Opening Sequences analyses - Part 2!

Hello everyone,

Next blog task!

Opening Sequences, pt2-
Find the opening sequences to THREE Thriller movies. (You may use the films that we have viewed in class)  Analyse them to answer the following question for each:

How is the sequence engaging and how does it conform to traditional Thriller codes and conventions?

Embed relevant screenshots or sequences into your post as evidence.

Remember to stay on top of your workload by strategising which breaks & study periods you'll use for blog assignments and editing!

- Captain Media

Representations - Codes & Conventions

Hello everyone,


Your new blog assignment!  No need for cheering or applause.

This will need to be completed on your blogs by <date provided by teacher>.


Representation codes & conventions-
List the seven core Representation topics.  Give examples of how the TECHNICAL ELEMENTS (not storyline / plot!) communicate these social groups / issues in a meaningful way.  The easiest way to do this is:

• Choose a Representation topic
• Find a screenshot / clip of a TV drama that best exemplifies what you're discussing (embed it into the blog entry)
• Observe the effects of the combined technical elements being used
• Reflect on the message that these effects ultimately send to the wider viewing public
• Rinse and repeat - these should each be very short paragraphs.

Remember - the conventions can either support or subvert generally accepted interpretations of a given area of representation.  Think about how shows you have watched (in your own time or, for example, Vertigo) have conformed to some representation codes and undermined / swapped others.  What were the messages available for viewer decoding?

Any questions, please be encouraged to CHECK YOUR NOTES FIRST.  THEN ask me.  :)


- Captain Media

Term Three - Institutions and Audiences

Hi everyone,


I thought it would be a good idea to give a bullet list of strong case study examples we've looked at today.  If you haven't seen them yet or want to reference facts and statistics pointed out in class, then definitely have a look at the following links on the right under Case Studies:

• NZFC - Cinema & Media Trends 2015 (plus look up  the 2016 PDF on NZFC's website!)
• The Dark Knight - viral marketing
• What We Do In The Shadows - Jemaine's timeline blog
• Disney - Ownership structures

All of these should be used to consider:

• What is the ultimate purpose of marketing, and what makes for a 'successful' campaign?
• To what extent to audiences have power in film production, distribution and exhibition?
• To what extent do media institutions have power over what audiences 'must' watch?

Hope that helps.


- T. Marcus

Logo prep - Graphics in Title Sequences

Hello gentlemen,


UPDATE:  Due this FRIDAY-

• storyboard
• script
• concept
• treatment
• callsheets (with suggestions for location / talent)

Original post-
A name you're going to need to know is Saul Bass.  This man was an incredibly gifted designer of opening sequences, and in his day was a pioneer for the craft.  He was a big part of making the purpose and importance of opening & title sequences in films into what it is today.

The Art of the Title has a fantastic entry on his style and contribution.

In and of themselves, logos go deeper than that - remember we said in class that they are a symbol for a given company! - thus unifying an audience's concept of a given company, and the types of stories and values we may expect to be produced from that company.  The graphical representation of that logo may be altered at times, to create a dramatic effect relevant to the movie that is about to play.  (i.e. our discussion of the WB logo and 'Batman Begins', etc)

In the Resources tab you'll find a lot of information on company logos and their histories.  If you'd like to do some further research, this Google search is a great starting point.

It's also important to remember that in today's film industry, the logo display is often thoughtfully integrated into the overall opening sequence and its accompanying credits.  All of it together becomes a unified whole used to position the audience and to symbolise the film's core concerns.

This was not always the case.  In this PDF, which will be our primary research source looking into the evolution of credit sequences, the author states:

"the primary purpose of film credits during [the 1930's - mid 50's] was to display the film’s title, recognize the director, establish the hierarchy of actors, and possibly acknowledge the crewmembers."

The introduction of sound into film began the idea that the titles could be used as a vehicle to transition viewers into a state of readiness to watch the film; this was the early stages of what we now call positioning the audience.

The author also examines the use of titles over a black screen, accompanied by still images or by a montage of moving images.  In one of his final sections he discusses the future of title credits.  Read all this while asking yourself the question of how you are going to use titles meaningfully in your Foundation Portfolio opening sequence.


- T. Marcus

Next steps...

Hi everyone,


Now we finish Preliminary Task #1.

Your homework therefore is to complete the edit itself (I recognise this needs to be done in study breaks, at normal school breaks and during class times).

Final cut due Thursday.  To that end, the double block tomorrow will largely be devoted to editing.

CCR's - rough version; also due Thursday.  ROUGH version.  I want basic information you intend to discuss, plus technically-based observations.  Actual creative mediums need to have been considered though not necessarily 'up and running'.

Let me know if questions.


- T. Marcus

Representational Essay #1 - Bourne

Okay everyone, next challenge:

Embedded below is an extract from The Bourne Identity.  You should watch it at least four times.  During the first screening, you should not make notes; during the second, third and fourth screenings you should make notes, as well as making additional notes between these subsequent viewings.  You should also compare and develop these notes using your class notes from our recent class screening, and compile them to answer the question below.

Discuss the ways in which the extract constructs meaning through the following:

• camera shots, angles, movement and composition
• editing
• sound
• mise-en-scene

Your answer should be approximately 3 sides in length (no less than 2 1/2 sides, leaning towards 3 to 3 1/2).  Cover as many of the bulletpoints as you can, and refer also to representational theory.

Remember the Key Topic areas of Representation, and remember that these are KEY areas but not the ONLY areas.  Still, most observations on social groups and social issues will eventually circle back to one of those seven topics.

This is due Wednesday 15th March.


- T. Marcus

This week, PT#1, and Creative Critical Reflections

Hi everyone,


I very nearly decided to simply say "Yes, please" for this post.  But I'll be somewhat more descriptive.

As you know, this week's assignment is the Thriller Sub-genres blog post, due Wednesday.  Stay on this at home; you won't have class time for it this week.  That said, breaks and study periods may potentially be used after prior communication with me.

Preliminary Task #1 should have a COMPLETED rough edit as soon as possible.  I'm projecting that this will be next week.  That said, don't dawdle.  We will be editing the majority of tomorrow and all of Wednesday class.  That MAY be enough to get a basic sequence in place.  Again, editing can be done in breaks and study periods, but prioritise homework or studying for tests.

We will begin designing our responses to the CCR questions during the wrap-up phase of editing, but RIGHT NOW you should write down things that went wrong or you had to change or things you've already noticed or learned.  Keep a notepad next to you while you edit; you'll keep noticing and changing things!  Log it all.  It's fantastic fodder for your CCR's.

Have fun.


- T. Marcus

Sub-genres of Thrillers

Hi everyone-


Now that the planning is done, after the filming we'll mostly be into editing during class time.  That being the case, you need something to do at home.  Perfect timing, really, considering what's coming.

Your next blog assignment:


Thriller sub-genres-

• Research 6-10 thriller sub-genres.
• You will define the core content, themes, techniques and conventions that are characteristic to each sub-genre.
• You will also give examples of common methods used to achieve the desired effects.
• List 1-5 appropriate movies that land in the category of the sub-genre you are discussing.

This is due Wednesday 8th March.  Learn this, because after this we'll be doing an essay on an extract from The Bourne Identity.

Enjoy.


- T. Marcus

Updated! - Preliminary Task #1 and current HW

Hello gentlemen,


CURRENT BLOG ASSIGNMENT:
For your current Opening Sequences assignment, have a look at Alexis' blog post from last year.  Make sure you also look at the comments I left for her!


TASK PLANNING:
For now you should be completing the following-

• Brainstorm
• Storyboard
• Script
• Location
• Props & Costumes - list them, source them, bring them in
• Possible Talent - choose and approach for willingness and availability on the day
• Filming day options - finalise and CONFIRM WITH TALENT
• Callsheet for talent - make it simple for them so they know what they need to bring
• Shot list for yourselves - this helps you plan out how you will manage your time
• Group roles - who will do what on the day?  Who will act as timekeeper?  Director?  Cam-op?
• Equipment list - plan NOW what you'll need; don't be scrambling on the day

NEXT BLOG ASSIGNMENT:
As we discussed in class, the next blog assignment will be the Preliminary Task #1 planning.  Besides the task requirements on p33 of your coursebooks, that planning will need to include:

• Brainstorm
• Storyboard
• Script
• Props & Costumes - list and examples, plus rationale for your choices
• Conventions you intend to employ, and rationale

All of this will feed your Creative Critical Reflection, which we will discuss more fully at a later time.  For now, get your planning ready and get filming!  :)

Have fun.


- T. Marcus

Opening Sequences research...

Hi everyone,


So here's the task, to remind you:

•On your blog, explain the following: (create a post titled 'Opening Sequences')

–What is the purpose of Opening Sequences?

–What is the difference between Opening Credits and a Title Sequence?

–What techniques can be employed in an opening sequence?

–Research a modern Thriller and a Hitchcock film of your choice to use as examples.

–Demonstrate how both films achieve the purpose of the Opening Sequence, and contrast their techniques.

Here is an updated version of the powerpoint we saw in class.  It has a few more leading questions to assist you in the assignment.

Let me know if you have any further questions!


- T. Marcus

Welcome to 2017

Hello everyone!


Welcome to AS Media Studies.

We're kicking off with an analysis project, as follows below.

You may use the Sherlock clip in this post for our task.

Watch the extract several times and assess how the sequence manages the bridge between 'heavy' and 'light' moods.  (Focus particularly on finding the main / initial shift in tone)

By now we've produced a storyboard of the precise transition section - the last shot of the first sequence and the first shot of the second.  If we haven't already done so, finish your written notes on how the mood is set up in each case by the following micro elements:

• Camera: shots, angles, movement, composition.
• Editing: within each section and crucially, between them, to make the 'bridge'.
• Sound: dialogue, music, effects, atmospheric establishing sound, diegetic v non-diegetic contrasts.
• Mise-en-Scene: how is this different for the two contrasting storylines; how is mood and atmosphere created in each case through lighting, colour, performance and other aspects?

Remember that your notes need not be exhaustive; for example, you would only record types of camera shots and their resulting effects, rather than the number of times each shot type is used and their corresponding timecodes in the extract.

Finally, use your notes to write a short response about how the technical elements combine to construct mood and tone.  Responses should be one full side in length, so you will very likely not be able to cram in everything you've observed.  Select your best material for the task.

Let me know if you have any questions.  Have fun!


- T. Marcus