preliminary task diary/synopsis!!

Our next project is the Preliminary Task. It is part of our coursework. It is a short film that can be any genre and there is no set storyline. But it must contain :

* someone walking through a door.

* the exchange of at least two lines of information.

* a 180 degree rule.

* a match on action shot.

* a shot-reverse shot.

I directed filmed and edited this and used my Dad and Brother as actors.

I was trying to create the feeling of role reversal in my film so it is my Brother telling my Dad off (rather than the other way around) about not tidying his room for him. 

I have used two synecdoche images in my film. The first is when the suspense is building, and a clip of a kettle finishing to boil as my Brother storms down the stairs. This symbolises his anger. The second synecdoche I use is when my Brother is shouting at my Dad I cut to a clip of their shadows where my Brothers is bigger than my Dads. This Symbolises that my Brother is in charge.

I didn't really encounter many problems although it was quite hard getting my actors to do what I wanted them too. 

I chose the end credit song because I think it really sums up the scene and keeps with the mood and feel of the media. 

Here is the final cut:  

Bouncing Frank

Heres a quick animation I made using Anime Studio.

Magazine cover analysis

Here is an analysis of the cover of 'The Film' magazine.

                                                                              Total Film Analysis (Batman issue)

Click Here to view cover (scroll to bottom of page for large version)

Anchorage- the picture shows the character in a kind of way that you may show a villain. When the words ‘the dark knight’ are added it adds the idea that although he looks like he could be a villain he is actually good. This puts the idea into the audiences mind that he could be doing good but not in a conventional way. 

Audience- the magazine captures the attention of film lovers and people that want to get the latest information on films and new releases.

 

Connotations- the whole cover is in black and grey which continues to emit a dark and intimidating feel.

 

Conventions- the layout is still the same. The title, although now in white, is in the same place and the same font is used. There is only one figure in the photo on the front cover.

Deconstruction- there are 4 main ‘micro’ elements on the batman issue. The magazine name, the batman picture, the writing over the picture and the dark background.

 

Demographic- I think this magazine targets men between 12 and 40 and it is possibly aimed at a more lower and middle class audience.

 

Form- the magazines conventions are the same as the films it covers and so it uses pictures and mood colours to focus the audiences mind on the genre of the film which will entice them into reading and possibly seeing the movie being written about in each article.

 

Interactive- Batman is looking straight at the camera in the cover photo and so the audience will see him as if he is looking at them. This will engage their minds.

 

Mise en scene- the cover uses the dark background and cynical photo to set the mood for the article on the movie and for the movie itself.

 Point of view shot- batman is looking straight out at the audience which means when they look at the cover it will be as if he is making eyecontact and because of the colours and mood of the cover this may be quite intimidating which will cause a thrill and make the potential reader buy the magazine.

 Semiotics- the main sign in this picture are the dark colours used. This symbolises something quite scary and daunting. Also he is wearing a mask which shows that he doesn’t want you to know his identity and is also a sign that he doesn’t want you to know his true personality which can be quite intimidating as you feel as if you cannot trust him.

Text- the text says ‘the dark knight which is a contradiction’. 

Introduction to Media Studies

Link to OCR Media studies course site -> Click Me

KEY MEDIA TERMS:

1. Media Language- media language refers to written, verbal, non-verbal, aural and aesthetic communication and usually a combination of these. In a tv drama the audience understands the events on screen due to the relationship between the camera angles, non-verbal performance (facial expressions etc.), diologue, lighting techniques, editing, and sound.                click here for more info on cinematic techniques
2. Form and Style- the form of a media text is its shape and structure and the combination of the 'micro' elements (dialogue, sound effects, editing and ambience. certain Forms of media demand a specific combination of these elements to suit their style. The form of a media text is instantly recognisable to the audience because of the combination of the elements that is used.
3. Convention- conventions are usually described as the 'ingredients' of a particular form or genre. For example a news bulletin has a range of necessary 'ingredients' which are expected by the audience, making conventions 'contractual' in nature.
4. Signification- signification is often applied within a theory called semiotics, the study of signs. everything we see caries a meaning. The basic meaning of the sign that most people can agree on and recognise is called the signifier. The more complex individual meanings that people give to things is called the signified. In media we must always remember that meaning is polysemic- every signifier has the potential to be given meaning by everyone that comes into contact with it.
5. Representation- media is just a 're' presentation of an outlook on reality. When looking at a piece of media we must decide whether it represents reality or a mediated version of the real world.
6. Audience- the audience is simply the target for a media text or product. Often, media texts appeal to a range of secondary audiences as well as the target and the way people respond often challenges expectation. For example it would be very easy to differentiate the audience for channel 4 drama from pirate radio playing mostly reggae music, on the other hand the 'remixing' and uploading of 'lord of the rings' scenes set to music on Youtube is unexpected audience behaviour that is hard to analyse. 
7. Creativity- creative skills operate on two levels: first the ability to use digital technology to make meaning so that the audience can respond easily to the text and second, the ability to engage and interest the audience.

The ball

Ever wondered what happens to your discarded gum?

Blue, Orange and the Speedy Blob

A short Claymation film about the adventures of two Blobs.

First

Just set up my account and testing to see if it is working.