Subject Exploration: Film part 4

Below are images I had captured of us setting up equipment as well as images capturing during the day of filming.

This is our final chase sequence completed, which I am throughly pleased about and thought we worked well in creating.

Subject Exploration: Film part 3

Premier Pro: Editing the film 

Premier Pro: Editing the film 

In creating the film we were all assigned roles in which we would carry out, Matt and I acted we were the two characters being chased, louis also acted as he was the security guard, both Imogen and Ryan filmed and Miranda covered the sound role. As a group we all worked well with each other, we successfully completed the filming on the location within one day which we were all pleased about. Through out, the film was captured with the use of various angles as this enabled the film to be more interesting as a-pose to being captured from one continuous angle. With the use of camera, a go pro was also used which enabled an angle to look as though it is a first person point of view which worked really well, especially with the scenes of graffiti taking place. A range of props where used such as masks for Matt and I to use to hide identity when carrying out the graffiti scenes, spray cans and other necessary props. Editing the film was carried out using Premier Pro, during the editing stage we had all had an input into editing as we filmed many scenes a great deal we had to edit thoroughly down to be within the time limit we had. These scenes were cropped down and place next to one another cutting to each scene enabling a neat flow between one another. The sound was then edited using Logic Pro, and added to the final film sequence. Below are images of editing our chase sequence and also a video showing us setting up equipment needed before filming. In an additional post I will be posting images I had captured through out the day.

Logic Pro: Editing sound for the film

Subject Exploration: Film part 2

As a group once we had thought and planned out an idea the location was key to make this entire film work. The location of Klinger Ltd, located in Sidcup was suggested amongst the group, which in an abandoned derelict building. The group and I visited the building as preparation ensuring it would be right for filming, upon visiting we had decided the location would be perfect for filming the short film, I had captured locations shots of various areas around the building, mainly in two sections as these were the two areas the filming would mainly be taking place. As well as taking images of location, using chalk a pathway was drawn as well as on walls creating markings for directions that would be used when running for the chase as well as where to enter the buildings from when filming. Below are the images I captured.

Subject Exploration: Film part 1

Planning: First inistal brainstormed ideas

As a start I had decided I wanted to carry out this task of creating a 1 minute length chase sequence as a group, we all then began brainstorming and planning various ideas for what our chase scene could be. Many ideas were thought of such as the first initial idea being a gangster chase - although this was a great idea, the gangster theme was a cliché. With moving on with ideas a theme of childhood, adult fears came up with the idea of a male character narrating a story on his childhood, reflecting on how as a child he had a fear of monsters beneath his bed, and tries to run away from these demons. The monsters are representations of real life horrors such as bills, taxes, they would be perceived as the struggle and fears of adult life. Animation would have been used also as the monsters would be animated creating the mixture of both live action and animation together. Although this idea was brilliant and one I throughly liked, there was conflicting times for filming within the week we would need to.

Planning: Brainstorm and Timeline of final ideas

Notes on final ideas 

In thinking of other ideas we could create an idea was thought of that two graffiti artists go to an abandoned, derelict building to do graffiti before being spotted by a security guard resulting in a chase taking place. There were ideas that the ending to this would be 3 versions, the first being during the chase one of the friends becomes injured resulting in the other friend making a decision to help them or continue escaping. The second the friend to jump off the building resulting in injuring/death or becoming caught. The final the security guard becomes injured resulting in the character either helping the injured security guard or running off like the friend had done. Although these were good endings I had thought of instead what if the security guard returned to the spot he found the artists and threw a can in anger from them escaping, which exploded creating this big mess of 'art' which would inspire him to finish the piece off. This ending went down well with the group and we had gone with it as it had an unexpected twist. The reason for deciding to carry out is that graffiti can be portrayed in many ways, some may find it vandalising, others a form of art. In this short film the twist of the security guard a law abiding citizen continuing the graffiti, shows that perhaps in his eyes it really is art and not typical vandalism. Below is the storyboard which was created using a application called Storyboards, it shows the detail of how the chase sequence will occur. 

A Chase through Future Memories

As an introduction into film we began with discussing various areas within film such as the story, sound and image, editing, rules such as 180 degree, 30 degree, and more. These subjects were interesting to learn about as I have previously studied film but not as in-depth. The Chase Sequence was the area we looked into as the main task was to create a chase sequence which was to be 1 minute in length. This was very exciting as a chase in any film is the mind blowing sequence you wait for to occur. We began by viewing various chase sequences to gain ideas and inspiration for when creating our own, we began by viewing The French Connection (1971). This was a great piece to watch as this portrayed the classic car chase with the handheld camera enabling you as the viewer to feel within the scene, especially with the diegetic sound. Another sequence we were shown was from an episode in the American Television series Louie (2010). This chase was hilarious as this sequence was so expected and had a great twist, I was able to throughly enjoy watching the chase unfold. The final chase was from New York Stories (1989), I didn't enjoy this sequence at all as in all honesty, it creeped me out. It was the typical romantic chase which all I felt was bore when viewing. With viewing these chase sequences I was able to have a clear understanding into how the consequence of actions impact the results of a chase. After viewing the chase sequences I had thought about the various chases I have seen in many films, many chases take place within one of my favourite film trilogies Back to the Future (1985). One of them being a skateboard chase which takes place between the main protagonist Marty Mcfly and antagonist Biff Tannen, in which Marty gets away on a skateboard, which hasn't been invented yet - this chase sequence was brilliant. 

Sound Exploration: Sound part 2

Sound of lighting lighter.

Sound of boiling kettle.

Sound of picking up keys.

In creating the final sound piece slight changes where made in which once collecting a range of sounds needed Imogen and I both discussed that with the sounds we currently have there was no where near enough time to include a car crash into the final ending. We  decided in keeping the idea of having an argument taking place but the character would just escape the chaos by sitting in their car with a cigarette. In removing the car crash concept we created two difference sound pieces with different endings, the first was the character leaving their house, getting into the car whilst huffing, breathing heavily as they're filled with stress and emotions, lighting a cigarette and smoking the anger away. The second was the character leaves the house gets into the car and turns on the radio, flickering through different channels before finds the perfect song. Since the removal of the car crash we also had to create more things happening in the household such as boiling the kettle, making tea, the sound of the dog barking, picking up keys. This made the sound in my opinion be more believable and work better. In editing our final sounds nor Imogen or I had used Garage Band before in editing any form of sounds so it was all new to us, we watched various tutorials we taught us ways to edit certain things as well as both of us working out things for ourselves. With these alternate endings we had a choice between the both in deciding which felt right for the story we where portraying, as a result we decided on the first sound. I felt personally that the first sound flowed much better with the concept of leaving and escaping from whatever was in the house, the peaceful sound of the rain against the car, the inhale of the cigarette calming down the character, the sound of heavy breathes was something which I liked a lot.

Editing sounds in Garage Band.

In editing this we had cropped and layered sounds to create a nice flow as each sound faded in and out, with sounds such as the kettle boiling, and the argument taking place these where cropped and layered with the volume being risen and lowered through out to become that much more effective. The continuos barking noise of the dog had been lengthened through out the argument enhancing that chaotic feel whilst in the household creating tension even more. The sound of the rain was layered and volume lifted high which created the heavy rain effect, as well as a light sound of a distant siren in the back ground which we thought sounded good as you never really know what that siren sound could be for. Whilst in the car the sound of the lighter volume was turnt up high which enabled that sound of the sparks to be heard, as well as the sound of the deep inhale of the cigarette being smoked which represented the stress and anger. All sounds both faded in and out of each other as we felt it made the sound neater and flowed better. Over all I am throughly pleased with the sound we made as I have not done this before and it enabled me to have an understanding of how sound works. Also how much of an impact sound has whether being within a film or a sound piece on its own, it can have just as much effect without a visual aspect.

First sound we created, this was our chosen sound for our sound journey.

Second sound we created.

Subject Exploration: Sound part 1

As a start to creating our sound journey, I recorded test sounds to hear what certain sounds would be like when recording the final piece. Luckily it rained quite a lot which enabled me to get sounds of heavy rain and strong winds outside as well as whilst sitting in a car. With testing these sounds I let them be recorded for quite a length of time to hear if any changes such as the sounds of the rain and wind, I was able to hear the heaviness of the rain, the strength of the wind. I was able to persuade my mother and brother to act an argument which I had recorded over a couple of times, as well as being able to catch arguments of them unaware to see which sounds worked best and where most believable. Testing sounds of lighting a lighter numerous times was carried out also as we where able to capturer the sounds of the sparks where heard which sounded great. Below are the test sounds I carried out. As well as a sound storyboard I had created using a program called storyboards, it features the step by step process in which the sound journey would occur.

Sounds of both the rain and wind whilst outside.

Sound of the rain against the car whilst inside.

Sounds of lighting a lighter repeatedly.

Sounds of an argument taking place.

Planning: Sound Journey storyboard

"Future Memories" and a Sound Journey

Rough notes on sound journey

As an introduction into sound design we discussed areas of sound design as a whole such as structure, techniques, audio formats and many other areas which intrigued me as I have not learnt about sound before and how in-depth sound really is, this was all new to me. As a way to practise recording sounds before our main task, we were given sound recorders to travel around collecting various sounds to listen back and to learn and be prepared for when creating our own 1 minute sound piece. I had decided to carry out a group final piece with Imogen, together we came up with various ideas we could create, creating sounds of a car crash came to mind as it would be interesting in using various sounds, merging them together to enhance effectiveness. As well as a car crash taking place ideas of creating some form of backstory to the sound such as, carrying out household things such as making a cup of tea, having a cigarette. Also homely troubles will happen such as an argument breakout between a mother and a son, resulting in an angered car accident. I felt this idea would be interesting to experiment with especially with sound never been done before and also with so much going on within the sound, it should be an interesting outcome. 

Review - Monsters University (2013)

Usually with films I love such as Monsters, Inc (2001) I long for sequels, yet always have a slight worry that it may ruin the brilliance of the first fiIm but happily I was so very wrong with this one. Soon as Pixar released the first trailer for this I almost cried with joy. Monsters University (2013) was the latest Disney film I watched and it was brilliant. The opening featured the young, and very small Mike Wazowski taking a class school trip to Monsters Incorporated, which enables him to find his dream to become an all time scarer. With the film moving on Mike attends college and during his first day on the scare program comes across Sulley, also a student who is from a long well known line of successful scarers. With both of them eventually finding themselves having to try to get back on the scare program, you're able to see obstacles and challenges through out the film as well as other characters such as Randal with his villainy explained. 

Pixar never fails to please with the clever, comedic humour and in this case does a great job in reflecting typical campus life and comedy. The olympic-like 'Scare Games' was genius, the challenges the monsters had to face where hilarious, I honestly could not stop laughing through out, the cleverness and ideas of Pixar really amazes me.The animation is vivid in colouring and mind blowing with its raw detail - just like every pixar film, especially the campus scenes. There is an insight into countless new furred crazed characters and the world of Monstropolis is explored a little more, which pleased me.  I was very impressed by both Billy Crystal and John Goodman bringing energy and excitement to Mike and Sulley creating the perfect college freshman. Through out this film is genuine joy and is something one can watch countless times and never get bored.

Subject Exploration: Animation part 3

During the creation our animation titled Gone in the Blink of a Fly my group and I had spoken about roles in which we would all carry out as some of us where stronger in certain areas such as sketching, creating props, using the software. This enabled us all to work well as a team, especially when the roles of creating the animation itself came about. Stop Motion was the style of animation we decided as a group to carry out, I myself have not worked with this style of animation before so it was an enjoyable learning how to. With filming on the first day, we were able to film the beginning, leading on to the middle of the animation. The opening was featured indoors where the protagonist a fly is relaxing in paradise which is then disturbed by the Antagonist, the cat. As we where filming we where making sure our animation was being saved constantly. Although we had an incident in which our file became corrupted so we had lost the entire 16 seconds of 30 which we filmed - we had to start again the following day. 

Animation in progress: Filming

The following day we began again, ensuring we had two backed up files in case of having a repeat of the previous incident with our animation. With the layout of the first scene we kept it simple yet appealing with the use of bright colours to make the animation stand out. The camera angles varied with having close ups so upon viewing the animation you where able to know the key elements in causing the havoc for the fly such as the fan blowing him out the window or the close up of the fly with a different facial expression. The use of sound enhanced the effect the animation had as the audience would be able to understand what is happening better than without sound. This also enabled the animation to be more humorous and enjoyable to watch creating an almost child like experience with the boing sounds of the fly falling and hitting the light bulb. As we where going along filming the scenes and watching them back we decided slight changes here and there would make the animation better, as well as some changes for the good of the animation ensuring we made that 30 second limit. The ending had changed slightly so instead of the light turning off and hearing a smack sound, the paws of the cat appear, cut to black and you hear a cat screeching so you never really know what happens, you decide with your own interpretation. We thought this would be more intriguing as the cat is the Antagonist after all. 

Fly characters we worked with

I felt in carrying out this task I was able to learn how Stop Motion and the software to create animation works. I also had an insight into what animation is like, and that I enjoy creating it. It is a challenge yet you have a great feeling once you have seen your work created into an animation and come to life almost which is the most pleasing aspect over all. Working in a group was another great experience I had as we worked very well together, enabling us to be proud of what we created. Below is the final completion of our animation.

Subject Exploration: Animation part 2

Planning: First draft of storyboard

Planning: Final ideas for outcome

As first initial ideas for a final outcome I created a storyboard with a story of an anonymous character looking through their photo album in which they are then pulled into an old photo enabling them to re-live the time in which the photo takes place. So in theory they are travelling back into the past enabling them to be with family members who may not be alive in the characters current life. A member of the time travelling characters family in the present time calls out for this character upon hearing no answer the this character walks away. As they walk away this time travelling character is pulled back out of the photo album. I had thought this would be a good concept for a short animation, this also linked in well with the future memories aspect, as well as being a warm-hearted short. Upon hearing this animation idea of mine, it was chosen by the group to be worked on and adapted for a final outcome. As the group and I discussed this animation many ideas where thought of before ideas of perhaps making the animation more comedic - which resulted in a Tom and Jerry concept a main protagonist of a fly and antagonist of a cat. We had decided in creating the animation we would be using the style of stop motion animation, we would sketch the majority of the props to give a sketch like effect running through out the animation. The overall idea was something we where all pleased about and excited with the challenge ahead.

Subject Exploration: Animation part 1

As a group task we were given the task of creating an animation representing something which represents a part of this year 2013. The task was to create an on going sequence of sketches coming together to form one another which would be continued on to transition into another drawing created by another group member. This task enabled us to build skills in animating frames as well as working with transitions. I had the challenge of turning my own sketch of a Playstation logo - I had chosen this as the new Playstation 4 will be released this year which will become a hyped craze, into a Coca Cola bottle. I had created my indiviual task of creating this within 13 sketches  for the transition I thought of the concept of having the Playstation logo morph into a twisted swirl going from the right direction, to the left. Once this swirling tasks place it will slowly begin turning into a coca cola bottle, slight details of the bottle begin being seen as the shape forms. After the group completed there sketches of there own we had used a program iStop Motion to capture the images of our sketches within the frames and the resulted outcome of our animation is below. 

Future Memories and the Alchemy of Animation

As an introduction into animation we were shown various animations by inspiring artists, a piece which caught my attention was titled Dimensions of dialog by Jan Svankmajer. This animation was brilliant, as it was though you where able to see evolution evolving. Although there were no words being spoken the sounds within the objects moving, or music played within the background completed the piece. No narration was needed as by listening to the sound, this enabled me to understand the concept of what was being portrayed. Another animation which intrigued me was Procrastination by Johnny Kelly, I could relate to this animation in so many ways which is the reason I found it both humorous and brilliant all together. As the piece was simple and not complicated, the simplicity made it that more visually pleasing, less is more. The transitions between each scene was cleverly done, each scene flowed into the next becoming part of each other. For the purpose of carrying out a group task in creating a final 30 second animation, I was assigned a group to be working with through out this stage. We had then practised sketching and creating storyboards of animations, working together in making group decisions in preparation for the final outcome. I was rather excited to be carrying out this task of creating an Animation as I have previously worked in animation before but not in the way of drawing by hand, only through working with software.

Subject Exploration: Final Outcomes

These images are my final outcomes which I felt where the most effective and best upon my other images. I felt they portrayed the most emotion within the images, emotions of anger, hatred and also pain. The first image had an almost clear representation of raw emotions whereas the second image has an almost anonymous feel as you're not able to clear see what is felt through the model. Although you can not see clearly the facial expression like the first image you're able to see the body language which can portray different meaning of representations. The image can perhaps show the character about to lash out and attack, or could the hands be gesturing a sign of confusion of mixed thoughts, about to be placed either side of his head - trying to shake out and erase unwanted thoughts. The first image can be portrayed differently to the second image as you can see the facial expressions. You're able to see the tense strain of the throat leading its way to the shaken face of the model. The emotions can be perceived as both pain and distress or as anger and hatred as the message in this image is not clear - you never actually know what the model is clearly trying to represent. 

Subject Exploration: Test prints 6X

I had chosen to create 6X test prints with images I had captured in my second shoot, reason being as I felt they would be the most effective with various outcomes. I had also decided upon creating these test prints 2 of these images would be used as my final outcomes. 

I had selected a range of images and began manipulating them by using photoshop. I began with cropping each photo to the correct size and angle to my liking and this was key in making the image come across as certain way. I had adjusted the brightness and contrasts levels to create the right lighting tones and balance for each image. Using filters I experimented with overlaying a few images with scratched, old vintage images. This created the sense of thinking back to fearful tainted memories in the mind, distorted and broken thoughts which I felt was shown through and contrasted even more so along with the blurred, shaking motions. 

Subject Exploration: Photography part 2

In continuing the exploration in memories I had carried out a second photo shoot to capture the expression within facial emotions and body language when thinking of memories in the past and present. The idea of the blurred concept was inspired by artist Francesca Woodman, with her pieces titled Space². I had chosen to use the blurred motion to create my own version with a concept of interpreting a sense of despair, or fear of re-living tainted memories resulting in trying to blur them out, creating a sense of erasing them. I felt this linked well with the memories aspect as everyone has certain memories or moments they wish to forget, so I wanted to interpret and create my own thoughts of a way to forget.

 

Space² by Francesca Woodman (1975)

Space² by Francesca Woodman (1975)

Below are a range of images I had chosen capturing them with a range of shutter speed as I was experimenting the various outcomes I could create. I wanted to ensure I had a good range of natural light so I positioned the shoot near a window in which I would have the right source of light. I had captured the images in black and white again as this style of image is my favourite and I feel it represents the aged appearance for memories as well as contrasting well with the blurred motion. I was able to capture these images with a nice flowing consistency by using a tripod which gave me the perfect outcome I wanted within these photos. I felt that the concept of trying to erase and forget certain memories is something which many can relate to. I had used my parents as the models within these as I wanted them to reflect there emotional response to their thoughts of their own harsh memories which I think they portrayed well. 

Future Memories and the Art of Photography

In exploring subject of memories I had thought of an idea of re-living, altering memories within a photo album. The idea was inspired by The Butterfly Effect (2004) a favourite of mine. This aspect of the film is about memories, when reading hand written journals this causes you to travel back in time, allowing past memories to be altered which results in altercations in the future ones. I felt this linked within future memories well. I had chosen to use an old photo album which is a prized possession of mine, something which represents my childhood and countless memories I would go back in time to experience again and again.

These are a selection of images I have chosen which have been captured using a low shutter speed with an F stop also low enabling the lens to absorb as much natural light as possible. I had set up the shoot in a space with a window behind reflecting the just right amount of light. I chosen to capture the images in black and white as a-pose to colour, reason being is this would create a sense of an old, vintage appearance within images. I wanted to ensure I captured the pages flickering by in a blurred motion as if the images are intertwining within each other as this created the effect of travelling, re-experiencing those moments. I have my hands appearing in a few of the images which created the portrayal of myself looking through the photo album, these varied in which a few images look as though the camera lens is positioned as my eyes. I photographed the images from a constant position in which I only moved the photo album around, this gave that consistency in the images that I wanted. 

Below are stills from The Butterfly Effect of scenes when the main character is reading over the memories in his journal, causing a shaken and blurred motion of the words as he is about to travel into the past to re-live the memory. 

1. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

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These images are my own interpretations of the inspired scenes, I had captured them slightly different in my own way.