Storyboards and Camera Shots

SHOT DESCRIPTIONS

1. Explain 3 camera techniques for creating storyboards.
The three camera techniques for creating storyboards are camera framing, camera angles, and camera movements. First, camera framing is the technique that requires creative ways to zoom in and zoom out to the desired closeness and framing of the subject. Camera angles are the techniques that grabs our attention by creating dynamic scenes. They often influence how an audience responds to a character or situation on the screen. Lastly, the camera movement is the action showed between characters or objects, which the camera may remain static  or move amongst the characters. Where there is minimal action in a scene, the camera movement creates energy by moving within the environment.

2. What is a two shot? When should two shots be used?
Two shot is when two characters occupy the frame. There are many different variations of the two shot that includes positioning characters face to face, placing one character one behind another to create depth, and turning one character slightly toward the camera while the other is turned inward. Two shots are often used to convey a conversation, whether an argument or discussion between characters.

3. What is a canted angle? What types of films use canted shots?
Canted angle shot views an image off-centered, or tilted, so that the subject appears to be diagonal and off-balance. This shot is also called the Dutch shot. This unique shot creates an unsettling feeling with the audience. Canted shots are mainly used in horror films, psychological dramas, and crime pictures.

4. When should close-ups be used?
Close-ups are used quite regularly in television, particularly in soap operas, creating a close connection between the audience and a character. The intimacy of close-ups focuses on the most expressive part of a person - the face. The close-up is also great for isolating significant detail. For instance, a gloved hand turning a doorknob might provide the audience with necessary clues.

5. What type of shot would you use to establish two people arguing? Why?
I would use the two shot technique when I would film two people arguing, because this shot captures two characters in one frame (whether they are facing each other, placing one in front of another, or turning one character inward while the other is facing outward). This type of shot creates a wide variety of shooting a scene with just two people arguing with each other.

6. Who made the zolly shot famous? How does it work?
Alfred Hitchcock made the zolly shot famous. Zolly shot is a combination of a dolly shot and a zoom. An example is in Jaws, Spielberg used the zolly effect when Brody witnesses a little boy eaten by the shark. Brody is sitting on the beach and as the camera dollies toward him, the zoom lens is pulled back. Spielberg used this shot to communicate Brody's sudden surprise and disorientation.

7. When would you utilize a tilt-up shot?
Since tilt shots are often used to reveal a subject by degre4es, such as showing a character's feet first as the camera travels up the body to the face, I would utilize a tilt up or down shot the side of a skyscraper which will convey a feeling of height.





STORYBOARDS

1. What is visual storytelling?
Visual storytelling is a form of storytelling but with a visual flow to the narrative, used to communicate a message to an audience.

2. How does visual storytelling differ from film and animation to interactive games?
Films and animation are linear forms of visual storytelling where the audience listens and watches passively. But on the other hand, games are interactive programs where the user both actively views and manipulates the program. A user of a game doesn't just sit back and watch, but interacts with the message that the game is trying to convey.

3. What are two ways to format a story?
Two ways to format a story is telling a story and showing a story.

4. What is the difference between showing and telling?
When you are telling a story, it is up to the audience to imagine the expression and actions of the characters. However, when you are showing a story, the audience can see the actions of the characters, the aesthetics of locations, and how the characters feel. 

5. What are the elements of the hero's journey?
The basic elements of the hero's journey are the calling, threshold, initiation, the abyss, transformation, and the return.

6. What is the hook of a story?
The hook of a story is a catch that grabs the audience's attention, such as a murder or kidnapping at the beginning of a story. For example, the hook in a story may be a couple breaking up or it may be as simple as a character receiving an eviction notice. The hook should leave the audience asking questions. For instance, why did the woman get evicted from her apartment? Who kidnapped the girl? What caused the couple to split apart? If the audience is hooked, they will undoubtedly want to know what happens next and keep watching.

7. What are storyboards? How are they similar to the comic strip?
Storyboards are a series of sketches that are used as a planning tool to visually show how the action of a story unfolds. The closest visual relation to the storyboard are comic strips, minus the dialogue balloons. But whereas comic strips entertain, the storyboard is a tool that facilitates production.

8. What industries use storyboards?
Storyboard use may vary within each industry, but the purpose is the same and that is to visually communicate project ideas and objectives. Storyboards are incorporated into many industries including industrial, advertising, and interactive design. These include: advertising campaigns, video games, television series, multimedia, web design, and industrial/governmental videos.

Visions of Light

Visions of Light Reflecting Questions

1. Why were the early non-talkie movies so free with movement and location?
The early non-talkie movies were free with camera movements and location because back then, the cameras were smaller and they moved around faster.

2. What were the issues with the very first talkie movies?
The issues with the very first talkie movie was how the cameras were unable to move around or even tilt. Therefore, many film makers had to think a lot to solve this issue.

3. Why did 'Citizen Kane' have such a great impact - List some reasons.
'Citizen Kane' had such a great impact because:
- innovative cinematography as well as music and narritive structure
- it was Orson Welles' first feature film
- film was nominated in nine categories for Academy awards
- won Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
- was a semi-official consensus among film critics, saying that 'Citizen Kane' is the greatest film ever made

4. What is Film Noir?
Film Noir is a cinematic term used to describe fancy Hollywood crime dramas. Hollywood's classic film noir period was from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. It is also a technique where you use the darkness as the negative space.

5. How was colour first introduced to film?

6. What effects did the widescreen format have on cinematography?

7. Why didn't the director of The Godfather care about drive-in theatres and how dark his film was?

Francis Ford Coppola (the director of The Godfather) did not care about the drive-in theatres and how dark his film was because

8. How did the director of photography use colours in The Last Emperor?

The director of photography used colours in The Last Emperor

9. The track-back/zoom-in shot in Goodfellas signified a psychological change in the relationship between the two protagonists - How did the visuals change with this effect?

Days of Heaven

Days of Heaven - 1978 (HQ Trailer)

Cinematography

How mobile is the camera? Does it move toward the characters within a scene, or does it remain relatively static, allowing the actors to move instead within a steady frame?

The camera is not mobile at all, and you can tell because there are no "shoulder shots" where it looks like the camera is following a person. Therefore, it remains relatively static, allowing the actors to move instead within a steady frame.

How does the camera treat the different characters? Does the camera view the character from below (low-angle shot) or from above (high-angle shot)?

The camera treats the different characters by their roles and the plot. The camera often views the characters from above, when it is shooting characters that are relatively close together (couples, family, relatives, etc) while it shoots the other characters from below (low-angle shot) if the characters are not close, such as co-workers of the farm.

What purpose does the camera angle serve? For example, what cue might a camera angle offer you about how the director wants you to view a particular character?

The camera angle has a purpose that serves the impression of the character's personalities. A good example was when the director shot the lady's face zoomed-up because that was the scene where the man fell in love with the lady, so the director wanted to emphasize her pretty face.

What do the camera angles tell you about the relationships between characters?

The camera angles tell you about the relationships between the characters because when the scene is a close-up on the characters, it basically means that the characters are close with each other. Therefore, when the camera is shooting the workers farming together, it shot it from a long shot, so you cannot see each person's face.

Do the angles from which characters are shot change over the course of a scene, or a sequence, or the film as a whole? How does such a change influence your view of a character?

The angles from which characters are shot change over the film as a whole. This change influenced my view of a character because you can tell if the character is a protagonist or an antagonist. You can even tell if the characters share a bond between them or not by the camera angles because it sets a distinctive mood.

How frequently are close-ups used? Why? What is the effect of the close-up?

Close-ups are not frequently used in this film since the whole entire film was taken mostly at the 'golden hour', so you cannot exactly see the character's facial expressions. However, close-ups are used when the characters are falling in love, hating a lot on someone, stabbing someone, etc. (in other words, it is only used when viewers are curious of the character's expressions and emotions in the story). The effect of the close-up gives more emotional description to the viewers, since you cannot really tell every character's expressions, due to the shadows made on their faces.

Music & Sound

How does the degree of familiarity with the music influence your understanding of the plot or the characters?

The degree of familiarity with the music influence your understanding of the plot or the characters by a lot. A good example was the famous classical music that was played in the beginning of the film. This song was well-known for its 'mysterious' or 'strange' feeling that you get while you are listening to it. Since it started off with this music, the viewers may have had the feeling or have even expected a strange intro to the movie as well, such as when the first few scenes were when the man murdered his boss at the workplace.

What cues does the music give you about what to expect?

The music gives you cues about what to expect, such as intense music building up when there is a suspenseful scene coming up. It is basically foreshadowing the next scenes to the viewers so their fear will build up as well as the music.

What kind of mood does the soundtrack create?

The soundtrack overall creates a lonely, depressing mood throughout the whole movie. The music played are often mellow, and slow.

What kind of sound effects are used in the film? Do they arise from the action or are they added to the action?

Sound effects such as the surprising, suspenseful effects are used in the film at some points, such as the scene where two mans fight each other for the girl. The sound effects arise from the action at most times, and they are often not added to the action. Since the sound effects are not exactly added to every action, the actions throughout the whole entire movie seems 'natural', and not forced/artificial at all.

How does the use of music and sound influence your interpretation of the plot or your attitudes toward particular characters?

The use of music and sound influence my interpretation of the plot by setting a rhythm or a flow to everything. Since the music and sounds that are used throughout the film was neat and slow, it gives you this interpretation that the plot will be mellow as well. The use of music and sound also influence my attitudes toward particular characters by setting their own theme. For example, when the scene was showing the happy family eating together outside, they would set a mellow, but an optimistic music to the background. This changes your whole attitude toward the different characters throughout the movie.

Closure

Does the film reach a satisfying end?

No, the film does not reach a satisfying end because it seemed like there was a new beginning of another story at the end, where the daughter and her friend walks on the train track, starting their new journey.

Does the film reach an ending you have anticipated/wanted?

The film does reach an ending that I have anticipated/wanted because the energetic daughter escaped from the orphanage, met up with her friend, and started their own little journey to find their family. However, it was not exactly something that I have expected and wanted completely, because it left you hanging at the end because you felt like you wanted to now watch a sequel of the movie, or at least another version of it where it is now narrating the journey of the two little girls.

Are all the threads of the plot tied up? What hasn't been resolved? (For example, are there any characters who are not paired up into a romantic couple at the end? Why not?)

Most of the threads of the plot was tied up in the end, except for some family member's plots, such as the daughter going on a journey with her friend (it feels like it did not tie up). The family members were all separated in the end, and some were not paired into a romantic couple at the end because the two man fought each other for the girl. Sadly, one of the man got stabbed by the other, so it was not exactly a happy ending with the relationships going on in the movie.

Reality Check

Billionare By Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars [Official Video]

· Where does this product come from? Who created it? Who owns it?

This song is produced by Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars. They created it, and they also own it as well.

· How is this product distributed, shown or sold to the public? Who profits?

This song is distributed through the radio, television and online. It is sold online such as the iTunes store, and stores where you can actually walk into, such as hmv or any other CD store.
The stores selling the song will profit, as well as the composers of the song and the different sponsors contributing to the song.

· Who is the audience/projected consumer? What is the purpose of the product?

The audience/projected consumer are teenagers and young adults who are dreaming about becoming a billionaire and what they would do if they do become one.

The purpose of the product is to entertain listeners who enjoy music.

· What is the purpose of this product? Entertainment? Information? Persuasion?
· Who is the intended (target) audience? How and why might this product appeal to its intended audience?

· How does this product appeal to you? What things do you like and dislike?
I love this song a lot because of its lyrics that you can easily relate to, and the catchy rhythm that you can play on the guitar by yourself. Although the song was perfect, I disliked the video at some points because I wish they could have made it so it was more connected to the lyrics because it was more like a video showing Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars singing the song together around a campfire at the end with random people singing along to it.

· What does this product appear to be saying on a surface level?

This song appears to be saying that there are many ways of spending your bottomless money when you become a billionare - ways that only profits yourself and some ways that profits the people who actually needs the money.

· What are the values and ideology behind this product?
The values and ideology behind this product are the different ways of using your money when you become a billionare - such as giving food to the hungry ones, etc. This value/ideology is easy to translate into your own values because the ways that they mention of using money are not all the "stereotypical" ways such as donating them, buying food for the hungry ones, etc. They also mention of buying (or rather called 'wasting') money by buying a Mercedes and giving it away to a random lady that you see on the street.

· Does the text present the beliefs of one particular group?

· What stereotypes, if any, are presented? To what effect? Do you share these beliefs?

· What medium was used?

· What techniques are used to reach and hold the audience?

In order to reach and hold the audience, scenes and clips of what people could actually do when they become a billionare is shown, such as giving away a Mercedes to a random lady in the street (which was also mentioned in the lyrics for the rap).

· How was the product made? What production techniques were used?
The song was made by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars composing the song together and the sponsors/companies working with them to make the music video and release it.
Recording, filming, and advertising techniques were used very effectively which ended up in many people's iPods and radio channels.

The Meaning of the Truman Show

Personal Reflection on The Truman Show
Many of the shows we enjoy today were all inspired by something in the past, and it would never be over exaggerated if people stated that the source of these shows was "The Truman Show". Truman Show is a movie that has created the new genre back in the 90's. It introduced a different way of filming one's life, which is what we see a lot on TV, today - reality shows! This movie has inspired many people's lives and that includes myself as well. It made me take a moment and think to myself, "what if my life is exactly like the Truman Show?" There were so many 'what if' statements going through my mind, such as: "What if everyone was controlled to act like this in front of me? What if people are watching my life from a whole different point of view?" I have never questioned my own life like this, and I even got convinced about how intelligent the movie director of Truman Show, Peter Weir, was for making the audience think deeper in the film, even after it ended. The interesting point about this movie is how it gave you chills down your back when it was not even a horror/thrill film. It gave you those feelings because you could easily relate it to your own life. This movie was one of those classic movies that you cannot resist in giving them a five star and a perfect review, for moving our hearts and souls.

Summary of "The Meaning of the Truman Show"
Truman Show is a show portraying Truman's life 24/7 on television. He did not know about this truth until some 'characters' in his life started to give him hints that his life was fake - for example, the girl that he fell in love with. He then started to grow suspicion in his life that what he is seeing is all artificial. We can relate this film to our lives with media because of how we are easily influenced by them, as if our lives are controlled by media, just like how Truman's life was controlled by the actors in his life and the director acting as God. The main purpose of the movie is to make us look around and break the spell that keeps us believing in the media-fabricated illusions of popular culture. Both the audience and Truman portray how we are so willing to experience an easier and more exciting substitute for life, which is what media creates. Just like how Truman went on a dangerous adventure to escape from his artificial life, we need to escape from the illusions that media creates for us, or even illusions that media influences us to create it ourselves.

Reflection on "The Meaning of the Truman Show"
I definitely agree with the writer's opinion because it is indeed very true that we are extremely influenced by media. It even seems that the actions shown on television today, is normal to our daily lives, when it would have been unbelievable to be even seen back in time. It is exactly like how the children today are playing with Barbie dolls when it is impossible to even have bodies like them. Either way, we still supply our children with Barbie dolls, although it may be a bad influence - making them think that it is normal for someone to have a body shaped like the dolls so you have to look like that as well.

Truman has been led to believe that he has been living a "Real Life" since he was born. In fact, the moment he was born was broadcasted on live television. He did not question anyone about his life until some 'characters' around him started to give him hints - whether they did not give out a hint on purpose, to they purposely gave him a hint so he would notice that everything was made up. Most of the hints were given to him by accident - for example, the nurse running fast to tell the others what Truman was up to, after he told her how he was looking for his friend and how he would like to know if the leg surgery was actually going to happen or not. Yet there was one character in his life that he has fallen in love with, which was also the only one who purposely gave him hints on how he should realize that everything was created by actors. One of the obvious ways was how she suddenly started to advertise cocoa in front of him as if they were on television. Eventually, Truman has succeeded in escaping his fake life with the help of all these clues.

The film genre of The Truman Show is drama with some aspects of non-fiction. However, it would be classified as a branch of a reality show today.

This movie acts as a metaphor for our own lives. Just like how Truman had to work hard to realize that his whole entire life was fake and has been created by other humans, we need to take a journey in our mind as well, to realize that our minds have been influenced too much on media, so what we think normally is not how we should think. In other words, this film is telling us to get back down to earth because we are getting way too influenced on the stereotypical stuffs that we have lost ourselves.

What is Media Arts?

Definition of Media Arts:
Media Arts is an area in art that is specialized in "hybrid" forms of art. They are extended from the tradition art forms, including the formal paintings and sculptures. The artworks of Media arts often involve a special interaction/involvement with the viewer, including: interactive installations, performance art, simulations, and network art. Some special forms of media art involves laser projections and holography - which makes the viewers interact with the art pieces. Other forms include: video art, photocopy art, neon art, and computer graphics.  Definition of New Media Art:

New Media Art is a specific genre with artworks created by new media technologies, including: digital art, computer graphics, computer animation, virtual art, Internet art, interactive art technologies, computer robotics, and art as biotechnology. This type of art is completely different from the old visual arts including the traditional paintings and sculpture, etc.
New Media Art often involves various interactions and involvement between the artist and the observer of the art.
Examples of artworks of New Media Art includes conceptual, virtual art, performance to installation.

  

Example of Media Art/New Media Art: 

"A moment" by Phil Hansen.

Created: 5-2007 - 6-2007

URL: http://www.philinthecircle.com/amoment.html

Critique Questions:  Description (What do you see?)  - What is the name of the artist who created the artwork?The name of the artist who created the artwork is Phil Hansen.
- What kind of artwork is it?It is an artwork called "A Moment". Phil Hansen started off by asking people online to tell him a moment that changed their life.Then for 136 hours straight (with only restroom breaks), he wrote everyone's stories on a white, round board that is 120 inch in diameter, as he twirled it around 360 degrees while he wrote every story down.
- What is the subject matter of the art?The subject matter of the art is the women in the middle, who is wrapped around with hands around her face.
- What imaged do you see in the artwork?I see an image of a woman's face that is surrounded by four hands, which are only made out of alphabets.   Analysis (Why and How?)
- How are the Elements of Art (colour, shape, line, texture, space, form, value) and the Principles of Design (balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, rhythm, unity, pattern/repetition) used in this artwork?In this artwork, there are only letters (stories, describing moments that changed people's lives) on a around board. This piece has a grainy texture because it is created with alphabets. It is very balanced out, because there are two hands covering the woman's face on the top while there are two more hands covering the other half of the woman's face. In this artwork, the person's face is the first thing that captures you mind because it is the focus and it is emphasized. There is definitely a pattern made with alphabets that creates an entire artwork, showing a women wrapped around with hands.
- What grabs your attention in the artwork?The woman's face in the middle that is wrapped around with four hands, grabs your attention.
- What mood or feeling do you have when you look at this artwork?You get a heart-warming feeling when you look at this artwork because you see a person's face that is wrapped around with other people's hands. You also feel curious about the special grainy texture that the picture has, which are made by letters (it makes you zoom into the picture to look at the details without noticing).

Interpretation (What does it mean? What feelings do you get?)
- What is the theme or subject of the artwork?The theme of this artwork is "a moment that changed your life".
- What is the artwork about; what do you think it means?The artwork is about many people's moments that have changed their entire life.
- Why do you think the artist created this artwork?I think the artist created this artwork to show that many moments that have changed many people's lives can eventually create a peaceful expression on everyone's faces when everything is put altogether.

Judgment (Does it have meaning to you?)
- Do you like or dislike this artwork?I like this artwork because it has a deep meaning behind a simple looking piece of art, done on a round board.
- Do you think this is good art?Yes, I think this is a fabulous artwork because it is created by many people's stories which they send the author, talking about the moments that have changed their life (it was not just the author who created this artwork). - Do you think it is important art?I think it is important art, because every artwork should have a deep meaning behind it, whether it is about the author or the people who have contributed to the author's art.Check out Phil Hansen's other artworks at his official website: http://www.philinthecircle.com/