30 September 2013

Final Cut Pro (1)

I think that my film, for a first attempt at using the equipment and software, was good. I think that there is still a lot to improve on, however. A main point I would improve one is the way we filmed. I think that we needed to start and stop filming before the action starts and stops, this would have given us more freedom while editing and would have meant we could make shots longer or shorter as we pleased. I also think that we needed to have more planning than we had, particularly for our shots. For my next microdrama I need to work on my shot variation because, while we did have variation in our shots, it felt forced and seemed like we were making the shots have variation and, as a result, the drama was somewhat disorientating. I think that I need to work perfecting my shot variation.

27 September 2013

Microdrama: Completed + Reflections

The completed microdrama can be found here:



I think that the microdrama turned out resonably well, but still had a lot of room for improvement. With more time to plan and properly layout a plot and story I think that it would have been improved.

I think that our use of Narrative Enigma could have been worked out better, perhaps by adjusting the setting and Mise-en-scene. 

Another thing I think we could have improved is the emphasis on Todorov's Narrative Theory particularly the stage of discovering the dis-equilibrium.


Microdrama: Narratives

Our Narrative:
Synopsis: 
My microdrama, Lost & Missing, is about a couple. One of the couple is kidnapped and so the other has to find them.
Characters:
We followed Propp's character archetypes:

  • Amber: The Princess/Prize, She gets kidnapped by the villain and at the end is reunited with the hero
  • Conal: The Hero, He sets off on a quest (to find amber) and is helped along by the magical helper
  • Magical Helper: She helps the hero by providing him with a 'magical' app with which Conal is able to find Amber
  • False Hero: Tried to mislead Conal in his search for Amber. Appeared to be helping but actually hindered
  • Villain: Kidnaps Amber and sets off the plot for the Microdrama




Narratives:
We used Narrative Enigma in order to keep the real identity of the Villain a secret. We also used Binary Opposites with the hero and the villain and the hero and the princess/prize. For the hero and villain the binary opposite helped to create conflict.

The microdrama can be viewed here:


26 September 2013

Microdrama

The Task:
We were told to make a microdrama so that we could learn about final cut pro and the main narrative theories used in film making. The microdrama is the result of this.

About:
My microdrama, the red shoe, involves the main story narratives. It is about someone being kidnapped and their friend coming to find them.

It can be watched here:


Analysis:

My microdrama uses all eight of propp's recurring character archetypes. We used narrative enigma for the villan, they can be seen towards the end, being hit with the shoe.

I also used Todorov's model of narrative structure I started with equilibrium, the couple walking together and being generally happy, the disruption was the kidnapping of on of the couple. the recognition was when I walked back and found that amber was missing, the attempt to repair the disequilibrium was when I attacked the villan, this resulted in the equilibrium being reinstated with the couple being back together.


If I were to have enough resources and time in which to create my microdrama I would have done a lot of things differently.

I think that I would have redone a few of my shots, particularly the one in which poppy looked around the corner, I would also have taken the tie to reshoot the screen of the ipad or even superimposed the correct image upon the screen. I would also have taken the time to write a proper script and create a proper storyboard, this would mean that I would have a clearer understanding of the plan for my video and so I could create it in a more effcient manner.

I think that, while my microdrama was good, it could have been better and , if I had all the resources that I have listed and done all the things that I have also listed, my micrpdrama would be much better.

16 September 2013

Last 5 movies that I have watched

Now you see me (2013, Leterrier) Budget:$75m USA:$117m



Sherlock Holmes (2009, Ritchie) Budget:$90m USA:$209m UK:£29m Worldwide:$524m



Rush Hour 2 (2001, Ratner) Budget:$90m USA:$226m UK:£11m Worldwide:$347m



Rush Hour (1998, Ratner) Budget:$33m Gross: USA:$141m UK:£7m Worldwide:$244m



Johnny English (2003, Howitt) Budget: $35m Gross: USA:$27m UK:£19m Worldwide:$129.3m