Actors - The main actor in this film is going to be myself, Ryan Witthoff playing as the basketball player. There may be background characters that won't play a big role in the opening.
Costumes - The main character will be wearing 2 different costumes. The first costume is going to be a shirt and tie outfit while the character is signing to the school. The other costume is going to be workout clothes while practicing basketball.
Props - For props, we are going to need a basketball, a pen/paper, and hats for different schools.
Locations - The only two locations are going to be the basketball gym and the lobby of the gym where the signing will occur.
Dates and Times - Most basketball players sign to their desired school in the Winter or Spring and this would occur during the night and day.
Scripts - There won't be any dialogue while playing basketball, possibly just background music. The opening all together will be silent even when the main character chooses a school. All he will do is express his emotion through actions.
Film Equipment - We will use a tripod and a camera to film this opening. Only natural and ceiling light will be used.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Saturday, January 26, 2019
AICE Media Film Opening Storyboard
To summarize, the planning process took a while to think of many ideas for a genre and what to base the opening around. Ultimately, as a partnership, Cori and I decided to do a sports story. We eventually agreed that doing a basketball story would be much easier based on location and the ability to get better quality shots. Together we brainstormed ideas in which the opening ended with a serious injury that could prevent the main character from ever playing again. We also needed a backstory so we decided to have the main character sign his letter of intent.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Film Opening Brainstorming
Film Opening Brainstorming Notes
- Mix of close ups and long shots
- Possibly include background music
- Show titles of important roles and movie title
- Establish a plot
- Use multiple different camera angles
- Include different editing techniques or mise en scene
There are various elements to include in a film opening; many of which were shown in the given examples that I listed. One of the most important features to me is to include some way of introducing the important roles in making the film, such as stating the director and lead actors. I felt myself interacting more with the openings that had background music to set the mood. Another feature to set the mood is by using different camera angles and perspectives that the audience can interact with. For instance when a subject is walking you can have an angle in front, behind, up close, to the side, etc. In most examples the plot was shown throughout the introduction, but some did not introduce the plot until the last few seconds of the opening. For example, the "Dare to Thrill" opening introduced some teenagers taking a car on a ride and in the last 2-3 seconds they found something surprising in the trunk. Using these different techniques can enhance a film opening and draw the audience in.
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Week 1, Quarter 3: What Inspired Me
What Inspired Me to Create a Film From This Genre
The genre of drama in film is expanded into so many other genres. Drama could be involved in an action film, a horror film, or even a sci-fi film as well. This wide variety of different genres involved with drama is a main reason why my partner and I decided to do this genre. Drama is intended to be less humorous of a movie and more serious in the plot. While their may be humor in drama films, the primary purpose is to tell a serious situation or story. There are three films that I would like to use as examples of drama films that helped inspired my partner and I in choosing this genre.
First off, the first film that came to mind when my partner and I thought of drama was "Forest Gump." This film is arguably one of the most well known and highest grossing drama films of all time. The film starring Tom Hanks tells a story about a boy/man with a mental illness and how he overcomes obstacles and how his life progresses. Many dramas have similar openings where there are flashbacks to the past that tell the story. The opening of the film shows the viewers a falling leaf that travels throughout the city and lands at Gump's feet at the end of its path. This is metaphorical for the movie as the leaf goes through a journey as Forest Gump does. He is shown waiting at a bus stop telling his story to strangers sitting with him on the bench.
Another example of a drama is a recent film that has tremendously grown in popularity over the past month. The new Netflix horror/drama film, Birdbox is a great example of a drama film. The movie begins when Sandra Bullock, the main actress is instructing two children to keep their blindfolds on and to do everything she says. From her tone, the viewers can tell how serious the situation which classifies this as a drama. The movie flips back from scenes from the present of her and the kids and the past of how everything came to be. The shots that were set in the past explain the reason for how the three got there and why they needed to always keep their blindfolds on.
The last film that I am using as example of a drama is the Blindside, also starring Sandra Bullock. The Blindside is a film based on a true story about the struggles an NFL player, Michael Oher went through as a kid. Many dramas are based off a true story as this film is. The movie begins by showing an real football clip of when NFL star Joe Theisman was injured on a play that ended his amazing football career. With a Bullock voice-over, she explains how the quarterback is the highest paid player on the team and the second highest player is typically the left-tackle because he has to protect the quarterback. This sets up the story for Michael Oher's struggles as a student/athlete.
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Weeks 8-9 Film Opening Research
#1 Happy Gilmore
How many titles are displayed during the opening sequences to the film?
The film opening displays 6 opening titles to show the name, starring actor, and various other aspects of the film. In this order the titles roll: Universal Pictures Present, A Bernie Brillstien-Brad Gray, Robert Simmonds Production, A Dennis Dugan Film, Adam Sandler, Happy Gilmore.
What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The opening scene is a backstory of Happy Gilmore's childhood in order to set up the movie and introduce the main character. The film is set to act like a "home movie" film to portray his childhood.
What connotations do the images carry?
The images portray a positive connotation even in difficult times. Even when it shows his dad's funeral there is still a positive sense as if nothing happened. Happy Gilmore would always say positive words in the beginning.
How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Technical Codes: During the opening scene, the music is very alternative and rock-like and it sets the stage for the rest of the comedy film. The transitions and editing techniques of the opening scene are unique in their own way and just spread a positive vibe into the main part of the film.
How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
As the main part of the film starts, the background music goes away. This is done to signify something that is going to happen and to make sure that the audience is paying attention to details.
What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
One key strategy that is used to appeal to the comedy audience is not only music but different scripts or actions that different character say or do. Words or actions appeal greatly to the target audience when a film is being shot.
How has technology been used effectively?
Technology does not play a major role in the movie other than with different camera angles and shots. When the camera is following the far hit golf ball, there is a lot of editing and technology that is involved.
#2 Black Panther
There are not any main titles during the opening sequences to the film. The script does the introduction to the movie on its own.
What images are prioritized in the opening sequence?
The images of the past are used to introduce the background to the movie. While the narrator explains the aspects of the film, the viewers are shown images of the past through "sand characters" to portray the backstory of Wakanda.
What connotations do the images carry?
The images portray a dark connotation through the dark blues and purples in color. Even as the main scene occurs, the setting is in a less developed area at night. This imagery gives off a scary and negative connotation to the film.
How is genre reinforced through symbolic and technical codes from the outset?
Technical and Symbolic Codes: In addition to the colors used in the opening scenes, the editing techniques of the film are very intricate and symbolic to the film. The dark colors portray the symbolism of the Black Panther to emphasize his powers.
How does the film establish an enigma from the outset?
In all marvel movies, there is a crescendo in the music when there is a transition between the opening scene and the main part of the movie. Marvel has their theme music and their introduction/title edit to make this transition.
What strategies are used to ensure the film appeals to its target audience?
One key strategy that is used to appeal to the action/adventure audience is when the king kills his own brother after he betrayed the country of Wakanda. This sets up the movie for the violence and action that is involved with this genre.
Technology plays a major role in the opening scene of the film. It is very difficult to describe what elements of technology are used to show the backstory of the film, but it seems as if there are sandpeople showing this.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Friday, November 30, 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Sunday, November 4, 2018
Film Viewing Practice Essay
The extract of the film "Agent Carter" shows various forms of camera shots, editing techniques, sound options, and mise-en-scene throughout the clip. These aspects of film help to give the movie a meaning and help the viewer comprehend the different parts that the director may be trying to show.
The film shows the viewer different forms of camera shots and angles during this clip of "Agent Carter." First off, the extract show an establishing shot almost right away in the office setting. The camera angle rotates around the room to show what the different people are doing and to show the environment in which they work in. The shot clearly defines the location and the mood of the scene as a busy working environment. After the establishing shot in the office, the director uses a close shot of Agent Carter and a coworker having a conversation. This shot allows the viewers to focus solely on their conversation and try to understand what is going on between them. Another example used is a high angle shot when the camera is above the subjects that are walking up the stairs. This does not really have much meaning, but it gives the viewers an alternative perspective.
The film also shows various examples of editing techniques. One example of editing is symbolism. The director will use cuts and different shots to emphasize how much Agent Carter misses Steve Rogers from the introduction clip and when she finds the picture of him in her work drawer. This then encourages her to go find answers for herself. Another form of editing is the 45 second introduction where the scenes switch back and forth from Carter and Rogers. This example of simultaneity gives a backstory to the film.
This extract enhances multiple forms of sound. Most of the film includes diegetic sound which is where the characters and the audience can hear the sound. This type of sound occurs during the conversations in the office and during the scene at the end with the men she encounters. There is also an example of non-diegetic sound when she is fighting the men outside. Non-diegetic sound is when certain characters cannot hear something but the audience can. This occurs when the man inside is unaware of the fighting that is occurring outside.
The film lastly shows various forms of mise-en-scene to help the audience understand the film. Firstly, the setting is clear to the audience in the office and when she goes to confront the men in the warehouse. It is dark outside so the audience can anticipate something is going to happen. Additionally during this scene there is low-key lighting as the moonlight is the only source of light during the fight outside. The mise-en-scene of these extracts show the audience that something is going to occur.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Sunday, October 21, 2018
Four General Mise-en-Scene Areas
For this blog post, I am going to be commenting on the different mise-en-scene areas of film in the movie "Black Panther."
Setting: The setting in the movie Black Panther is very mixed on where different scenes take place. In the beginning of the film, the setting is in urban Oakland, California, while other parts of the movie show the jungle of Africa and the city of Wakanda. The setting of Wakanda describes how technologically advanced the civilization is and that they are thriving.
Lighting: There a various forms of lighting used in this movie. One form of lighting used in the scene where the king is rescuing the girl is low-key lighting. This is a form of low-key lighting because the scene is taking place at night in the jungle with the moonlight shining down on the characters as the only source of light. Right before this scene, the Black Panther is in his ship and is about to jump out and rescue the girl, but he is planning out the strategy. High-key lighting is used in the ship with the indoor ship lights shining down on him.
Costume: In all marvel/superhero movies, the costumes of each and every character are very unique to what traditional everyday humans where during the day. Superheros typically have special made costumes that give them a brand and have viewers understand exactly who they are viewing even in a costume. In Black Panther, King T'Challa (Black Panther) is given the black suit to give the main character a specific costume that the hero is supposed to wear. While various movies are different, the sci-fi and fantasy genre of Black Panther gives the King his specific costume.
Staging: The various characters in the movie present extremely well acting in the movie. Watching different characters use forms of mood and different actions they present describes each and every character perfectly. For example, King T'Challa uses humor in his acting to show his soft and caring side presenting him as a "good guy". However, the so called villain, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) presents himself as vengeful in his acting styles.
Monday, October 8, 2018
5 Master Edits Post With Sound
5 Master Edits Post With Sound
This shows the different sound effects used in the 5 master edits film. I used different forms of sound to enhance the different effects in the video project.
1.) Contrast: This first shot of contrast we used direct sound to display sound effects in the video. The shot gains effect from the direct sound by picking up sound from the classroom.
2.) Parallelism: We added music to this edit giving the edit a sound bridge because it gives a sense of finding something. The two actors are walking towards the same place and the audience can assume that they will eventually cross paths. The slow, symphonic music gives a somewhat "romantic" effect to the shot.
3.) Symbolism: The next form of sound effect we used was a short ding. Our shot shows symbolism between the gator eye and the subject's eye, showing symbolism between the two shots. The ding effect happens as the cut effect occurs. This type of sound is post synchronization dubbing.
4.) Leitmotif: This last edit is supposed to include sound effects to the shot giving music to the edit. Leitmotif is the form of editing where a certain sound effect is played when something is about to happen. For example, in our master edits video, the subject falls to the ground whenever the drum starts to beat.
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