Final Cut of my Extra Short Film - Going Crazy

EXPLICIT LYRICS! and I don't own any of the music used, used only for entertainment use only, I will not use the music for profit.

This is the final cut of my extra editing experiment, I have recorded the different editing techniques these are:
Cutting clips from 8:40 to 3:04.
The level of sound has ranged from 100% to 0%, 100% to 500%, 100% to 153%, 100% to 75%, 75% to 100% and 75% to 30%.
I have cropped the shot so characters fit into the shot.
I have added 2 slide transitions one a Cross Dissolve: 0.2s to 0.4s and the other Cross Blur: 0.4s to 0.7s.
I have moved the place of the clips to make better sense in the video.
I have sped up the 'breaking disc' scene from 100% to 150%.
I have used audio effects to reduce the pitch.
I have added an iTunes file into the 'breaking disc' scene and changing the volume and use different parts for different scenes.
I have also added several title slides and changed them where appropriate.

I hope you have enjoyed my media blog :)

Extra Short Film - First Cut

Here is a rough cut of the my short film, there will be a final cut soon.
When the final cut is posted I will be talking about the different editing techniques used.
Enjoy.

Extra Short Film Teaser

I have recently created a short film to show more of my filming and editing skills, this will star the two characters listed below. There are also location shots and a screengrab from the filming.

Cast

Matt Croxton, Aged 16

Ryan Keay, Aged 16

          

Location Shots

Screengrab

Editing Experiment

This is an extra film that I have created to show my editing skills, they are as follows:
Video Effects - Normal to Hard Light
Speed - 100% to 200%, Timing: 6:22 to 3:11
Sound - 100% to 0%
Contrast - 0% to 30%
Cutting clips without people in the frames going from 15:59 to 6:22 minutes
Added Transition fade to black - 0.2s to 4.0s making the transition longer

Film Review - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Christopher Nolan’s Inception and Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass have set the standard for films of 2010; innovative, audacious and utterly gripping, other films – worthy films – simply cannot compete with their brilliance. As the saying goes, however, good things happen in threes – so get ready to add Edgar Wright’s magnum opus to the list. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World proves that Wright (director of Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead) can churn out one flawless film after another. Set in scenester capital Toronto and based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s cult graphic novel, the film is an electrifying blur of vibrancy and vivacity. Welcome to the warped world of Scott Pilgrim.
Quick, colourful and charismatic, the film jumps straight into the story of the eponymous 22-year-old bassist (Michael Cera). Girl-obsessed and a music fanatic, Scott’s life consists of parties and his band Sex Bob-omb, deceptively leading the audience to believe that the film is no more than a glimpse of hipster culture – but don’t be fooled. The realistic storyline soon becomes history as the film unfolds; when an initially heartbroken Scott meets and falls for the enigmatic and unattainable Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), his comfortable little world is turned entirely upside-down. Scott finds himself thrown, against his will, into a raging ongoing battle against seven of Ramona’s exes – who just so happen to have super powers. Led by the formidable Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman), the League of Evil Exes is there to fight for Ramona’s affection, and Scott is thrust into a fantasy world full of lightsaber fights and hallucinatory bass battles to fight for the girl he loves.

Staying true to O’Malley’s original work, the film uses comic panel animation to enhance the surreal atmosphere. With bold graffiti text hovering over actions – BLAM! – and cartoon-style CGI effects, the cinematography transcends the typical bland imagery we usually see on film and stays true to O’Malley’s original comic book. From the primitive arcade game Pac-Man to the lush advanced graphics of the Final Fantasy series, the film encompasses subtle references, blatant allusions and shameless parodies of virtually every major game from the past thirty years – so for any self-confessed gamer geeks, this film is a dream come true.

Wright and screenwriter Michael Bacall cram in a host of supporting characters, managing to make each one as memorable as the next. Scott’s band consists of pokerfaced drummer Kim Pine (Alison Pill) and the “talent” Stephen Stills (Mark Webber), whose snappy exchanges never fail to amuse and perplex the audience. Kieran Culken shines in every scene he’s in with his portrayal of Scott’s roommate Wallace Wells, whose homosexuality is so charming it becomes – quite literally – contagious. Ramona’s Evil Exes are all completely unforgettable, but the arrogant vegan poster-boy Todd Ingram (Brandon Routh) almost steals the show with his seemingly unbeatable psychic powers, and Ramona’s battle with her slighted ex-girlfriend Roxy Richter (Mae Whitman) is absolutely unmissable. Scott seems to be building up his own league of evil exes during the film; he grieves over his failed relationship with the impossibly glamorous rising star Envy Adams (Brie Larson) and rebounds by dating Knives Chau (Ellen Wong), a sweet but possessive high school junior. Potential for a sequel? It’s unlikely, but we can hope.

Whilst still retaining his reputation as the perennial lovable geek (who we all know and love from Judd Apatow’s Superbad and Diablo Cody’s Juno), Michael Cera seamlessly adapts to this role with compassion and charm. He may perhaps be the most sexually unthreatening young man in Hollywood today, and his acting skills are undeniably limited, but as film progresses it soon becomes clear that no one else could have done a better job at playing – nay, becoming – Scott Pilgrim. Hailing from New York City, Scott’s love interest Ramona Flowers is the apex of “coolness”; she changes her bubblegum hair colour every week-and-a-half, breezes around on a pair of rollerblades and seems to know everybody worth knowing on the scene. Despite Ramona’s detached and distant demeanor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s effortless beauty overshadows any traces of superciliousness, guaranteeing that every guy (and probably even some girls) in the audience will fall head over heels in love with her.

This film has a million ways of deterring viewers – relentless videogame jargon that threatens to exclude the older generations, the ensemble cast of irritating young scenesters, Michael Cera’s one-dimensionality – but don’t be put off; Wright’s Hollywood debut is nothing less than a masterpiece. Impeccably blending accessibility with a stream of in-jokes and inside info, this film’s dynamic is completely original and totally captivating. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World? By the looks of it, we’re all on his side.

Views on The Social Network

Recently I have bought and watched The Social Network on Blu-Ray, and I find it to be almost perfectly made. The shots used were interesting, the use of different depths of field really helped to show the emotions of each character, to create a very personal connection with each character and lovely landscape shots. The script and music of the film go together very well, each line can be heard as well as the next. One of the main focuses for the film would be the editing helping it all join together, while jumping around different timelines.
Very recommended.

Sound Mind Map

Presentation on Independent Films

Welcome to my presentation on an Independent Film. 

An Independent film is a film that is produced from an Independent Studio. Even though the studio’s are independent most of the films are distributed by higher or major studios. An example of this would be Paranormal Activity which has been distributed by Paramount Pictures but has the studio of Solana Films.

Miramax is an independent film production company that has produced and distributed films. The company was founded in 1979 and was owned by The Walt Disney Company from 1993 to 2010. Miramax is now owned by Filmyard Holdings, LLC

One of the Independent film studios that has come up

time and time again in my research on independent films is Artisan. Artisan are known for The Blair Witch Project. Artisan is a independent studio, that specializes in Horror films, which was based in America until it was purchased by the Canadian company Lionsgate.

Momentum Pictures is a popular independent film distributor.

Solana Films is a new Independent Studio which has became popular after the success of Paranormal Activity.

There are a number of known Independent films such as The Blair Witch Project, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Donnie Darko, Reservoir Dogs and Paranormal Activity.

There are also some that are less known these are THX 1138, Run Lola Run, Clerks and Shallow Grave.

After watching a number of independent films I have chosen Donnie Darko.

I thought this was a suitable independent film to write about because it has been made by an independent studio and has a complex story line so this is the most interesting film to write about.

The Independent Film Studio that has made this film is Flower Films, this studio is popular for Charlie’s Angels, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle and Donnie Darko.

I think the target audience for this film would be people from the age of 15 to around 50. This is clear because of the content of the film. People could relate to the normal family acts such as arguing during a family meal. Therefore this shows that the film could be aimed at teenagers and adults.

When the plot gets more complex the film is suitable for a more grown up mind to try to work out the outcome. Teenagers may be able to relate more to the life of Donnie Darko and his friends or his older sister Elizabeth Darko as they may be going through similar things. If adults have lost children or someone important they could relate to the mother of Donnie Darko when she loses him at the end of the film. The smoking and language also suggests that the target audience better for people over the age of fifteen.

The main characters are Donald ‘Donnie’ Darko, Frank and Gretchen Ross.

Donnie is played by Jake Gyllenhaal, he is seen as a complex character as he sees an imaginary friend called Frank who makes him commit crimes, like when Donnie is told to flood the school by Frank because he thinks that himself and Donnie can do what they like. In parts you could relate to Donnie as he is at an age where teenagers could relate to him easily, he is in love with Gretchen and is a student at school however he is in therapy since he tried to burn a house down this one may not be related to as much as the others.

Frank, Donnie’s imaginary friend, is seen as a man in a big rabbit costume. Frank can control Donnie and can make him do anything he asks. Frank is a very complex character as he is not a real person he seems to be a futuristic creature, I don’t find that Frank could be related to by anyone.

 Gretchen Ross is in love with Donnie, she is a student with Donnie at his school. Gretchen is a well rounded character but may be seen as slightly complex. People could relate to Gretchen as she is similar to Donnie in that she is a student and is in love with Donnie.

The subject of the film is disaster, time travel, love and sacrifice.

The story is mainly seen from Donnie’s point of view but the subplots show the other characters perspectives, this is important because it takes some of the focus away from Donnie. An example is when Donnie’s mum has to answer the door to her ‘friend’ and it only shows them two characters and Donnie is not in this shot. These could be regarded as her point of view and not Donnie’s. The other characters perspectives are really important to the making of the film.

While the film is been played all the subplots distract from the eventual ending of the film, which helps to build suspense. All the subplots make the ending of the film a mystery.

When this film is watched I feel the audience sees the tragic life of Donnie and how his whole family and most of the town is affected. Regarding the costumes I feel that the clothes that are worn by the whole cast capture the eye of 1988 very well. there are no particularly modern clothes, they all look comfortable in their time. Donnie Darko wears a hoodie which I researched and found that they weren't as popular in those times as they are now and very few people owned them, so this could be used to show Donnie’s isolation from all the other teenagers. The most bizarre costume would have to be Frank’s bunny costume this would make Frank stand out a lot more than the other cast, this will show he is special and could be from the future.

The hair styles in Donnie Darko were the correct styles for their time.

The darkness of the film makes everyone pay close attention in case they miss anything they need to see. There is also the presence of mystery with the darkness.

I have selected the first ten minutes of the film to take some of the camera techniques from. The film starts by using a tracking shot of a casual stroll down from the hills to a body in the middle of the road the darkness of the shot makes it difficult to see whether it is a body or not, once you find that it is Donnie the camera moves to the landscape as Donnie stands up into the camera frame, all of this builds tension and questions why is he in the middle of the road? What has he done?. The scene changes into watching Donnie on his bike, when it starts the sun that goes through the trees makes Donnie seem like he is going faster than he is, this is shot around the speed of an average run but to a casual stroll as he goes deeper into his village this is used to introduce his family. I find this is a very good way to introduce the characters because it gives each character enough time to show what they are like. Next they use long view from a shelf to show the family at there table as each character speaks they go for a close up of them, this gives the feel of speed in the shot and tension is built up more from this shot. The scene swaps into the next scene by showing Donnie at a medium shot then close up to the door as his mum knocks then back and forth between the conversation. Once the mother leaves the room it close ups on Donnie for his insult then a high up position medium shot of his mum outside with her response. The next transition is into the parents bed room the camera stays in one position to show the mother and father’s conversation this shot is quite plain and normal. Donnie enters the bathroom but you only see his reflection until he opens the medicine cupboard, the camera fades out this shows mystery. When Donnie’s father gets out of his bed they use a long shot to show this, then a back and forth between him and the television this could show how he may be lonely as he finds a conversation styled camera work with his television. The camera then skips to Donnie he is being told to get out of bed, the camera doesn't follow him as he gets out of his bed it keeps the distance, as he walks away the camera is in one set location, this shooting increases the tension more and keeps the audiences attention. Goes to shots of the family sleeping or walking into the house, a massive crash is heard and the chandelier starts to shake from the stillness of the chandelier this shows mystery as to what has caused this all to happen. The camera goes to shots of the family in separate turns from the father, to the mother and then the older sister and there reactions to the impact, this is key as it shows how they are all clueless. Each shot shows the positions of everything falling down all around them. The scene is finished by the swinging chandelier.Like before I have reviewed only part of the film for sound this time up to five minutes.

The film starts with thunder which gives a ominous feel to the start. Once the film starts the birds symbolize the start of a new day or life. The slow start to the music being played on the piano shows confusion and mystery with the images been shot. The first song that is played ends with “Fate, Up against your will” while the camera is on Donnie this gives the impression that Donnie has no control on his life. Next all the scene’s sounds are the speaking of the characters and the noise of knife’s and forks been placed on the table.

Thank you for watching.

FILM OPENING EVALUATION!

Here is my evaluation and sound clip of a small commentary about production companies underneath.Media Studies Evaluation

View more presentations from KeeferBishop.

Media Slide 3.mp3

Finished Film Opening - Obsessed

Here it is!
The finished product, all the sound is heard in this upload, unlike the previous edits with a layer of the sound missing. This opening is called 'Obsessed', it is a Thriller/Horror.
The next posts will include a film review for 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' and Evaluation for this film opening, so watch out for them.

Rescheduled Filming Finished

All of the re-shoots were completed yesterday as scheduled, in final steps of editing now.

Musical Choices

When choosing the music for my film opening, I have used sound clips from Garageband. These sound clips have had a fast past, interesting and mysterious sound to add to the tension of my title sequence building up to my opening scene. While the story is been opened there is no sound but the voice overs were added directly to iMovie. The sound of the telephone ringing at the end of my title sequence was used to show that my video is just the opening and the scene will continue into a much bigger story, this clip was also taken from Garageband, this breaks the copyrights law, as I have been taught that using more than one sound clip from Garageband is legal to use in your videos but just one single one is not.

Audience Profiling

General Audience Profile

General Age: 16-24
Interests: Movies, TV, Video Games
Musical Preferences: Rock, Pop
Dislikes: Cute Family films
Media Consumer Habits: 35-40 hours per week of televesion(mainly comedies and action series)
                                     3-4 films watched per week(Mainly Action, Thrillers/Horror and Comedy genre films)

Filming Problems and Casting Shots

While I have been editing my film opening I have found issues with the lighting in a few scenes, creating a grainy effect which ruins the look of the opening, so I will have to re-shoot those scenes again, this is planned for the 15th of March 2011.

Here are the casting shots of the two actors in the film opening.

Alex Watts, Aged 16

Paul Ryall-Gould, Aged 17

Rescheduled Filming

Two of the scenes didn't work with the continuity of the film, so I had to re-shoot, the date of re-shoot was the:

7th February 2011

These re-shoots were successful, the film now runs a lot smoother, and creates the visual effect on the audience that I was looking for.

First cut was posted before this.

First Cut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTkqCpgPgCE

This is my first cut of my video, in the next few days there will be another update with the final cut.