Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Watchmen - why?














Dr Manhattan in Vietnam

Apocalypse Now

Dr Manhattan Birth Scene

Hollis Mason Death Scene

Raging Bull

Watchmen Intro

Watchmen references

Point 4 (current assignment)

You will notice (if you have read the brief) that to achieve point 4 of your current assignment you need to..."review own video production work"

This is to be done in the form of a written evaluation for your PHOTO ESSAY and will also take your production log, which you have done throughout the assignment, into consideration

The evaluation needs to be thorough...

What we do want: why???

always say why you did something - why a long shot? why a close-up?


What we do NOT want:

on thursday I ate breakfast and then went filming
overall, I think the film is good

To achieve a PASS:

Learners will provide an overall outline review of their own production work (‘work’ meaning both the process and the product resulting from following that process), identifying strengths and weaknesses in their work but without further elaboration or comment. Any description of activity will mainly be confined to a historical account (for example, ‘We had a script meeting and wrote the script, then we did the storyboard which Ashe drew. We spent five days on the shooting and another three on the editing …’ etc). Accounts which are mostly taken up with irrelevant detail will not be considered as meeting the pass grade. Description of the product will be an unelaborated outline and assessments of its quality will be relevant but very generalised and at the level of assertion (for example, ‘The shoot went quite well and the final edit was good’).

To achieve a MERIT:

In reflecting upon their production work merit grade learners will describe the strengths and weaknesses of their work with some detail, supporting these comments with appropriate illustrative examples taken from the work. Evaluative commentary, however, will still be at the level of statement or assertion rather than being supported by explanation or argument. A learner might note, for example: ‘The editing was pretty slick, like the one where Eve was walking through the garden and was surprised by Sinh hiding in a tree.’

To achieve a DISTINCTION:

In reflecting upon their work, distinction grade learners will evaluate – that is, they will demonstrate an awareness of why they did what they did, and will justify or support comments on these production decisions through precise and well-chosen illustrative examples. A learner might note, for example: ‘The first long shot of the café is followed by a medium close-up of Jean sitting at a table because that is the conventional way of establishing where someone is at the opening of a soap episode.’ Any use of technical and specialist language will be correct, being consistently appropriate and accurate.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Film for NEXT tuesday (6th Dec)

The next video you are required to complete is PHOTO ESSAY (to be edited on 6th December)

"Whether it's guys dropping in on thirty foot waves, a family's first trip to Disney World or a plastic bag floating aimlessly against a brick wall, moving images have excited or comforted all of us at some point.

What we're perhaps less accustomed to is the power of still images. More specifically, series of photographs set to sound, used to tell a STORY. We frequently see this used in online journalism. I suppose you could call these "slideshows," but it would be more appropriate to call these "photo essays."

Your photo essay can be about anything…but it must be non-fiction (factual), no longer than 30 seconds and made up entirely of photographs that you take specifically for this project…"


I know there are some keen photographers in the group so I am expecting big things from this video

Below are some examples from vimeo - some are very creative:





















Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Exposures


A reminder that Exposures residential trip deposits are due 1st December

Currently the numbers are:

L2 Dip - 8 students
L3 Yr 1 - 2 students
L3 Yr 2 - 7 students

This is a total of 17

Ideally we need a few more to make this trip happen...if you are interested, post your name below (just your own name please)

Monday, 21 November 2011

Haiku Editing

Tomorrow you are editing your individual haiku videos...

after the impressive practice films last week I am looking forward to seeing what you have all shot...

Documents needed for your blogs - ideas, treatment and camera log sheet

See you tomorrow

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Exposures Trip

Trip – Exposures Film Festival (Manchester)

Exposures - the UK’s largest festival of student moving image work, which takes place every year in Manchester.

It is a unique festival that gives students from across the UK the opportunity to showcase their work to a cinema audience but also gives a unique insight into how the TV and film industry works.

http://www.exposuresfestival.co.uk/

The trip will be from Tuesday 21st to Friday 24th February


You will be attending:
• Screenings of short films and seminars at Exposures Film Festival (specific details yet to be announced)
• IMAX cinema (film to be announced)

plus other activities…

Trip is £110 (dependent on 25+ attending - the cost may come down if we get more learners)
£50 Deposit (no refundable) to be paid by Thursday 1st December

If you are interested (no maybes, a yes or no please) post your name below this post - that way Paul Smith, Chris Beech and I can discuss whether we will have the numbers to run the trip

Thanks people!

Today...

The next video for Unit 5 is a 'Video Haiku'

This is an example from a Level 3 learner



A haiku video works as follows:
  • 5 second shot
  • 7 second shot

  • 5 second shot


There are examples of 'video haikus' here:
http://vimeo.com/groups/weekendproject/album/163
http://vimeo.com/groups/weekendproject/album/2491


TODAY

Today we will practice making a 'video haiku'...practice makes perfect. Working in pairs, you will make three video haikus during the two hour session...

Pick your poem from below:

NATURE poem from http://haiku-poems.50webs.com/nature-haiku-poems.htm
COMPUTER haiku http://haiku-poems.50webs.com/computer-haiku-poems.htm
FUNNY haiku http://haiku-poems.50webs.com/funny-haiku-poems.htm

You will then create images for the haiku – film must contain three shots (5 seconds, 7 seconds, 5 seconds).

You will also complete a 'camera log sheet'

Videos will be screened this afternoon

Monday, 7 November 2011

Tomorrow...

We will be editing. Bring your footage and please make sure that you have done your shot list - you can do your EDL in class

I am also expecting to see some production log posts on your blogs

Look forward to seeing what you have filmed!

Sunday, 6 November 2011

Your Voice in The Dark Knight Rises!

Composer Hans Zimmer wants your voice for a chant that will appear in the next Christopher Nolan Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises (still not sure about that title), which is out next year...check out the link below!




http://www.ujam.com/campaigns/darkknightrises/introduction

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Clothing Reminder...

Remember - do not turn up in your best clothes on Thursday as you have a surprise lesson in the afternoon...


I wouldn't want you to ruin your best gear...that means tops, trousers and shoes

FILM4...not the channel

Film 4: What I Like About You

Documents required: Shot list & Edit decision list

Pick a member in the community and let us know what you like about them and why.

Do you admire their videos? Do you think they are interesting? Do they inspire you in anyway? This is a great chance for you to spread the love to other members of your community that you really like!

This could be a sort of documentary with an interview or a 'life in a day' type project in which you follow someone's day

Videos should be no longer than 1-minute

Edit Decision List


You can find the sheet here - https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B9hn1oU4BLukNGM3NDc3OTEtMzZhZC00NGM5LTk3YTctYWE5MjM5NzU2NWE1&hl=en_US

Shot Lists

"Shot lists help you consider shooting footage based on location and setup; not necessarily in the order of the story. Say your shoot starts at a supermarket, moves to a bank, and ends at the supermarket. With a shot list ready you can more quickly shoot all the scenes at the supermarket first, and then shoot the rest at the bank later on in the day. Simple enough, right?"

http://vimeo.com/videoschool/lesson/100/making-a-shot-list

A shot list template can be found on the blog - HERE

You are going to produce shot lists for the following:

Reservoir Cats



Scene 1 - Warehouse

The warehouse scene features Mr. Green and Mr. Purple. They have a fight which will be shot from multiple angels - close-ups of both characters, medium shot from both angles, a long shot of the fight and a handheld take

The director also wants a tracking shot into the room and an establishing shot of the warehouse

Scene 2 - Bank Robbery

The robbery scene features Mr. Green and Mr. Aubergine. They rob the bank.

The director wants close-ups, medium and long-shots of both characters, as well as close-ups and medium shots of 5 bank workers. A close-up of the fire alarm. A close-up of the cash and the cash in the bag

The director also wants an establishing shot of the bank.

Scene 3 - Warehouse

Back at the Warehouse, Mr. Turquoise and Nice Guy Andy are deciding whether to shoot Mr. Aubergine.

The director needs a wide angle of the scene, as well as close-ups of each character. A handheld take and extreme close-ups of the pointed guns.

Scene 4 - Outside bank

Flashback to bank. Mr. Green and Mr. Aubergine run from the bank to a getaway car.

We need mid-shots running alongside the characters. Close-ups of each character. A shot of the car.

A long shot of the police chasing them


Kill Jill


Scene 1 - Fight Scene in Dojo

The first scene is a fight between The Wife and NoNo.

The director wants long, medium and close-ups of the fight. The fight has three stages which need each of those shots - beginning in room 1, middle in room 2, end in room 3

You need to decide the best order - is it better to do all takes for one character or alternate between both? Or all scenes in one room and then move on?

The director also needs shots of the room and close-ups of the weapons.

Scene 2 - Meeting with Jill (Ocean)

Wide angle of The Wife meeting Jill by the ocean.
Close-ups of both characters
Medium shots of both characters
Wide angle of both characters
Shot of the sea

Scene 3 - Flashback of The Wife fighting in Dojo

The Wife has a flashback of her fight at the Dojo. She remembers walking away from NoNo

Wide angle of The Wife
Close-up of NoNo's body


Rum Punch


Scene 1 - Beach House

A meeting between Jackie and Jackson.

The director wants to shoot the entire scene in a long shot with only one close-up of Jackie's feet.

Scene 2 - Shopping Mall

Jackie hides in the changing rooms

Director wants a close-up of Jackie, a high angle of Jackie and a close-up of bag of money

Scene 3 - Beach House

Louis and Bridget chill out on the sofa

Director wants mediums shots of both characters. A close-up of the television.

A close-up of Louis.