This lesson, Ms Rosati introduced the "challenge shoot" to us. Before we entered the classroom, we were allowed to put ourselves into groups of three. My group consisted of Kazia, Robert and myself. But first, we reviewed the basic tripod and camera/tape equipment to the people who had not done film before.
With the camera, we reviewed the lens, viewfinder, and buttons. We learnt how to change the exposure, white balance and the aperture through manual focus. Changing the exposure changed the light control (bright to dark), the white balance was depending on the light situation (florescent or daylight) and the aperture changed the lens on whether or not you wanted the lens to be bigger for more light to flow in, or smaller for a less amount of light. There was also a shutter speed option which was changing how fast the shutter opens and closes for light. If you had a fast shutter speed, less light would be able to enter through. However, we didn't need to use the shutter speed for filming because it was only for taking photos.
Then we reviewed the tripod use. We learnt that if you wanted to move the tripod around, you should first remove the camera, grasp the legs together, and carry it to wherever you wanted it to be positioned. We also learnt how to change the tilt and rotation screw so the control handle can be properly nestled into the corners of the tripod.
After the reviewing of the equipment, Ms Rosati told us about the "challenge shoot". We had to film different shots in different angles but were also given a plot with dialogue that we all had to incorporate. It had to be filmed and edited by the end of the next lesson. I was not worried with this because Ms Wong had us do something like this last year. But I know I have to be well aware of the quality and outcome of the result.
Towards the last 20 minutes of the lesson, JS and I presented our clips. I received a lot of feedback (see below) which I will definitely use in the future. When JS presented his clip, which was Gandalf's fall from the Lord of the Rings, we could easily see that lighting and color played an important role in this scene. For example, when Gandalf's staff shone on the demon, the color of his light was bright white. The demon's fire was an orange tone. This signified that Gandalf could've represented an "angel" and the demon a "devil". What I was really captivated by was how the director managed to create the flickering light on Gandalf's face even though the demon didn't exist. Ms Rosati had told us that we could do the similar effect as it only involved a big light source and different colors of sheets.
Overall, I really enjoyed this lesson especially since I learnt a lot out of it. I can't wait for the "challenge shoot" next lesson and hopefully we can work hard to produce an outstanding result. I also can't wait to see the other groups' work as they are also working with the same plot and dialogue.
Sunday 28 August 2011
Year 10 Unit 1: Lesson 1, August 24 2011. Homework FEEDBACK.
During lesson 2, Ms Rosati asked JS and I to present our clip analysis in front of the class. I was the first person to introduce my clip and after it had finished playing, discussed it in for everybody to hear. I was struggling a little bit because I had no time to prepare and I couldn't remember exactly all the points I had written about. I am also not a very good "public speaker" so I said a lot of "umm's" when I talked. However, when I was done presenting, Ms Rosati clearly stated that I had a lot of mistakes in my work.
Firstly, there was no "shaky cam" technique. I initially thought there was because when we re-watched the clip some parts weren't stable. Yet that was in fact the camera mounted onto the train to capture the train ride. I hadn't thought of this until Ms Rosati told me and I realized and understood my mistake thoroughly.
Secondly, I had not noticed the vibrant colors of the scene. This point really spoke out to me because I could apply it to different films. I had not noticed that there were a lot of vivid colors in the scene as orange, yellow, red and pink from the goodies the boys were holding. Ms Rosati also spotted that there was a lot of green in the video, particularly from the train, scenery and the boys' toys. What the director was trying to capture was that this scene was a "child's world" full of fun and laughter.
Although I'm not an expert on film analysis, I really did try all my best when I was analyzing. In the future, I hope I can learn from all this feedback to build up a better and understandable analysis.
Firstly, there was no "shaky cam" technique. I initially thought there was because when we re-watched the clip some parts weren't stable. Yet that was in fact the camera mounted onto the train to capture the train ride. I hadn't thought of this until Ms Rosati told me and I realized and understood my mistake thoroughly.
Secondly, I had not noticed the vibrant colors of the scene. This point really spoke out to me because I could apply it to different films. I had not noticed that there were a lot of vivid colors in the scene as orange, yellow, red and pink from the goodies the boys were holding. Ms Rosati also spotted that there was a lot of green in the video, particularly from the train, scenery and the boys' toys. What the director was trying to capture was that this scene was a "child's world" full of fun and laughter.
Although I'm not an expert on film analysis, I really did try all my best when I was analyzing. In the future, I hope I can learn from all this feedback to build up a better and understandable analysis.
Thursday 25 August 2011
Year 10 Unit 1: Lesson 1, August 24 2011. Homework.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
The movie I have chosen is Slumdog Millionaire directed by Danny Boyle (who also directed 127 hours). The film is based in India and is about a former slum child named Jamal competing in an Indian version of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? He is one question away from the grand prize of 20 million Rupees but is delayed and interrogated by the police. Somehow, all the questions are connected to his childhood, therefore he is able to answer the questions precisely. However Jamal and his brother Salim, have had a very difficult childhood. Their mother was killed in the Bombay riots and they have had to fend for themselves since then. From defending themselves from a corrupt children's farm, to begging on the streets. The movie plays nostalgic scenes with lots of deep meaningful visuals that capture the emotion and have the audience realize they should be grateful for everything they have.
The clip I have chosen is from the beginning of the movie. It is right after the attack of the Bombay riots where the boys are just starting to survive on their own. In this scene, they are secretly living on the rooftop of a train and are trying to make a living by selling goodies to passengers.
The camera angles and movements play a very important part in this scene. It helped portray the story into reality and as if the audience was actually there.
For example, the screenshot above shows the camera angle "tilted" and not actually on a straight frame. During this part, the camera movement was intentionally shaky and unstable. This is called the shaky camera technique. This is when the cameraman has a hand-held camera whilst filming in a point of view angle. It is supposed to show a sense of anxiousness and uncertainty. However, in this clip, it was used in no relation to being nervous or scared. It was used to suggest either the movement of the train or to make the scene more realistic.
The screenshot above shows one of the boys jumping from train to train. It was shot in the low angle camera position. It could've been shot in a different angle but it was used to emphasize on the leap from the boys. It not only showed that they were having a good time, but it also signified that they were ready and capable to make that leap to survive on their own.
The clip I have chosen is from the beginning of the movie. It is right after the attack of the Bombay riots where the boys are just starting to survive on their own. In this scene, they are secretly living on the rooftop of a train and are trying to make a living by selling goodies to passengers.
The camera angles and movements play a very important part in this scene. It helped portray the story into reality and as if the audience was actually there.
For example, the screenshot above shows the camera angle "tilted" and not actually on a straight frame. During this part, the camera movement was intentionally shaky and unstable. This is called the shaky camera technique. This is when the cameraman has a hand-held camera whilst filming in a point of view angle. It is supposed to show a sense of anxiousness and uncertainty. However, in this clip, it was used in no relation to being nervous or scared. It was used to suggest either the movement of the train or to make the scene more realistic.
The screenshot above shows one of the boys jumping from train to train. It was shot in the low angle camera position. It could've been shot in a different angle but it was used to emphasize on the leap from the boys. It not only showed that they were having a good time, but it also signified that they were ready and capable to make that leap to survive on their own.
Year 10 Unit 1: Lesson 1, August 24 2011.
This would be my third consecutive year that I've done film but I'm still excited to learn the new units that we'll be studying. Today we had our first lesson with our new teacher Ms Rosati. We reviewed the rules of the film lab and the criteria/rubrics of the units we will be studying this year which are Sound Design and Documentary.
Ms Rosati had us introduce ourselves to her one by one. We discussed why we've chosen film this year, what were are favorite movies and if we didn't have one, then what film we had watched this summer. I chose film this year because I found film more appealing than all the given subjects. I've had an interest in cinematography, being behind the camera, and the editing process. I want to continue in building up my cinematography skills as much as possible with this opportunity. I've also loved how different camera angles can portray an element or emotion in a movie.
A movie I watched this summer was Crazy, Stupid, Love directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. I did not particularly enjoy this film that much because it was a little graphical and inappropriate as it was meant for adult humor. Although I did like the plot and how the audience was immensely tricked when all the characters were connected at the end.
After the little introduction, Ms Rosati wanted us to chose a short clip from another film (not the one we just mentioned), analyze it, and say what we liked about it for homework. I chose Slumdog Millionaire directed by the famous director Danny Boyle, because I re-watched it this summer and was really struck by the visual aspects of the movie. I had not known that Danny Boyle had directed this movie until I had done a little research. I've also found out he directed the Oscar nominated movie 127 Hours, which I have yet to watch.
Towards the last few minutes of the lesson, Ms Rosati had us sit and watch the first two minutes of the movie Wall-E. The reason being because it had a lot of sound design related to what we were going to study. The whole class analyzed the clip which gave a better understanding on how to identify the concepts of what the directors were trying to show in the film.
Overall, I really enjoyed the first lesson and I am very excited to use what I already know into the following units.
Ms Rosati had us introduce ourselves to her one by one. We discussed why we've chosen film this year, what were are favorite movies and if we didn't have one, then what film we had watched this summer. I chose film this year because I found film more appealing than all the given subjects. I've had an interest in cinematography, being behind the camera, and the editing process. I want to continue in building up my cinematography skills as much as possible with this opportunity. I've also loved how different camera angles can portray an element or emotion in a movie.
A movie I watched this summer was Crazy, Stupid, Love directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. I did not particularly enjoy this film that much because it was a little graphical and inappropriate as it was meant for adult humor. Although I did like the plot and how the audience was immensely tricked when all the characters were connected at the end.
After the little introduction, Ms Rosati wanted us to chose a short clip from another film (not the one we just mentioned), analyze it, and say what we liked about it for homework. I chose Slumdog Millionaire directed by the famous director Danny Boyle, because I re-watched it this summer and was really struck by the visual aspects of the movie. I had not known that Danny Boyle had directed this movie until I had done a little research. I've also found out he directed the Oscar nominated movie 127 Hours, which I have yet to watch.
Towards the last few minutes of the lesson, Ms Rosati had us sit and watch the first two minutes of the movie Wall-E. The reason being because it had a lot of sound design related to what we were going to study. The whole class analyzed the clip which gave a better understanding on how to identify the concepts of what the directors were trying to show in the film.
Overall, I really enjoyed the first lesson and I am very excited to use what I already know into the following units.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
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