Friday, January 24, 2020
Genre Decision
Maya and I have finally come to the conclusion on which genre our opening sequence will be. It was a tough decision between thriller and horror. In the end, we chose horror. We chose horror because we believe our opening sequence carries a lot of suspense and scary places. Our opening sequence also seeks to elicit fear out of the viewer, which is one of our main goals in this. Our other goal is to entertain and keep the viewer hooked, wanting to watch more. It will contain certain some personal fears which may scare some of the viewers, and may not scare others. But all in all, it will have the qualities for a horror genre.
Genre Research: Epic and Drama
Epic Genre:
Common Camera Angles (CAMS)
- Birds eye and high angle are the most common.
- Zoom outs are used within wide shots.
-Wide shots are used often.
Common Mis-en-scene (CLAMPS)
- The costumes are elaborate and detailed.
- The lighting is usually begins dark and progressively gets lighter as the movie progresses.
- The makeup is minimal in order to make it seem more realistic.
- The props are usually hand props like guns or swords.
- The setting is usually somewhere historic or monumental.
Common Editing
- Most of the editing is special editing. This helps make the movie visually appealing and allows for even brighter colors.
Elements
- Some elements include high energy, fights, and continuous motion.
Example films
- A few famous examples are Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Gladiator.
Common Sounds
- The sound is dramatic and most of the time made to sound heavy.
What elements do I like
- I like the element of special editing. Many epic movies use special effects to portray things that could not be shown otherwise.
What elements do I not like
- I do not like the length of epic movies. This element is negative because epic movies often are over three hours long.
Drama Genre:
Common Camera Angles (CAMS)
- Birds eye and eye level are the most common.
- There is little camera movement, but if any usually a pan or tilt.
-Medium shots and extreme close up are used.
Common Mis-en-scene (CLAMPS)
- The costumes are used to accentuate the theme and the characters' personality.
- The lighting is usually dark and realistic.
- The makeup is minimal in order to make it seem more realistic.
- The props are minimal because focus should be on actors.
- The setting is usually somewhere with a hidden meaning towards the theme.
Common Editing
- Most of the editing is to enhance the shot while still allowing it to look natural.
Elements
- It usually has a clear pot which highlights the tension or conflict between two individuals or groups.
Example films
- A few famous examples are Titanic, Jaws, and Schindler's List.
Common Sounds
- The sound is usually digetic and belongs in the scene/location.
What elements do I like
-Many drama movies' plots are clear to understand and follow because they are realistic.
What elements do I not like
- I do not like how some drama movies are over exaggerated in order to build tension.
Common Camera Angles (CAMS)
- Birds eye and high angle are the most common.
- Zoom outs are used within wide shots.
-Wide shots are used often.
Common Mis-en-scene (CLAMPS)
- The costumes are elaborate and detailed.
- The lighting is usually begins dark and progressively gets lighter as the movie progresses.
- The makeup is minimal in order to make it seem more realistic.
- The props are usually hand props like guns or swords.
- The setting is usually somewhere historic or monumental.
Common Editing
- Most of the editing is special editing. This helps make the movie visually appealing and allows for even brighter colors.
Elements
- Some elements include high energy, fights, and continuous motion.
Example films
- A few famous examples are Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Gladiator.
Common Sounds
- The sound is dramatic and most of the time made to sound heavy.
What elements do I like
- I like the element of special editing. Many epic movies use special effects to portray things that could not be shown otherwise.
What elements do I not like
- I do not like the length of epic movies. This element is negative because epic movies often are over three hours long.
Drama Genre:
Common Camera Angles (CAMS)
- Birds eye and eye level are the most common.
- There is little camera movement, but if any usually a pan or tilt.
-Medium shots and extreme close up are used.
Common Mis-en-scene (CLAMPS)
- The costumes are used to accentuate the theme and the characters' personality.
- The lighting is usually dark and realistic.
- The makeup is minimal in order to make it seem more realistic.
- The props are minimal because focus should be on actors.
- The setting is usually somewhere with a hidden meaning towards the theme.
Common Editing
- Most of the editing is to enhance the shot while still allowing it to look natural.
Elements
- It usually has a clear pot which highlights the tension or conflict between two individuals or groups.
Example films
- A few famous examples are Titanic, Jaws, and Schindler's List.
Common Sounds
- The sound is usually digetic and belongs in the scene/location.
What elements do I like
-Many drama movies' plots are clear to understand and follow because they are realistic.
What elements do I not like
- I do not like how some drama movies are over exaggerated in order to build tension.
Genre Research Powerpoint
The PowerPoint at the beginning of the year was done by me and my partner Maya. Our genre was Action. We created our PowerPoint using what we had previously learned. We included common lighting, camera angles, movement, mis-en-scene, elements, film examples, sounds, and also what we liked and disliked about the genre. This was a very helpful project as it allowed us to get a feel as to what the genre was. It also helped us look as all of the aspects of the Action Genre. My favorite part about this PowerPoint is looking at the likes and dislikes, because it allows me to realize that every genre has personal pros and cons to it.
Friday, January 17, 2020
Party Gone Wrong
Katelyn and my first pitch is "On the way to the party of her dreams, Rose faces a setback that makes her wish she never went out that night." We like this pitch because we like the backstory it has behind it. It is about a girl that likes to party a lot, and has a partying problem. One night when she is going to the party that is said to be "the best party of the year", her car breaks down. It leaves the audience wondering, did someone do something to her car? Or was she just having car problems? Besides that, there is no signal in the area, so she is stranded. A van stops next to her, and while she thinks they are there to help her, they end up taking her. The introduction of the film will end with her being put into the van. This leaves the viewers wondering who took her, why her car broke down, and who would want to kidnap her. It also leaves them wondering if it is someone who has a personal vendetta against her, or a complete stranger.
Our second pitch is "The plan is almost completed when Blake hitches a ride in Rose's car, yet her dreams are crushed through his actions." This is our other pitch, and we like it because it will show both perspectives. The hitchhiker, Blake, and the main character, Rose, who likes to party a lot. Our first and second pitch are sort of similar, but both lead to completely different endings. This pitch allows for us to film Rose's perspective. Her point of view would be her getting ready for the party, and on the way to the party she encounters a hitchhiker. She allows him to ride with her, as he would like to go to the local Walmart. Or so she thought. From Blake's point of view, we will be able to view all of his thoughts. Before he asked Rose for a ride, he was planning his way to kidnap her. He had a very thought out process. Through this introduction, we will be able to see both perspectives, giving the viewers a peek at both sides of the characters.
Finally, Katelyn and I decided on a pitch. We chose pitch 1 due to many reasons. One of them is because it has a better and more detailed backstory. There is more information added to this introduction. We believe it is also easier to film. The second pitch may be too complicated to film, and the first pitch seems easier. However, we are not only choosing pitch 1 because it is easier. We are also choosing it because pitch 2 would become confusing. Between switching back and forth with both perspectives, the view may get lost in the process. Pitch 1 has a more flowing plot line, resulting in a smoother film.
Our second pitch is "The plan is almost completed when Blake hitches a ride in Rose's car, yet her dreams are crushed through his actions." This is our other pitch, and we like it because it will show both perspectives. The hitchhiker, Blake, and the main character, Rose, who likes to party a lot. Our first and second pitch are sort of similar, but both lead to completely different endings. This pitch allows for us to film Rose's perspective. Her point of view would be her getting ready for the party, and on the way to the party she encounters a hitchhiker. She allows him to ride with her, as he would like to go to the local Walmart. Or so she thought. From Blake's point of view, we will be able to view all of his thoughts. Before he asked Rose for a ride, he was planning his way to kidnap her. He had a very thought out process. Through this introduction, we will be able to see both perspectives, giving the viewers a peek at both sides of the characters.
Finally, Katelyn and I decided on a pitch. We chose pitch 1 due to many reasons. One of them is because it has a better and more detailed backstory. There is more information added to this introduction. We believe it is also easier to film. The second pitch may be too complicated to film, and the first pitch seems easier. However, we are not only choosing pitch 1 because it is easier. We are also choosing it because pitch 2 would become confusing. Between switching back and forth with both perspectives, the view may get lost in the process. Pitch 1 has a more flowing plot line, resulting in a smoother film.
Starting the Final Task
I am Maya Silverberg. I am a sophomore. I currently attend Fort Lauderdale High School. I have been attending this school since freshman year. I have decided to work with Katelyn for the final task. This is for numerous reasons. These reasons are mainly related to the fact that we work well together and both have a hard working mindset. Katelyn is very good at shooting the takes and setting up the camera. Whereas, I am stronger at the storyboarding and editing process. Thus, Katelyn and my strengths benefit each other well which leads us to a strong final project.
I have learned numerous critical lessons throughout this class. To initiate, I learned the importance of angels when shooting. This was learned through my very first project, filming a commercial. In addition, I have learned the effect lighting has on a shot. Previously, I was not aware that the lighting could change the mood. For example, I now know that dark lighting can make the audience feel frightened. On the other hand, lots of lighting can cause the audience to feel happy/bright. Personally, I believe the biggest lesson I learned is that actors really effect the product. To explain, in the commercial I made some of our classmates (actors) laughed which brought down the quality of our product. Thus, Katelyn and I acted in our own video for the music video and will do the same for the final task.
There are many different types of pitches. I learned about an elevator pitch, which is one sentence about 25 word summing up the beginning, middle, and end of your idea.
1. On the way to the party of her dreams, Rose faces a setback that makes her wish she never went out that night.
2. The plan is almost completed when Blake hitches a ride in Rose's car, yet her dreams are crushed through his actions.
3. A party turns bad with a simple text which leads to the fifth killing in Pinksville, a city that has never faced crime.
I have learned numerous critical lessons throughout this class. To initiate, I learned the importance of angels when shooting. This was learned through my very first project, filming a commercial. In addition, I have learned the effect lighting has on a shot. Previously, I was not aware that the lighting could change the mood. For example, I now know that dark lighting can make the audience feel frightened. On the other hand, lots of lighting can cause the audience to feel happy/bright. Personally, I believe the biggest lesson I learned is that actors really effect the product. To explain, in the commercial I made some of our classmates (actors) laughed which brought down the quality of our product. Thus, Katelyn and I acted in our own video for the music video and will do the same for the final task.
There are many different types of pitches. I learned about an elevator pitch, which is one sentence about 25 word summing up the beginning, middle, and end of your idea.
1. On the way to the party of her dreams, Rose faces a setback that makes her wish she never went out that night.
2. The plan is almost completed when Blake hitches a ride in Rose's car, yet her dreams are crushed through his actions.
3. A party turns bad with a simple text which leads to the fifth killing in Pinksville, a city that has never faced crime.
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Editing for Music Video
Katelyn and I have been editing for our music video over the past few days. However, we are not done yet. The editing has been rather smooth with only a few minor complications. These complications were mostly the transitions between shots/scenes. The other difficulty was lining up the music with the desired shot. This is because it took many tries to make sure we had it perfect. Then, when we added transitions the music would shift. Thus, we would have to go back and reline it up. Overall, this consumed a lot of our time editing which was quite frustrating. If I had to redo this I would add the transitions before lining the shot up with the music.
To initiate, the first step Katelyn and I took in editing was downloading the music. We made sure to download it as a MP3 and not a MP4. This is because last time Katelyn and I added music to our commercial as a MP4 it would not export. Next, we imported all our takes which took quite a lot of time. We had 81 takes from our one day of filming. I thought the part of selecting which take we wanted to use would be easy. However, I was wrong as there was such small differences between takes. Katelyn and I had to watch each take multiple times in order to choose which take we wanted to use. Sometimes, Katelyn and I would have different opinions so we would have to go back and compromise. The positive part is that we both were able to agree after discussing why we preferred our chosen take.
Furthermore, Katelyn and I have edited about half of our music video in the past two days. This is a bit slower than I expected, but I still believe Katelyn and I can finish on time. The mistake we made which took a lot of time was waiting to add the transitions. This means Katelyn and I chose about 10 takes we wanted to use. We trimmed them to a-line with the music. But, when we went back to add transitions Katelyn and I had to re-a-line all the shots. At the very end of class we watched our music video so far. I believe that there are still a few tweaks which are needed. The music video as a whole is smooth and has a strong story line. Once again, I am happy to be able to say Katelyn and I work well together. I am excited to finish editing the music video.
To initiate, the first step Katelyn and I took in editing was downloading the music. We made sure to download it as a MP3 and not a MP4. This is because last time Katelyn and I added music to our commercial as a MP4 it would not export. Next, we imported all our takes which took quite a lot of time. We had 81 takes from our one day of filming. I thought the part of selecting which take we wanted to use would be easy. However, I was wrong as there was such small differences between takes. Katelyn and I had to watch each take multiple times in order to choose which take we wanted to use. Sometimes, Katelyn and I would have different opinions so we would have to go back and compromise. The positive part is that we both were able to agree after discussing why we preferred our chosen take.
Furthermore, Katelyn and I have edited about half of our music video in the past two days. This is a bit slower than I expected, but I still believe Katelyn and I can finish on time. The mistake we made which took a lot of time was waiting to add the transitions. This means Katelyn and I chose about 10 takes we wanted to use. We trimmed them to a-line with the music. But, when we went back to add transitions Katelyn and I had to re-a-line all the shots. At the very end of class we watched our music video so far. I believe that there are still a few tweaks which are needed. The music video as a whole is smooth and has a strong story line. Once again, I am happy to be able to say Katelyn and I work well together. I am excited to finish editing the music video.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Filming the Music Video Reflection
Katelyn and I filmed on November 23 and 24. This filming was for the music video on "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande. As stated in the previous blog, Katelyn and I filmed at the beach and at my house. The filming went smoothly and was successful overall. Thus, there was no need to re-film this past break. This is due to the fact that Katelyn and I felt confident with the shots we have. We were able to feel this as we looked over our shots after filming. I am lucky that the filming was smooth because I have had a busy break and upcoming week. To explain, over break I went to Boston and celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. Also, this upcoming week I have track practice every single day for a few hours after school. Overall, Katelyn and I prepared before our filming so we did not have to film over this past break.
To add, filming early was smart. Unlike numerous groups who filmed this past break. The majority of groups checked out cameras, SD cards, and tripods over the past break. Therefore, leading to a shortage of tripods. By the time my classmates and I had AICE Media, there were no tripods available. This meant if Katelyn and I had waited we would have had no tripod. Hence, it would have created a problem as Katelyn and I truly benefited from the use of the tripod. We benefited as it allowed us to get steady shots and film high angels easier. Katelyn is rather short and I am average height. Henceforth, the only other way we could have filmed high angels without the tripod would be standing on a chair. This would be an unneeded danger to both of our safety.
To sum up, I am excited to start the editing process with Katelyn for multiple reasons. For instance, the editing process will allow for Katelyn to work together and make rather difficult decisions. Furthermore, this process will allow for Katelyn and me to see how our music video developed from a plan to storyboard to final product. Also, it will give us an opportunity to truly examine how our filming abilities have increased from the commercial to now. To explain, I believe our filming is better as our takes are longer. We did this because last time when editing our commercial we could not use some takes due to their short length. This time around, Katelyn and I made sure each take was extra long. This filming process was successful in my opinion.
To add, filming early was smart. Unlike numerous groups who filmed this past break. The majority of groups checked out cameras, SD cards, and tripods over the past break. Therefore, leading to a shortage of tripods. By the time my classmates and I had AICE Media, there were no tripods available. This meant if Katelyn and I had waited we would have had no tripod. Hence, it would have created a problem as Katelyn and I truly benefited from the use of the tripod. We benefited as it allowed us to get steady shots and film high angels easier. Katelyn is rather short and I am average height. Henceforth, the only other way we could have filmed high angels without the tripod would be standing on a chair. This would be an unneeded danger to both of our safety.
To sum up, I am excited to start the editing process with Katelyn for multiple reasons. For instance, the editing process will allow for Katelyn to work together and make rather difficult decisions. Furthermore, this process will allow for Katelyn and me to see how our music video developed from a plan to storyboard to final product. Also, it will give us an opportunity to truly examine how our filming abilities have increased from the commercial to now. To explain, I believe our filming is better as our takes are longer. We did this because last time when editing our commercial we could not use some takes due to their short length. This time around, Katelyn and I made sure each take was extra long. This filming process was successful in my opinion.
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