Sunday 1 December 2013

research and planning - sound: the art of foleying



http://artinspired.pbworks.com Soundtracks


http://www.collegehumor.com/video/6525516/toy-warfare-music-video


a source for copyright free sounds http://www.findsounds.com/types.html

REMEMBER: YOU CAN ONLY USE ORIGINAL OR COPYRIGHT FREE SOUND OF ANY TYPE

planning my film: lighting

this is a good clear video about lighting for film noir - we will look at it  and gain some ideas on how - you need to capture still shots that illustrate the ideas you want to emulate

The Basics of Lighting for Film Noir from FilmmakerIQ.com on Vimeo.

research and planning - joining the dots

The driving question this week is:
What is my narrative & how to what extent do i want to make it meet, amplify and challenge the codes and conventions of the Film Noir Genre.

On Monday we will discuss the difference between the Narrative STORY and the narrative PLOT. and why this is important to consider


We will also view The Procrastinators continuity task and give feedback

On Wednesday  we need to start to create your OTS plan = this means deciding on final groups ( I have an idea who would work best together) and the maximum size should be 4

  • we will begin initial ideas for your film and start to storyboard
  • we will also explore job roles and who will be doing what
  • finally  We will also discuss the blogs you are producing and where there are weak
Y13 need to book parents evening appointments













The ten basic rules of film noir from Gonzalo Cordero de Ciria on Vimeo.


Thursday 28 November 2013

Wednesday 20 November 2013

cover for 20th november

sorry guys I have  a horrid cold/flu thing and so no voice, disgusting cough, aches etc - you do not wanna be in a room with me

I have emailed the technician asking him to have all video cameras moved up to CM21 with Ms Moore so you can collect them from there - please continue as planned: filming the continuity task - capture a range of shot types but include the core/complulsory match on action & shot/reverse shot plus the set action

Sam/sam/chris/gerogia/max - i realise you may be prop building etc rather than filming BUT you need to be editing by next lesson so get it done in your own time please

Some blogs are looking excellent - others less os - please do not forget to add evidence of planning and capturing this activity - upload the homework, upload storyboards, upload photographs of you filming etc

Elliot - the link to your blog does not work - please add the url to a comment on this blog

Sunday 10 November 2013

expected A level approach

I have just assessed everyone's posts/blogs - some of you have less than 6 posts. And some of those are unfinished. If it is not made 'live' i cannot mark it - we have covered the following since the course started - (so you should have at least 16 posts):
Expected posts

1.    Summer task: Research into sweded films
2.    The definition of sweded films
3.    Examples of sweded films with comments/analysis/deconstructions
4.    Examples of animatics and or storyboards with analysis
5.    Management of your blog – permissions and settings – 25 posts please / no word verification  invite me
6.    Research and planning: codes and conventions of a film OTS: se7en activities 1-3 & tasks 1-3 – review others powerpoints / deconstruct & micro-essay on Se7en / ditto film of your choice
7.    R&P – codes and conventions:  - look at other students work – set 18th sept
8.    Planning for a sweded film of your own / make a sweded film and upload it / analyse the result
9.    identifying the conventions of an OTS
10. identifying the conventions of film noir
11. analysing OTS : Double Indemnity / Sin City / Psycho / other of your own choice – after watching the films’ OTS identify & provide a detailed analysis showing understanding of how they meet/break:
a.    The conventions of a film noir
b.    The conventions of OTS
c.    Representations of character
d.    Editing techniques
12. Research: creating representations create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noir style
13. Genre theory classwork:  mindmaps into genre / hybrid genre / examples of different genres especially linking to film noir – upload photos of sheets OR rewrite in an interactive way – upload examples of different genres – still/clips/films
14. Genre theory: defined the Film Noir Genre on your blog
15. Understanding audience – active / passive / traditionalist / hedonist / post-modern /preferred / oppositional linked to audience / industry . institution – extension ABC1C2DE criterion
16.  understanding narrative theory:  Todorov / propp / levi-strauss / branigan / Cameron… explore the narrative concepts and write what they are in your own words together with examples of films that best represent them, extend with those that break it.
17.  Defining audience: the Buckingham activities and essay.

18. Audience: planning your own – next step

The exam board states that: just writing is not enough - this is an interactive A level: every post should contain academic analysis, illustrations and visual links or examples. A greater variety gains a higher grade. Just text can only gain an E or D grade.

Challenge - you need to catch up - review your own blog and look at those of three others. You have until the end of the week to complete - Mondays lesson will be blogging and Q&A. Wednesday we will do the work in the post below... we are one third through the time allocated for the practical element of the course

research and planning: Audience

Challenge: you need to present a structured 'picture' of your target audience using recognised / valid ways of measuring and defining an audience.

The audience grouping that you choose must be a recognised media audience
The exhibition and distribution method you choose must be a real one and you must state your intended method / instrument for exhibition (DVD, cinema, streaming etc....)

choose one or more of the following methods as a start point: you will get more marks if you are creative and interactive in how you present your decision:

  1. powerpoint
  2. a video
  3. voice thread  - see an example of a sprowston student work  here http://lukeandersona2media2012-13.blogspot.co.uk/ the site introduction is available here  https://voicethread.com/media/misc/IntroductionToVoiceThread.mov4. it is free to use log-in and choose a free account here is a good place to start https://voicethread.com/support/howto/Account_Types/Free/
  4. a prezi
  5. a web page - wix.com is easy to use and free - find it here: http://www.wix.com/
Try to have fun as this will come across to your audience
try to link it to your own genre / style and intended film

we will begin todays lesson in discussions about the task - this is homework - in the lesson on Wednesday we will begin filming the continuity task so prepare to dress up

Wednesday 6 November 2013

research: audience theory

you need to be able to show both knowledge and understanding:

KNOWLEDGE
means knowing about  facts, terms and concepts
UNDERSTANDING
means being able to use them in discussion, essays or planning - owning the knowledge and being able to re-use it in your own words and  use it to influence your own production.

Build your understanding of the work in the last lessons by: initially Deconstructing the Pete Buckingham paper Audiences: Trends, Profiles and Patterns: What People Go to See, Why and How to Reach Them

then

complete tasks 1-3 on the sheet:
Task 1
Read the article and make notes on the following points

Q1- page 1 – read and consider – what does he suggest influences audience patterns – is he correct in your opinion?
Q2 page 2 – what kind of audience are you  - what are your own viewing habits – how do audiences behave in the cinema
Q2b: what instruments could you use to find out about viewing habits / successful genres and narratives?
Task 2
Read pages 3-4 and think about how he explains WHY people go to the cinema; what do they want from a cinema experience and a film; what blocks them from getting involved.  Then make notes to answer Q3 & 4 reflecting on yourself as a consumer:
Q3 – motivation & behaviour
a.       Why do you watch films?


b.      What qualities attract you ( you could consider  film / actor/company/innovation / reputation etc)


c.       How do you consume films (exhibition: how it is shown – cinema/dvd/streamed/downloaded/tv as well as who with or where)
Q4. Driver and barriers – annotate his list and then create your own. – what dissuades or persuades YOU.
Task 3
Produce a report exploring the following points:
·         The different ways in which film industries and institutions categorise audiences (companies that make films and those who distribute or exhibit them)
·         The reasons they do so
·         The ways in which producers and film writers can consider audiences
·         The reasons why they do so.
·         What affects you as an audience member
You can use any method to present it – essay / prezi / powerpoint etc But you must include more than just words – links / diagrams / photos etc.
Deadline – First lesson next week

Hy 3rd Nov 2013

Sunday 20 October 2013

research and critical theory: media Audiences

date 23rd Oct 2013
Challenge:  understanding audience theory
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: starter challenge: explain these audience terms
Active
Passive
Traditional
Hedonist
Post-modernist

Main lesson focus:
defining audience – starting with  Pete Buckingham article/ new audience groupings
Activities
1.    Analyse the following terms and discuss until there is genuine understanding
a.    Preferred
b.    Oppositional
c.    Negotiated
d.    Two-step flow
e.    Distribution processes  & exhibition
 (audience powerpoint/theory powerpoint)

Extension/ Improving grade
Try to explore audience  other theories / theorists such as the hypodermic syringe effect

Homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title
Add links that are relevant

Assessment & understanding focus covered:
  • Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
  • Media Institutions Introduction
  •  Media audiences
  • Media representations


research and critical theory: understanding narrative theory

Media Studies AS                          date 21st Oct 2013
Challengeunderstanding narrative theory as linked to genre
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: 10 minutes - what is the difference between niche and mainstream – define / example / discuss – add comment onto blog

Main lesson focus:  challenge: understanding narrative theory as linked to genre

Activities
1.    Starter challenge
For each of the next activities we will read the outline of their critical theories and try to apply to specific films
2.    Introducing Propp: characters as function / actions as function
3.    Introducin Todorov – Equilibrium & disequilibrium
4.    Introducin Levi Strauss
5.    poweroint and media codes pp

HOMEWORK: present research and findings as a powerpoint.  – link to  specific media texts


Extension/ Improving grade
Try to explore narrative other theories / theorists such as Branigan or Cameron 

homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title

Assessment & understanding focus covered:
   Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
   Media Institutions Introduction
    Media audiences

  Media representations






Tuesday 15 October 2013

research: introducing Genre theory

Media Studies AS                          date 16th Oct 2013
Challenge:  developing a high level UNDERSTANDING  of GENRE & HYBRID GENRES
Starter:  10  minutes:
Starter task: define the term Genre and identify7 different film genres – make a list on paper

Main lesson focus: introducing audience / industry and institution linked to GENRE

Activities
1.    Starter challenge
2.    Whiteboard session / identify a number of genres: at least one per student
3.    Consider the impact of genre on
a.    Audience
b.    Industry
c.    institution
4.    Identify hybrid-genres – discuss why they evolve – make notes

Extension/ Improving grade
Try to present in an interactive way
Define genre as it applys to Film Noir

homework
Upload learning to your blog in a suitable format chosen by you title – research Genre in Film.
Ensure that you have defined the Film Noir Genre on your blog
Assessment & understanding focus covered:
   Media Languages, Forms & Conventions
   Media Institutions Introduction
   Media audiences
Media representations



or this site is interesting


http://www.suspense-movies.com/

Sunday 13 October 2013

research and planning: understanding representation challenge 2 and challenge 3

Introducing: Challenge 2: creating still images using film noir styles
Use the Film Noire definition pages I gave you AND the images below as a start point
Quote: Film Noir is
 “a new cinematic technique that made use of dark or dim lighting effects, dreary settings, filtered lights and generally dark themes and characterizations. Noir scenes are made from interesting camera angles and with dramatic close-ups and shadowed lighting. Frequently the stories use of smoke-filled rooms, views of light filtered through venetian blinds, seedy downtown areas with neon lights, dark wet streets to heighten the noir effect. “
Sources
Q:\Art & Media Faculty\media\KS5\AS\MAIN PRODUCTION UNIT FILM NOIR\genre style and links\FilmNoirIllustrations_files
Q:\Art & Media Faculty\media\KS5\AS\MAIN PRODUCTION UNIT FILM NOIR\genre style and links

Activity:
Representation is about combining images, styles and symbols to creative meaning for an audience. Film makers do this through actors, lighting props, locations, pose and expression.

Your challenge is to stage, create and capture a variety of still images that evoke the Film Noir era.

The main task using cameras to create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noire style – you can work in the studio or around the school

Use the majority of this afternoon to experiment with lighting, pose and props.

P5 we are in WG11 where we have the studio and the darkroom as well as the main classroom

Try to capture at least 30 images (but the differences can be subtle – variations in expression / camera angles etc)

I will be there all p5

By 3.10 you need to be uploading your images into your file so that we can add them to a PowerPoint and into your blogs

Please remember that this is supposed to be a fun task: try to enjoy it

HY 08/10/13

Media Studies 12AS October 14th 2013
Introducing: Challenge 3: showing understanding of representation using comparing existing stills/ / photographs with created still images that use film noir styles

Activity:
Representation is about combining images, styles and symbols to creative meaning for an audience. Film makers do this through actors, lighting props, locations, pose and expression.
Your challenge was to stage, create and capture a variety of still images that evoke the Film Noir era.

Starter:  discussion and examples of editing techniques
Print contact sheets and choose the most suitable images – limit to 20
Find the support sheets in Q>arts and media>photography>technical support>photoshop

Main Task:  creating representations create moody, melodramatic portraits in a film noire style
Upload images to photoshop
Edit simply – use adjustments such as saturation, exposure and curves plus simple crop methods
Try to create a range of images that are effective representations of
o  Male
Hero (Protagonist)
Villain (Antagonist)
Antihero (Transforms form the Antagonist to the Protagonist)
Sidekick (Police/ Moral Majority)
Extras (Side plots/Workers/Crowds)
Female
Femme Fatale - Sexuality, Danger, Risk, Antagonist, Forbidden.
Girl Next door (Redemptive Woman) - Salvation, Honour, Sacrifice, Courage, Redemption

Create a post in your blog where you effectively compare and contrast your own work against representations from existing Film Noir texts

Outcome and deadline

You must have the evidence added to a post by the next lesson on Wednesday this week.

Next session . The next lesson will be a theory lesson all about genre – please bring notebook and pen



Tuesday 17 September 2013

18th Sept - Research and Planning - identifying codes and conventions / researching standards expected / housekeeping

Focus: R&P: codes and conventions
task - complete the work set last lesson - deadline - Monday 23rd September

Focus: researching standards expected - look at the A2 work for this year http://a2mediaproductionschs2014.blogspot.co.uk/ - look at James Ivett and Genna Rayners work
or the AS/A2 for last year
http://schsmediastudies2013mediaproductions.blogspot.co.uk/
Luke Anderson / Rachel Savage / Kat warnes (A2) (grades BB-B)
or
Jemma / Matt / James / Sam / Lucy - (grades BBAAB-)

LOOK AT THE RANGE OF METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND LANGUAGE USED - be prepared to discuss

Focus: housekeeping - you need to work on ensuring that your blog is clear and easy to access:
  1. on the design tab select basic and tick - moderate comments 'always', no of posts per page change to 30
  2. on the design tab select basic and invite me as an author - humplebye@sprowstonhigh,org
  3. select advanced setting and make sure that the title includes your name and AS media production
  4. select edit posts and publish all drafts ( I cannot see drafts and you can always edit them later if they need improving

deadline - Monday 23rd September

Heads up - for Monday next week you MUST have your sweded films and any poster/planning/storyboards etc all uloaded to your blogs - we will be showing them to each other a recording feedback sessions

Saturday 14 September 2013

week beg Monday 16th Sept. Research & Planning: identifying the Codes and Conventions of a FILM Opening Sequence: intiial study text: se7en (1995)

Activity 1: (10) minutes - the following are examples of presentations on opening sequences to films - take time to read them and discuss your findings in pairs before adding the actual slideshares and a review of them in a post on your own blog.
Starters questions to ask your self:
  • how successful are they at identifying conventions?
  • who is the audience?
  • what is the purpose of the presentations?
  • is the format successful?
  • did they identify ALL of the conventions accurately?












activity 2: (5 minutes) on your blog construct a bullet point list of what you think are the core conventions of an opening sequence to a film

Activity 3: original analysis of Se7en (30 minutes) - writing to communicate YOUR understanding of CONVENTIONS and STYLE

SOURCE: http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/se7en/

task 1
follow the link to the page at Artofthetitle.com / read all of the reviews, interviews, articles and watch the drafts

task 2
in a post add links and explain which conventions of an OTS are being met / being challenged  in this opening sequence - choose the format of your explanation it should be suitable to show images and text

task 3 - ."the opening sequence is considered one of the most innovative of its era". Discuss how true you think this statement is (max 200 words) using at least one quote

Homework: for next Monday: complete activity 3;  tasks 1-3 and  repeat Activity 3 with a film of your choice. add it all to a new post with hyperlinks

Extension task - explain which conventions you have used in your own Sweded film: which would you use if you would do it again? - add this to a post with an upload of your Sweded film

remember WG11 is open Tuesday-Thursday lunchtimes for support with Blogging

Monday 8 July 2013

well done and Thank you

Well done for the work you put in on induction day.

Please enjoy the holiday task and pass on the holiday brief and the link to this page to anyone who missed the day: I look forward to seeing all your Sweded Films in September.

You can email me at humplebye@sprowstonhigh.org

If you send me your blog addresses i will add them to this blog

Enjoy the sun

Tuesday 2 July 2013

organisation? and timing - how long does it take

creating this blog and all of the posts below took me 62 minutes


what is an animatic? what is a storyboard?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storyboard#Animatics



vimeo and youtube have good examples of animatics choose wisely and add one or two to your blog - add comments

Animatics from Juston Gordon on Vimeo.

whereas animatics add sound and dialogue plus intended timings a storyboard is usually just a series of images and instructions in order



though some do both

parkour motion reel from saggyarmpit on Vimeo.

Star Wars Uncut: Director's Cut

what is a sweded film?

you can find a lot of information on the internet, and through social media.

One definition i like is found at:
http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/sweded-films

Be Kind Rewind premiered on February 22nd, 2008 and earned $4 million in the United States and Canada in its opening weekend. The domain for the site SwededFilms.com[1], which serves as a database for sweded movies, was registered the next day.

 On February 24th, the sweded film blog Sweded Cinema[6] was launched and included rules for creating sweded videos:
1. Must be based on an already produced film
2. Range 2-8 minutes in length
3. Must not contain computer generated graphics
4. Based on films less than 35 years old
5. Special effects must be limited to camera tricks and arts ’n crafts
6. Sound effects created by human means
7. Hilarious.
one of the biggest sweded group productions is the star wars 2 hour sweded film produced by hundreds of people each submitting small sections