Smallville (Daughtry - Sorry soundtrack)

This greatly inspires me due to the fact that the narration is based around a funeral, which could be incorporated within my thriller within the opening sequence. I essentially like how there's cross cutting between the main character, and the other characters to establish a relationship between each of them as well as to convey the necessary emotions that represent the atmosphere of a funeral setting. The concept of a funeral would incorporate well into a thriller because since they're supposed to be realistic, this is something that an audience can relate to, and since its located within a graveyard especially adds to the tension, however strays away from the thriller genre and seems more like drama. I especially like the soundtrack because once again it emphasises the emotions that are being conveyed within the scene, and the pace of it fits in nicely with the grim atmosphere. However its not a soundtrack that could necessarily suit a thriller because it doesn't build up suspense or tension.  

Analyse editing techniques - Smallville

To post a clip on your blog and analyse for editing techniques. How do they create meaning for the audience? 


The scene I will be analysing is derived from the show called "Smallville", and I am going to discuss some of the various editing techniques it contains, and they way in which it create meaning for the audience. 


The first editing technique that I will be discussing is match on action, which is used multiple times throughout this entire scene in order to emphasise the story behind this trailer. This is denoted at 0.33 and continues for a period of time with multiple match on action's until 1.34. The effect that this editing technique has is that it shows a level of continuity throughout the entire section of the clip allowing the audience to understand the various relationships that exist as well as helping develop the story along so that we as the audience could interpret the situation without having to have watched the show before. In addition your clearly able to see some of the significant characters in this scene, making you wonder who has died, and what relationship did that individual have with these people. However by cleverly making this match on action be extend for a period of time allows you to see that the relationship is quite strong as well as significant, meaning the audience can feel the emotion in this scene. 


Another editing techniques is an example of one of the transitions that have only been used in this entire scene, which is a cut transition. This is denoted constantly throughout the majority of the scene e.g at 0.59 when it cut from Mrs Kent to Lois and Chloe or at 1.09 when it cuts from the coffin to Lana and Clark. This is a commonly used transition, that in this case helps to build up the level of drama, which adds to the tension; this also allows the audience to take in the story, the characters emotion and the sadness each character is giving to us the audience. 

Task 5

Textually analyse the trailer for cinematography:
What shot types and angles have they used? How do these create meaning for the audience? 


Over the shoulder
An over the shoulder shot has been used to show the audience that there is some level of a relationship between the two characters, and I denote this at multiple times in the trailer e.g 0.9-0.11 0.16-0.17. This connotes that both character have some level of a relationship, and this is shared with the audience so that we're capable of understanding what type of that these characters share. Furthermore it moves on the story that the trailer is trying to show us. 


High angle
A high angle has been used to create suspense for the audience, and  allow them to ponder this characters purpose within the trailer. During the trailer I denoted that at 1.12, the antagonist is standing over the protagonist. This connotes that this women is much more powerful, and in command, which once again allows the audience to wonder as to what her purpose is in the film, and also cause tension and suspense because you wonder what's going on. 


Close Up
A close up is used so the audience is capable of seeing and feeling the characters emotions, and I denote this from 1.41-1.43, when you get a close up of the old woman's face as well the reaction of the girls face. The close up of the old woman's face connotes fear, and horror towards the audience because it a sudden shock, meaning that once again the audience are feeling the face pace of the trailer. The close up of the girls face is a response too the woman's and is also a surprise to the audience, and creates the same type of effect. 

Lock stock sequence by Junior, Paul, Jubel, Scott

Task 1

What was similar?:

Micro-aspects:

Some of the camera shots that were similar to actual scene were such things as the long shot, mid shot, close up, extreme close up , scrolling shot, over the shoulder shot. Furthermore we were able to achieve angles that were remotely similar to that of the original. The lighting that we achieved in our recreation of the scene was also similar because it was quite dark in some of the scene. Our editing was also similar because we cut between the poker game, and the characters as well.

Sound:

The only thing that was similar when it comes to music is that we had some backing sound, and that certain parts of the song fit different shots in the scene.

Characters:

The main characters in our scene included the dealer, and two of the characters. 

Editing:

Some aspects of our editing were similar to that of the original sequence. For example the we had the slow motion scene; when he's throwing the cards. In addition we stuck with the fast pace of the original so it can flow.

What was different?:

Micro-aspects:

Some of the shots that the original scene achieved proved to be different when re-creating it, for example the scrolling shot of all the people at the table. In addition we missed out a lot of the scenes that were in the original, and it meant that ours didn't really make a much sense but you were able to catch a gist of the story. 

Sound:

The main difference was that the sound track we used was quite slow compared to theirs, meaning that the music made it seem a bit slow. The wasn't any diegetic sound from the characters, showing very little interaction. 

Characters:

The largest difference was the quantity in characters, because our version only had three characters, which had around 6-9 people. 

Editing:

The original seemed to have far longer scene, and very few short scene, but at the same time where able to keep a face pace. 

What went well:

I think that we were capable of pitching in ideas that helped us to form together our work, and allowed us to progress much easier. Furthermore I think that our level of organisation was quite good because we were able to piece together our shots, find music and add effects all in one lesson; this then meant that we worked effectively as a teams, and had equal parts to play in the making of the scene. 

What could we improve:

Something that I would have improved on is the type of shots we had, because it then limited the chances of us being able to make a story. Furthermore it then caused our sequence to be far shorter than it should have been; then we would have been able to add more detail into the scenes, and have more time to think about how we filmed it. Another thing I would improve is the scenery because it didn't fit the actual scenario. I would have gotten a far darker room, and made it more real, rather than look like we rushed it. Another thing that I would improve on is the speed of the scene, because compared to the original ours seemed quite sluggish. 

Task 3

Did I work well as part of a team?:

I think that I worked quite well because we were able to produce our scene with ease but also because I used my previous knowledge of Media to help operate the Mac's and the software on it. However I think that because I do know a lot I don't let other people learn for themselves and I stop them from having the experience. 

What were the benefits and problems of teamwork?:

The benefits of teamwork are that each individual is good at different aspects, allowing everyone to take part, and share their skills to produce the work. The problems could be that everybody in the team could have an idea that they're keen on but they all wouldn't be capable of going into the work, which can lead to arguments and ideas not being considered. 

What did i learn about camera works and editing footage?:

I learnt the way by which you can achieve difficult camera angles as well as apply. In addition I re-caped a lot of the techniques that I gathered from previous knowledge. Furthermore i have began to expand my knowlegde on the different tpyes of editing techniques; this allows us to create an array of more effects that made our sequence look better.

What skills would you like to develop or learn?:

Some of the skills that i would like to develop are to be able to learn even more editing techniques, and also expand on the types of shots that are possible; this would then allow me to be capable of creating shots that have even more effect on the audience making whatever i've created look more professional.

Task 4

Write at least two positive comments, and an area for improvement:

-DONE

Mrs Molyneux Homework

The scene above was taken from the TV programme know as Charmed. I am going to discuss some of the key concepts this media text contains.

The first key concept is ideology, and this is portrayed in this scene in many ways. The ideas and values in which this scene offers is family; this is evident because the girl doesn't want to go back because of her broken family. Therefore the sisters are trying to persuade her that by leaving she is going to make her mother feel the same way she felt when her parents separated. Furthermore it shows how children escape into fantasy worlds to escape from their problems, and once again its reinforced by one of the sisters that by forgetting about your troubles only leads to them getting worse. This offers a lot to the audience because it allows them to relate to an issue that affects millions of children worldwide. Therefore from this one scene the audience is capable of empathising with the child characters, allowing them to understand how it would feel to be in their situation.

Another key concept was the audience. From this scene alone it looks as if it could be aimed at females aged 6-11. This is evident by the fact that there are fairies in the scene, as well as the cast only being female. In addition the young girl seems to be the focus in this scene, and girls in that age range tend to believe in fairies.  I would say the target ethnicity is white people because all the characters in this scene are white, and American. However it could still appeal to all ethnicities and nationalities. I would say that this could also appeal to parents, especially mothers because they may be in the same situation as the character and therefore are once again able to sympathise with the young character.

The final key concept is micro-aspects. In this scene the lighting is very dark, and the majority of light in this scene comes from the fire, and light of the fairies.The sound in this scene is mainly speech, and effects from the fairies movement, and there is also the background music which is quite mellow and calm. The mise en scene is quite natural, emphasising the mystery and magic surrounding fairy tales. Within this scene the cinematography isn't that varied because the majority of them tend to be mid- shots, and there are a few close up e.g when piper's giving her speech. Having close ups allows the emotion from characters to be shared with the audience. With the mid- shots they also allow you to receive the emotion but also continue to give you a sense of location, relating back to a sort of fairy tale theme. There is also a long shot with gives you full view of the two fairies. The editing in this scene is done in a way that allows you to feel the emotions from the young girl as Piper's giving her speech, and allows you to see her change her mind about the situation.

Smallville - test post

This is taken from a scene in the TV programme known as Smallvillle.