Juno task

This task involved reproducing a one minute introduction scene from Juno. We worked in pairs, I played the role of Juno and had to walk in shots, carry a milk carton and wear a red hoodie to try and make it as realistic to the original as possible. Tom did the filming and had to make sure the frames were correct (for example he had to be the correct distance away to fit everything in the shot) he also had to show skills of panning and following with the camera.


You are editing your own footage, how did the filming go?
The filming went well overall. We repeated shots which to not go right the first time to give us the best outcome.

Was your storyboard accurate?
I believe our storyboard was accurate and gave us a good indication of how each shot should look and how long it should last. We watched the original video and timed the length of each shot and recorded it on our storyboard so we had the correct timings written down when we went out to film. We drew accurate drawings in colour to indicate how each shot should look and gave us details such as the red hoodie. We wrote necessary descriptions and keywords for each shot and transitions to give us more information about the filming. To improve our video we should include more description onto the storyboard because this was the reason behind a few inaccuracies.

What were your strengths and weaknesses in the group?
We completed the task within the time allocated which showed we worked well and efficiently as a team. However I believe we did not spend enough time planning. I do not think there was good enough communication on how we were going to plan each shot.

Did you get all the footage you wanted?
We recorded all of the footage we had set out to. We did retakes when we could not get some scenes to the standard we wanted. I think we should have taken two of three takes of each shot in order to create a more accurate video. We could have chosen the best one from each scene and put them altogether to make sure the timings fit the original video.

What technical skills - camera and premiere - did you learn?
Overall I became more confident with using Premiere. I became more familiar with editing my video clips, such as speeding up or slowing them down to fit the timeframe or to make the overall video more accurate. I also became better at using effects, including transitions to make my video run smoothly.
I also learnt about how the panning of the camera or keeping it stationary and how these affected the mood or atmosphere of the shot.

How does it compare to the original?
The video we created is 5 seconds shorter than the original Juno video meaning that ours is faster and therefore inaccurate. some of our shots are incorrect- sometimes we got the panning or the framing wrong. This was due to lack of attention to detail, planning and precision.

What went well - What I learnt - What I will take with me to the next production...
I believe the editing/ cutting of the videos went well because we filmed a lot more than what is actually shown in our final video. This included the ability to chop the shots where needed to make the video flow and more alike the original. (I kept in the best footage but cut out the seconds we did not need.) I think our video was reasonably accurate due to using the large drinks carton and the symbolic red hoodie.

I learnt that sometimes the shortest length shots can take the longest to film because it is had to get them accurate and hot we wanted. for example, we took many re-takes of the few second shot when Juno is standing on the edge of a pathway taking a drink from the carton and looking out across the road. This took a while because we struggled to get the framing right, which included where I stood in the shot and at what time tom had to zoom the shot out. I found the re-taking shots is an important part of filming. I leant to focus on the framing next time and identify how close the main object should be to the camera. I also learnt to observe the surroundings before filming in order to not catch people in the background of the shot when not needed. Another important part of filming we learnt is to clan the lens beforehand in order to create sharper and clearer videos.

To wrap up my Juno task evaluation, I will take with me the skills I learnt when using Premiere software and the video cameras to ensure more success when on a filming task in the future.

Mise en Scene

Mise-en- Scene

This is about what the audience can see in the scene. It is information in FRONT of the camera for the audience to help them work out what is going on.

It is made up of 5 elements:

1. Setting & props

2. Costume, hair & make up

3. Facial expressions & body language

4. Lighting & colour

5. Positioning of characters/objects within the frame

Types of Lighting:

Low Key lighting- This is created using only the key and back lights. It produces sharp contrasts of light and dark areas. deep distinct shadow silhouettes are formed. this type of lighting is used in a horror film.

High Key Lighting- More filler lights are used. Lighting is natural and realistic to our eyes. It produces brightly lit sets of a sunny day which are mostly seen in romantic comedies.

Mise en Scene of this photograph:



This is a photograph of James Bond from a scene in 'Skyfall'. The photo is set in London, we can tell this from Big Ben shown in the background. This is an example of  iconography. In front of Big Ben but behind the character, the area is filled with old fashioned looking buildings. This makes it look like he is looking out over the old back streets of London and away form the bustling city. In the distance, tall flags are shown flying high above the buildings. This shows that the buildings have something to do with many different nationalities which make them appear important. It also could relate to his role of a spy where he travels to many different countries all over the world.

James Bond is wearing a black coat and black trousers. This colour makes him look mysterious

This lighting in this photo is neither bright or dark. It uses natural daylight but looks as if it is morning because it is brighter in the distance meaning the sun is coming up. The fact that is brighter over the inner city but darker in the foreground where Bond is looking over the old buildings also adds to the mystery and tension. It  could also imply that he is involved in some dark things. There is not any bright colours shown in this photo apart from the British flag which is shown in 

You cannot see his face because he has his back to the camera. this adds to the mystery of his character. He is standing with his hands in his pockets and his legs shoulder-width apart. This stance makes him appear confident.



Narrative

Claude Levi-Strauss- Binary opposition 

He believes that there has to be conflict between two opposing ideologies (beliefs)for there to be a true narrative.   

For example, good vs. bad is a form of a binary opposition.

Tzvetan Todorav devised a way of analysing narratives by the way they move through five different stages. The first is the 'equilibrium' which is about the setting being established to the audience. the second is when the story takes a particular direction, which is called the 'disruption'.  The 'recognition of disruption' is the next stage where characters and events are interwoven. The fourth stage called the 'attempt to repair disruption' is where the characters try to solve the issue. the final stage is where is where matters are sorted out, problems are solved and questions are answered. This is called the 'reinstatement of equilibrium'.

Short animated Pixar film: "Partly Cloudy"

1) Equilibrium: Stalks are happily delivering babies made by happy clouds.

2) Disruption: The cloud is sad because he can only create babies which are harmful to the stalk.

3) Recognition of disruption: The stalk leaves the cloud and he sees other clouds who are happier and can create fluffy animals. The main cloud gets angry and upset by this which means he creates a storm of lightning and rain.

4) Attempt to repair: The stalk gets protective gear from another cloud (a helmet and body armour).

5) Reinstatement of equilibrium: The problem has been solved so the stalk and cloud are both happy again.

Vladimir Propp

Valdimir Propp suggested that there are only ever a limited number of character types, each of whom have their own purpose in the narrative.

The Hero is who the narrative is centred around and the audience follows him on a mission or quest.


The heroine/princess acts as a reward for the hero for succeeding in the mission or quest. 

• The princesses father

• Villain

• Donor or mentor

• Helper

Film Pitch- The Toy Company

The Toy Company

This is a PowerPoint about our film we created. It explains in detail who and why we chose each character, the plot and how we will market it.

The film genre we were allocated was 'Childrens' which meant we had to produce a film which would appeal to and be suitable for children. This genre would also apply for families.

I think we worked well as a team because



The audience from our pitch said that...
MORE EVALUATION

Video trailer analysis homework

Oculus: This film was set in America (identified through the accents) and in the present day.This is a thriller/ horror film because the film is associated with ghosts, the devil and the paranormal. The film is mostly all set inside a house. One scene was shot outside towards the beginning showing no particular signs of it being a horror film.
The main icon in this film is the mirror. It is something which is considered a normal everyday object but in this case it is associated with evil and tears a family apart which makes the film terrifying and unpredictable. 

In the story, a young family move into new house but the two main characters want to find out the truth behind the deaths of their mother and father.

The Guest: This is a thriller/ action film set in America in the present day.

A Man called David comes to protect the family who is a friend of their son who died at war.

The Vow: This is a romance film. Love is shown between the two main characters.

Icon- car crash

Man and woman in love, married

This is an emotional film 
The main icon in this film is the marriage between the two characacters becasue it represents how strong their love is for each other. Woman forgets who she is and everyone around her due to a car crash

Guardians of the Galaxy: This is a science-fiction film. We know this because it is set in space and has a futuristic look to it. 

Star lord one of the main characters which we know because he was in the shot for longer than other characters

Two characters were seperated and of a higher authority than the others. They were judging them showing they were main characters. 

DISTINCT: analysing media

Define
In detail
Setting
Theme
Icons
Narrative
Characters
Textual analysis

This acronym will help me greatly when achieving a top grade analysis.

Genre picture task

Genre

Films each fall into a genre category which shows what type of film it is. In a shop, for example HMV would organize their films into the different genres. Genre is all about the audience's expectations. If the film does not live up to the audiences expectations then they will be disappointed and the film will not be a success.

Horror:

This is a photograph we took to represent a horror genre. We used low key lighting (the light is coming from behind). This photo went well because we made it look scary. The darkness of the picture make it look eerie/creepy. The character is dressed all in black and has her hood up which gives a sense of mystery and suspense. 

The photo looks creepy because it looks like the girl is hiding because you can only see half of her body and face. But it could also show that she watching whoever she may be following.  Her eyes look really dark giving her a look of evil. This is also due to the only light shining on her is from above/behind her. The camera shot was taken in the mirror so you are able to see the reflection of the girl and the audience can identify that it was taken in a toilet. 

Romantic-comedy:

This photo went well because we made it brighter to make the colours more vibrant. This is high-key lighting which is often used for romantic comedies. This photo represents love because the two characters are holding hands which is an affectionate gesture. This romance is expected by the audience for this type of film. 

The background of luscious leaves and flowers makes the photo look happy due to the bright colours. The fresh plant-life could also represent that they are a modern, young couple. The photo was taken at a close angle which can show that the two characters have a close relationship. 

Action:

This photo went well because it expresses an action film well. The action of crawling under cars makes it look like the character is on a mission, for example trying to get somewhere without being seen. There is not much to be seen in the photo, the black underneath of the car and the groud take up most of it. This represents a sense of mystery or tension because the audience do not know what to expect. This photo uses low key lighting- there is a clear contrast between the dark and tight tones and there is no light coming from in front or above. The character is wearing a simple hoodie which makes her look young of just like an ordinary person and the action related to this film is not to do with her job. It shows that she could have been caught up in something which is what makes the storyline unexpected.

Comedy:

This photo was not as successful because it does not represent a comedy well enough. We used high key lighting to show make the colours look brighter and stand out which gives the photo a sense of happiness and humour. It looks as if the character is trying to climb a fence into an area where she shouldn't go. She has an expression of laughter and confusion which makes it look like something in the film could go horribly wrong as she does not know what she is doing. The dominance of the bright yellow colour gives the photo an eye-catching appearance which will attract people to the film.

Science-Fiction:

This photograph is appropriate for a sci-fi film because it looks slightly strange and could relate to something to do with aliens or futuristic. The photo is of a human eye which has been edited to make it look as if there are two iris' in one. This relates to an alien film because aliens are often thought to only have one eye. High-key lighting has been used- there is light coming from above which can be seen from the light bouncing off the eye. Low-key lighting has also been used- a dark sillouhette can be seen reflecting in the eye which gives the photo a sense of mystery.

Denotations/Connotations of film poster 'Hot Fuzz'

Semiotics

The denotations of this image are two male faces at a close up angle. They are both wearing a uniform and aviator sunglasses. The logo of the British police force is incorporated into the title 'Hot Fuzz'. These factors give a connotation of the men being police officers. The man who is closest to the camera has a stern expression on his face which gives his a look of power and importance. Whereas the man behind his shoulder contradicts his stern image because he has a look of confusion due to the lines on his forehead and his mouth being open. This also gives the image a sense of humour. The dark appearance of the image makes it look mysterious and intense.

Denotations/Connotations of the opening scene of 'skyfall'

This is a fast action scene which is identified by the fast movement of the vehicle and the shooting at the end. The car gets faster as the scene goes on making it appear more tense. The denotations of the scene is a man getting into a jeep and a woman in the drivers seat. The connotations of the man is that he looks important and on a mission because he is wearing smart clothes and has an earpiece which also shows that he is a secret agent.

At the beginning it is dark inside and he is holding up a gun whereas when he goes outside, he puts away his gun and it is very bright. this could be due to be him being open to the public eye so he can be seen easily whereas when he's hiding away in the dark he cannot be seen because of the light and the emptiness of the house. The darkness could relate to death, mystery and creates suspense. Whereas the brightness of daytime makes me think of a lively happy atmosphere.

The area looks like a well-known city because there are lots of people. However it does not look very tourist based, it looks traditional because of the fruit stands, tucked away back roads and the look of the buildings.This makes it look like he is on an international mission.

The two characters sitting in the car come across as work colleagues because it does not look like there is any intimate connection between them. They do not make eye contact or show any emotions through facial expressions towards each other.