Logline:
This will take place at crystal springs trail on a bench overlooking the spring. Near sunset, since sun sets over the spring three couples have a same sanctuary.
Boy walking (head down) sits down on park bench. He sighs as he sits down. He puts his face in his hands in distress as a young couple walks by behind him. They look to be as though they are in love and are talking to teach other and as they pass the bench the boy looks at their backs as they walk away and their audio fades out. The boy sighs again and then takes out his headphones and we can hear the music from his i pod.
Then middle age couple walks by in the background from right side. The boy doesn’t notice, but they talk about how they always love coming back to this trail and how peaceful it is.
Boy is looking out at the spring as they are walking by and they exit off screen
Then old couple walks by from left side and they sit down next to the boy on the bench. Boy takes off his headphones and says sure you can sit here.
Old couple are talking and they are audible and they are talking about how much they enjoy each other, boy puts his head back down in his hands still in distress.
Old people respond. Old man tells him some words of wisdom about relationships (not too cliche) maybe some humor about himself and his wife.
Old lady says time for us to go, so they both get up, old man tells boy it will be “alright kid pull through”.
After they leave out of the WS. All isolated sounds. Boy relaxes back in his park bench and looks at the spring again (hears small sound of waves). Boy looks at Grass and hears the sound of crickets, and soft wind sound as wind is blowing nearby grass. (if there's no wind it will have to be man made and sound effect can be put in later). Boy looks at free way in back of him and notices sound of cars passing by. Boy looks out at the spring once again and now all sounds are audible. Boy pulls phone out of his pocket with right hand. Looks at it (seems like he is contemplating something) then puts phone down, face down, on his right leg and slouches further back in bench. ONLY THING AUDIBLE Phone starts ringing (ring tone differences genuine or some r&b song). Boy turns his phone back over and looks at the front and caller ID says Katy and picture is of boy and Katy smiling (happy). Boy looks at it then looks out at spring and left to right (now all previous sounds in green are heard) then he looks back at phone (only ring tone is heard) boy contemplates and then pushes silent on his phone. (WS from beginning) Gets up and walks out of frame. Time lapse until night time then fade out.
Narrative:
The narrative design is a romantic. My goal of this film was to be serious throughout the whole film. I have gone on this trail many times before, and I always notice how nice and serene the view is, although the freeway is right behind it. I based most of the story off of the scene and what i could get of it. I want to experiment with isolated sounds, and then joining all the sounds together to create a soothing nature effect.
Production elements:
I wanted to incorporate nature with sound. I want to use sound bridges maybe to connect different transitions. I planned on using the music the boy was listening too and his ring tone to play as the leitmotif, and I was also thinking about incorporating some sound loops or even create my own.
Shot selection vary to establish the scenery and take the sounds of nature while minimal sound to the actual characters.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Director's Influence
Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed, produced and starring Clint Eastwood, who produced many notable movies.The other features determining the drama of the film are that the main character Walt Kowalski played by Clint Eastwood is a Korean War Vet who has lost his wife and treats his family and neighbors harshly. Kowalski lives by poor Asian immigrants who he dramatically learns to defend. Another film this movie connects to could be the other film he has directed and starred in Million Dollar Baby. Eastwood in both films has a similar character in which he softens and learns to accept those in need of his help. Clint Eastwood directed this film and it was written by Nick Schenk and Dave Johannson. It was written to portray the struggles of Asian Americans who are constantly disregarded, when speaking about struggles in society. Eastwood fights against Asian's in the Korean War, but overcomes his hatred for them opening up and accepting a boy constantly antagonized. We can tell that the movies creators desired to express to its viewers that any man who sees a family in trouble even if he has lost the thing to live for (his wife) has enough heart to help those in need. This fits with Eastwood's other works because the narrative is similar to Million Dollar Baby. In both instances Eastwood opens up to the main characters after being antagonizing to them. I think some shots overlap with the two movies because many waist shots are used effectively with Eastwood and the respective main character in each film confronting each other. I think this film's theme is that racism is overcome by a character who see's hardships that one constantly endures. The target audience is older teens and adults who seek the knowledge of abused Asian immigrants, who encounter constant run-ins with a gang, and in which the antagonist of the film Eastwood transitions to the protagonist.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Hurt Locker Analysis
Hurt Locker was a fascinating movie that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Movies that take on miltary persectives are usually attention -grabing because in any circumstance where your life is constantly on the line onlookers will be intrigued to see what those characters are thinking. I thought the cinematography of the film and the various shot selections engaged the viewers throughout the film and put the film in an intricate storyline.
I thought the acting was very well played. Throughout the film I was envisioning real-life circumstances and soldiers. Even the Iraqian people seemed realistic and Bigelow used actual charcters living in Iraq to make the movie as realistic as possible their clothing acuarately portrayed the characters they were supposed to play. The seting of Iraq was a key part in the effectiveness of the film because the worn down, beaten look of Amman, Jordan revealed something as close to Iraq as possible.


I thought this film fitted well with a pshycological war drama because pshycologically each of the main characters had breakdowns and faced tasks and circumstances that led to their meltdowns. For Eldridge he was pushed to the limit when he was shot at and injured his leg, Sanborn could't stand the war anymore when the man blew up because James couldn't save him, and James broke down after seeing Beckham brutally killed and turned into a human bomb. The scenery and the movie is based around the Iraq war and its dramatic because each day is more difficult and seems more likely that death will come.

Sunday, November 28, 2010
Short Film Critique: Finding One's True Self


Commentary- My role that i shared in the film was primarily the leading actor, but shared the role as a director and helped edit the treatment to develop our script as well as edited my own version of the film. Some problems we faced were lighting issues in some scenes like the one we shot outside for our dream sequence with just the streetlight as our light source. The shot came out darker than expected as well as a little fuzzy but constant retakes and camera angles helped create it as clear as possible. Another issue was a crucial scene in the film when i was reciting the main audio of our film how to find one's true self while drifting off to sleep the audio was turned off or not plugged in all the way so we hear nothing there. Since we already finished filming and time was already short we decided to go on without the audio and thought the scene still worked with my facial expressions helping the viewers to understand whats going on. Another problem was keeping the camera steady during action scenes where the tripod was incapable of capturing the constant movement because the movement made the image less clear and made the shots seem more unprofessional. We fixed this problem by doing shots over and over again until it was as steady as possible and it was still clear. Acting was the last problem because no one wanted to act and finding reliable actors to fit in our schedule was tough so I decided to take the role as lead actor and asked Anissa to help, as the girl, even though she was reluctant, she pulled through. Daniel a person we originally casted turned out to be a no show so Kevin had to fill in as the ex-stalker boyfriend who did his part as well as he could even though his image didn't portray what we originally planned.

Narrative/Script- The beginning of our film is presented well with the boring and routine lifestyle of the boy shown, but certain transitions seemed awkward like going right to the school from there without showing how the boy gets to school and it just drops into this one key aspect of him in school. This school sequence was significant to the whole film because it presented the theme to our film and the catalyst that drives the boy to change his boring ways. The boy realizes through this theme and prompt that he's been wasting away his life going after nothing so decides he needs change. The middle of the film leading to the fight scene shows a transition in the boys character as as the film goes on we effectively see him gaining more confidence. The dream sequence incorporated in the script was for comedic purposes and didn't seem realistic if it was real life. The dialogue we used supported and allowed our plot to advance in an effective manner.




Short Documentary Review-Kung Fu Fighting Documentary
The documentary on Kung Fu Fighting is about the different styles of martial arts and a Chinese art form that combines many techniques and styles to it. Kung Fu is a general classification of the various types of martial arts. There are various forms of martial arts with no right or wrong and its a sport that any person can do rich or poor. The documentary breaks down three of the main acting/Asian/martial artists of our era: Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. It also expresses that Kung Fu is something many people are fascinated with because of the intense training as well as focus needed to be skilled in it.
The analysist in the documentary express that people are fascinated with martial artists who use speed and technique over power and force. The precision and fluidity of each move and strike makes every blow powerful and unique. Onlookers are intrigued by fighting styles of Bruce Lee and Jet Li who aren't the bulkiest guys but use their respective martial arts and kung fu ultimately to win in fights.
Kung Fu combines acrobatics, speed, strength, concentration, and dedication to make a fighting style that is used around the world and in many movies to awe and wow viewers. Kung Fu was a way for people to settle disputes they had and walk around with little or no fear that they could defend themselves. Anybody could do kung fu it wasn't only for the rich, but also the poor could practice and the only tools needed was area to practice.
Kung Fu fighters use sounds like yelling to make their oponent fear them and each strike is backed with a pop noise to express the speed and vigor with each blow. Early films were in black and white and it didnt take away from the fight scenes as much but it took away more from the fighting scenery. A significant fight scene brought up in the documentary was one between Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, where Bruce Lee was the starring actor fighting untill death with Chuck Norris. They fought in the Collosieum in Rome where the backgroud enhanced the fight and made the scene more dramatic. Many fight scenes are close ups with the camera panning quickly back and forth and swaying side to side to make sure the whole fight is captured. The close ups makes viewers sit on the edge of their seats anticipating the outcome. Overall Kung Fu has spread world wide to fans, athletes, and fighters who desire that dedication and concentration it brings.
The analysist in the documentary express that people are fascinated with martial artists who use speed and technique over power and force. The precision and fluidity of each move and strike makes every blow powerful and unique. Onlookers are intrigued by fighting styles of Bruce Lee and Jet Li who aren't the bulkiest guys but use their respective martial arts and kung fu ultimately to win in fights.
Kung Fu combines acrobatics, speed, strength, concentration, and dedication to make a fighting style that is used around the world and in many movies to awe and wow viewers. Kung Fu was a way for people to settle disputes they had and walk around with little or no fear that they could defend themselves. Anybody could do kung fu it wasn't only for the rich, but also the poor could practice and the only tools needed was area to practice.
Kung Fu fighters use sounds like yelling to make their oponent fear them and each strike is backed with a pop noise to express the speed and vigor with each blow. Early films were in black and white and it didnt take away from the fight scenes as much but it took away more from the fighting scenery. A significant fight scene brought up in the documentary was one between Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee, where Bruce Lee was the starring actor fighting untill death with Chuck Norris. They fought in the Collosieum in Rome where the backgroud enhanced the fight and made the scene more dramatic. Many fight scenes are close ups with the camera panning quickly back and forth and swaying side to side to make sure the whole fight is captured. The close ups makes viewers sit on the edge of their seats anticipating the outcome. Overall Kung Fu has spread world wide to fans, athletes, and fighters who desire that dedication and concentration it brings.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Documentary Pre Productionn
Purpose:To show the pros and cons of a video game specifically one a majority of students play Call of Duty: Black Ops and to see how it affects students daily life. | ||||||||
Contacts:I need to speak to various students in high school who have had certain hardships in their lives or who are doing bad or well in school. | ||||||||
Interview Questions: I need to focus on a selected group of students who have different lifestyles and face different struggles. What is Black Ops and why is it so popular? What majority of kids play it? How does Black Ops help you cope with hardships? Does the game distract you or affect your school life? Does the game make your character rougher or reserved, outgoing? How does it affect your character and personality? What makes you keep playing and spend so much time on it? | ||||||||
General Flow: In the beginning of the film I could put background information on the video game and put percentages of people playing the game in our area or data on what majority of race plays it and scientific research on the cons of games especially ones that show violence. In the middle Ill follow a selected group of students who play the game daily and see how they use it to cope with things or use it just for pleasure and fun. In the end Ill come to my conclusions on the games effects on those students and how that compares to the overall data. Shot List- The first shots I could take is full body shots of the students I'm following to show their various body languages at school. Then close ups or waist shots of their participation or awareness in class. Next i can take shots of them playing and their reactions to the game as they play in comparison to school reactions and body language. Rack focus shot showing the group of students being interviewed and their body language after routinely going through their day. | ||||||||
Scripts:Interviews of the students I'm following mainly and there life at school and at home. I'm scarcely going to be in the script If anything only minimal participation. Intro:Background information on the game and introductions to the students I'll be interviewing and following. Closing:Show the comparison of data and what I found out through the game and if it affects student life. |
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Baraka Film RESPONSE
The film Baraka was created by Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson and portays a simplistic film with powerful images that depict a life of growth, adaptation, and beliefs. The film was enjoyable and seemed eager in showing how much the world has changed throughout the entire world. Without any words sometimes the film seems difficult to understand and follow the change in scene, but the images ultimatley are placed in focus here so the differences in our world are revealed. The images are clear and the cinematographer uses a slow trucking technique to portay each shot and landscape as if its been passed by with little appreciation. The theme implied is human's evolving through the willingness of our world around us that makes us forget about the simplistic beauties that create our world.The simple images like a waterfall or a baboon that we ignore for virtual indulgences like video games show how we lack appreciaton for our world and soon it'll be lost. The cinematographers take each long shot and image and use them to portay lifestyles and living conditions at the time and of the people of various countries. There is no plot or storyline in this movie but the sequence of events seem to transition and evolve and become more urbanized as the movie continues on. The lighting for the most part is bright and mainly in the daylight to contrast the solemn, gloomyness of the constant music that plays throughout the film.
This picture is taken of the Kecak Dance in Bali the shot shown is taken over the head and looking down on the Bali people who are performng a sacred ritual dance that seems to be done by elders. Some dancers seem to be grinning in the picture and enjoy the unifying ritual and spirtuality with a leader shouting out cries that spark other people to reply back with similar responses. All these people are dressed the same with an equal outlook in their respective ritual that is uncommon today.
This picture of Kowloon, Hong Kong depicts crowded apartments or living conditions that seem unsanitary. The housing at the time depicts a rough life of civilians with drug use and many crimes that are a result of this torn down beat up city.
The last picture reveals New York City bustling with activity and cars and livelihood that loses all the serene calmities of previous images and shows the urbanization and transitions of people and daily life.
1. I think the title Baraka or "breath" or "essence" means that everything breathes whether its nature or people traffic or animals everything essentially has its own breathe and sound with it. Wr neglect certain wonders in our world that in this film through no dialogue we can learn about the essence of life without any speaking.
2. I think it expresses a crticism of the modern day world and the destruction we are causing in the world that allows us to "breathe." The images portayed show a loss of culture and a destructive manner people have used to allow society to grow. Another vision depicted shows the disregard of great cultures that were in our past and images of different cultures customs.
3. The message I get from this film is one that is disgusted and in awe at the same time. I understand the beauties of the world disregarded and the various cultures that make our diverse world what it is but also realize how each great civilization ultimatley crumbles through a greed and desire for more.
4. I think the absence of voice and text ultimatley showed limted sides of how are world is growing and how each country has its own way of living. the images were there but first hand dialogue or text could suppport those images and each culture further and show more of a positive outlook to the film.
5. Various images aply to culture and city like of the men chanting and New York bustling with numerous amount of people and cars. It contrasts the nature in the film because the mountains or sunset is shown in a serene calm soothing manner while the city life and cultures our more wild and noisy.
6. Some intrepretations of the monk on the street can be that our world is full of diversity with all kinds of people, races, cultures, religions and beliefs but we are all people and ultimatley live in the same world. The cigarette factory show difficult harsh labor to make a product that destroys our world and we pain for something that inevitable hurts our world to ease certain addictions and enjoyments. The city streets are an insight of our world today how its evolved in technology and our living styles our much more technology oriented. The film says spirtuality and religion are never neglected nor forgotten but are masked in peoples images.
7. The social statement Baraka makes about the poor is one of constant hatred and neglectment people pass the poor by as if they are dust on their shoe and could care less about those strugling in life. People neglect each other and care only for themselves are their own gains or benefits.
8. I like the transitions from one image to another and when the man with the tattoo transitions to the little child with body painting because it shows that we still follow customs and follow traditions but they just have changed as time and advancements evolve.
9. We watched Baraka because its a thought provoking film that expresses ideas through images and little sound. We are soo accustomed to sound films that we neglect just the still images that have riveting information through them. I think its harder to just realize things and through a film its a more understanding way of getting a point across. Yes it makes me want to travel the world before other historic or indigenous people or place is destroyed by our constant destruction of our own world.
This picture is taken of the Kecak Dance in Bali the shot shown is taken over the head and looking down on the Bali people who are performng a sacred ritual dance that seems to be done by elders. Some dancers seem to be grinning in the picture and enjoy the unifying ritual and spirtuality with a leader shouting out cries that spark other people to reply back with similar responses. All these people are dressed the same with an equal outlook in their respective ritual that is uncommon today.
This picture of Kowloon, Hong Kong depicts crowded apartments or living conditions that seem unsanitary. The housing at the time depicts a rough life of civilians with drug use and many crimes that are a result of this torn down beat up city.
The last picture reveals New York City bustling with activity and cars and livelihood that loses all the serene calmities of previous images and shows the urbanization and transitions of people and daily life.
1. I think the title Baraka or "breath" or "essence" means that everything breathes whether its nature or people traffic or animals everything essentially has its own breathe and sound with it. Wr neglect certain wonders in our world that in this film through no dialogue we can learn about the essence of life without any speaking.
2. I think it expresses a crticism of the modern day world and the destruction we are causing in the world that allows us to "breathe." The images portayed show a loss of culture and a destructive manner people have used to allow society to grow. Another vision depicted shows the disregard of great cultures that were in our past and images of different cultures customs.
3. The message I get from this film is one that is disgusted and in awe at the same time. I understand the beauties of the world disregarded and the various cultures that make our diverse world what it is but also realize how each great civilization ultimatley crumbles through a greed and desire for more.
4. I think the absence of voice and text ultimatley showed limted sides of how are world is growing and how each country has its own way of living. the images were there but first hand dialogue or text could suppport those images and each culture further and show more of a positive outlook to the film.
5. Various images aply to culture and city like of the men chanting and New York bustling with numerous amount of people and cars. It contrasts the nature in the film because the mountains or sunset is shown in a serene calm soothing manner while the city life and cultures our more wild and noisy.
6. Some intrepretations of the monk on the street can be that our world is full of diversity with all kinds of people, races, cultures, religions and beliefs but we are all people and ultimatley live in the same world. The cigarette factory show difficult harsh labor to make a product that destroys our world and we pain for something that inevitable hurts our world to ease certain addictions and enjoyments. The city streets are an insight of our world today how its evolved in technology and our living styles our much more technology oriented. The film says spirtuality and religion are never neglected nor forgotten but are masked in peoples images.
7. The social statement Baraka makes about the poor is one of constant hatred and neglectment people pass the poor by as if they are dust on their shoe and could care less about those strugling in life. People neglect each other and care only for themselves are their own gains or benefits.
8. I like the transitions from one image to another and when the man with the tattoo transitions to the little child with body painting because it shows that we still follow customs and follow traditions but they just have changed as time and advancements evolve.
9. We watched Baraka because its a thought provoking film that expresses ideas through images and little sound. We are soo accustomed to sound films that we neglect just the still images that have riveting information through them. I think its harder to just realize things and through a film its a more understanding way of getting a point across. Yes it makes me want to travel the world before other historic or indigenous people or place is destroyed by our constant destruction of our own world.
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