Experimenting with iMovie

Here is a video in which I edited to create a fast movement/benny hill video. This is so I can start to understand the different features of iMovie. I used some of the video footage in which we had recorded for our Horror chase video and used that for the fast pace video.

This helped me to understand how to edit the effect of the video, the pace, how to convert a song to insert and how to change the transitions of the different frames. All of which are important features which I can use for my horror chase. 

Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite, a lovable, unpopular high school age guy who just wants to fit in. There's Deb, the girl who keeps showing up with her crap on the front porch. There's Kip, Napoleon's geek brother who's searching for love. There's Rico, Napoleon's jock uncle who just seems to want to ruin Napoleon's life. And then Pedro shows up. The new kid in town. He's from Mexico, he has an awesome bike, and he's the only kid in school with a moustache. When Napoleon befriends Pedro, and Pedro decides to run for class president, Napoleon gets his chance to show his stuff and prove that he's got nothing to prove. The trailer is 1 minute and 13 seconds which is a good time for a full trailer as it does not become too boring. It is also a good amount to be cut down if this trailer was to be aired on TV. The shots are no longer than 5 seconds as in this time the shot has explained the narrative throughout and have shown the vital visual for the audience. 

Media Language

The media language used throughout this trailer is negative on the views of the main characters life. Napoleon believes that his life is boring and minimal. He also has a negative view on relationships, as at the start of the trailer he says that 'girls only want guys with mad skills'. This indicates that he is saying he does not have a skill in which he thinks girls will find impressive. From this point of view, the main character believes that he is at the bottom of the chain of candidates to date any girl. 

Camera

There is a variety of different shots throughout the trailer. Most of them are close up/mid close up shots which are mainly of different characters. There is one shot at the beginning of the trailer which is a side angle shot of the main character. This could also be seen as a POV shot as the dialogue that the main character is talking to someone shows that this shot could be the POV of another character. We also see long shots so that we can take in the mise-en-scene of the frame as well as noticing other characters in the particular frame. 

Sound

There is overlapping sound through the start of the trailer of dialogue, or also can be known as a sound bridge because the trailer then fades to a shot of the character continuing the sentance he was saying. There is also a soundtrack to this trailer which starts near the beginning of the trailer, this is so the audience can get an overall feel of the film as a whole. The soundtrack/music to the trailer is an upbeat edition of the song ' I got candy' by Aaron Carter. This is because it was a popular song at the same time as the trailer was released. It also has a good beat in which the trailer can follow to, it is a fast beat, which means the shots can not be too long. However it does lower when certain dialogue is said or when a tense moment whichh can cause humour will occur, making the suspense and the overall action more humourous. 

Editing

There are a lot of cuts in the trailer, which is the simplest form of editing, to show there is no similarity towards the next frame/scene. The trailer also has a common cut to a title scene, which has a background similar to the poster, however it is a cartoon version of the blue, yellow and red lockers. The title scenes will consist of titles such as 'THIS SUMMER' or 'FOX SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES PRESENTS' or 'THE WORLD OF NAPOLEON DYNAMITE' which are all context you need to know about the film, when the film is going to be released, the institution and the name of the main character, or the name of the film. These are key conventions to include in a trailer as the audience will want to know these aspects of the film, to become more interested in the film. 

There is some continuity editing in the middle of the trailer, this is because the scene before, the character is asking if there is any tricks that you can do on the bike, which continues to a scene of the character trialling tricks on his bike, This is to add a bit of humour to the trailer, as the soundtrack cuts off to create tension of the trick being made, which then goes wrong, causing humour. 

Mise-en-scene

The mise-en-scene mostly consists of either a school or home environment. This is because the representation of teenagers shows that this is the two places in which teenagers mostly spend there time at. School is a vital part of a teenagers life, therefore it seems more accurate to have majority of the mise-en-scene in a school. The teenagers home is also where he will spend majority of his time. However within the trailer, it is clear that we do not see much of the characters room. This is for the stereotypical cliche that a teenagers room is sacred and we must not 'trespass' onto it.
The style of the mise-en-scene is very old fashioned and in an early generation or era. 

Representation

The key representation of this is the main character, Napoleon is seen as the stereotypical 'Nerdy' teenager which is not supposed to be good at sport, or anything athletic, he is also stereo typically good with computers, and other teenagers would consider him as a clever person. However as a character, Napoleon is not a complete successful stereotype. Through the trailer we see that at some points he does fail at his athletic skills but also rises against them, due to him stating he is creating some dance moves. This is something you would not believe is stereo typically seen from a 'nerdy' character. 

British Film- Submarine

Submarine - Precocious Oliver Tate struggles with being popular in school but when a dark-haired beauty, Jordana takes interest in him, he's determined to become the best boyfriend in the world. Meanwhile, his parents' already rocky relationship is threatened when his mother's ex-boyfriend moves in next door. Oliver makes some unorthodox plans to ensure that his parents stay together and that Jordana still likes him.

This is the trailer for the film, it includes the main story line for the audience to follow. It also includes a consistent colour scheme from the poster, trailer and the DVD front cover. It includes the main character throughout and shows that it revolves around him but includes the other character Jordana and his family. There are no other principal characters, therefore they did not need to be included. 

I have made 2 thinlinks to analyse the conventions of the British film. One of the film poster and one of the DVD front cover. This will help me to improve my ideas of what I want to use for my final project. This film is an indie film/ coming into age, with slight comedy. This is similar to the genre which I want to do for my final project, therefore there will be similar features that I want to note, which could be useful for my project. 

Media Language:

The language used throughout the trailer is to do with relationships, education and insulting each other. This is vital themes throughout adolencant years. 

Camera

In the trailer, there is a lot of close up camera shorts. In my opinion this is to show the intimacy between the characters, This is because in Indie films, the main connection with the film and the audience is to have something in common, to engage the audience futher. Therefore if the audience feels intimate with the characters, it will make them feel more engaged and can notice the similaries between them. 

There is also a lot of high and low angled shots during the trailer. This is to show the inferiority and superiority of the characters. This is also to create the connection effect between the characters and the audience. This is also because most people who watch Indie films are younger, in which their feelings are more fragile.

Sound

The sound of the trailer consists of asynchronous sound of a Narrative of the main character Oliver Tate. He talks about things that he involves in his life, such as phases, different pleasures and certain hobbies he likes to fulfil, for example the sex life of his parents. This context is certain things that teenagers and other members of the targeted audience might find interesting and would make them more curious about the upcoming film. There is also a soundtrack, that mainly conists of sounds by Alex Turner, who is now a member of the band 'The Artic Monkeys'. Majority of the soundtrack is slow, disfunctional music, which would seem more interesting for the audience, as the music is seen as an Alternative genre. This makes the idea of uniqueness of the film even stronger, meaning there is nothing likfe the film. This will cause the audience to want to watch it more as it does not try to fit in with society, which is an inner connection to the audience, as some do not want to fit in also. 

Editing

Most of the editing throughout the trailer is cutting, and some continuity editing. This is to show that there is not a lot of order throughout the trailer, to reflect and represent the main characters life. After several frames, the clip will cut into a title page reading a variety of different titles for example.

• Establish Relationships
• Identify Love Interest
• Introduce Protagonist

These titles are things in which would appeal mostly to an adolensant audience. This also gives a more narrative approach, which connects the audience and the characters even more, due to the film being a first person perspective. 

Some of the frames change the look, for example some are clear, large video clips from the films, and some are small like you would be videoing from the tv, which could signify the videos are a flashback to what has happened or as if we are with the character looking back on their memories. 

Mise-en-scene

The main mise-en-scene of the trailer consists of the main characters' house, classrooms and school hallways and abandoned fairgrounds. These locations are some of the key places that a teen would want to visit. School is something that is vital in a teens life, their house is where they could spend majority of their time, and an abandoned fairground is where teenagers can be rebellious and not be told off as it does not belong to anyone. Teens like to become rebellious, especially the age of the targeted audience of this film, therefore the mise-en-scene will really appeal to them. 

Representation

There are key themes throughout this trailer which I have already mentioned but they have a different representation to what would be the connotation of that theme. For example Love. Most people in their teenage years discover heartbreak. This is a key theme throughout the trailer, which causes teens to not believe that they will find true love. This theme shows that all teenagers are doomed if they want to find true love and happiness. 

Friendship is another theme throughout this trailer. Many teens discover that their friends will come and go and will probably fall out with some of their friends. Most people believe with the theme of friends is that you will stay friends forever, some people forget that it is hard for some teens to make friends, which is clearly seen throughout the film in general. Also that friends are hard to make if there is conflict between people in that friendship circle.

Summer Research

I have selected 4 film trailers;

1. Perks of Being a Wallflower
2. Boyhood
3. Me, Earl and the Dying girl
4. Paper Towns

Overall perception:

All of these films have a different and unique but modern approach to cinema and cinematography, however they are all from a similar genre being indie, coming into age movies, which is the genre in which I am thinking of doing for my main project. Each of these films have different stories, but have a common goal, to appreciate teenage years and the life we live, as we will not have another. 

This is a trend in which seems to carry on throughout Indie history, that we should see the beneficial sides to our lives and to show that there are a lot of bumps along the way, and even if you have quirky characteristics you can still become a better person.

Media language:

The language consists of context to do with school, education and relevant situations that the characters are in such as mental illnesses, dying, parties ect. These are relevant conversations in which I will consider to use on my trailer.

Sound:

Each of the trailers have a soundtrack, I have watched all of these films and some of the soundtracks I do not think are relevant to the film, such as the first trailer as this film is quite calm and slightly more emotional, compared to the uplifting soundtrack attached to the video. Also I realised that some of the trailers use more than one song, this is to change the overall feeling of the film, to show there are different emotions throughout, especially as this becomes relevant to the emotional rollercoaster most teenagers go through. This makes me think that I would need to include a soundtrack of one or more songs that would be relevant to either the character or the overall tone of the film.

Mise - En - Scene

Majority of the mise-en-scene of the trailers are in a school environment, in houses or out in the open (but this is a rare occasion). This shows the representation of teenagers as they do not go to many places, a part from the common, consistent places. This helps me to understand another feature of what I can use for my trailer, I can use houses, and schools for the main miss-en-scene of my project. I also would prefer to make a mix of both English and American styled cinematography, this is because I do not want my characters to wear a uniform as a signification as our youth, like you would see in an English film I would prefer to wear casual clothes as their costume. This is because it is easier to portray the characters characteristics this way, instead of through the rest of their costume and language. I also like the idea of including a bedroom scene as this is a common place for a teenager to hide or 'hang out'. 

Camera:

A variety of shots are used in each of the different film trailers, this is because it depends on the perception you want of you overall product. With the first trailer there are a lot of long shots, medium close up shots and dolly zoom. Whereas the second trailer includes a lot of close up shots, medium close up shots and high angled shots. The third trailer consists of eye level shots, close up shots and medium close up shots as they want you to be directly in the action. Finally the fourth trailer consists of lots of long shots, extreme long shots and medium close up's to show that there is a lot more to the film than just the characters. 

I feel that I will take more inspiration from the first and last trailer as I want to show the perception of both the outside world, and the characters and how there is a lot more to life than just what they are living. 

Editing: 

Most of the editing throughout the trailers are simple with either continuity editing and cut editing. This is to make sure the audience can see the different sections and frames of the trailer. It also helps to show that there is a link between the editing and representation of teenagers, as all of these films are based from a teenagers point of view. The representation or stereotype is that teenagers lives are supposed to be chaotic, and that they stop at moments they might not want them to, therefore using a cut edit makes the transition from different situation look chaotic and unplanned.
However in some of the trailers there are fades to different parts of the trailer, for example the first trailer includes fading, but not always to black. This is because the fades continue to similar parts to the characters life, for example school. Also some of the fading is to link to the sound bridge that the image catches up with the sound so that the audience can follow along with who is saying what.

I have also seen that some of the trailers that are similar include cut editing to title pages. This is to lay out plainly what is going on in the characters life, and to give a more indie effect to the film, as this is a common convention of Indie trailers and in some occasions, title frames are included in the actual film, to signify time passing, 

Representation: 

The overall representation of the teenagers are rebellious, caring about their friends, and feel misunderstood about their situations, therefore may turn to drugs or rebelling. This is something which I hope to challenge in my trailer and overall project, due to wanting to change the stereotype of teenagers. They should be appreciated for what they do, how unique each of them are and how they need to be influenced to make the most of their lives as a teenager instead of throwing it all away by being lazy. There is also a dominating theme of love throughout the trailers and representation of teenagers, this is something in which I would like to include as I think that this will bring in a wider audience of teenagers, this film will not be known as a 'chick flick' due to the romance but will bring in a wider audience of females due to their being a love situation involved. 

Tripod research

Here is a map directing the different parts of the tripod and camera. I have used powerpoint and changed the format into a JPG to be able to change the format of the slide into a picture.

These are the parts of the tripod and the camera that are certain that we need to know to be able to use the tripod securely and safely. Also we need to know these parts to ensure that we can create different shots using the tripod and camera. These pieces of technology work together as well, therefore they are the best piece of technology to use for our project.

 I have been working with tripods and the cameras in which we will be using for our preliminary work. We were given a talk through of how to use the tripod and camera so that we do not break them. Then we were given a checklist of different things we had to try out using the new technology to see if we could use them ourselves. Then we had to use the activity sheet to trial video using the technology, in which we will put onto I movie and attempt to edit. This will help us practise for our preliminary.

Imovie Stabbing Experiment video and practise

I have used I movie and my work using the tripod and the camera to create a stabbing scene, to start to understand how to use, and edit Imovie, as well as being able to understand the camera. We have used a number of different shots such as a Medium close up, a mid shot, a whip pan, and an over the shoulder shot,to show different perceptions of the scene, as well as working out which would be the best angle for this scene.

Throughout this part of my project I have found out especially that I need to record many attempts of the same shot or similar shots, this is so that I can make sure I have a recording that is faultless and that I can use. This is because I thought I had recorded camera shots that would be suitable and were serious, but realised there were some parts that even cropping would not fix, therefore we had to spend more time getting the camera back out to finalise certain shots.

I have also found different effects and sound effects on iMovie in which I can use that would benefit me, and when browsing found certain effects that will work well with other videos that I will be producing at a later date.

Finally that when editing one video, it is better to make lots of cropped versions of the same shot instead of leaving a continuous video as you can create a better effect on the video and use transitions to change the way you perceive the video. I used a lot of the same recording to change the way you looked ay the video, and it made it easier to edit specific parts of that recording.

Imovie research and Understanding of the software.

I have researched how to use I movie which will be the software on the apple computers, in which we will use to be able to edit our preliminary work, and create our final trailer. I feel I will be able to include accurate editing, lighting can be changed, a soundtrack will be easily included.
I know the certain controls that will be used to create the edits and change the format of my video.

Script - Propitiation

PROPITIATION 

EXT. - THE ALLEYWAY - BETWEEN THE ROAD AND THE CHURCH - NIGHTTIME

A BLACKOUT WITH A VOICEOVER.

- SPIRIT

(WHISPERING, DARK AND DISTORTED VOICE.)

"YOU WILL BE THE SACRIFICE FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST 

AND THEN WE WILL BE FREE FROM OUR SINS.

WE WILL BE FREE"

DISSOLVE TO AN ESTABLISHING SHOT OF A HAZY LIT CHURCH, SETTING THE SCENE OF THE CLIP. CHURCH CHOIR MUSIC PLAYING ON THE SOUNDTRACK.

CUT TO A LONG SHOT OF THE CHARACTER BETHANY, NERVOUSLY WALKING IN THE ALLEYWAY TOWARDS THE CHURCH. WHISPERING NOISES, ASYNCHRONOUS SOUND SO THAT THE CHARACTER BETHANY SEEMS AS IF SHE IS HEARING VOICES, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS COMPLETELY ALONE. SHE IS LOOKING AROUND, MAKING FAST SUDDEN MOVEMENTS.

CONTINUITY EDITING - CLOSE UP SHOT OF BETHANY LOOKING NERVOUS AS SHE LOOKS AROUND. 

CONTINUITY EDITING - OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT/ZOOM BEHIND BETHANY, THE SPIRIT IS APPROACHING HER.

CUT - BETHANY SPINS AROUND - MEDIUM CLOSE UP

BETHANY

(SCREAMING, STRESSED)

"LEAVE ME ALONE"

CONTINUITY EDITING POINT OF VIEW SHOT/PAN TO INDICATE BETHANY LOOKING AROUND

CUT TO A CLOSE UP SHOT OF THE LEILA THE SPIRIT STANDING IN FRONT OF BETHANY. SYNCHRONOUS SOUND OF BETHANY SCREAMING IN FRIGHT. 

CUT TO A MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF BETHANY RUNNING DOWN THE ALLEYWAY TO ESCAPE THE SPIRIT.

CUT TO OVER THE SHOULDER, TO SEE IF THE SPIRIT BEHIND HER, CHASING HER. 

EXT. - CHURCH GROUNDS - NIGHT TIME 

EXTREME LONG SHOT OF BETHANY RUNNING TOWARDS THE CHURCH, NO SIGHT OF THE SPIRIT BEHIND HER. 

DOLLY ZOOM OF BETHANY RUNNING TOWARDS THE CHURCH DOORS, WHIMPERING AND NERVOUSLY PANTING.

MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF THE BACK OF BETHANY'S HEAD AS WE SEE HER BANGING ON THE CHUCH DOORS.

BETHANY

( WORRIED SHOUTING )

"PLEASE LET ME IN, PLEASE PLEASE"

ZOOM MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF THE HAND APPROACHING BETHANY'S SHOULDER. 

CUT TO AN EXTREME CLOSE UP OF BETHANY'S FACE.

*SCREAMING IN FEAR.*

ZOOM INTO BETHANY'S MOUTH AS WE CAN SEE HER SCREAMING IN FRIGHT. 

narrative outline

Narrative Outline

As a group we have decided that we would like to create a religious horror film, based on the idea of possession of a spirit to a human being. We want to create the setting in a dark alleyway, next to the church. The main character is attempting to reach the church, to be able to confide in the priest, to attempt to get rid of the spirit that is haunting her. Unfortunately it is too late, and she finds herself being dragged by the spirit, in order to be sacrificed for the spirits to be free.

Initial Shotlist 

Scene 1:

blackout- Dialogue of the spirit talking 

Establishing shot/ Pan- of the Church to be able to set the scene, to see the location in which the character wants to get to.

long shot -Bethany walking through the alleyway, towards the church, looking nervous as she feels that someone is watching her.

close up/two shot- to show Bethany's expression on her face of being scared, as the spirit is approaching her. Loud whistling wind noises continue to follow Bethany.

Zoom- To show that the spirit is approaching Bethany.

Over the shoulder shot - The spirit is really close to Bethany and is about to get her.

Medium close up- Bethany looks around to show that she can feel the spirit close to her. "LEAVE ME ALONE"

long shot/point of view shot- to show that Bethany is looking around to see if she can see the spirit. Could be a pan shot.

extreme close up - the spirit is right in front of Bethany and is screaming at her.

Mid close up- Bethany screaming and running away

Long shot/from the side of bethany - Bethany running through the graveyard towards the Church, looking behind her.

Extreme long shot- Bethany running towards the church, screaming and crying

Medium shot/Zoom- bethany banging on the door, the zoom to show the spirit is again approaching her. No one is in the church, the tension builds as she knows she is going to get caught.

Over the shoulder shot- the spirits hand reaches out for bethany's shoulder.

Extreme close up - Bethany's face screaming as the spirit has caught her and knows she is going to die.

Zoom- zooming into Bethany's mouth as she is screaming.

*Blackout*

Made with Storyboard That
Made with Storyboard That

Storyboard&Shotlist Layout

I have created a storyboard layout so that I can draw out how my preliminary video will look like. The boxes underneath will be to add any additional info for example Camera angles, shots, any dialogue or sound and the mise-en-scene if this is too complex to draw.

This is so we can plan out each second or frame, then we also have a draft and different ideas for when we come to shoot, so that we are not stuck for ideas, or do not know what shot would suit the scene. I will try and make the storyboard frame specific otherwise it will be too when I come to shooting the video, I will not remember how I want it to look.

I have also created a shot list which includes the columns; 

• Shot/Frame No
• Camera Shot
• Angle
• Lighting
• What will be happening in the scene (Context)

This will help us to be able to experiment with the different angles to see which will be the most suitable frame for the scene, for example using the close up to be able to show the facial expressions, but we can change the angle to help connote an emotion to the audience. This also helps us to not run out of ideas when it comes to shooting the video. 

Religious Horror Film Posters

These are existing films that are religious horrors/ thrillers in which we could use as inspiration for our preliminary task. These all have similar plots to do with the underworld and the use of possession, this is something in which as a group, we want to include in our chase to include detail onto our plot, so that the video makes sense.

Comparison of film posters

For more research into existing products for our overall production, I have done a comparison of Indie/coming into age film posters to see the conventions in which they use. This will bring Inspiration for the film I will be creating and help to decide on what features I will include on my products.

 

Preliminary ideas

Preliminary task:

I will be producing a moving image product for a short narrative within a genre of the following:   

• A western gunfight 
• A horror chase
• A romantic encounter
• A gangster deal

The product must be no longer than 60 seconds and the work should be planned and divided between the group.  All members must develop their practical skills in the use of the camera, tripod, editing and sound.  Each member of the group will produce their own edit.

The project must include;

• a shotlist
• a storyboard
• a script
• 2 characters
• use of all of the camera shots/ angles and movements listed below
• dialogue 
• titles
• a soundtrack
• mise-en-scene
• a final product

Our initial ideas: 

So far as a group, me and Leila, we have decided that we would like to go down the route of a horror chase. We thought that we could use the idea of religious based horror within our product to make it less cliche. We have had the initial idea of having Leila being the spirit, who is chasing me. This is because either I am becoming a sacrifice for Christianity or to die to take away the sins that I had created. 

Location:

There is a small alleyway beside the Church near Leila's house in which we feel would be perfect to use. This way we are bringing in the idea of religious horror and it is the perfect stereotype for the chosen genre.

Characters: 

We thought that Leila would be best as being the spirit, even if we decide we do not want Leila to be visible, she will still be considered a character. Then I will be the person being chased, this is to show that stereotype that normal everyday people are the main victims of a horror film. 

Title:

We have not yet decided on a title for this scene or the film in general, however we have researched the some of the most negative words in the Bible to make this religiously and politically correct. We found the words Propitiation and Expiation. These are words that connote sacrifice and other negative connotations of the Bible and Christianity. 

We have now got to research existing clips similar to what we will be creating to find a house style and similarities between them, for example shots, lighting, editing, dialogue. 

Understanding of Assignment brief.

What the blog will consist of:

I have the understanding that my A2 media coursework will consist of creating a film trailer and teaser trailer, billboard and A4 poster to advertise the film, a DVD front cover for the film and a film magazine front cover, advertising your product. This all has to be for the same film, being the same genre throughout and using the same actors and house style. 

Initial thoughts:

I feel this will be an enjoyable project, I feel at this point in time that I would like to do an Independent Indie film, which would have a theme about young adult and the issues that they face. For example, family issues, bullying, drugs and other key stereotypical themes that are faced within an Indie film. 

Additional Ideas

I would want my character to be portrayed as very weird to the characters in the film, but to the audience is truly inspirational. 

To find further research I am going to start to get into depth of the genre of indie films. I will do this by looking at trailers, plots, music and posters to see what similarities are found within.