Pre-production of magazine cover.

We had to make a new college magazine, with a medium close-up photograph, text and a masthead. I decided I'd make a textiles/fashion related magazine. I had to think about a colour theme - I decided on black/white and red so the cover would stand out and was unisex. I decided to ask my friend, Lydia, to pose for my front cover because she has a unique look and often stands out from the crowd. Also, her top linked with the colour scheme.

While planning, I also had to think about what font would stand out, look different but also be readable.

I then had to think about what articles in the magazine would be interesting to read and go with the subject. I found it quite hard to come up with ideas to begin with .

Film Editing.

Last lesson, we edited the film for the continuity exercise on the macs. I found it quite fun and straight forward once we got used to the software. Also, it helped me understand how the continuity would work, because as we were filming I wasn't entirely convinced it would flow well but by editing out bits that we didn't need it flowed between shots. I think we got the hang of it quite quickly and with help we managed to cut audio and copy it over other clips. I would think about doing film in the future because I now feel more confident with iMovie and how to make the continuity work while filming and editing. :)

Narrative Theorists.

The narrative is constructed through camera work, lighting and mise-en-scene. It organises time and space in a very compressed form. Narrative plot refers to everything visibly/audibly present.


Vladimir Propp - narrative theorist.
He based his theory on categories of character functions:

• Hero
• Villain
• Donor (person who helps/gives info to the hero)
• Dispatcher (person who sets hero on his way)
• False hero
• Helper
• Princess
• Father

Claude Levi-Strauss - philosopher
Believed in binary opposites
e.g. night+day hero+villain love+hate

Roland Barthes - French literary theorist
Believed that narratives contain codes which suggest things to the audience for them to understand more about the plot/characters.
e.g. action, enigma, symbolic, cultural, semic

Todorov
At the beginning of the narrative there is an equilibrium to set the story off then something happens to disrupt the balance which usually by the end of the story the state of equilibrium has been restored.

Pre-Production.

For the continuity exercise, we had to make a storyboard of someone walking down a corridor, opening a door to a room, sitting down and having a conversation. In my group I had to make a storyboard for the person walking into a room, sitting down and having a conversation. I found it quite hard to get the continuity right so that the shots were in an order that would make sense. But I now understand that several shots of the same action, for example simply walking, need to be shot for it to make sense to the audience.

Hot Fuzz Introduction.

Hot Fuzz Part 1   (0:30 - 1:00)

From the symmetrical setting of the office shows that he is a perfectionist. Also the empty office reflects that the character is lonely. The glow of gold light shows that he is a good character, however his face is hidden which implies he's not perfect. Also it creates an imposing view of the police. He is in the centre of the shot which shows his importance, and the doors open for him which suggests he is powerful.
His serious methodic march shows he takes himself and his job very seriously. Also his stern face shows he has authority, when he shows his ID he has the same face which suggests he is always on duty. His name reflects his character - Nicholas which is usually shortened to Nick means to be arrested this could suggest he is good at arrest or that he is not entirely a good character. His surname "Angel" suggests he is perfect and saintlike. The fact that he is moving towards the camera faster than the camera is zooming in towards him suggests that he is confident and always active. It's almost like he suspects the audience of being up to no good.

The 5 C's of Film.

• 
  
  Camera Angles
• 
  
  Continuity
• 
  
  Cutting
• 
  
  Close-ups
• 
  
  Composition

Camera Angles:

Close up shot

This is a close up shot. It allows the audience to see something or someone who is important to the plot. It also lets the audience understand the character's emotions through their facial expressions.

Mid shot

This is a medium shot. It is useful to show interaction between characters and can be used to give the audience some indication of the setting in the background.

Long shot

This is a long shot, it is usually used to show the audience the setting.

High angle shot

This is a high angle shot, which is used to give the audience a bigger picture than the characters. However, it can be used to make the audience feel in power and the character seem vulnerable.

Low angle shot

This is a low angle shot, which is usually used to show the audience that the character or object is imposing and powerful.

Over-the-shoulde shot

This is an over-the-shoulder shot. It is used to make the audience feel involved in the action or conversation. It also shows the facial expressions of the characters and can show the action from a character's perspective.

Continuity:

Making sure the film makes sense and that the shots and scenes follow so the audience understand what is happening. 

Cutting (Editing)

So the film is not in actual time. It also allows the director to change locations. Depending on how it is edited a scene can have pace to make it exciting or can be slowed down for dramatic emphasis.

A montage is when a lot of footage of different scenes are edited (cut) together.

Cross cutting is when two shots from past and present/future are mixed together to make it look like the events are happening at the same time.

Dissolve is when an image from one shot dissolves into the next shot.

Composition
Is the arrangement of props, setting and character in a shot.

Hello =]

Hi, my name is Eleanor. I'm doing Media Studies because I'm interested a wide variety of media. I love listening to music, I'm rarely without my iPod. I also love listening to live music because if the band are good live then it gives the music a whole other depth. Plus, I love the atmosphere of gigs. As for music taste, I like pretty much everything - as long as there's good lyrics, decent melody and I'm in the right mood then I'll listen to it.
The list of bands/artists I like is endless, but a few of my all-time favourites are Queen, Snow Patrol, The Beatles, Green Day and Eminem.

My favourite film at the moment is The Boat That Rocked.

I love how the rebelliousness of the era and the music is reflected by the DJ's and the listeners. I love how the whole story is about doing something you shouldn't but are anyway. For example, there's one boy who listens to his radio under his pillow after his parents have gone to bed :)
I also love the actors, they portray the characters brilliantly and they actually improvised parts that are just hilarious.
And I love the music but that goes without saying :)
I love pretty much everything about the film - Richard Curtis is a genius, I think he's an amazing director and a hilariously funny writer. :)