Since starting the mini-NEA on 18th June, I have developed my performance skills through our training before lip-synching and dancing around the studio on our workshop day. I have also acquired new knowledge of the equipment in the studio as I used the camera and tripod on the shoot, learnt how to cable bash while my teammates were filming a dolly shot and gained a basic understanding of the lighting system in the studio. In my NEA so far, I have created a key look, clothing and hair/make-up, for my artist persona Fr'ankie and shot a variety of vocal shots in the studio to the song 'High Five' by Sigrid. During the studio day, I directed and filmed my shots featuring Derek and Zain and performed in their set-ups before also featuring in some of my promotional photography. I am intending to continue with my same artist, with look, and the song as I am very pleased with the footage I have from the studio day and would like to continue working with it. In September, I am intending to shoot more dance shots in the studio using the dolly to integrate more shots with camera movement into my music video. Due to the requirements of the brief, I also plan to shoot narrative footage on location, outside the studio, to emphasise the themes behind the lyrics of the song. As well as this, I intend to shoot some more photography of myself in different costumes, using these new shots in addition the photos I have already taken to create my single cover and fill my website.
1. What was your role in the task and what did you actually do?
I was the director in our team during both pre-production and production. In pre-production I organised our team and gave everyone else their tasks and made sure we weren't forgetting about any aspect of making our short film. I mainly collaborated with Dara, who was the camera operator, to make a shot list with our shot angles, types and to make sure we had complete coverage for the continuity element of this task. During our shoot, Dara put the camera where we agreed earlier and we shot from the widest shots to the closest ones. I mainly focused on making sure we got the shots and would choose whether to do another take or move on, judging whether we got what we needed before doing so.
2. What factors did you have to take into account when planning, filming and editing?
When planning our task, we focused on our brief which outlined the importance of continuity. To ensure that this objective was met, we planned our shot list with the 30 degree and 180 degree rule in mind and made sure to get varied shots. On the shoot, ensured the match-on-action by keeping an eye on the actors' movements and actions, to ensure they were doing it in the same way every time. In the edit, I flicked through the shot changes (particularly for beginning of the sequence) to ensure that there were no skips or repetitions within movements.
3. How successful was your sequence? Did you manage to demonstrate match-on-action, shot-reverse-shot and the 180 degree rule? Did you achieve continuity overall?
I think that our sequence was quite successful in achieving continuity as we demonstrated it quite well following Harvey's character from outside, into the corridor and the interrogation room. I think that the match-on-action rule was particularly successful as the shots link together well and flow through smoothly in both the door opening sequences and the file transfer in the hallway. As well as this, I think we followed the 180 degree rule consistently, particularly thanks to the fact that the table was on the wall and so it would've been difficult for us to film it from the other side anyway. Despite this, I think that Zain's positioning and the positioning of the folder are problematic in certain parts, as it sometimes jumps from being closed and pushed away to being open in the next shot. This is mainly due to the nature of the over-the-shoulder shot that we chose to use as it meant that Zain's head's positioning and the edge of the folder could always be seen. However, this could've been easily resolved during the shoot by giving Zain direct instructions of when to close and place the folder back down on the table.
4. What have you learnt from completing this task?
From completing this task, I learnt to give actors specific directions about props and their actions, when blocking scenes, to ensure continuity. I also learnt the importance of making a shot list in the location beforehand, for both coverage of shots and positioning of shots, which would massively speed up the shoot, as the camera operator would be made clear of what they need to do, ensuring that I, as the director, can focus more on the actors and other mise-en-scene elements to make sure what is inside the frame is perfect.
1.Summarise the music celebrity you have created. Include name, music genre, personality and how they are being used to comment on contemporary celebrity.
I created a rock-pop music celebrity called 'Jess Jones.' She is an artist that isn't scared of her feminine side despite her outer toughness and has power in the industry. I am using the character of 'Jess Jones' to comment that the young female contemporary celebrity can be powerful and tough without being afraid to show her feminine side.
2.Evaluate how you have constructed the representation of your celebrity through your cover image and cover headline/text (denotation/connotation of text and image).
I constructed the representation through my cover image through my choice of costume and make-up. I wore a pink frilly dress and large shiny silver necklace under my black leather jacket, I also had lots of make-up on with pink lipstick, mascara, eyeliner and powder. This choice of dress and make-up could connote Jess' feminine side as pink is associated with femininity whereas the black leather jacket worn over could connote Jess being tough on the outside to get through the tough music industry. She is also posing in a very relaxed way with a small smile and holding her leather jacket. This pose could suggest that she is very powerful and isn't scared of what is ahead for her music and celebrity status.
I chose the cover headline "Power Prodigy" as Jess looks very powerful in her pose and costume. The word "prodigy" also means 'a young person with exceptional qualities or abilities' and Jess' ability is not only in her music but staying true to herself and not wavering from that as her status changed from 'musician' to 'celebrity.' This is something that some other young musicians may struggle with so Jess acts as an outstanding example of how to do it.
3.Analyse how far you have used and/or challenged stereotypes of gender/race/age/sexuality in your cover.
I challenged stereotypes about gender and specifically women in my cover. Stereotypically, women are portrayed as being weak and without any control of their celebrity image (as their managers would control this.) I am challenging this by portraying Jess as a powerful woman, who controls her own image and acts tough to get through this. Despite this, she is not afraid of being feminine, something that stereotypically could be portrayed as a sense of weakness, and wears her pink dress with pride. I am also commenting on age as "prodigy" suggests that she is quite young. In the past, young female musicians have been seen as weak individuals who don't know what's best for them. However I am challenging this stereotype with Jess, who is very aware of her surroundings and the sometimes cut-throat strategies of those around her in the music industry.
4.Reflect on the production/editing process. Are you pleased with the end result? Identify what is successful about your shot? What would you have done differently in hindsight?
I took this picture, along with several others with different facial expressions, at our photoshoot before choosing this one and editing it on Photoshop. My editing was mainly to smooth out my hair and the spot healer tool before using it to put all the other elements of my cover in. I am pleased with the end result especially my initial choice of costume which has allowed me to stick with the pink colour for the masthead and her name in the editorial summary. I also think that the placement of the different elements is successful as it almost resembles a real billboard cover.
In hindsight, I would've picked a different font for the cover headline; I just don't think it fits with the rest of it. Although I wasn't sure about the blue shiny background initially, I am growing to like it as it represents the music industry and everything that Jess is being forced to come up against.
Feels- Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
1. Extreme contrast in camera shots/angles
Even though Pharrell Williams is featured in all three shots, there is great contrast between the MCU at eye level followed by the bird's eye view of his boat and finally a LS of him on his boat at eye level. After this, it cuts to a completely unrelated LS of a parrot in a tree. This contrast creates a slightly disorienting sequence but is conventional of the music video genre.
2. Combination of audio-visual
After the lyric "So I respect you, wanna take it slow," there is a very quick cutaway to a tortoise on the grass, taking a step. This illustration of the lyric is literal and therefore funny to the audience, as well as making the lyric be more prominent in the song overall.
3. CU/beauty shots
There is a MCU beauty shot of Katy Perry's make-up followed by a MLS of her whole outfit. This introduces her and her bright aesthetic and happy tone to the audience, which reinforces the tone of the song.
4. Direct address
Big Sean looks directly into the camera and therefore is talking directly to the audience. Although it would be unconventional to do so in Hollywood cinema, it is a convention of music videos to entice the audience and involve them in the video.
5. Cutting to the beat
The shots cut to the beat throughout the song but attention is particularly drawn to it when the colour of the parrot changes to the beat. In between of shots of Big Sean and Katy Perry, the parrot (framed in a MS) changes from blue to red and disappears very quickly.
My shot signifies my chosen TV drama sub-genre of horror through the mise-en-scene. The shot has low key lighting and the main source of light is coming from below the actor's face, therefore creating a larger, creepy shadow on the ceiling and surrounding walls. To achieve this effect, I placed the small light below the actor's face on a dim setting and minimised all other light by closing the curtain and switching the other lights off.
The conventional eerie setting of dark, narrow corridor also connotes the sub-genre and makes the audience feel claustrophobic and trapped. This is increased by the fact that the actor has their arms spread to the whole width of the corridor and is blocking the only exit. This connotes the dominant reading of this shot to be that the actor is the antagonist of the story and the narrative is centred on the theme of good vs evil. This shot portrays the antagonist finding the protagonist, who was hiding from him prior to this still.
I think that the technical code of framing is successful as it is a low-angle medium shot which makes the audience feel inferior to the antagonist but ensures that the antagonist's angry facial expression and eyes that scare directly into the camera can be seen.
In hindsight, I would try to centre the light directly below the actor's face so that the shadow formed directly above his head and on-centre. I would also try to place the actor's hands so that they are symmetrical and frame the shot centred.
However there is a juxtaposition of costume; the antagonist is wearing a jumper with a logo and jeans which are clothes that any normal teenager might, rather than a costume that connotes that he is the villain of the story.
I will be analysing the film trailer for the Marvel film 'Spider-Man Homecoming' that was released on the 5th of July 2017 in the UK. Starring Tom Holland in the leading role, this film is the second Spider-man film reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Audience Appeal
The primary target audience of fans of Marvel and action films may find the trailer appealing as it features Robert Downey Jr, who will probably be reprising his character of Iron Man
This primary audience may also find the trailer appealing as it has many action scenes with SPFX such as explosions and fires
In the opening scene, the four bank robbers are shown wearing Avengers masks. Although the real Avengers aren't present, this reference to other characters in the MCU makes the film funnier for Marvel fans and may encourage them to go to see the film if they enjoyed other films with those characters
The secondary target audience of teenagers may find this trailer appealing as it deals with issues that teenagers may deal with at secondary school.
For example, Peter doesn't concentrate in his lesson and the fact that he is playing a simulated Spider-Man game instead may suggest that he doesn't think school will be useful in his adult life, when he is hopefully in The Avengers and saving the world.
The school settings may also be familiar to this target audience
Genre Signifiers
The genre of action is signified through the action scenes in the bank where Spider-Man fights four robbers in a physical fight
It is further supported through all of the fire and explosions on the boat at the end of the trailer
The pace of the trailer increases in the second half of the trailer, creating a faster-paced action tone and demonstrating more shots of Peter in danger
Apart from action, the comedy genre is shown through Peter's interaction with the robbers, he leans against the wall, waiting for them to see him, and refers to the robbers with a casual "Sup guys."
Character & Representation
The main character of Peter/Spider-Man is presented as an awkward teenager, trying to figure out his way through both high school and saving the world
Despite the fact that Peter is presented as an inexperienced superhero, he is eager to improve to become an Avenger
Instead of concentrating in his lesson, Peter is presented playing a simulated Spider-Man game on his laptop, which may suggest that he finds school boring or irrelevant to him in adulthood
Liz is a character that is presented as a popular girl: putting up the large 'Homecoming' banner in the hallway and later walking past Peter with her friends following.
She is also potentially presented as Peter's love interest; he has his hand under his chin and is looking at her dreamily while discussing her outfit, as she walks past
Peter's best friend, who remains nameless in the trailer, is presented as his awkward sidekick who may not initially know about Peter's Spider-Man secret
Robert Downey Jr's character is connoted as being his emotionless guiding figure, who seems to be helping him in the voiceovers in the second half of the trailer
The dynamic between Holland and Downey's character seems to be one of Peter rebelling against Downey; he is heard saying "Stay close to the ground" while Spider-Man is shown towering up the Washington Monument
However, females do not have a central role in the trailer as Liz is the only named character in the trailer, another teenage girl and older woman are shown but not introduced or named
This may reinforce the representation of the 'damsel in distress' or love interest being saved by the superhero
Branding & Studio Identity
The Sony, Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios video branding is shown near the beginning of the trailer, after the opening scene in the bank
The appearance of Robert Downey Jr in the trailer further supports the Marvel studio identity, as he has portrayed the role of Iron Man in past films in the MCU
The reference to the other characters from the MCU in the opening robbery scene creates Marvel's strong branding
#SpiderManHomecoming is featured on the end title screen with a link to the film's Facebook page, this may encourage fans to discuss the film on social media and raises the awareness of the Marvel branding
