Thursday, 18 June 2009

Snap - Manolo Celi (2006)

Analytical Comparison to "Wrong Side of the Bed" - Daniel Lucchesi (2006)
"Snap" has a much more filmic and "hollywood-esc" feel to it compared to "Wrong Side of the Bed". 
A larger variety of shot distances and positing of the camera are used  in the text as well as the
great match on action editing which helps the audience to engage with the piece. Theses technical areas help give the text the feel of a hollywood film. This is reinforced by the setting and the mise-en-scene by the fact it is set in your typical sunny american town. 
A main difference between "Snap" and "Wrong Side of the Bed" was the use of close ups. I believe the director of "Wrong side of the Bed" limited the use of close ups to allow the audience to view the action and relate to what was happening, in addition it doesn't allow the audience to become fully engaged with the text. This helps to remind the audience that they are not a part of the text however they can relate to  the characters. On the other hand "Snap" use a wide variety of camera distances and positioning to allow the audience to feel apart of the text. Reinforcing this is the fast pace match on action editing which further increases audience engagement. Adding to the hollywood feel was the use of the slow motion effect. This is a common convention associated with hollywood films. The non-diegetic sound fits well with the editing and helps in the representation of the character. For example at 01:39 the non-diegetic sound stops as the action cuts to a group of girls skipping. However when antagonist runs round the corner the non-diegetic sound starts again. This associates the sound with the character and builds on the representation of the character. 

Shared Codes and Conventions
Although both texts are shot in a completely different style with different feels to them common
features do emerge. Both texts grab the audiences attention from the begging through the pace of 
the editing and the non-diegetic sound. In addition the immediate mis-en-scene helps create the
mood and feel of the piece. These elements are key to grabbing the audiences attention.
Furthermore, both texts have a simple and easy to follow narrative. The directors haven't tried to
over complicate and make the narrative too intricate.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 14:41 0 comments  

Wrong Side Of The Bed - Daniel Lucchesi (2006)

Technical Analysis
Section 1 (00.00 - 00.39)
Opening shot - man in bed - sets mood - reinforced by dark lighting and setting - further
reinforced by diegetic sound of alarm ringing.
Special effect - split screen - establishes dual narrative - each shot has same distance - mainly
long-mid - doesn't show bias to one side. Camera highlights actions and events and narrative is
conveyed through actions.
Mise-en-scene home environment - drives narrative - relates to any audience member.
Quick paced editing - instant audience engagement - reinforced by non-diegetic music.
Title "wrong side of the bed" carries narrative and what the audience expect.
Section 2 (00.39 - 01.31
Mise-en-scene - facial expression helps to reinforce narrative and allows audience engagement.
Shot distance is kept equal in both half's, showing no bias.
Editing holds text together - cuts smoothly between events. Interplay between two separate 
narratives - carefully planned timing, positing and editing- effectively creates humor and
audience engagement - helps carry idea of "wrong side o the bed" - audience can relate to.



Analysis - Codes And Conventions
This short film is very effective at capturing audience engagement from the very start. This done through the quick
pace of the editing and the non-diegetic musical score. The director effectively displays the narrative of the text
through the camera distance and the feel of the mise-en-scene. The narrative displayed is very simple and the
director hasn't over complicated what is going on. This makes the text more engaging and enjoyable to watch. In
addition it is fitting to the small time frame given to a short film.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 14:10 0 comments  

Killing Time At Home - Neil Coslett (2003)

Killing Time - Neil Coslett (2003)

Technical Analysis
Sound - minimalist parallel non-diegetic musical score - builds up to heavier rock music - reflects
narrative of text. Text dominated by close ups and mid shots - helps engage audience and maintain
simple narrative of the text. Limited diegetic sound - narrative is told through the camera and
mise-en-scene (similar to "wrong side of the bed") - non-diegetic musical score dominates. 
Editing starts slowly - helps set foundations of narrative - pace of editing quickens - 
matches action on screen - increases audience engagement - mis-en-scene - Dark and gritty 
(similar to "First Time It Hits") - similar to animation style and feel - reflects narrative and mood
of the piece. A variety of tilts, pans and zooms are used - camera movement helps narrative to 
flow - directs audience engagement. Facial expression and body language - helps to carry narrative
along with shots shown. Narrative is common to real life circumstances(similar to 
"The First Time It Hits")

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 13:43 0 comments  

The First Time It Hits - Jason Budge (2004)

The First Time It Hits - Jason Budge (2004)


Technical Analysis
Editing - fast paced - matched by fast paced non-diegetic musical score - instantly engaging -
sets mood and feel - rock and roll sound track - mood and feel reinforced by mis-en-scene -
gritty dark mood - further reinforced by diegetic sound of skateboard wheels - Jump cut editing
fits with fast paced music - representations of age - young live fast die young - smoking young girl
- reinforced by special effects of sped up footage.
world
Large use of close ups - creative shot choice - see the differently - further representations
of age and stereotype - in your face attitude - facial expression of young girl also reinforces in
your face attitude - sticks her tongue out - breaking the fourth wall - acknowledges audience -
further engagement.

Use of multiple media - animation - helps flow of narrative - shows boy fantasy - reinforced by
the change of non-diegetic sound.

Semiotics - graffiti, skateboards/brands, skull and cross bones - representation of stereotypical
teenage skater - helps audience to understand character - gives idea to the feel of the narrative.

Codes and Conventions
Punchy - instant audience engagement. This is created in a similar way to "Snap" and "Wrong side
of the Bed" through fast paced editing and similar paced non-diegetic sound. Contains a simple, but
engaging narrative - similar to "Snap" and "Wrong side of the Bed". In addition the director of
"The First Time it Hits" uses a large number of close ups and very few mid - long shots. This use of
camera helps the audience to engage, also it adds to the feel of the piece. This is reinforced by the
mis-en-scene and the setting of the text. The dark gritty and in your face feel of the text is created
through the setting, lighting, editing pace, close ups and diegetic sound. Put together they create
a "grunge" feel to the text. This is reflected in the representation of age, and the stereotypical image
of teenage "skaters". The director hasn't over complicated the narrative of the text, as a result the
narrative is told through the camera and the facial expression of the characters. Furthermore the
narrative is reinforced by the cross-media animation which is helped to show the fantasy of the
young boy.





Posted by Andrew Johnson at 13:41 0 comments  

Tuesday, 16 June 2009

What is A Short Film?

Defined By Length

Short films usually have a duration less than your standard feature film which stands at about 90 - 120 minutes. "The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science awards Oscars to short films of max length 40 minutes" (Vivienne Clark, (2007) Teaching Short Films, Page 9) . In modern education and society students make films of no more than 5 minutes in length.
Defined By Content
"The depiction of a carefully considered emotion or the capture of a particular moment" (Ibid, page 10) Short films are considered to be the equivalent of short literature story or poem. Even though they are short in length short stories still contain a narrative or a morale within the text.
 Defined by Form

"The function of a short film should be recognized as multifarious." (Ibid, page 10) Short films are great when it comes to flexibility in idea and creation. Short films cross the boundaries in to all areas of film such as advertising, music, documentary and animation etc. Short films allow directors to be creative as they like.
 Defined by Production

"Short sequence of moving images" (Ibid, page 10) Short film can be created through a variety of forms. They can be shot on film, digitally, created by 3D animation or hand drawn animation. The variety of forms allow directors to express themselves and their ideologies in any form they wish.


Target Audience
From my research into short films, as well as searching for short films my self, I have decided that there is a niche audience for short films. Short films are much less mainstream than Hollywood blockbusters and as a result appeal to less people. It is my understanding that the target audience for short films mainly include members of the film industry as well as people interested in art house cinema. I feel short films appeal to both genders and to individuals aged over 20. This is due to the fact that short films are more sophisticated and 'arty' and as a result don't appeal to the masses. As a result of this the mediums short films are shown through are less traditional to that of main stream films. It is my understanding that my short film will either have to be shown at specific art-house cinemas, internet viewing or television on demand eg. Virgin Shorts.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 10:32 0 comments  

Thursday, 11 June 2009

Decision

I have decided to produce a short film in fitting with brief 10. Originally I planned to create a music video due to the fact it interested me, however I changed my mind due the fact that as a possible University course I wish to take film production. As a result choosing this brief it will hopefully give me a head start for University and help develop my understanding of the processes involved in the production of films.


In addition this leads on from my skill sets that I learnt in AS media studies of which will help in the creation of my film and will hopefully progress my skills from AS to a much higher standard in A2.

After watching a few examples of music videos, short films and adverts I chose to do short films due to the fact the creative narrative and the cinematography interested me. In addition the feel of the editing and the special effects appealed to me as a challenge in which to master effectively.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 14:50 0 comments  

Wednesday, 10 June 2009

First Lesson Discussion

During our first A2 Media Studies lesson we looked at the briefs to the projects for our coursework. The main briefs which took my interest are:


A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, no longer than five minutes duration, together with:
  • a cover for its release on DVD
  • a magazine advertisement for the DVD
An advertising package for a new product or service, to include two TV advertisements, together with
  • a radio advertisement
  • a web pop-up
A short film in its entirety, lasting approximately five minutes, which may be live action or animation or a combination of both, together with:
  • a poster for the film
  • a film magazine review page featuring the film
Also during the lesson we looked at some past students work and some real media texts. This session influenced my choices out of all the briefs to just the 3 above. In addition the exercise helped highlight what was high quality work and what was not. Furthermore it emphasised how my personal skills in organisation, production and research need to progress in order to produce a high quality piece of media. 

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 10:25 0 comments  

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