Tuesday 14 July 2009

Discussion With Class Mates

Discussion With Class Mate - Codes and Conventions of Short Films

Myself and a class mate came together to discuss the research we had done about the codes and conventions of short films, this is the list we came up with:
- Range of representations

- Simple narrative 
- limited amount of characters
- Mis-en-scene key to setting mood and feel of piece
- Large use of close ups
- Common to have voice over narrating
- Restriction of dialogue - narrative told through camera and events
- Two extremes of pace - Slow or fast - reflected in editing and non diegtic musical score
- Punchy and engaging from the beginning
- Titles - light text over black background.




Posted by Andrew Johnson at 11:50 0 comments  

Concepts Of Genre



Posted by Andrew Johnson at 11:49 0 comments  

Sample Questionnaire

Questionnaire – Short Films
View more documents from Andy Johnson.


Posted by Andrew Johnson at 11:48 0 comments  

Thursday 9 July 2009

Sci-fi Titles Made In After Effects

This was my first attempt at creating sophisticated titles using Adobe After Effects. I'm
extremely happy with the outcome due to the fact my titles feel like titles you would
see in a classic Science Fiction Film. It took some time to get use to using the tools
and interface in After Effects however after a while I found there where similar tools
across all of the Adobe programs so using the software became much easier.

From this exercise I have learnt how to manipulate text as well as understanding that
the first titles an audience sees must be reflective of the genre and feel of the piece.
In addition to this I learnt how to use a combination of compositions in After effects
to create an overall piece. The larger text in the background was created in a different
composition to the typed out text.

Overall I feel my skills in using After Effects have significantly improved since AS level.
I plan to use my skills learnt in this exercise to create professional looking titles that
fit with the genre of my short film.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 18:00 0 comments  

Elevator Music - Serdar ferit (2008)


Shared Codes and Conventions

Mise-en-scene - costume begins to construct representations of age and ethnicity -- location --
elevator -- common area where all members of society meet (similar to 'First Time It Hits') --
representations are constructed based on common stereotypes in modern society -- stereotypes
are reinforced by diegtic music -- each stereotype is represented by the music they play.
Camera -- variety of mid-shots and close-ups -- CU's allow audience engagement -- narrative is
told through the camera and mise-en-scene -- no dialogue (similar to 'Michael Lau').
Editing -- majority straight cuts -- maintains sense of realism in the text - fade transition used
to show change of time.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 14:34 0 comments  

"Michael Lau"' - Michael Lau

"Michael Lau" - Michael Lau
Mise-en-scene - dark/gritty. Sound - non-diegetic sound - minimalistic - diegetic sound is quieter 
than musical score allowing it to dominant - no dialogue through out the text. Similar to "wrong side
of the bed" - other similarities include narrative - text has the sense of an average day - audience
can relate to - however he then dreams of other things - traveling through space. Story is told 
through camera and mise-en-scene - events depict what is going on- narrative isn't over complicated 
- similar to other short films. Editing starts slow paced - soon quickens - match on action - keeps 
audience engaged through the short piece. Variety of creative shots used to add unique feel to the
text. Text is dominated by mid to close up shots - builds audience engagement - close ups of models
used to represent emotion - mise-en-scene - facial expression and body language - emotions 
reinforced by camera distance and angels. Special effects used to heighten sense of surrealism -
enforcing dream sense - juxtaposes still shots of models. Documentary style as it depicts day 
in the life of Michael Lau - representations of ethnicity.

Shared Codes and Conventions
Simple narrative which is told through the camera and mise-en-scene. Similar to all the other texts
i have looked at, reinforced by the fact there is no dialogue through out the text. Editing is faced
paced and punchy, grabs the audience's attention quickly. Further reinforcing this is the fast paced
non-diegetic musical score. Straight cuts are used dominantly to keep the realism of the text which 
relates to the realistic narrative that the audience can connect with. Text is dominated by close ups
and mid shots to keep the audience engaged - further engagement is created through creative shot 
choices which add a unique feel to the piece.

Posted by Andrew Johnson at 14:30 0 comments  

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