Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Monday, 26 September 2011
Technology Standard
--Operating a video camera
After a lot of testing for lighting an positioning of the camera i decided i would have to place it on a tripod and tape it to the table so it wouldn't move. My camera wouldn't focus when close up to the reed so i had to put it high up on the tripod and zoomed in by 20x. Between each photo i had to change one small detail to the frame and it became quite difficult because reeds are so intricate and fiddly to work with.
--Composing shots
I used the table as the background for most of the film as it provided a contrast of colour and texture to the reeds and reed equipment used. I composed the post-it section on a blank wall to draw the focus in on the post-it note title. I used contrasting colours for the post-its to give the most dynamic color effect. The film starts with a shot of the boot cap of my bassoon filling up the entire shot - this gives the viewer a sense of mystery and questioning as to what the film will be about. The bassoon is positioned on the floor so the reed could fall off the bocal and crawl across the floor and up the table to give a humorous feeling.
--Recording or using sound effects, dialogue or music and --Creating music or sound effects and --Editing sound for moving image production (use of editing software)
I arranged and recorded the music ("Lambada") for this film using Garageband. I used techniques i learnt in music technology at school to produce the best quality recording of the music. I recorded the main parts on bassoon and then added in some extra parts at the end of the song on contra bassoon to build the texture. I adjusted the velocity and quantization of notes individually on the midi tracks to create a realistic sound. I also adjusted the track volume and panning for effect. I wrote each individual part using garageband (such as the bass line and drum fills). The only track i used loops for was the drum kit beat. I added reverb and echo to the tracks to give a better overall sound. I then placed markers on the music in premiere pro to show places where i could sync up what was happening in the frame.
--Importing images & video files
I used iPhoto to import my images. I then exported them to the desktop ready to import into premiere pro. I then imported the photos into premiere pro. I had a few issues with importing the images into the premiere pro to be the same size as the project size. There were black "bars" on either side of the photos because the photos didn't fit to the standard size. After a lot of researching i managed to find a way to change the project size to be the same size as the images.
--Editing images for moving image production (use of editing software)
I used iPhoto to edit out little bits of blu-tack which were showing around the sides of the reed - these were impossible to have hidden from the view of the camera otherwise the reed would not stay in the correct place. I had to renumber all my images when exporting to desktop so they would appear in the correct order in premiere pro. Once the images were in premiere pro i adjusted the length of time (frame rate) in which they appeared for in order to synchronize it certain changes with the music (such as the post-it notes flashing inverted colours in the same rhythm as the bassoon theme. This also gave variety in the length of shot which makes it for interesting and visually pleasing for the viewer.
Overall time spent on project - Approx. 25 hours taking photos
Approx. 7 hours recording and editing music
Approx. 10 hours editing and putting together
Approx. 7 hours recording and editing music
Approx. 10 hours editing and putting together
Production Evaluation
Positive aspects of the process - I finished it on time. I wasn't entirely sure how realistic it was to complete the project as it was all a completely unfamiliar experience to me. When I started photographing i realised how large the project would be to put together. I am proud of my final product and think it is successful, especially as it is my first stop motion (or film altogether). During the editing process i learnt how to use premiere pro and how to approach difficulties/problems i had. This gives me a base knowledge if i use it again. I also learnt about the difficulties with lighting when filming and how to use my camera effectively so it didn't turn off or zoom back out every few minutes while i was re-arranging the frame. I found it very difficult to make each frame flow to the next because every photo you have to make one very small intricate detail on the reed. Each frame i had to pick up the reed again ( i couldn't just make the changes to it on the table as reeds are so small and fiddly!) and then put back where it was, take a photo, and then see if it was in the same place as the previous photo (so it would flow smoothly).
I also gained a reed out of it! - Which i recently played when i won the Australasian Double Reed Competition (Senior section - under 30 years)!
Steps in the process that could have been better done and strategies suggested to achieve this - The lighting - especially shadows - i had a problem in one point where there is an obvious shadow of me holding the camera which i couldn't get rid of while taking the photos (using different lighting set ups) or in the editing using photoshop and iPhoto. The strategy i used to try and eliminate the shadow after a lot of trying with editing was to speed up the frame rate so the viewer would not notice it. A strategy suggested to achieve no shadow or lighting problems would be to have a professional studio with the correct lighting set up. Experience in film making would also mean i would've had some knowledge on how to get rid of shadows.
Quality of video - I tried many different formats to export the final product and the best i could find was still not as high quality as the original images. If i had a better knowledge of how to use premiere pro i could possibly have been able to increase the video quality to that of original images.
If i had more time i may have found an alternative to using blu-tack to stick the reed down during most of the film. I had to edit this blu-tack out while editing.
If i had more experience with making stop motion films i would have been able to do some of process faster as i wouldn't've been learning and experimenting with what works while i was doing it.
Some evaluation of how these changes to the production process may have affected the media product - It may have improved the overall quality of the film, but i think most of it is the best it could have been. It could have been a little cleaner (eg. no shadow, no extra editing out blu-tack).
Pre-Production
Task 3 - design
Film treatment
Title - "Bassoon reed making 101" - 12 photos per second approx.
Based on the structure of the music - Lambada (recorded and arranged by myself)
Style of film - Title sequence to a documentary on the basics of making bassoon reeds. The style of the title sequence is intended to be humorous and fun for the viewer to have a preconception that bassoon reed making is easy and very enjoyable when really it is very fiddly, frustrating and tedious. Every bassoonist wishes the reed would just be made by themselves and this suggests humour because it is far from the truth.
Intro - The bassoon with reed on it is lying on the ground - the camera starts with a shot from of the bassoon from the bottom. Zooms up from the bottom of the bassoon with handheld shots. The reed comes off bassoon onto ground and crawls along the floor and up the table leg and into the centre of the table. A piece of gouged, shaped and profiled cane comes on and has a question mark and arrow from reed to cane. (*Cane* --> *Reed* ?)
Link - cut to post-its, post-its doing inverted colours in sync with the beat.
Theme 1- Title - "bassoon reed making 101" with note post-its notes- scrolling away.
How- Scrolling in from the right - departs downwards, up or left
(Shots aligned to fit in with the music.)
Cut back to cane reed, arrow and question mark - question mark, arrow and reed leave (fly off) while the cane stays on screen, camera zooms in and cane starts being cut/scored on the "bark".
Knife comes on, comes up under reed then turns with the blade facing upwards. Screen goes black and it cuts the cane (in sync with a hit in the music).
Cane closes up, 3 wires come on and wrap/tie themselves around the cane. Mandrel comes on and inserts itself into the reed. The reed them automatically forms by itself without showing the middle steps (for effect).
Theme 2 - A bottle of clear nail varnish then comes on and paints the "bark" section of the reed.
The reed the jumps onto a drying rack and a sun then moon fly past to signify a night going by (for it to dry and form properly).
Theme 1a- A reel of thread then comes on and thread starts piling itself onto the reed. When a sufficient amount of thread has covered the reed a pair of scissors come on. The scissors cut the thread and as it does the thread which was on the reed flies off to reveal the reed to have magically been bound. The scissors and thread then leave the shot.
Theme 2a - A tube of "Duco Cement" then comes on and drives over the reed, after it has gone over it the reed now magically has Duco Cement around the binding. The reed then jumps back on to the drying rack and a sun and moon pass to signify a night going past (for the Duco Cement to dry).
Outro - The reed then hops off the drying rack and on the guillotine. The guillotine cuts the tip and the reed does a back flip off the guillotine.
The shot then zooms in on the reed and bits of sliced post-its appear as if rays of the sun to show the reed is complete. "By Todd Gibson-Cornish" then appears in the bottom left of the shot.
Task 4 - Crew and Talent
Todd Gibson-Cornish - Director, editor, arranger, performer, everything.
Bassoon reed - actor.
Post-its - actor.
Task 5 - Production Schedule
Just me - photos all to be done in holidays and beginning of term 3, at home, in my room, with my camera, and my reed. Aim for 100-200 photos a day
I will plan how to do the post-it notes title in my head as it's too difficult to plan on paper.
I will arrange the music and record it at the start of the holidays.
Task 6 - Art department
Bassoon cane (gouged shaped and profiled) - from America
Reed equipment - from America, Germany, England
Bassoon - Germany
Post-it notes - Stationary warehouse
Reeds - made them myself with equipment.
Task 7 - Locations and permissions
One location - my house, my room, i give myself permission.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Exam Reflection
I studied the most on the genre paper for the media exam. I didn't feel as prepared as i would have liked to be (possibly because i wasn't at school for the whole week before the exam). I will know exactly what to study for the external exam and will have more time to study than i did for the mocks. I spent about 2 hours and 15 minutes on the genre paper which left me with only 45 minutes for the representations paper and this will show in my results. I memorised some key points but will memorise more for the externals. For the externals i will have more time to study and i will make sure I achieve well - aiming for 2 excellences.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Film Concept
1. A brief outline of the name/genre of the film opening
Documentary - "How to make a bassoon reed" - Title sequence
Using stop motion
2. the principal ideas you wish to explore
Stop motion
3. the emotions you wish to evoke
Entertaining, fun, interesting, informative
4. the impact you wish to have on the audience
How complicated it is to make a bassoon reed
To be enjoyable and fun
To encourage bassoonists to want to learn how to make them
5. a brief outline of the story, character and style of the opening
There will be no characters. This will be the title sequence of a documentary teaching bassoon reed making. The film itself will have detailed spoken instructions following the different steps to making a bassoon reed.
I will use the song "Lambada" which i arranged and recorded on bassoon as the soundtrack/music.
The audience will watch a bassoon reed being made by itself using stop motion and then will see the reeds/cane moving around in patterns and shapes which will lead to the title being shown. Overall length - 2 minutes 30 seconds (approx.) There will be a relationship between the images shown to the music being played.From this -
Documentary - "How to make a bassoon reed" - Title sequence
Using stop motion
2. the principal ideas you wish to explore
Stop motion
3. the emotions you wish to evoke
Entertaining, fun, interesting, informative
4. the impact you wish to have on the audience
How complicated it is to make a bassoon reed
To be enjoyable and fun
To encourage bassoonists to want to learn how to make them
5. a brief outline of the story, character and style of the opening
There will be no characters. This will be the title sequence of a documentary teaching bassoon reed making. The film itself will have detailed spoken instructions following the different steps to making a bassoon reed.
I will use the song "Lambada" which i arranged and recorded on bassoon as the soundtrack/music.
The audience will watch a bassoon reed being made by itself using stop motion and then will see the reeds/cane moving around in patterns and shapes which will lead to the title being shown. Overall length - 2 minutes 30 seconds (approx.) There will be a relationship between the images shown to the music being played.From this -
From this - 
To this - 
"Thinking about GENRE!"
Choose ONE convention across at least TWO movies. Describe how this convention is used in this film. Use specific examples (textual evidence: techniques, details) and refer to your notes as necessary.
Masked stalker/killer
Scream - directed by Wes Craven 1996
Ghostface - the killer, wears a costume of a black robe and the famous white mask. The mask was based on the painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch in 1893 which was then created and designed by "Fun World" as a Halloween costume before being discovered by Wes Craven for the film. Ghostface is an unknown character throughout the film who stealthily kills multiple people and uses a voice changer to make his voice sound creepy and spine-chilling. He stalks the main character, Sidney Prescott by calling her on the phone to intimidate and terrorize her. No one knows who the killer is as it could be anyone behind the mask, and this creates a growing tension throughout as to who it could be. As the film progresses we eventually find out there are two people behind the mask of "Ghostface" who are a lot closer to Sidney than one would think.
Halloween - directed by John Carpenter.
Michael Myers ("The Shape") - The masked killer in Halloween is different to the one in scream in that he sneakily hangs around the neighbourhood following his victims and scaring them with his alarmingly intimidating presence. The film takes place in his home town where he grew up and he lives in his childhood house which is supposedly 'haunted' because it is where he killed his sister when he was a child. He wears a mask which looks like a white face, and intimidates the main character, Laurie who has no idea who he is but she knows he is a threat. She sees him often, following her and stalking her wherever she goes but her friends don't believe her. He doesn't talk at all throughout the movie which increases the tension of who he is and what threat he has on everyone. The main events of the film take place on the night of October 31st - Halloween night. Myers blends in well with the rest of the neighbourhood who have dressed up to go trick-or-treating because his mask looks similar to what other people are wearing.
2. Explain
Discuss why this convention was used in this way in these two films.
The convention was used in both films to create an uncertainty of who the killer really is and whether they are a major threat. It increases tension by not revealing who they are, especially in scream when the killer could have been any of the characters.
How does it link to the film as a whole?
Having a mask on the killer links to the theme of fear of the unknown in the film and what will be the eventual fate of the main characters.
If there was no masked killer/stalker there wouldn't be much of a story within the film.
Scream - The mask of "ghostface" links to his unknown voice on the phone which conforms with his disguise.
Halloween - Michael Myers links to the name of the film itself - "Halloween" in that he is a monster and comes out on Halloween night. His mask fits in with everyone around the streets and no one questions who he is because he fits in and this affirms the theme of the unknown in the film.
How does it develop an idea within the film?
Having a masked killer in both films develops the idea of fear of the unknown. The unknown possibility of whether it is your friends turning against you (as in Scream) or whether the the person is a real threat or not (Halloween).
Using a masked stalker allows the audience to be able to view the killer during the attacks and not know who it is. Whereas in a film such as Psycho by Wes Craven, we never see the killer during attacks because he doesn't wear a mask, so it would reveal his identity.
How does it reveal an attitude or point of view of the director?
The directors' intention in both films is to scare the viewers which is executed successfully using the masked stalker/killer.
What was the audience response to the way this convention was used?
Halloween - it makes the audience question whether the next time they go trick-or-treating there will be a killer disguised as a normal person amongst the normal people disguised as killers. Or, when they are just at home it could make them paranoid there could be a creepy person outside watching in on them. It increases the tension and suspense within the audience.
Scream - It makes the audience question their trust of their own friends as to whether they are secretly a crazy killer or not. Also, by following the rules of horror, Scream can influence youth society to not drink, take drugs or partake in sexual activities because they could believe they will be victims of a killer.
What was the audience's expectations? Why?
Halloween - Although Michael Myers is revealed as the killer at the beginning of the film the audience don't know what to expect from him because he doesn't talk and has no motive to kill anyone, he is just crazy. At the end of the film the audience expect to see Michael Myers dead on the ground outside the house, but to their dismay he has once again vanished and is out on the loose to kill. This also adds to the unnerving effect the film has on the audience.
Scream - The film initially sets up the audience to believe the killer is Sidney's father as he is supposedly away for the weekend on "a business trip" when he has actually been taken hostage by the killers. The audience also only believe there could be one killer because they use one identity/costume/mask to kill. After Billy (Sidneys boyfriend) is let out of jail after being a suspect we believe it can't be him anymore as he has been proven to be innocent. In the end the audiences' expectations are proven to be wrong when Billy is revealed as one of two killers.
How did the way this convention was used conform or depart from tradition?
Halloween - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but departs from it in that he looks normal and fits in due to the time of year in which it all takes place - Halloween. If it had taken place during any other time throughout the year he would stand out as being a bit unusual.
Scream - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but again, departs from it in that there are two people behind the mask and one is the main character's boyfriend.
3. Analyse
Discuss the impact, change and implications of the way this convention was used in these films.
Scream - it could have been anyone, no one knew which created implications amongst the town because everyone is a suspect.
Halloween - Michael Myers had a huge impact on the main character who he was stalking, Laurie, because she kept seeing him but didn't have a clue as to who he was.
How effective was this convention?
Scream - Very effective as no one can figure out who it is - they suspect billy but release him and then it actually is him in the end.
Hallowen - Again, very effective, because he did not stand out amongst the neighborhood during the time it was set which resulted in him being perceived as no threat.
How did it add to the commercial success of the film (or not)?
The Ghostface mask in Scream resulted in a large amount of commercial succes for the film. It has become an icon today, of which everyone recognises as the Scream costume. The makers of the film have made a lot of money out of selling the masked killer face and costume - still do now.
What happened after and before this film was made that is relevant to the way this convention was used?
Scream - Before - "The Scream" painting by Edvard Munch in 1893 was the influence for the mask of "Ghostface"
After - The mask and cape of "Ghostface" are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Halloween - Before - Masks were worn for Halloween by children who went trick-or-treating and this influenced the mask for Michael Myers.
After - As in Scream, the costume of Michael Myers are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Why has the convention changed (or not) in the two (or more) films you are discussing?
The masked stalker has changed and developed from Halloween to Scream to become increasingly scarier. It adds another dimension from just being another person as the killer in Halloween to almost a creature - "Ghostface" in Scream.
What are the possible effects on society of watching these films-- why?
The possible effects on society are mistrust of their friends or family or even themselves as to whether they are killers or just imagining things. It could result in people being more aware of who is looking at them and following them.
Masked stalker/killer
Scream - directed by Wes Craven 1996
Ghostface - the killer, wears a costume of a black robe and the famous white mask. The mask was based on the painting "The Scream" by Edvard Munch in 1893 which was then created and designed by "Fun World" as a Halloween costume before being discovered by Wes Craven for the film. Ghostface is an unknown character throughout the film who stealthily kills multiple people and uses a voice changer to make his voice sound creepy and spine-chilling. He stalks the main character, Sidney Prescott by calling her on the phone to intimidate and terrorize her. No one knows who the killer is as it could be anyone behind the mask, and this creates a growing tension throughout as to who it could be. As the film progresses we eventually find out there are two people behind the mask of "Ghostface" who are a lot closer to Sidney than one would think.
Halloween - directed by John Carpenter.
Michael Myers ("The Shape") - The masked killer in Halloween is different to the one in scream in that he sneakily hangs around the neighbourhood following his victims and scaring them with his alarmingly intimidating presence. The film takes place in his home town where he grew up and he lives in his childhood house which is supposedly 'haunted' because it is where he killed his sister when he was a child. He wears a mask which looks like a white face, and intimidates the main character, Laurie who has no idea who he is but she knows he is a threat. She sees him often, following her and stalking her wherever she goes but her friends don't believe her. He doesn't talk at all throughout the movie which increases the tension of who he is and what threat he has on everyone. The main events of the film take place on the night of October 31st - Halloween night. Myers blends in well with the rest of the neighbourhood who have dressed up to go trick-or-treating because his mask looks similar to what other people are wearing.
2. Explain
Discuss why this convention was used in this way in these two films.
The convention was used in both films to create an uncertainty of who the killer really is and whether they are a major threat. It increases tension by not revealing who they are, especially in scream when the killer could have been any of the characters.
How does it link to the film as a whole?
Having a mask on the killer links to the theme of fear of the unknown in the film and what will be the eventual fate of the main characters.
If there was no masked killer/stalker there wouldn't be much of a story within the film.
Scream - The mask of "ghostface" links to his unknown voice on the phone which conforms with his disguise.
Halloween - Michael Myers links to the name of the film itself - "Halloween" in that he is a monster and comes out on Halloween night. His mask fits in with everyone around the streets and no one questions who he is because he fits in and this affirms the theme of the unknown in the film.
How does it develop an idea within the film?
Having a masked killer in both films develops the idea of fear of the unknown. The unknown possibility of whether it is your friends turning against you (as in Scream) or whether the the person is a real threat or not (Halloween).
Using a masked stalker allows the audience to be able to view the killer during the attacks and not know who it is. Whereas in a film such as Psycho by Wes Craven, we never see the killer during attacks because he doesn't wear a mask, so it would reveal his identity.
How does it reveal an attitude or point of view of the director?
The directors' intention in both films is to scare the viewers which is executed successfully using the masked stalker/killer.
What was the audience response to the way this convention was used?
Halloween - it makes the audience question whether the next time they go trick-or-treating there will be a killer disguised as a normal person amongst the normal people disguised as killers. Or, when they are just at home it could make them paranoid there could be a creepy person outside watching in on them. It increases the tension and suspense within the audience.
Scream - It makes the audience question their trust of their own friends as to whether they are secretly a crazy killer or not. Also, by following the rules of horror, Scream can influence youth society to not drink, take drugs or partake in sexual activities because they could believe they will be victims of a killer.
What was the audience's expectations? Why?
Halloween - Although Michael Myers is revealed as the killer at the beginning of the film the audience don't know what to expect from him because he doesn't talk and has no motive to kill anyone, he is just crazy. At the end of the film the audience expect to see Michael Myers dead on the ground outside the house, but to their dismay he has once again vanished and is out on the loose to kill. This also adds to the unnerving effect the film has on the audience.
Scream - The film initially sets up the audience to believe the killer is Sidney's father as he is supposedly away for the weekend on "a business trip" when he has actually been taken hostage by the killers. The audience also only believe there could be one killer because they use one identity/costume/mask to kill. After Billy (Sidneys boyfriend) is let out of jail after being a suspect we believe it can't be him anymore as he has been proven to be innocent. In the end the audiences' expectations are proven to be wrong when Billy is revealed as one of two killers.
How did the way this convention was used conform or depart from tradition?
Halloween - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but departs from it in that he looks normal and fits in due to the time of year in which it all takes place - Halloween. If it had taken place during any other time throughout the year he would stand out as being a bit unusual.
Scream - It conformed with the tradition of having an unknown killer but again, departs from it in that there are two people behind the mask and one is the main character's boyfriend.
3. Analyse
Discuss the impact, change and implications of the way this convention was used in these films.
Scream - it could have been anyone, no one knew which created implications amongst the town because everyone is a suspect.
Halloween - Michael Myers had a huge impact on the main character who he was stalking, Laurie, because she kept seeing him but didn't have a clue as to who he was.
How effective was this convention?
Scream - Very effective as no one can figure out who it is - they suspect billy but release him and then it actually is him in the end.
Hallowen - Again, very effective, because he did not stand out amongst the neighborhood during the time it was set which resulted in him being perceived as no threat.
How did it add to the commercial success of the film (or not)?
The Ghostface mask in Scream resulted in a large amount of commercial succes for the film. It has become an icon today, of which everyone recognises as the Scream costume. The makers of the film have made a lot of money out of selling the masked killer face and costume - still do now.
What happened after and before this film was made that is relevant to the way this convention was used?
Scream - Before - "The Scream" painting by Edvard Munch in 1893 was the influence for the mask of "Ghostface"
After - The mask and cape of "Ghostface" are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Halloween - Before - Masks were worn for Halloween by children who went trick-or-treating and this influenced the mask for Michael Myers.
After - As in Scream, the costume of Michael Myers are now recognized as a scary costume and often worn by children during Halloween.
Why has the convention changed (or not) in the two (or more) films you are discussing?
The masked stalker has changed and developed from Halloween to Scream to become increasingly scarier. It adds another dimension from just being another person as the killer in Halloween to almost a creature - "Ghostface" in Scream.
What are the possible effects on society of watching these films-- why?
The possible effects on society are mistrust of their friends or family or even themselves as to whether they are killers or just imagining things. It could result in people being more aware of who is looking at them and following them.
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