#Blog 15 Final course reflection

This class was the best film class that I have had so far. Dr. R Doesn't stress due dates and deadlines, she stresses the correct way and proper ways to do things. The learning always feels like "hands on teacher-student" even when we are in groups. I hope that my next class picks up right where this one left off. I had a great experience through out this course but my only regret is I took 18 hours this semester which caused me not be able to fully focus the way I would have like to. I couldn't give 100 percent to this class because I was stretched so thin.

#14 Your Reel & Artist Statement

Artist Statement:
In my videos I aim to create substance that can be enjoyed by all viewers of different backgrounds. I strive to create visuals that supply a vibrant experience for the viewer through humor and drama.

Blog #13 Scripted Scene Assignment

Blog #12 Examples of $ Shots

Money shots are shots that make the movie or video what it is suppose to be. Money shots are the pieces that complete the video puzzle. Money shots should change the feel of what the viewer sees and leave that breath taking effect. The Money shot should be felt and seen as an expression through video.

Blog #11 Prep for Your Scripted Scene / Developing Director-DP Relationship

Preparation is the key any successful shooting. I have decided to remake a scene from the Notorious gangster movie "Good Fellas" I have talked to my DP Jon Barge and decided to make the visual have a dark at night kind of feel. I am not a master at lighting a scene so I do understand that it will take some practice before it is time to shoot my scene. I have decided to checkout an advanced light kit. I will be using the Sony DVR and 2 actors a Male and female.

Story Board:
GoodFellas: Scene where Henry comes home from jail hoping to sell the dope that he had stashed in the house, but Lauran flushed the dope when the cops came with the search warrant. That was the only money that Henry had and he was depending on it for survival.

ShotList:
• Medium Shot of Henry searching the room.
• Gun Slinger shot (master) “Full convo and break down” of Henry asking Karen where the dope is
• Cross 2 of Henry’s facial reaction when Karen answsers
• Cross 2 of Karens reaction when Henry finds out
• Medium Shot of Karen breaking down
• Medium Shot of the 2 breaking down on the floor.
• Medium shot of the sleep in the Bed

Equipment:
• Sony HD camera
• Fish Pool
• Shotgun Mic
• Spot Light
• LCD Monitor
• Wind Cover
• Key light
• Light Gels


Script/Visual Eample:
Refer Back to the Youtube.
Search “GoodFellas part 12” Time 6:05

Blog #10 Motivated Movement / Great Movement Shots

Inglorious Basterds from Ray Brown on Vimeo.

I tried my best to find a clip of the table scene at the beginning of Inglorious Bastards...but I couldn't. Well the scene involved the camera doing multiple 360s around the two characters having a conversation.

Blog #9 Inspiring Short Film / Video Online

I chose this short film because it told a story without using any words. The Dp and director used only visuals and audios to paint the portrait for the viewers.I find it's message extremely powerful - racism, in ANY form, is not acceptable and we must unite to fight against it! However, we live in a world where intolerance of difference - be it religious, cultural or any other - is the norm. My Favorite shot is 3:18 the depth of field changes over and the shot is beautiful.

Blog #8 Shot x Shot Analysis of a Scene

Scene 1: Starts off with Usher receiving a phone call from his mistress. She tells him that she is 3 months pregnant. For this scene they used a variety of shots. They used a close up, extreme close up, mid waist shot, medium close up, side profile, and front view. It's kind of strange to use that many different frames for one scene but the editor put it together nicely. The director used multiple depths of field for the first scene. At first he/she used a soft depth of field and than it turned into a very strong one. the depth of field changed as the shot frames changed. The focus faded in and out as you can see from the screen shot above where Usher is out of focused and comes back in to view crisp and in focus.











The next scene is a totally different scheme from the previous one. Instead of switching frames every 2 seconds the DP decides to do one continuous shot from the studio to Usher's car. The director used a 3rd persons view to capture the entire scene and conversation with his friend. Although their is no on camera Dialogue it is very clear that Ushers friend is asking me where he is going and by the look on ushers face and his body reactions you can tell what he is saying. The director is telling and capturing 2 moments at once. The fist moment is Usher singing and telling us the story of how he ended up cheating and the director used the settings around Usher to tell the second story of how Usher was feeling as he left the studio.

Blog #6 Portrait of a Place

Director: Trey Moore
Director of Photography Micah

TRUST NO ONE from UA, Telecommunication and Film on Vimeo.

Blog #7 Lighting Examples / Still Photos You Like

Picture 1 “The Beautiful SADE”: This is an image of a famous soul singer named Sade. I chose this picture because to me she is a very beautiful natural woman and the photography captures the essence of her face and beauty. The light and depth of field makes you focus on her facial tones. There is a slight shadow casting over the lower portion of her body, which causes the viewer to stay focused on the upper portion of her face; the soft depth of field on the background keeps the viewers attention centered on the middle of the image where her face is.




Picture 2 “Frazier Misses”: This is a famous image of the boxer Muhammad Ali dodging a vicious punch from Heavy Weight Champion Joe Frazier. I chose this photo because of the visual capturing that was used in the photography. The lights make you focus on the two boxers in the center of the ring. The angle makes Ali seem extra long and allusive. The picture was taken at a lower angle making the two fighters look big, strong, and powerful. I thought it was intriguing that you can actually see the lights in the photo, but yet it doesn’t take away from the focus of the fighters.


Picture 3 “Ali Punch”: This is a photo of Muhammad Ali delivering a furious left hand to boxer Floyd Patterson. I chose this image because it captured the strength and power of Ali’s punch. It is a mid waist shot and the lights are deemed on every part of the photo but Ali’s powerful left hand. To make the left arm even more powerful you see Floyd balling up for cover. The background being pitch black helped the viewer focus on the punch and two fighters even more.

Blog #5 Discuss pre-production planning for Portrait of Place shoot

I decided to make my movie a drug deal gone bad. In preparation for my movie I will use a fake gun, fake cocaine (baking soda), and some real money (really 300 ones wrapped in 20's). The movie will show a setup between a guy and he's girlfriend. I hope that you all like it. I plan to use wide shoots and close up shots. I will shoot a outside scene which will look a little hazy to give a grainy feel.

Blog #4 What You Learned in Class (by end of first month)

The Sony and JVC video cameras were both really nice and they both had HD, but if I had to choose between the two I would have to go with the JVC. The JVC camera is smaller than the Sony and is amazingly light. Not to say that the Sony is heavy but it is lager and heavier than the JVC. The JVC uses SD cards to capture the film shot. This saves a hell of alot of time when it somes to Logging and Capturing your videos. The Sony camera takes mini DV tapes. Although I couldn't grasp all of the functions allowed by the cameras due to class time issues I think that both of these cameras kick ass and pack a lot of power for their size!!

Blog #3 My Goals in Terms of Film Making

When I first came to college I wanted to be an Electrical Engineer. I had taken two internships with an Electrical Engineer and realized I couldn't be an engineer for the rest of my life. So I decided to change my major to undecided. I was sitting in introduction to Mass Com on day and this guy decided to do a video for this class project that the students had to do and BAM.. POW.. Gee Wilekers BATMAN!!! That was the day that I met my love.. I soon purchased a video camera from Walmart and we have been happily married ever since. I love making videos it doesn't matter what kind. I still haven't decided what I am going to focus on yet when it comes to film production, but I hope to gain as much knowledge that I can gain while I take classes at the U of A. Although know some knowledge when it comes to film production, I need to learn the correct way to do things. Mostly when it comes to lighting and sound. That is what I really hope to gain from taking this TCF course.

Old Sytle

Another one of my favorite film styles is the "OLD SCHOOL" feel. They directors used this look for the movie "The Curious Case of Benjermain Button". The movie gave off a really old, but modern feel. The movie had really good quality images, but at the same time it gave you a 1950s-1960s feel.

Blog #2 Inspiring Images / What You Like, Visually

My favorite film style is the "Flash Back Style" and “Pure Action”. A few Movies that inspire my favorite styles are Catch Me If You Can, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and the Matrix. The first few pictures that I post are images from the Matrix. I remember the first time that I saw the Matrix, I had to between the ages of 10-13 I went to the movies with my older brother and I can remember both of us coming out of the movie theatre doing kong fu moves. The Matrix was filled with action and not only was the action great but the movie actually told a complex story that was far greater than the action. To fully understand the movie I believe you have to see it twice, because the first time you see it you are so blown away that you don’t pay attention to the complex story line. The Next movie images that I posted were images from one of my all time favorite movies Catch Me If you Can. In this movie the directors used tons of flashback scenes to draw the story together. It’s funny because the story line was of the main character Benjamin getting younger instead of getting older, so the reverse film style kind of fit the whole scheme of things. The next images are from the movie Catch Me If You Can. This movie used the Flash Back style to tell the entire story. The images captured the present and later years in great details.

Blog #1 Top 10 Favorite Films

1.Matrix
2.WhiteMan can't jump
3.Goonies
4.Rocky
5.I am legend
6.Dark Knight
7.Harlem Nights
8.Hurricane
9.Paid in Full
10.Taken