Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Lesson Update #2 (26/11/13)
In this lesson, continuing on from our last lesson where we were introduced to FinalCut for the first time, we got into our groups, and continued experimenting and discovering new tools and techniques within FinalCut, as a practice for when we come to properly use it for our thriller film opening. After we had another play around with the program, we decided to start editing the beginning scene of our film. During this, George found some music (not sure where from...) and we added this on top of the piece. In addition, before we were even introduced to FinalCut, a few lessons back, we went outside and filmed purely diegetic sound. We recorded the sound of trees, myself walking through bunches of leaves and natural wind. This was all in one continuous take and we did this so that when it came to the actual editing process of the film, in the beginning through the forest/woodlands, we could play the natural diegetic sound we recorded over the initial clip. We did this because after we would've put the non-diegetic music on top of the clips, you wouldn't be able to actually hear the diegetic sound that was recorded on that day through the camera. So, by adding the recorded sound, we were able to manipulate the natural diegetic sound which would've been recorded on the day of filming the beginning sequence. Diegetic sound and natural woodland environment sounds were vital for the opening part of our thriller film, so this task/process was really important.
Because we had already edited a rough draft copy through iMovie (before we were introduced to FinalCut), we knew exactly what clips to use and where we wanted them. So, with this being done, we imported all the clips we know we were going to use into FinalCut, and re-assembled them in there in the order which we liked and originally found through the rough draft copy in iMovie. After all the clips were re-assembled and put together in a smooth, continuous sequence, it was then time to add the on-diegetic sound. As well as the music, we needed a large, echoed and distorted gunshot sound which would play (and echo/fade out...) when the screen went blank, after the gun is seen being held. We all searched for a good gunshot SFX together, and we finally found one which was perfect. After we found it, we immediately imported it straight into FinalCut and placed it over the part in which we want it to be. This took a small bit of time as we needed it dead-on and precisely at a specific time (when the screen goes black after the gun is shown) to ensure that it was effective and flowed well with the sequence. When we finished altering the gunshot SFX (we had to trim some of the sound file as there was a huge gap of silence before the actual gunshot sound) and putting it into the film, we added the music on top as well.
The music was a very eerie and strange piece but it fitted in extremely well with the sequence. As I said, I am not sure where George actually found the music, but it was still brilliant and worked very well. We wanted eerie and sort of unsettling music at the beginning so this was great! After trimming down the music to the specific amount that we wanted and placing it over the sequence, we played it the whole thing back. I was extremely pleased with how it turned out (bearing in mind that this was our first actual edit of our film through FinalCut - discarding the practice session where we used the preliminary task) and I thought that all of the non-diegetic sounds worked brilliantly.
Because George's main focused area of the film is the editing, George did the majority of the editing today, with myself and Jess watching it through and Jess also taking some involvement with editing. Although, Amy wasn't here for today's lesson so she is yet to see it.
Although we have edited it the beginning sequence of our thriller film opening, this may not be the finalised version. For example, we may find some better music or find a better gunshot SFX. But, I love the music and the SFX which we have, but we may get better ideas and want to change things.
I'm not sure where George has saved the sequence to (the editing was done on his mac account), but hopefully in the next lesson we can all get hold of it and post it in future blog posts.
Because we had already edited a rough draft copy through iMovie (before we were introduced to FinalCut), we knew exactly what clips to use and where we wanted them. So, with this being done, we imported all the clips we know we were going to use into FinalCut, and re-assembled them in there in the order which we liked and originally found through the rough draft copy in iMovie. After all the clips were re-assembled and put together in a smooth, continuous sequence, it was then time to add the on-diegetic sound. As well as the music, we needed a large, echoed and distorted gunshot sound which would play (and echo/fade out...) when the screen went blank, after the gun is seen being held. We all searched for a good gunshot SFX together, and we finally found one which was perfect. After we found it, we immediately imported it straight into FinalCut and placed it over the part in which we want it to be. This took a small bit of time as we needed it dead-on and precisely at a specific time (when the screen goes black after the gun is shown) to ensure that it was effective and flowed well with the sequence. When we finished altering the gunshot SFX (we had to trim some of the sound file as there was a huge gap of silence before the actual gunshot sound) and putting it into the film, we added the music on top as well.
The music was a very eerie and strange piece but it fitted in extremely well with the sequence. As I said, I am not sure where George actually found the music, but it was still brilliant and worked very well. We wanted eerie and sort of unsettling music at the beginning so this was great! After trimming down the music to the specific amount that we wanted and placing it over the sequence, we played it the whole thing back. I was extremely pleased with how it turned out (bearing in mind that this was our first actual edit of our film through FinalCut - discarding the practice session where we used the preliminary task) and I thought that all of the non-diegetic sounds worked brilliantly.
Because George's main focused area of the film is the editing, George did the majority of the editing today, with myself and Jess watching it through and Jess also taking some involvement with editing. Although, Amy wasn't here for today's lesson so she is yet to see it.
Although we have edited it the beginning sequence of our thriller film opening, this may not be the finalised version. For example, we may find some better music or find a better gunshot SFX. But, I love the music and the SFX which we have, but we may get better ideas and want to change things.
I'm not sure where George has saved the sequence to (the editing was done on his mac account), but hopefully in the next lesson we can all get hold of it and post it in future blog posts.
Se7en - opening analysis
Mise-en-Scene
Common mise-en-scene techniques are used throughout the opening of se7en. For setting it starts off showing a white kitchen, this connotes purity and makes the place seem safe. It is then starkly contrasted with the next location which is a dark, run down apartment. This apartment is also covered in blood with splatters on the wall and on the floor, it is very misty/dusky which gives a tense atmosphere and makes the audience question what has gone on there. The audience is shown very little of the dead person, this is to keep them questioning what has happened. The next scene is Detective Mills and Somerset outside the apartment, they are situated in a rundown neighbourhood which gives a negative connotation as the audience don't see it as a nice/homely place. The apartments are also shown to have the number 7 at the start, this links in with title and is an enigma code throughout the rest of the film. It's also raining outside, this reflects the mood and makes it seem dull and gloomy, creating the atmosphere that something bad has happened and is going to continue to happen. The next seen is of D.Somerset in bed, he is in a dark and dingy room which doesn't look very nicely done up or furbished. This room seems dull and gives a negative effect.
Costume is used to show the difference between the characters D.Mills and Somerset. D.Somerset is seen in a sharp suit at the start, this helps show he is a smart and respectable character and also fits in with the old conventions of how police detectives were dressed. His suit is also grey which shows he is neither a black nor white character and he has tendencies to be both good and bad. D.Mills is dressed in more casual attire, although he is still wearing a shirt and tie to show he is an important character he is wearing a leather jacket over the top which makes him out to be 'bad boy' character as leather connotes rebelliousness. Comparing him to D.Somerset who wears a cotton shows their difference and contrast in characters, already hinting at a bad cop, good cop kind of relationship.
At the start of the sequence the lighting is bright and soft in D.Somerset's kitchen, this (like I said before) helps show the contrast between locations as when shown the next scene the room is basically the complete opposite. Dark lighting is used to make the place look mysterious and creepy, there is also a lot of lighting to show shadows this creates a tense atmosphere as it's like the characters are being followed. Dull lighting is used outside reflecting the weather rather than showing how it is a dark day and giving it negative connotations. Dark and dingy lighting is then used in D.Somerset's room to show it's not a very nice place to be. This then contrasts with the title sequence which uses strong bright lighting and also red lighting. The red connotes blood and I felt the bright lights reminded me of hospitals so the lighting here had a theme of pain and death.
The props we are shown first are D.Somerset's items, a badge, knife, pen and gun. These are important as they help show a lot about his character {say what}. Police tape is used to show it's a crime scene, it creates a dangerous/creepy mood as the audience have negative associations with this and know something bad has gone on. A metronome is used to create tension by playing the sound loudly, like it's building up to something.
Camera
To start off with the camera uses a lot of establishing shots to show what is going on and to set the scene. For example it shows an establishing shot which allows the audience to see the full view of the apartment and the dead man. There is no close-up on the dead man which I liked because it made it more mysterious as you didn't know what had happened.
There are close ups used throughout this sequence. At first the camera shows a closeup on D.Somerset's possessions, they are a knife, badge, pen and gun these all help illustrate he could possibly be a dangerous character and also help link to how he is a detective.
The next closeup is on a metronome, this motion makes the audience lose focus for a while as the closeup only focuses on that. It then transitions into the title sequence, this is an extreme contrast to the original opening scene and is extremely creepy.
During the title sequence many closeups are used on drawings etc, these help creep the audience out as the images are quite disturbing. There are a lot of enigma codes used during the title sequence, like certain words being highlighted, this already puts an idea in the audience heads of what is going to happen.
Throughout the main opening scene which shows D.Mill's and Somerset there are many red herrings dropped around the number 7, as the number of the apartment where they are investigating a murder starts with the number 7. This is already highlighting a clear link with the plot and title.
Editing
The editing between the part with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt to the main title sequence shows a massive contrast. The editing in the first part is smooth and doesn't have any harsh or sudden jump cuts, whereas the title sequence includes an assortment of sudden and jumpy transitions.
There are many jump cuts use in the title sequence this helps create a tense mood as the audience is flipped between one clip to another. It also adds confusion to the audience so they're already confused before the film has begun, confusion is a common technique in thriller films as it helps the create a tense atmosphere.
The whole title sequence is full of enigma codes for the audience, the quick editing sequence makes the audience want to watch on as they want to find out what all these things link to and what is going on.
Some of the sequences are changed into red lighting, this help connotes the theme of death and gore as red helps connote the idea of blood. There is also loads of flashing images used this makes it look distorted and creates a tense mood because it doesn't make sense.
Sound
In the opening sequence a lot of diegetic sound is used to create tension and show the theme of danger. At the start it's very quiet but you can hear the noises of a busy and possibly dangerous neighbourhood. This is shown again when D.Somerset is shown in bed, it's quiet in his room except you can hear the noises outside, this includes things like people shouting and dogs barking. This makes the audience think of dangerous and possibly dodgy neighbourhood's which can include violence etc. So this already shows that the film is set in a dangerous place.
The really liked how they used the sound of the metronome and made it louder than all the other sounds. I found that because of the repetitive sound of the metronome there was a tense mood and atmosphere as I felt it was building up to something. I also thinks it helps show the contrast between the scene when it transitions into the title sequence.
The music for the title sequence is extremely weird and creepy. It makes an extremely tense atmosphere as it plays with the audience's mind as do the pictures and clips being shown. The music almost sounds as if someone is screaming, which obviously makes it very creepy and adds danger and mystery to what is going on in the title sequence. It's a very electronic soundtrack and seems to include quite high frequency noises. I found, for me at least, that this made me more scared and like something weird and abnormal was going on.
Narrative
I liked the narrative at the start of this film as it really set the film up well and made me want to continue watching, especially the use of the title sequence as I wanted to find out what all of that linked to.
I enjoyed how they used pathetic fallacy to show the mood, as it was raining during the opening which helped illuminate how something bad had happened and added to the tense mood. I found the whole event of the murder investigation foreshadowed the rest of the film and how this was just the start, the same for the title sequence this included a lot of foreshadowing as to what was going to go on in the film.
I think Detective Mill's and Somerset are good characters because they are shown to be opposites (like good cop, bad cop) so I feel this will work well in the film. I also liked the way you found out nothing about the murder that had just happened as I was then intrigued to see what had happened and what it all linked in with.
Opinion
Personally I thought this was a really amazing opening, I loved the title sequence as it really built up the tension and wanted to make me watch the rest of the film. I found it really disturbing but at the same time wanted to understand what it all linked to. I also liked how they set up the main plot with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as I wanted to also know what had happened in the murder and what it linked to.
Camera
To start off with the camera uses a lot of establishing shots to show what is going on and to set the scene. For example it shows an establishing shot which allows the audience to see the full view of the apartment and the dead man. There is no close-up on the dead man which I liked because it made it more mysterious as you didn't know what had happened.
There are close ups used throughout this sequence. At first the camera shows a closeup on D.Somerset's possessions, they are a knife, badge, pen and gun these all help illustrate he could possibly be a dangerous character and also help link to how he is a detective.
The next closeup is on a metronome, this motion makes the audience lose focus for a while as the closeup only focuses on that. It then transitions into the title sequence, this is an extreme contrast to the original opening scene and is extremely creepy.
During the title sequence many closeups are used on drawings etc, these help creep the audience out as the images are quite disturbing. There are a lot of enigma codes used during the title sequence, like certain words being highlighted, this already puts an idea in the audience heads of what is going to happen.
Throughout the main opening scene which shows D.Mill's and Somerset there are many red herrings dropped around the number 7, as the number of the apartment where they are investigating a murder starts with the number 7. This is already highlighting a clear link with the plot and title.
Editing
The editing between the part with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt to the main title sequence shows a massive contrast. The editing in the first part is smooth and doesn't have any harsh or sudden jump cuts, whereas the title sequence includes an assortment of sudden and jumpy transitions.
There are many jump cuts use in the title sequence this helps create a tense mood as the audience is flipped between one clip to another. It also adds confusion to the audience so they're already confused before the film has begun, confusion is a common technique in thriller films as it helps the create a tense atmosphere.
The whole title sequence is full of enigma codes for the audience, the quick editing sequence makes the audience want to watch on as they want to find out what all these things link to and what is going on.
Some of the sequences are changed into red lighting, this help connotes the theme of death and gore as red helps connote the idea of blood. There is also loads of flashing images used this makes it look distorted and creates a tense mood because it doesn't make sense.
Sound
In the opening sequence a lot of diegetic sound is used to create tension and show the theme of danger. At the start it's very quiet but you can hear the noises of a busy and possibly dangerous neighbourhood. This is shown again when D.Somerset is shown in bed, it's quiet in his room except you can hear the noises outside, this includes things like people shouting and dogs barking. This makes the audience think of dangerous and possibly dodgy neighbourhood's which can include violence etc. So this already shows that the film is set in a dangerous place.
The really liked how they used the sound of the metronome and made it louder than all the other sounds. I found that because of the repetitive sound of the metronome there was a tense mood and atmosphere as I felt it was building up to something. I also thinks it helps show the contrast between the scene when it transitions into the title sequence.
The music for the title sequence is extremely weird and creepy. It makes an extremely tense atmosphere as it plays with the audience's mind as do the pictures and clips being shown. The music almost sounds as if someone is screaming, which obviously makes it very creepy and adds danger and mystery to what is going on in the title sequence. It's a very electronic soundtrack and seems to include quite high frequency noises. I found, for me at least, that this made me more scared and like something weird and abnormal was going on.
Narrative
I liked the narrative at the start of this film as it really set the film up well and made me want to continue watching, especially the use of the title sequence as I wanted to find out what all of that linked to.
I enjoyed how they used pathetic fallacy to show the mood, as it was raining during the opening which helped illuminate how something bad had happened and added to the tense mood. I found the whole event of the murder investigation foreshadowed the rest of the film and how this was just the start, the same for the title sequence this included a lot of foreshadowing as to what was going to go on in the film.
I think Detective Mill's and Somerset are good characters because they are shown to be opposites (like good cop, bad cop) so I feel this will work well in the film. I also liked the way you found out nothing about the murder that had just happened as I was then intrigued to see what had happened and what it all linked in with.
Opinion
Personally I thought this was a really amazing opening, I loved the title sequence as it really built up the tension and wanted to make me watch the rest of the film. I found it really disturbing but at the same time wanted to understand what it all linked to. I also liked how they set up the main plot with Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt as I wanted to also know what had happened in the murder and what it linked to.
Monday, 25 November 2013
Lesson Activity (Audience Types and Measuring Audience cont.)
(This is the continuation from my earlier blog about audience types and measuring audience).
As I said earlier, we had to categorise characters from The Simpsons into different audience types after learning about the different types of audience and how to measure them during the lesson. The categories for this activity were: succeeders, mainstreamers, aspirers, reformers and individuals.
George was not present during the lesson. Me, Jess and Amy did the activity as this is why just our names are tagged with this post and the activity.
As I said earlier, we had to categorise characters from The Simpsons into different audience types after learning about the different types of audience and how to measure them during the lesson. The categories for this activity were: succeeders, mainstreamers, aspirers, reformers and individuals.
George was not present during the lesson. Me, Jess and Amy did the activity as this is why just our names are tagged with this post and the activity.
Audience Types and Measuring Audience
- In one of our media lessons, we had to identify different types of audiences throughout the mass media and what characteristics each audience group has. In addition, we had to learn how these specific audience types can be measured.
Types of Audience (Not specifically for film - more mass media)
Who are you aiming at?
Types of Audience (Not specifically for film - more mass media)
Who are you aiming at?
- Needs Directed - survivors on incomes that only allow needs and not wants to be fulfilled: pensioners and those on unemployment benefits, for example.
- Societally Conscious Achievers - Inner piece and environment more important than financial success; want personal fulfilment. Lovers of outdoors and fitness and like to experiment.
- Belongers - traditional conservative conformists: family-orientated, like security, hate change and like a strong community.
- Emulator (Achievers) - successful, enjoy acquiring things and buy brand names.
- Emulator - young people searching for an identity - desiring to fit into adult world but can discouraged about prospects.
Measuring Audience: Demographic Profiles
TAGS = Target Audience Gathering System
- TAGS is used by Neilsen, a company that gathers information on audiences and develops marketing plans.
- Groups are based on information, lifestyle, attitude and media consumption. These are called Psychographics.
- AC Neilsen surveys tens of thousands of people aged 10+ each year to create this profile.
After we had learnt this, we were told to get into our groups, and we were all given handouts with pictures of characters from The Simpsons on them and we had to categorise them in audience groups under the categories of: succeeders, mainstreamers, aspirers, reformers and individuals. I will post a picture of that activity in a separate blog post.
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)