Final Reflection

 This program contributed to the development of my critical thinking, my technical skills, and my artistry. This class prepared me for diagnosing and solving problems that might occur unplanned.

End of the Year Reflection Pt.4

 I felt like the digital citizenship  keynote was the most useful. It can be improved by being more tailored towards video/film production. I do not think this keynote should be striked, but maybe condensed into one lecture.

End of the Year Reflection Pt.3

 The enjoyed the storytelling unit because it enabled me to delve into my creativity and express my artistic vision. I learned about the story arc and its significance to a wholesome narrative. I also learned about the character archetypes and each of the characters contribution to a story. I also found out how to warp time in a story.  I'd like to learn more about how I can implement exposition efficiently.  

End of the Year Reflection Pt.2

 I was most proud of crafting the silent film. This was a big accomplishment because the task was complex and we got it done.

End of the Year Reflection Part 1

  I was able to achieve the goals I set for myself in the fall and the spring.  I was able to build collaborative skills with the activities and exercises I practiced throughout the semesters.  I was also able to learn how to communicate my artistic visions to my peers.  This was made possible with hard work and the help of Mr. Furtado.

The Dogist Mini Doc

 This documentary is different because it features several animals as subjects. This documentary uses fast cuts to be fast paced, this is effective because it adds rhythm.

Incente, Oscar winning mini Doc

 The filmmakers implemented the subjects struggle by displaying a close up to show her emotions. The filmmakers also showed b-roll of sad alleys and slums.

Theo Jansen's Strandbeests

 This documentary is different because it consist almost completely of B-roll. The filmmakers achieved a very active feel by adding rhythmic music and fast consistent cuts.  The use of abundant motion on screen also ads to the active feel.

Reinvention of Normal mini Doc

This documentary was different than most because it used animations to separate the scenes. The filmmakers used voice overs and the subject to tell the whole story.  This is effective because the drives the story forward. They used complimentary B-roll, this is effective because it gives context to the A-roll.

The Off Season Mini Doc

 This documentary is different from other documentaries because it did not really have an end and was every open ended. This documentary uses archival footage to tell its story, for example the footage of him ten years earlier.

If I Die on Mars

 The film used rhythmic music that was building to make scenes more grand, the filmmakers used the subjects voice overs the entire film to drive the narrative, and they used time lapses to slow down the shorts pace.  

Bull Rider

  The lighting in this documentary changes the mood for example, low lighting with deep shadows made the film dramatic.  Prolonged close ups in the documentary show the subjects emotions and reflections of life.  Insert shots of b-roll show passage of time.

Enjoy Your Transmission Mini Doc

 The filmmakers use voice overs to drive the narrative and fade to blacks to pass time in the story. The mood in the story is very calm, the filmmakers achieve this by using an abundance of prolonged wide shots with quiet ambient music and sound effects.

Comic Book Heaven

 The filmmakers created a trapped/frustrated and lonely mood in this short. They crafted this mood by displaying prolonged wide shots of the subject alone in his shop. They also have the subject as a voice over expressing how business is declining. Shots of emptiness also contributed to the mood of the short.

The Art of the Interview

 Three important things in the video where to ask questions that will lead to truthful responses, ask questions that will lead to answers that pertain to your story, and to structure your interview so you have options in the editing room. These are important because you want your interview to correspond with your subject matter, you also want to bee able to manipulate the interview while editing.

Your B-Roll is your A-Roll

 Anthony's take on B-Roll is shots are similar to cutaways in that they help break up the static interview shots, but B-roll plays a more major role in telling a visual documentary story. It differs because he says B-roll should not be a secondary or low priority and it really should be thought of as “A-roll.” His secret is to fill in B-Roll you do not have with shots that do not have a specific time, place, or subjects. 

B-Roll

   B-Roll is supplemental footage that aids the A-Roll. The B-roll is used to give context about from your A-roll. When shooting B-roll it is important to collect multiple shots to compliment your A-Roll, too shoot more than you think you need, and to get some A-Roll of your interviewee.

Intro to 3 Point Lighting

 When filming a subject you should have a fill light, hair light, and key light. This is important because it will make the subject stand out from the background. You shouldn't point the hair light at the camera, this is because the lighting will cause flairs in the camera.

Documentary Treatment

 The article tells the viewer to keep in mind to relay information that isn't neutral like a textbook. This is important because this will create a documentary that persuades and promotes something. The article also tells the viewer to have at least one character go through development, this will ad to your story,  And lastly, you should implement well placed exposition of necessary information, this is important because it will give your viewer context.  

Reflectors

 Three things to keep in mind when shooting outdoors is the direction of the sun, the shadows on your subject, and what reflectors you are going to use.  Reflectors are good to use in times where the shadows are too dark and you want to even or eliminate shadows.

Nanook of the North

  Robert Flaherty was controversial because he crafted the first documentary film. This caused controversy because he filmed in a natural setting and combined that with his story telling skills. He also staged some of his scenes leading to further controversy. The film Nanook of the North is still famous today because it was a landmark in documentary filmmaking.  

 A documentary is a film that documents or repots factual information. They are important because they provide information on their topic. This allows people to become more knowledgable after watching the film. Documentaries are interesting because their is a story weaved through the factual content. This is significant because people will be more attached to the film with a good story.

Music Video Project Summary

 Some challenges we faced during our production was emulating what we visioned in the script and shot list.  We also had some trouble reshooting some shots with the green screen because other production groups were occupying it.

Boom Mic Tips

  When booming, its important to keep the mic at the same same distance from the source of the audio.  Its also important to have the boom operator present during rehearsal so they know where the talents will be positioned. The operator should also work with the camera man to ensure the mic isn't in the shot.

3-2-1 Sound for Screen

 During this unit I learned the practicality and mechanics of different microphones used in the film/video industry.  I also learned how to operate a boom pole and how to mic individuals. Id like to learn more about U.S frequency allocations and how to record and practice the art of foley. I found the physics of sound to be the most interesting thing we have learned about during this unit..

Guest Speaker - Mark Edward Lewis

1.  Who or what inspired you to start designing sound?
2.  Was it challenging to land a job in the sound/audio industry?
3.  Do you enjoy editing or designing sound more?
4.  What other sub industry in film production would you like to work in other than sound/audio?
5.  What are some challenges you face when designing sound?

3 Things for Recording Audio

  Three important things to keep in mind when recording clean audio is to set your levels correctly, point the microphone towards the source, and come equip with the correct microphone for the task.

External Audio Settings

  When recording audio it is important set the mic/line switch to whatever level you are recording, this is crucial because it tells the camera if it is going to record on a mic level or line level. Also, when ever you need phantom power you need to switch to +48v. You need to switch to ext mic when recording, you almost never will need to use the int mic.

Foo Fighters - Everlong

  This music video has a very chaotic mood. This was achieved why the constant switch between the colored and black and white worlds. The fast camera movements and body movement also contributed to the mood.

Camera Audio Menues

  One thing to keep in mind when recording audio is to set what channel you are going to record on, this is important because sets what input is going to record the audio track. Another thing to keep in mind is to test the mic while wearing headphones to ensure you have the correct audio levels you set, this is important because its easy to mistakenly have your setting switched to internal mic.  

A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?

  The music video  for Can I Kick It? has a jubilant mood. This was achieved by the wavering canted shots, the transitions from high to low angles, and the quick insert shots.

Radiohead There There...

 This music video had a dreary and ominous tone. This was achieved through the low grayish lighting in the video. The video also implemented dark and creepy props that also influenced the tone. The music video also had obstacles that were vicious crows, these birds are associated with death that gave the video an ominous tone.    

Beastie Boys Sabotage

 The Beastie Boys and artists behind the music video created a very hectic and chaotic tone. They accomplished this by using fast cuts, a lot of motion, and lots of camera movement.

Microphone Types

Lavalier mics are beneficial when you want the micro[hone to be bound to the talent.  Shotgun mics are convenient when you want to pic isolated sounds, you just have to point it in the direction of the source. Handheld mics are nice because they are portable and very durable. The Lavalier would be best for an interview because you would be able to get clean audio from the talent.

Its Foley Time!

 When recording audio, you should compose clean edits of each recording and save them as individual recordings. The main goal in recording foley is to blend the sounds organically so the viewer doesn't even notice them. These pieces of information are important to video production because they can aid the video to create a more realistic feel to the project.  

Iron Man without Music

 The scene without music feels less cinematic because there it wasn't as dramatic. Music could have amplified the tone of the scene and ad drama.

SFX vs. Final Mix - Tron Legacy

    I noticed that the before and after mixes sound more like a collection of samples layered over each other. The final mix sounded more realistic because it was accompanied by foley and atmospheric sound.

Your Music Video Pitch

 Our music video idea is to display the conflict between conforming and staying true to your self and passion. The visual concept is to show parallels between the conformers life between how her life would be if she remained passionate and her life now. We choose this song because it is originally about expressing yourself and we wanted to reverse the meaning and make it about confirming. We are emulating an abstract music video style.  Our locations are going to be in the sound stage and around the city to collect b roll.

Mono vs. Stereo Sound

 The key differences between mono vs. stereo sound is the way the audio signals are routed. Stereo sound is important to achieve a stereophonic sound while mono sound is used to create monaural sound. I think stereo sound would be appropriate for a interview because you can focus the recording on the subjects voice instead of the external noise.

Star Wars and Modern Sound

 Technologies used in the production of Star Wars changed the art of cinema in various ways. The special effects impressed the audiences but what really made Star Wars into George's magnum opus was the sound he implemented. The film was one of the first to experiment with Dolby Audio; before its release only about 30 theaters had Dolby surround sound, after its release thousands of theaters implemented Dolby. Star Wars showcased how sound can aid visuals to create an experience never experienced by anyone at the time. George Lucas's vision set new trends and expectations for sound in cinema.

From Edison to T-Pain

 These technologies affected filmmaking because it enabled filmmakers to record audio with their visuals. Many of the milestones in the developing audio industry allowed creators to record sound easier and for the fraction of the cost. Stereophonic sound made sound a lot more versatile which was important because it allowed for more creativity.

The History of Sound Questions

   I would like to learn how art critics reacted when sound was implemented into cinema. I also want to know who invented the microphone.

Different Bit Rate Audio

 I noticed that each time the song looped it would have a smaller sample size. This made the audio have a lower quality sound because it was compressed so much.

Seeing Sound

 This video is interesting because it was the first time I have ever seen sound that wasn't in digital form.  The video helped me understand sound because I got to see it travel through air.

Your Experience with Sound at the Movies

 I noticed that a lot of sound in modern Hollywood films are digitally composed and artificial. The first film I noticed sound in was The Sound of Music. This film made me think a lot about how sound effects the film.

Storytelling Advance

  Ira video relates to me in this class because he tells about creative individuals not being able to create what they want. He stresses that people in the creative field who have great taste, may be creating work that isn't up to par; he also states that this is normal. This applies to me because it inspired me to keep working and studying to cultivate and channel my own artistic abilities.

Storytelling and Screenwriting

 Three things I learned this unit were story structure, the hero's journey archetypes, and how to format a script. Two things I'd like to know more about are how to use exposition without being exsessive.

The Table Read

 An important piece of information is that it is good if you make the reading look like a planned event and set a space where actors could warm up to each other. This is important because you want everyone to work collaboratively and comfortably on the lengthy read. Another is to let your actors voice their opinions and give back creative criticism to refine your script.  Lastly, it is crucial to take good notes based on your recording and your actor's feedback; treat these all equally and improve your script from there.

The Screenplay pt.2

 While learning about screenplays, I was surprised that it only takes 30-45 minutes to read through. I am also surprised about how much info is on the screenplay.

The Screenplay P.1

 I have never read a screenplay before. I think a screenplay displays all that is seen and heard on screen. I think a Hollywood screenplay has 1 page equal 1 minute of screen time.

Hero's Journey Infographic Scavenger Hunt

I choose this image because it displays all of the steps in the hero's journey. It also demonstrates the spacing of the events in the hero's journey. This infographic also shows the ratio of the known and unknown.

Samurai Films and Star Wars?1

 The hero's journey is not the only thing that inspire George Lucas to create Star Wars. He was also inspired by Kurosawa, a Japanese film maker who crafted samurai movies. George modified Kurosawa's film structure into his own adaptation by switching up the characters for each archetype. The most interesting thing covered in the instructional video was learning about Akira Kurosawas upbringing.

Hero's Journey Archetype

 I think the easiest to write about would be the shadow because I could develop the character after I find something they want from the Hero. The hardest one to write about would be the hero because he/she is the main character. The archetype I least understand is the shapeshifter.

Joseph Campbell's Monomyth

 The hero's journey is a structure that most hero/adventure stories follow. The most important parts of the structure to me are the call to adventure and the supreme ordeal. I think the call to adventure stands out because this is what propels to hero into the quest. The supreme ordeal is important because it is the final test the character has to go through.

The 7 Basic Plots

 Two plots that stand out to me is The Quest and Rags and Riches. A plot based around a quest interests me because I grew up mostly watching films with this plot. I'd like to create something I was raised around. Rags and riches interest me because I like to watch someone transform them selfs from very little. These stand out more than the others because the others do not get visions flowing in my head.

Genre and Storytelling

 My films usually gravitate towards drama. This says that I am usually a dramatic person.

Proverbs and Theme

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."
 This proverb stands out to me because it explains how important trust is to hold effective communication and hold relationships. this would make an interesting theme of a short film because it could be based around a person vs self conflict and  about someone struggling with their own issues and needing to trust them selfs. 

7 Types of Conflict Scavenger Hunt

 Ex Machina is a person vs technology conflict because the conflict arises because of the technology. The protagonist is Caleb the one testing the A1 and the antagonist Ava, the A1 who is manipulating caleb into setting her free.

 2012 is a person vs nature film because the antagonist is John and the protagonist is the series of natural disasters.

Silent Film Homage

 My subject i will be studying is Cecil b. Demille. He is significant because he was a pioneer to the new artform. Demille was also a screenwriter and acted in his films.

7 Types of Dramatic Conflict Into

 I've seen these types of conflicts used in the Hunger Games series. i'd like to implement person vs. technology, person vs society, and person vs supernatural. I'd like to use these because I think they work well with my visual aesthetics.

Putting Your Characters in the Hot Seat

 The hot seat technique is a technique theatre directors often use. The technique is acted out by placing a single chair on a stage and having every character individually sit on the chair. After this, cast members will question the character about their character. This technique could be implemented to structure a script by using it to develop a believable character.

Story Spine Reflection

 The story spine activity helped construct an interesting synopsis because it forced us to have the 3 acts, a beginning, middle, and end. Something I've learned was how to crate a story making sure to have a complete story arc.

 One tips that stands out is pulling emotions from the audience. this stands out to me because my films need more emotion in the story. another is establishing conflict. I need to work on this because it isn't always clear what the dilemma is in my films. The last tip that stands out to me is foreshadowing. This stands out to me because I need to focus on foreshadowing to propel my narratives.

What is Good Storytelling

 Good storytelling is when the story has a developed beginning, middle and end. Key elements are an inciting incident that propels the character(s) into their journey. Another is a climax and resolution to the narrative. These are important because those elements are essential to craft a story arc.

The Evolution of Film

 I think the evolution of film is very interesting to examine because it all happened not too long ago. It all began when people realized they could use the camera to tell stories with a visual language. After the first films, new techniques began to brand themselves into the art form. This allowed videos to evolve into its very own separate piece of media called a film.

Chaplin

 Chaplin gained his start due to his older brother who had already been working on stage. People admired that he was a very talented comedian. Some things i find unique about him are that he was one of the highest payed people of his time, he was able to take control of his career, and he directed and produced.

Silent Film in the Bay

 Film in the Bay started back when Muybridge experimented with the world of photography. Funded by a wealthy industrialist, Muybridge had the infrastructure to invent new machines that showcased cinema and motion picture like never before. The root of old film began when Muybridge along with Stanford demonstrated a new device in San Francisco at the Art Association. This played a role in early cinema because many aspiring filmmakers would make their way down to the bay to film in the abundant sunlight. Many of these early films became branded in the art and transformed the craft into what it is today .

Hollywood then and Now

Hollywood back then was empty like most developing cities. The streets were empty and unrecognizable from the city today. The city underwent a drastic transformation after many companies saw the potential of the new land. I think that the industry moved to Southern, CA because of the abundant sunlight.

From Nickelodeon to Movie Palace

 Nickelodeons screened films and housed rows of seats facing a curtain the bisected the audience from the screen. The first movie palace was built in 1902 and was named the Regent. The transition into movie palace took place because early screening would take place in other buildings. Movie palaces became important because it showcased the new art form and housed a place devoted to cinema for the public.

The Industry Moves West

 Hollywood, California is an area with diverse geological features which was great for cinema. Edison crafted multiple technologies that paved the way for film and film viewing. Because Edison housed plenty of patents he was able to collaborate with other alike. This enabled him to open up production companies.

Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight Tonight

 The music video is about astronomers going on an expedition to the moon! Whilst on the foreign terrain, terrestrial being attack the explorers; the video transitions and the explorers return to Earth. The filmmakers choose the imagery to reflect on old cinema, they are significant because that is what our class is learning about. The filmmakers are paying homage the the film, A Trip to the Moon, which is evident because the whole story and imagery is the same.

D.W griffiths a birth of a nation

 D.W Griffith's, A Birth of a Nation, stuck much controversy in the U.S  at the time of its release. The controversy followed with extreme ratings at the box office. white americans adored the film and admired its romantic complexity. Black americans however were incited by the racial discrimination catapulted towards their community. Griffith's did not believe he was racist. Griffith was very innovative in his works which is evident in his camera work, storytelling, and framing.

Studio Synopsium Reflection

 I attended the Street to Fine Arts and The Power of Media classrooms. My favorite was the Street to Fine Arts lecture because I enjoy art exhibits. The aspects that I enjoyed where that Juan Carlos designed his warehouse and built a business for himself. What could have improved were the numerous technical errors during the presentation. The best thing I learned at the conference was that networking is crucial in the industry.

 I adore this early silent film because it paved the way for horror and macabre styled videos and left its mark in cinema forever. What is so interesting about this film is the way it was able to impact culture and the reaction it got. Two things I found in common among the early films is there grainy appearance and its ominous silence.

Muybridge

He made photography a medium about time and motion. He made several breakthroughs such as answering the question if all four hooves on a horse leaves the ground simultaneously. This is significant because it was a huge scientific debate at the time. I found the answering of a scientific debate the most interesting because he was able to determine the answer by freeze framing.

The Invention of Photography

 We would not have filmmaking without photography because film making requires capturing an image, which was done first by photography. The historical importance of photochemistry is that is was able to capture an image. Another significant piece of technology is the Daguerreotype because it refined photography and shortened the length of development. Lastly, the autochrome was an important breakthrough because it introduced color into photography.

 Lighting played a part in the caves by altering the image when the flame flickered. This implied a false impression of movement. The two techniques used are juxtaposition and superimposition. I think that the artist painted the caves to express a story.

Spring Semester Goals

 I was able to reach my goals I set for myself in the fall. Goals I want to achieve this semester is to be able to communicate my artistic ideology and vision to others more effectively. A video I would like to make is one that displays a visual language that would compare and contrast major emotions with the aid of electronic sounds and hypnotic drumbeats.