned tremendously throughout being in my AICE Media Studies class. One being, that I found out how to edit films better, which makes my ideas for films becoming real. Another is when I was filming the scenes in my other projects, it encouraged me to develop a filming hobby. That has helped me acknowledge what camera angles or camera movements work better in certain instances. Also, how to make the filming process more organized when it comes to dumping raw footage from the camera onto my computer. Experimenting with my film has made me be able to create many different scenarios. With those different scenarios, I'm able to easily make storyboards and consider them simple. I am excited to begin the storyboard and research for this film. The fact that I am able to work with a group of my friends is even better. I can't wait to use the skills I've learned and my several talents to use, all for the final task!
A pitch is a Hollywood term to describe where a film is encapsulated in 25 words or less. Usually one or two sentences. I have three pitch ideas. The first pitch is a group of girls found an abandoned house and figure out that there is a ghost, which ends up possessing one of them. Do the others find out? The second pitch is that there is a girls sleepover but while they are sleeping, one of the girls wake up at 3:00am not being able to move, breathe, or speak. The third pitch is a group of friends is hanging out when one of them hears a creepy whisper, it attracts them to a ghost who is trying to kill him. I came up with these pitch ideas by choosing a genre (horror) and then brainstorming short yet scary stories. I want the film to be something that would make the audience want more, like a cliff-hanger. In these films, I plan to have extra actors or helpers to record. There will also be props and makeup to improve the films.
 |
| Left to right: Britania, Jazmin, Lesly, and I working on our final task!! |
 |
| Me writing notes for the Final Film!! |
Thursday, December 5, 2019
First Day Editing The Music Video
Lesly, Jazmin, Brit and I all worked on editing our music video. It took up the majority of our class time, and unfortunately, the editing process did not go well. Although I was able to dump all the footage from the SD card to the desktop, it took a while to view each scene we would use and for the computer to handle the download size. Eventually, I was able to finish the downloading process and save it all into Google Drive. After this, Lesly found and downloaded The Lazy Song, by Bruno Mars onto the computer. Once I was ready to edit, I opened Pinnacle Studios and imported the footage and audio into the program. From there, I started editing the raw footage. It was difficult to do this because the preview of a scene (on the right side of the screen) would lag and slow down the computer. Thus, it took me some time to figure out the different scenes just by their image, when I was trying to match it to the lyrics. The following paragraph will explain the different tools I tried to use and what happened during my editing process.
Due to the fact that our class time was running short, we were only able to begin editing the first scene. First, I used a razor blade icon to split the first scene because it was too long and unnecessary. I thought to detach the audio from the shot, but it helped to match the first lyrics to our dance. Since the background sound was the actual song, we wanted to dance or act out each scene with a reference and to potentially benefit us while editing. I had difficulty trying to place the first scene as soon as the initial lyrics: "Today I don't feel like doing anything" started. Apparently, Pinnacle Studios uses a magnetic timeline, in which any clip you drag and drop into the timeline snaps to any existing clips. I did not know that you can turn that function off, so I struggled to do that. I let my group members try to fix or get the scene to where we wanted it, but they didn’t know how to either. With little time left, we decided to end our editing process and rely on starting and finishing it next class. Unfortunately, after I saved our music video I deleted the footage from the desktop, thinking that I wouldn’t need it, but it backfired and ended up disabling the footage from pinnacle studios. I ended up solving the problem even though it took up 5 minutes of editing time.
There are editing techniques I planned to use in the music video. Some include adding a title screen, subtitles, cropping footage, and a fade-in/out. Hopefully next class, when we continue editing that I'll see a vision along with my group members of our music video coming to life. I also hope that editing will be successful. I think it may be hard at first, but Lesly and Brit seem to be experienced and ready to edit our footage. The only type of sound I plan to use in the music video is background music. The camera movements and angles we used were: High angle, tilt shot, pan shot, long shot, medium close up shot, over the shoulder, point of view, zoom in/out. All of these editing techniques will be used while editing our music video. We will try to edit so it comes in between 1:05 to 1:15. Ultimately, I will create a fun and interesting music video that will excite and engage audiences.
Due to the fact that our class time was running short, we were only able to begin editing the first scene. First, I used a razor blade icon to split the first scene because it was too long and unnecessary. I thought to detach the audio from the shot, but it helped to match the first lyrics to our dance. Since the background sound was the actual song, we wanted to dance or act out each scene with a reference and to potentially benefit us while editing. I had difficulty trying to place the first scene as soon as the initial lyrics: "Today I don't feel like doing anything" started. Apparently, Pinnacle Studios uses a magnetic timeline, in which any clip you drag and drop into the timeline snaps to any existing clips. I did not know that you can turn that function off, so I struggled to do that. I let my group members try to fix or get the scene to where we wanted it, but they didn’t know how to either. With little time left, we decided to end our editing process and rely on starting and finishing it next class. Unfortunately, after I saved our music video I deleted the footage from the desktop, thinking that I wouldn’t need it, but it backfired and ended up disabling the footage from pinnacle studios. I ended up solving the problem even though it took up 5 minutes of editing time.
There are editing techniques I planned to use in the music video. Some include adding a title screen, subtitles, cropping footage, and a fade-in/out. Hopefully next class, when we continue editing that I'll see a vision along with my group members of our music video coming to life. I also hope that editing will be successful. I think it may be hard at first, but Lesly and Brit seem to be experienced and ready to edit our footage. The only type of sound I plan to use in the music video is background music. The camera movements and angles we used were: High angle, tilt shot, pan shot, long shot, medium close up shot, over the shoulder, point of view, zoom in/out. All of these editing techniques will be used while editing our music video. We will try to edit so it comes in between 1:05 to 1:15. Ultimately, I will create a fun and interesting music video that will excite and engage audiences.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Second Day Filming The Music Video
Last week Sunday, my teammates met up with me to finish filming our music video. Lesly, Jazmin, Brit, and Nick all came to my house again, around 1:30 PM. Initially, we had four scenes left to film. However, we ended up breaking the storyboard and switching over to new ideas. We ended up only filming one scene, which was actually our very last scene of the music video. Scene six and scene seven from the storyboard were merged together into one scene. Additionally, scene twelve from the storyboard was changed up. Instead of filming a long shot of Jazmin kicking her socks off then laying on the couch, I filmed an extreme close up shot of her kicking her slides off. It was Brit's original idea to show someone taking their slides off when the lyrics stated, “‘Cause today I swear I’m not doing anything”. This is because a person generally can not go out and do anything if they are not wearing shoes. All in all, these changes to the storyboard was made the day before, Saturday.
Furthermore, scenes thirteen through fifteen were completely changed up. As previously mentioned, we only filmed one scene on Sunday. Basically, we decided to merge the three scenes together, making them one scene and cutting our actions short. Our initial idea was to throw up paper confetti in scene thirteen, lay on the floor in fourteen, and in the last scene, someone would cover the camera with their hand. Instead, we went against the storyboard again. We decided to only throw up the paper confetti, gather in a circle as we cheer happily, then Jazmin walks away from the group and covers the camera with her hand. My mom was behind the camera for the scene and I made sure she filmed us as a medium shot. After this, I looked through all our footage and made sure we didn't need to re-record a scene. Finally, filming the music video was called to an end. I believe that my group members and I were all relieved, so we went out and had some fun!
Overall, filming on Saturday and Sunday was successful. I enjoyed working with everyone and appreciated my mom's assistance. Luckily, we were strategic about filming the music video. One reason being, everyone was involved in at least three scenes which meant that we all played a huge part in the music video. Moreover, we filmed in five different settings around my house. Lastly, everyone had a chance to operate and film with the camera. Therefore, we all actively contributed to the music video as a team. I personally learned a lot regarding film and how music videos are created. As for my teammates, I was able to get to know them better and strengthen our friendship. So, I am very content that I am able to work with my friends.
Furthermore, scenes thirteen through fifteen were completely changed up. As previously mentioned, we only filmed one scene on Sunday. Basically, we decided to merge the three scenes together, making them one scene and cutting our actions short. Our initial idea was to throw up paper confetti in scene thirteen, lay on the floor in fourteen, and in the last scene, someone would cover the camera with their hand. Instead, we went against the storyboard again. We decided to only throw up the paper confetti, gather in a circle as we cheer happily, then Jazmin walks away from the group and covers the camera with her hand. My mom was behind the camera for the scene and I made sure she filmed us as a medium shot. After this, I looked through all our footage and made sure we didn't need to re-record a scene. Finally, filming the music video was called to an end. I believe that my group members and I were all relieved, so we went out and had some fun!
Overall, filming on Saturday and Sunday was successful. I enjoyed working with everyone and appreciated my mom's assistance. Luckily, we were strategic about filming the music video. One reason being, everyone was involved in at least three scenes which meant that we all played a huge part in the music video. Moreover, we filmed in five different settings around my house. Lastly, everyone had a chance to operate and film with the camera. Therefore, we all actively contributed to the music video as a team. I personally learned a lot regarding film and how music videos are created. As for my teammates, I was able to get to know them better and strengthen our friendship. So, I am very content that I am able to work with my friends.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)