Sunday, 29 March 2015

Our finished Video


Our first editing update

We began our first editing video as shown below. We decided that we should have a train scene to begin our video before the music begins to set the scene and inform the audience that the performer is moving on with her life.







Our Digipak







Tuesday, 24 March 2015

Narrative

Narrative Theory

The narrative theory is the way in which stories are organised and how the audience will see them. Since the idea developed, a number of elements have arisen that affect the way in which the structure is organised.

Key Elements of Narrative

  • Time - The element, time, is how much time the storyline covers within the film. it is not a representation of how long the actual film is on for however. The biggest example of how this element is used is in 2001: A Space Odyssey, as this film transpires roughly 50,000 years.
  • Closure - The closure element of narrative is the way in which a film ends, and whether the films problems are all resolved, however once a film ends without closure, it brings up the opportunity for sequels, whilst also giving the audience a mental stimulant of trying to answer it themselves. The best example could be the Avenger's films, as they constantly lead into new sequels.
  • Enigma - This is the element of the narrative that refers to the problems of the characters, and what they have to face. Every film has enigmas as there would quite simply be no story without any enigmas.

Linear and Non-Linear Narratives

All media texts are either linear or non-linear. Linear means that the story is observed in chronological order whereas the Non-linear version tends to be riddled with flashbacks, storyline changes and constant zoning. Most Hollywood films tend to stick with the simplified Linear style, as it best suits their audience.


Tzvetas Todorov Theory

Todorov was from Bulgaria and his theory was in the way that he sees media texts, he says that most films and music videos have a specific structure to it. He says that there are four stages to this structure;

Equilibrium- This is always at the start  of the text, Everything is shown as happy and normal, the ideal setup.

Disruption- This is when the Equilibrium is destroyed, usually by something drastic or tragic happening to the main character.

Resolution- This is when the main character solves the problems raised by the film and all the obstacles have been dealt with.

New Equilibrium- This is similar to the old equilibrium but never tends to be the same, the characters try to return to as normal a life as possible.


Applying the Theory

The equilibrium can be seen clearly within the film The Outlaw Josey Wales as we see Clint Eastwood living with his family in a very rural and happy aspect, The disruption comes when he hears sounds of horses running and finds his house burning down, his wife taken away. The Resolution comes when Clint gets revenge on the people who murdered his son and stole his wife, and the New Equilibrium comes as Clint tries to live his life as normal as possible with his wife. However it will never be the same as the original due to the loss of his son and the events that took place.

Roland Barthes Theory

Barthes theory is described that all media texts are bundles of meanings. He believes that you can read them from completely different perspectives and different people can assume different things from the same texts, his theory is consistent of 3 parts.

Open- An open text is described as having no specific end, many people can think different things about and and form their own consensus. A good example would be in The Dark Knight Rises wherein Batman dies, or so we believe. Alfred sees Bruce Wayne in a cafe and We are left to wonder whether Batman truly died.

Closed- This is when the text has only one real meaning and the audience is not free to form their own ideas, this can be seen in most Hollywood films as they are very specific on their films endings.

Polysemic- A polysemic text is when a media text has different people taking different meanings and ideas from the text. This is dependent on how they view the text. An example would be Scarface, as there are many meanings within this film and the violence is shown to be acceptable.

Barthes often refers to these Threads as being narrative codes and that the most significant of these are the Enigma, Different audiences are able to take what they want from the text and the Enigma code is normally shown in the disruption phase of Todorovs Theory.

Vladimir Propp's Theory

Propp is known for majorly for the way he can analyse characters within old folk stories. He is able to link them in away most people cannot... He established a link between old folk stories and hollywood films, having 8 main types of characters

1. Hero
2.Villain
3.Donor
4.Helper
5. Father Figure
6. Dispatcher
7. Princess
8. False hero

Applying this to films such as James Bond we can see clear links such as;

1.James Bond
2.Le Chiffre
3. Q
4.The woman that will always appear.
5. Q
6. M
7. Who he falls for
8.An inside man that we see working with bond at the start

Syd Fields Theory

Fields theory is that the narrative is always organised in three act structures, He believes that all films follow this specific theory.

1.Setup- In this first act, seen within the first 30ish minutes of the film, we learn about the main characters and how the film is setting up for the story to come. This is known as the Equilibrium within Todorovs theory.

2.Confrontation- In this act we can usually see through most of the film. The main character will try his/her bed best to solve any problems within the film and overcome any obstacles in their way. This is the midpoint in the act and shows the devastation for the main character.

3. Climax- This act we can usually see in the last quarter of the film as the main character will resolve its struggle with the villain and one will come out victorious, mostly the good guy. We are then able to see the aftermath of their problems and how they resolve them.

Strauss

Strauss' theory is based on the structure of narratives being dependent on binary opposites.

Mood board

 
     


Rough Cut Music Video



Audience Feedback


Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Group meeting



Group meeting






Today was the first meeting as our new group, as pictured above, within this meeting we discussed the merging of our ideas and the best way to approach the project.

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment
Group Members: Kamie, Ellese, Kendall, James, Danny, Matas    
Location: Eastbrook Drama studio, Central park, Dagenham East Station
Hazard
Person(s) at Risk
Likelihood of Hazard
1 – Extremely Unlikely
5 – Extremely Likely
Severity of Hazard Outcomes
1 – Very Low Risk
5 – Very High Risk
Risk Level
(Likelihood + Severity)

Measures to Take to Manage Risk
Risk Managed?
Y/N
Tripping over wires
Kamie, Ellese, Kendall.
4
3
3.5
Make sure all wires are out of the way and taped down and make sure we are careful where to walk.
Yes
Litter, Broken glass, Tripping hazard.
Kamie, Ellese, Kendall, James.
3
4
3
Make sure we clear the path before we start to film and make sure we are careful where we walk.
Yes
Dogs and/or dogs knocking over equipment.
Kamie, Ellese, Kendall, James.
4
4
4
Make sure we take necessary precautions to avoid dogs, and make sure all equipment is safe around dogs.
Yes
Falling onto tracks
Kamie, Ellese, Kendall, James.
Public
4
5
4.5
Make sure we take extra precautions to be careful near the tracks and make sure the public are out of harms risk.
Yes

Contacts
Emergency Service: 999
Robert Clack School: 02082704222

Other Contacts: Eastbrook Comprehensive School - 020 8270 4567

Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Animatic

Storyboard


Shot list


Shot List

Scene
Shot Number
Description
1


1



1



1



1




1



2



2
1


2



3



4



5




6



7



8
Medium shot of train station platform, 2 seconds long. Sound of train- digetic*
Medium shot of the train approaching. 2 seconds in length. Sound of the train increasing. Diegetic/non Diegetic

Closer Medium shot, Train continues to come, two seconds long. Non-Diegetic sound.

Train arrives, long shot of artist from across the platform. Non-Diegetic sound. 2 seconds long.

Medium shot of artist getting on the train, Non-Diegetic sound, lasts roughly a second to two seconds.


Close up of face, one second in length, Song begins, Diegetic.


Cuts to new location, Close up of face, Singing begins, 1.5 seconds long.


Long shot of artist sitting on train, 3 seconds long, non diegetic sound
2



1



1



3



1


2


2

2

1


1

2


9



10



11



12


13



14


15

16

17


18

19
Frontal frame, close up of face, singing continues. One second in length. Non-Diegetic.

Medium shot Cuts to train, sitting in a seat, no lip-syncing. 1.5 second in length.

Medium shot of standing in front of a wall 1 second in length.


Close up of holding hands walking 0.5 – 1 second in length.

Medium shot on train 2 seconds in length.


Copy of shot 7, 1.5 seconds length.


Still medium shot of singing 2 seconds

Close up of singing, 4 seconds long

Medium shot, artist sitting on the bench with partner 2 seconds

Medium shot, fades to just her sitting on the bench, 3 seconds

Cuts to Close up of singing, 4 seconds long