Sunday, 14 October 2012
Paragraph Re-Write
The following close-up two shot of the two siginifies the intensity and tension of the situation, highlighting the friction caused by the differences of the two opposing sexualities, and during this section, the camera follows the heterosexual man throughout, showing his power over her due to his more commonly accepted sexuality, presumably made stronger by his conformative masculine power and strength due to his heterosexuality.
Monday, 8 October 2012
New Media Terminology
Analytical/Narrative/General/Mise en Scene
Censorship – Control over the content of a media text – sometimes by the government, but usually by a regulatory body like the British Board of Film censors. This can often cause a lot of tension and frustration when some films receive what the main audience of the product may assume to be unnecessary censorship or when films that people think require it do not receive it.
Consumer – purchaser, listener, viewer or reader of media products.
Conventions – the widely recognised way of doing things in particular genre.
Code – a sign or convention through which the media communicates meaning to us because we have learned to read it.
Technical codes – all to do with the way a text is technically constructed – camera angles, framing, typography, lighting etc.
Visual codes – codes that are decoded on a mainly connotational level – things that draw on our experience and understanding of other media texts, this includes Iconography.
Iconography – concerned with the use of visual images and how they trigger the audiences expectations of a particular genre, such as a knife in slasher horror films.
Indexical sign – a sign which has a direct relationship with something it signifies, such as smoke signifies fire.
Post Modernism – Anything that challenges the traditional way of doing things, rejecting boundaries between high and low forms of art, rejecting rigid genre distinctions, emphasizing pastiche, parody, intertextuality, irony, and playfulness. Postmodernism favours reflexivity and self-consciousness, fragmentation and discontinuity (especially in narrative structures), ambiguity, simultaneity, and an emphasis on the destructured, decentered, dehumanized subjects. There are many examples of this, such as post apocalyptic tales 'The Road', 'Dredd' or modern phycological dystopian 'Fight Club'.
Hegemony – Traditionally this describes the predominance of one social class over another, in media terms this is how the controllers of the media may use the media to pursue their own political interest (such as in the Hillsborough disaster, also used in the film 'Spartacus').
Catharsis – the idea that violent and and sexual content in media texts serves the function of releasing ‘pent up’ tension aggression/desire in audiences. eg. it could be argued that the later part of the Primeval clip we watched in class could contain elements of catharsis when the woman is victimised and thrown onto the floor.
Ideology – A set of ideas or beliefs which are held to be acceptable by the creators of the media text, maybe in line with those of the dominant ruling social groups in society, or alternative ideologies such as feminist ideology.
Preferred Reading - the interpretation of a media product that was intended by the maker or which is dictated by the ideology of the society in which it is viewed.
Oppositional Reading – an interpretation of a text by a reader whose social position puts them into direct conflict with its preferred reading.
Negotiated Reading – the ‘compromise’ that is reached between the preferred reading offered by a text and the reader’s own assumptions and interpretations
Hypodermic Needle Theory – the idea that the media can ‘inject’ ideas and messages straight into the passive audience. This passive audience is immediately affected by these messages. Used in advertising and propoganda, led to moral panics about effect of violent video and computer games.
Hypodermic Needle Theory – the idea that the media can ‘inject’ ideas and messages straight into the passive audience. This passive audience is immediately affected by these messages. Used in advertising and propoganda, led to moral panics about effect of violent video and computer games.
Enigma – A question in a text that is not immediately answered and creates interest for the audience – a puzzle that the audience has to solve.
Narrative code – The way a story is put together within a text, traditionally equilibrium- disequilibrium, new equilibrium, but some text are fractured or non liner, eg Pulp Fiction, 500 Days of Summer.
Gaze – the idea that the way we look at something, and the way somebody looks at you, is structured by the way we view the world. Feminists may view a film set in Elizabethan times differently to the way a Machist would view it.
Intertextuality – the idea that within popular culture producers borrow other texts to create interest to the audience who like to share the ‘in’ joke. Often used in shows like The Simpsons or Big Bang Theory.
Rule of Thirds - placing the subject of the shot on one of the 'thirds' of the frame.
Editing
Multi-media – computer technology that allows text, sound, graphic and video images to be combined into one programme.
Multi-media – computer technology that allows text, sound, graphic and video images to be combined into one programme.
SFX – special effects or devices to create visual illusions.
Montage – putting together of visual images to form a sequence.
Continuity Editing -creates action that flows smoothly across shots and scenes without jarring visual inconsistencies. Establishes a sense of story for the viewer.
Errors of Continuity - disruptions in the flow of a scene, such as a failure to match action or the placement of props across shots.
Cross Cutting - cutting back and forth quickly between two or more lines of action, indicating they are happening simultaneously.
Eyeline Match - matching of eyelines between two or more characters. For example, if Sam looks to the right in shot A, Jean will look to the left in shot B.
Jump Cut - creates a lack of continuity by leaving out parts of the action.
Matched Cut - joining two shots whose compositional elements match, helping to establish strong continuity of action.
Sequence Shot - a long take that extends for an entire scene or sequence. It is composed of only one shot with no editing.
Shot Reverse Shot Cutting - usually used for conversation scenes, this technique alternates between over-the-shoulder shots showing each character speaking.
Sound/Sound Relationships
Ambient Audio - background noise present in a scene or recording location.
Sound Effects - added to film in post-production, they may be used to build up ambience or reinforce action.
Sound Effects - added to film in post-production, they may be used to build up ambience or reinforce action.
Empathetic sound - music or sound effects whose mood matches the mood of the action
Sound Bridge - Film and TV editing technique in which visual cuts are deliberately not matched with audio cuts. For example, the editor may cut to a completely new scene, but allow sound from the preceding scene to run on for a short time. Alternatively, we may hear the sound of the next scene before we see it.
Asynchronous Sound - does not appear to arise directly from the scene, such as soundtrack music or voiceover .
Synchronous Sound - directly matched to a moving image. The term is used in two ways in different sources:
Contrapuntal Sound - does not easily match the images they are accompanying, or even go against them. This can have a disorientating effect upon the audience and make them question what they are seeing.
Camera Shots/Camera Movement
Two Shot - a shot which includes two characters.
Extreme Close up - can sometimes be used to create discomfort in the audience or reflect this from the character. Can sometimes be a POV shot.
Tracking Shot - the camera moves backwards of forwards, towards or away from the subject of the shot.
Sideways Tracking Shot/Crab Shot - camera moves sideways, following the the subject.
Tilt Shot - up and down movement, can sometimes be POV of someone first seeing someone/something.
Zoom - the camera closes in on or zoom away from the subject, when used properly can be used to imitate a tracking shot.
Arc Shot - the camera moves in a full or semi-circle around the subject.
Crane Shot - the camera is lifted up on a crane in order to create vertical movement.
Panning - The camera, whilst in a locked position, turns left and right. Can sometimes be a POV shot also.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Essay Re-write
The start of the clip has the audience following a group of four men as they follow behind whom appears to be a guard. The fact that the camera and therefore the narrative itself follows this entourage immediately picks them out as key roles in the story, meaning that we are therefore more likely to sympathise with these characters, and as they are shown in lesser clothing and following behind a guard, also immediately highlights them as being of a lower class.
When the shots of the upper and lower classes are edited together, there is a notable difference in camera shots. Low angle shots are used recurringly when in the presence of the mobility, showing them on a balcony over viewing the arena, placing them literally above everyone else. These shots differ to be oppositional high angle shots looking down on the lower class men, most often in the fight scene when high and low angle shots are used to a further degree to show who has the most power at that specific time in the fight and whom is more likely to win, most obvious when the man with the trident is shown through a low angle shot from the point of view of the protagonist, when he is pinned down. This shows a varying degree of power even within the classes. The audience react more emotionally to this as the small amount that we did spectate of the previous fight was simply focalised through the protagonist, intimate close ups that contrast to the mid shot of the other man helping us to identify with him, placing us on the same level as the protagonist, and helping us to sympathise with him as the lowest of even the lowest class, therefore making us also fear and hate the upper class nobility.
Also, their immediate surroundings at the beginning of the clip, although a dirty, common area in muted colours much as they are shown, does differ from them slightly as they wear simple green/grey rags, differentiating them from their fellow man, all of whom wear yellow/brown colours; even the guards, whom could be considered to mindless slaves wear these colours, again picking out the group to be considered lower than even the lowest classes. When we first see the upper class, the differences between them and the previously shown lower class become extremely obvious: not only are upper class dressed in light weight, bright and golden embroidered clothing, but are also surrounded by red and regal draping material, juxtaposed completely with the heavy dark imagery now associated with the men of the lowest class, now enclosed in a dank, rotting wooden enclosure like animals.
During the fight, the man with the trident, seemingly the current antagonist as he is the immediate danger/enemy that our protagonist must overcome, however he subverts the typical hero/villain archetype, showing us that the upper class are in fact the real enemy as they sit and eagerly await the death and bloodshed of our protagonist. This is shown most clearly when the man in white, a pure and noble colour often associated with kings and queens, kills the man at his feet, despite his tremendous amount of courage of determination still dying as any 'commoner' should; at the feet as those 'higher' than he. This man of whom was previously was shown at the top of the inner hierarchy of the lower class is now shown helplessly clinging to the edge of power, where the man in white sits easily above him, his 'armour' now simply degrading items in comparison to the power and viciousness of the upper class man.
As they entered the waiting chamber earlier on in the clip, we can hear deep music that slowly builds up, building the expectations of an imposing climax, also anaphorically referenced later during the fight, each exchanged blow accentuated with mini crescendo. This is most notably hinted at by the increasing recurrence of the rolling drum beat, which when played with the trumpets, as in the clip, also hint at a regal formality, alerting the audience to the fact that these are no mere prisoners, but part of something cold and calculated of the upper classes, this also added to by the sporadic and discorded sound of the piano, representing the fear and tension the men feel, knowing that they are going to their death sentences for the simple pleasure of those born into nobility.
The trumpets again appear in a later climax when the noble man kills the man with the trident, drawn out, deep tones emanating form the trumpets, seemingly a villainous leitmotif for the antagonist, picking him out specifically and placing him above everyone, placing him at the top of the hierarchy, even within the aristocracy in which he resides.
Earlier on in the clip, when they entered the waiting chamber before the fights, some voices of the upper class are edited over, the meagre troubles of the nobility starkly contrasting the life threatening predicament the men now face. There are also some shots edited in of the nobility, so the scene cuts back and forth between the two groups, contrasting shots paired together to show the complete opposition of the two classes. (insufficient notes to complete section.)
When the shots of the upper and lower classes are edited together, there is a notable difference in camera shots. Low angle shots are used recurringly when in the presence of the mobility, showing them on a balcony over viewing the arena, placing them literally above everyone else. These shots differ to be oppositional high angle shots looking down on the lower class men, most often in the fight scene when high and low angle shots are used to a further degree to show who has the most power at that specific time in the fight and whom is more likely to win, most obvious when the man with the trident is shown through a low angle shot from the point of view of the protagonist, when he is pinned down. This shows a varying degree of power even within the classes. The audience react more emotionally to this as the small amount that we did spectate of the previous fight was simply focalised through the protagonist, intimate close ups that contrast to the mid shot of the other man helping us to identify with him, placing us on the same level as the protagonist, and helping us to sympathise with him as the lowest of even the lowest class, therefore making us also fear and hate the upper class nobility.
Also, their immediate surroundings at the beginning of the clip, although a dirty, common area in muted colours much as they are shown, does differ from them slightly as they wear simple green/grey rags, differentiating them from their fellow man, all of whom wear yellow/brown colours; even the guards, whom could be considered to mindless slaves wear these colours, again picking out the group to be considered lower than even the lowest classes. When we first see the upper class, the differences between them and the previously shown lower class become extremely obvious: not only are upper class dressed in light weight, bright and golden embroidered clothing, but are also surrounded by red and regal draping material, juxtaposed completely with the heavy dark imagery now associated with the men of the lowest class, now enclosed in a dank, rotting wooden enclosure like animals.
During the fight, the man with the trident, seemingly the current antagonist as he is the immediate danger/enemy that our protagonist must overcome, however he subverts the typical hero/villain archetype, showing us that the upper class are in fact the real enemy as they sit and eagerly await the death and bloodshed of our protagonist. This is shown most clearly when the man in white, a pure and noble colour often associated with kings and queens, kills the man at his feet, despite his tremendous amount of courage of determination still dying as any 'commoner' should; at the feet as those 'higher' than he. This man of whom was previously was shown at the top of the inner hierarchy of the lower class is now shown helplessly clinging to the edge of power, where the man in white sits easily above him, his 'armour' now simply degrading items in comparison to the power and viciousness of the upper class man.
As they entered the waiting chamber earlier on in the clip, we can hear deep music that slowly builds up, building the expectations of an imposing climax, also anaphorically referenced later during the fight, each exchanged blow accentuated with mini crescendo. This is most notably hinted at by the increasing recurrence of the rolling drum beat, which when played with the trumpets, as in the clip, also hint at a regal formality, alerting the audience to the fact that these are no mere prisoners, but part of something cold and calculated of the upper classes, this also added to by the sporadic and discorded sound of the piano, representing the fear and tension the men feel, knowing that they are going to their death sentences for the simple pleasure of those born into nobility.
The trumpets again appear in a later climax when the noble man kills the man with the trident, drawn out, deep tones emanating form the trumpets, seemingly a villainous leitmotif for the antagonist, picking him out specifically and placing him above everyone, placing him at the top of the hierarchy, even within the aristocracy in which he resides.
Earlier on in the clip, when they entered the waiting chamber before the fights, some voices of the upper class are edited over, the meagre troubles of the nobility starkly contrasting the life threatening predicament the men now face. There are also some shots edited in of the nobility, so the scene cuts back and forth between the two groups, contrasting shots paired together to show the complete opposition of the two classes. (insufficient notes to complete section.)
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Tuesday, 2 October 2012
Preliminary Feedback
1. Do you understand the story line?
18/19 Said Yes
However, the film was viewed twice and from the verbal feedback afterwards many people agreed that the second viewing helped them understand what was going on.
To improve understanding the first time around, we will add a statistic at the beginning about how many people hide behind fake identities online. We will also add in the scene where Alex walks into the cafe as we realised that it had been missed out and would help the story more.
2. Do you think the clips were edited together well and that the film runs smoothly?
13/19 people agreed 'yes' with no comments.
2/19 people agreed 'yes' but with a comment on improvement.
3/19 people said 'no' with comments on improvement.
1/19 people were unsure but gave us a comment.
The main issue everyone had with the editing was the part where Jacob walks up the ramp and into the cafe - the clip jolts almost and doesn't run smoothly. It is also blended weirdly with the clip before it. Another comment was that the part where Jacob's eyes move, after Rosy (that's me:D) leaves was too short.
To improve we will look at the section where Jacob walks in and see what's gone wrong there and make the 'moving eyes' section a bit longer - maybe from side to side instead of in a circle?
3. Do you feel the music fitted the clips?
14/19 people agreed 'yes.'
2/19 people agreed 'no'.
1/19 people said 'there needs to be more'
2/19 people agreed 'partly'
From this question there wasn't much feedback on how to improve. 2 people thought that the music didn't fit the surroundings and 1 person thought that the transitions were a little shaky.
To improve we will fade the music a bit more - we were thinking about this anyway! However, we're not sure about the comments that the type of music wasn't right as we feel it gave the eerie impression that something was going to happen.
4. Do you think the sound effects were effective?
19/19 people agreed 'yes'.
1 person gave us a suggestion - We were told it was very effective at the beginning but harder to decipher later.
To improve, we'll just watch it again and make sure the sound effects are clear but other than that we rocked this question!
5. Do you think the text idea was used appropriately?
18/19 people agreed 'yes.'
1/19 people agreed 'no'.
There were two slight problems with the text, one of which we had already considered and were planning changing. Someone commented that it was hard to read the light text on the against the background and another person suggested we don't make the text bounce as it makes it easier to concentrate if it's still.
To improve we will mess around some more with which colours stand out more on the background, we might make it slightly darker but not too dark. With the problem of the text bouncing, we are going to leave it. This is because the text doesn't bounce too much, it just pops up and it needs to pop up to make it more like an online conversation.
6. Overall, what did you think of our preliminary film?
2/19 people gave us 6/10
3/19 people gave us 7/10
9/19 people gave us 8/10
2/19 people gave us 9/10
2/19 people gave us 10/10
1/19 people gave us 11/10
We will improve by just going through the feedback and adjusting certain things, fine tuning the film.
Preliminary Group Roles
Tash Bentley : Project Manager
Alex Haley : Director
Rosy Armitage : Editor
Liberty Shaw : Camera Women
However, we all helped each other out with the roles and gave our contribution.
Alex Haley : Director
Rosy Armitage : Editor
Liberty Shaw : Camera Women
However, we all helped each other out with the roles and gave our contribution.
Preliminary Risk Asessement
In The Cafe:
Wet Floors - Make sure you don't step on wet flooring and if you see a wet floor, clean it up!
Hot Drinks - Be aware of hot drinks around you and if there are any, make sure you don't knock it over.
Tripping Hazards - Bags/chairs and tripods are tripping hazards. If anything is sticking out that could be a hazard, move it. If it can't be moved make sure everyone involved is aware of it.
Outside:
Wet Weather - Because of all the wet weather, outside will be very slippy so be careful not to trip or slip.
Wet Floors - Make sure you don't step on wet flooring and if you see a wet floor, clean it up!
Hot Drinks - Be aware of hot drinks around you and if there are any, make sure you don't knock it over.
Tripping Hazards - Bags/chairs and tripods are tripping hazards. If anything is sticking out that could be a hazard, move it. If it can't be moved make sure everyone involved is aware of it.
Outside:
Wet Weather - Because of all the wet weather, outside will be very slippy so be careful not to trip or slip.
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