Trailer Review

 The Avengers

http://www.moviestrailer.org/the-avengers-movie-trailer.html

The trailer I reviewed was The Avengers trailer, where an agency called S.H.I.E.L.D puts together a team of superhumans to save the Earth from being destroyed by extraterrestrial villains. This movie is a highly anticipated movie that is supposed to be released May of next year and has reviewers on the edge of their seats, directed by Joss Whedon. This movie is widely acclaimed because of its plethora of famous actors and actresses involved in this screening. Also this movie was foreshadowed by movies that past already like Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. I wanted to choose this trailer to review because I enjoy watching action movies and this movie by seeing this trailer has only built up my anticipation of its release in theaters on May of 2012.

This trailer began with slow establishing shots, setting the stage of the movie and creating a drag in for its viewers. The setting of New York is established through above the air shots that seems to pan over the city and quickly cut to an explosion that opens up the viewers eyes. The trailer seems to allude to the fact that Earth is in a bad state ahead of time to create a sense of conflict before the protagonists are introduced because we get glimpses of the antagonist ahead of even the production company. A voice over is also used to further dramatize the trailer saying, "you were made to be ruled" slowing into the trailer, but as the protagonists start to be revealed (Samuel L. Jackson) then the trailer seems to pick up drastically and become a lot more fast paced. I enjoy these trailers that drag in the beginning and drastically pick up pace because they maintain your focus and build your suspense further until you actually go see the movie. I also liked how this trailer did not reveal its production company paramount and marvel until a third into the actual trailer. This trailer like all good trailers do give insight into the characters of the movie without revealing too much of the storyline.

The cinematography adds to the suspense of the trailer because it brings intimate closeup shots varied with wide movement shots that portray an interesting scenery that foreshadows how the movie will turn out. Also the fast paced cutting to each super hero gives the audience a better sense of who the main characters in the film will be, so they can know what to expect and not go into the movie blindly, not knowing anything. Other action sequences that have a lot of depth to them are also included, so the audience does not get bored with only close up and know what type of genre this movie is. A lot of movement shots are incorporated since this film is an action one that provides good usage of tracking shots and over head shots that seem to be shot on a plane or high above ground following the action.

The editing in this trailer creates this fast paced mood that seems to reflect how the action will turn out in the film also. The fast paced cutting and fades to black seem to further build suspense throughout the trailer and try to maintain suspense, so it will stick in the viewers mind. The face paced cutting seems to parallel the intensity of the music and song being played that drops just as the action ends in the end. Also we see some further editing techniques when the villain shoots out blue beams through his hands, to create a false sense of danger in the movie. I believe this technique of gradual build up is used in mostly all great trailers that want its viewers to be hooked into their film so they can go watch it.

The sound is just as crucial as any part in a trailer because without it the suspense would not be complete. Great shots grab peoples visual admiration to the movie but sounds create another sensory tie to the movie and trailer. Without the music build up or the explosions I would not have been as interested in the trailer and would not have been able to categorize it as a action film, but the music complements the action. The sound seems to set the movie into context and complement what goes on in the movie, by giving it a back story just as seen in this trailer through the voiceovers.

Run Lola Run Critique

Mis En Scene

I. The aspect of Run Lola Run that my group focused on was the Mis en Scene which is what is inside the scene and for what purposes. My group and I approached this section in a manner that started off correct, but started getting a bit off tangent. We broke down the Mis en Scene within each narrative story and tried to figure out commonalities of each shot within the different narratives. I believe our interpretation was a bit skewed because we also did not have a full grasp of our term that we had to analyze. Mis en scene we focused more on the effect each shot brought instead of what literal objects were in each shot and why Twyker decided to incorporate in that particular manner. I thought we covered the language fairly well, within our section, but limited the language use to specific aspects of this film instead of viewing the language in a general sense. This technique of grouping each term within each storyline also made us forget key aspects of mis en scene such as Lola's room where a strong characterization of her is given to the audience. Prior to splitting up the information into storylines we had this particular scene written down to discuss, but limited ourselves with how we broke down the terms within mis en scene. I specifically analyzed the angle's Twyker used within this film which I thought was a key part in this gilm and also the framing of each shot. The angles were key in this film because it further characterized Lola as the dominant image with constant running shots that were looking up on her, giving her an air of superiority. I think I could have addressed my topics a little bit more thoroughly and focused more on mis en scene instead of the storyline. 


II. Some strengths of our presentation was that we broke down many shots throughout each plot line. Also we tried to incorporate all the language that is used to create the mis en scene portion of our section. Another strength that I saw was that I got better familiar with my topics and ideas, so I wasn't just reading off my paper making our presentation more of a discussion format. I think the facts that I covered within the movie were accurate too and my own interpretations seemed accurate enough of the techniques that I saw Twyker utilize. 


III. To improve our presentation I thought we'd first need a full grasp of the task we were assigned which was to break down the mis en scene. I felt our understanding of it differed a bit from what it actually asked, so our presentation wasn't completely relevant to mis en scene. Furthermore in my own presentation I feel like why the shot was placed a certain way wasn't always conveyed well because with the nuns picture I didn't retierate that the nuns signify purity in the midst of Lola's distress which was a key component of that scene. Also I constantly looked down when I talked which took away from the power of my voice and made it a bit harder for people to follow what I was saying.

Film Treatment: Time is my Life

Logline: Everything in this boy's life is scheduled or already set up; he has no time for anyone or anything but what is already planned, until his schedule is finally broken.  

It's night time and the boy sets up all his stuff for the next day his gym bag, backpack, SAT prep book and planner. This boy has no phone just a watch which runs his life as well as his planner, his sense of time is always on point and nothing distracts whats in front of him. He has no time for leisurely activities and merely waves at friends and girls.

As the boys alarm goes off he quickly and mechanically gets up brushes his teeth and goes through his daily morning routine with no distractions. He goes to school and is once again mechanical going from class to class with no distractions then to the gym and finally to a SAT prep class. He already has a pre-set life with the only goal, is to getting to a good college and not enjoying anything as of now. Every ounce of his life is being contolled by the watch on his hand (possibly a gold watch to signify restriction). This boy is a popular boy too who enjoys the attention and is praised by his work ethic by all, his looks are pretty well rounded as he constantly attends the gym. Girls even try to make an effort to say hi and talk to him, but he treats every girl the same with small talk, but nothing further fearing a distraction. Everything to this boy is a distraction or a waste of time, he even scoffs at using the bathroom, viewing it also as a distraction. Eating for this boy is also mechanical with him taking his meals at exactly the same time and finishing his food at the exact same time every day.

(flashbacks)
This boy's life was not always this mechanical before getting into high school he ran what was considered a "normal" life with leisurely activities and attending parties and being as sociable as ever, but just as he ended middles school his life drastically changed. Before this change the boy and his best friend Bree were inseperable, they were like brothers. They always competed against each other and pushed each other hanging out everyday sharing everything with one another. Not a secret could be between them, but going in to high school Brock the main character had an epiphany and without explanation became a lot more withdrawn and mechanical. Bree confused and rejected felt offended that his friend changed so suddenly and drastically with no explanation but as his "brother" respected his change and decieded he'd wait until Brock approached him about his new lifestlye. 

3 years have passed though and it is already senior year Brock hasn't said anything. As Brock continues on with his mechanical lifestlye for the first time he starts to realize this girl who all but seems too perfect. She is everything and has everything plays sports, does well in school, and simply can make a room light up with her smile. Brock notices her and only her and spends a little more time putting a slight effort with her but just as he is about to get off schedule he looks at his watch and leaves in mid sentence rushing to his next activity in his life. This girl is also honored Brock is talking to her but confused at the same time.

Finally Bree is fed up with Brock ignoring him and just saying whats up for the past three years so deciedes to confront him as well as the girl Ariel. It was friday and Bree determined goes straight up to Brock after school just as hes about to leave and grabs him. Brock says "hey" and is about to continue on leaving when Bree says "thats all you can say after we spent our childhood together?" Brock pauses and Bree goes on ranting how he never stopped him before and waited but couldn't anymore. Bree said "if you still didnt want to be friends why didnt you say so?" "Isnt that what you want" Brock in a confused state is speechless and Bree says angirly "fine go on with your merry life but dont still expect me to be there for you still "brother" (in a sarcastic tone). (He storms off) Brock standing there is speechless his mind is spinning the floor under him doesnt seem as solid anymore. He can't think not only because his best friend just confronted but for the first time in 3 years his time is off HE IS OFF SCHEDULE. He sits down to brace himself, but just as he sits Ariel comes storming straight for him. She sits beside him and says Brock "do you like me?" because "I like you" Whoa whoa whoa did Brock hear right "SHE likes him SHE" repeating in his mind. "Brock" she says whats going through your mind "I want us to hang out" "I want to get to know you better"-Whoa whoa whoa time out again everything freezes even time "she wants to hang out" hang out but I cant do that no no hanging out is simply impossible (speaks to himself on mind) "What do you think Brock" Ariel says. Brock stammers "umm uhh ahh umm" partly because he likes her (see his hands clammy) and partly because he knows his schedule cant be compromised he keeps looking at his watch with no direct response to her. Ariel takes his response back as shyness and smiles saying "well tell me what you think tomorrow" and walks off. Brock who lost track of time feels insecure and vulnerable for the first time in his life he gets home extremely late forgetting which is his house due to the recent interactions and geting off-schedule.

When Brock his parents look to question him but he simply goes to his room shuting the door, he deciedes to weigh his options. Option one (flashforwards) he responds back to Bree saying he is sorry they make up go back to old childhood days as inseperable brothers and all is well with him, and tells Ariel he just wants to be friends for now but will put in a bigger effort to maintain conversations, seeing everyone as an equal besides his brother Bree. Option two he says he likes Ariel too and they start hanging out more and more him new to this guy and girl thing sets up nothing and Ariel plans there day out everyday before long he falls in love with her perfection and has a new driving force in his life her, making all aspects of his life her and Bree is further neglected breaking their friendship. Option three he continues on with his time consumed life he lets no other thing distract him again ever. Bree is forgotten and they both go their seperate ways and Ariel is heartbroken, but rebounds and is seen with another guy.

The Outcome- Brock after constant thinking at 4am the next morning takes off his watch and goes to sleep.

Broadcast Critique: SUMMA

My partner and I came up with the segment for summer because we thought summer would be an interesting topic that would be easy to compress into a video. Also we thought about a sport segment, but didn't think there would be a sufficient amount of b-roll yet for those segments since games hadn't started yet. We found the people in our interviews primarily from our class and the upper class of students because we figured this is the seniors last summer to cherish. Also before gathering the interviewees we ensured they had an interesting summer or something interesting to share with the student body. I felt our focus questions made our interviewees converse more openly about their summer instead of create choppy cuts that don't relate to one another. Originally we envisioned actually going out and gathering some simple b-roll like some beach shots or athletes at play, but was compromised due to time constraints and for the fact that summer had already passed.

The location and audio for our interviews was satisfactory mainly because the construction background noise was going on as we were executing our interviews. Also we hoped for a sunnier day to carry out our interviews, but were subject to a sort of cloudy day due to accessibility to the equipment. Our b-roll were a bunch of clips from youtube, so we didn't have the power to alter or change the quality of the shots we had and were forced to work with whatever was there. Since summer had already passed we didn't have the power to take any b-roll of our own, which brought the quality of the b-roll down, but we found some interesting clips that did enhance our video as a whole. There was a wide variety of the shots we found, but some were much clearer than others because the cameras that were used were different.

I thought the voice-over in the beginning did a great job to avert the audiences attention and captivate their minds to what was being shown on screen. To grab the students attention we opened with a short welcoming and some background knowledge of the recent events of summer. Our segment varied and was quite informative, but didn't have too wide of a selection of students from different classes secluding to seniors only. The voice overs blended well with the interviews and gave a slight synopsis to what was going to be explored much more thoroughly in the interviews. The final interview wanted to wrap up the summer events that has passed and wanted students to avert their attention to what's ahead of them, school, until next summer.



Our editing was once again limited due to our b-roll being made of short composite videos from youtube, but we made the best of it. We tried to make our b-roll that we found flow systematically with the interviews and piece together in an understanding way, which we thought we did well. With audio some of our audio levels were off, but it took only a little minor changes to tweak. Also the opening sequence was made with a summer title that changed colors which was to grasp how varied people's summers were. Lastly the pictures we used were to enhance what the interviewer's were saying, to match their adventures with a visual. Many cross dissolves were added to the interviews and pictures, so they would flow from one item and idea and person to the next smoothly.

I think I like best about our piece is the comedic aspect to some of the interviews that made summer seem like it had its share of memories and laughs.If I had more time and my partner I'm sure we would try to find videos people shot of their summer and incorporated it into our video or actually go out and get some live footage that wouldn't look so unprofessional as the youtube videos. The most important lesson to take from our video is that Summer pieces although seem easy are actually tough to make creative unless you plan to get b-roll during summer, instead of after school is already in session, because then your stuck with youtube clips instead of actual footage your proud of getting.

Character in TIME

 

In this photo a boy seems to be having an inner struggle within his mind that has occurred due to a current hardship in his life. This boy has a defeated expression covering his head in the middle of the road, obviously disgruntled. The boy fears moving on from a tragic event that has just occurred and can’t fathom life continuing on. The boy has he sits is contemplating and having flashbacks of his horrible past as he can’t move from the middle of the street. For this boy time is completely slowed and seems to be an obstacle for the boy who wants time to be at a complete standstill. The foreground is focused in this photo as the background is blurred giving an ominous feel to the photo and its viewers. This boy depicts how hard life is and how when one thing affects your life significantly enough you don’t want to move on. The message this boy gives is that even though life may knock you down and have its share of hardships you must fight for the things you truly believe in.