A scene from - Remember The Titans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoA3vReynk&feature=BF&list=FLCnh-NZrHQ0Q&index=4

• Two camera angles: what they are and how they are used.

1. The second shot you in the clip see is a long shot which shows the setting. The team practicing in the dark on a field with only a few lights. The team is training at night which suggests they have been working non-stop and are working hard on their goal. And that the coaches are pushing them hard. 
2. Extreme close-up shots were used when showing a close up of only the players faces, just before they started playing. This shows their concentration towards the game and the sweat on their faces also shows that they have been working hard.

• One sound convection

1. The background music at the end of the scene sounds triumphant, which allows the viewer to believe that the team is really coming together.

• Pace - count the shots and give this info meaning

46 shots within 1 minute and 42 seconds. The scene is not such a fast paced scene, but it seems that when they start playing the game the shots become shorter and quicker. The pace picks up when they are starting to play, the shots get quicker because it is a fast game. And this shows the excitement and the speed of the game.

My own, personal opinion of Slumgod Millionaire

I hadn’t seen this film before, and to be honest it never really interested me or stood out. I felt no desire to watch it. Maybe because this genre of film doesn’t particularly grab my attention. But after watching this film my opinions changed. I found that some parts weren’t enjoyable at all, such the scene where they harmed the children in order for them to get more money from begging on the streets. Or the scene where he jumps down the long drop. They were quite disgusting actually. And hearing that this movie shows things that happen now, in this time. The way people are treated in the movie resembles how they are treated in real life, really got to me. I was shocked because I had no idea it was that bad. But other parts were reasonably happy, well, hopeful. Like the scene where Jamal tells Latika that he will be waiting at the train station every day at 5pm for her, and then, she turns up. For a moment, there is hope that they can finally be together. It doesn’t last long.

Because of the way the movie was honest about what it is like in some areas of India, like the, basically torturing of children so that people will have more sympathy and be more inclined to give them money because they feel bad. I would say I am not the only person who wasn’t aware of how harsh it is over there. And I do believe that it opened people’s eyes and shocked them. Not just the way people were treated, but the way people lived and the conditions they were in.

It isn’t my favourite movie, and not in my top 10. But it was a good movie. At the start of the film I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of it. I really didn’t think I would like it at all. But I ended up finding it pretty decent, I’m  probably bias because this type of movie usually wouldn’t interest me at all. So I wouldn’t incredibly enjoy it because it’s just not what I normally enjoy to watch, so my opinion was slightly made before I viewed the film. I was pleasantly surprised though. But the fact that this movie was realistic and horrible, depressing in some parts but hopeful in others was nice because it gave you a break from all the sadness in their lives and tried to focus on the good.

All in all, I feel that this movie was about hope, and how sometimes, even when everything it against you, you can still find happiness and your luck can change. I feel like this movie was also a big eye opener for many people.  

Settings, props and motifs.

Settings:

A setting is the physical location of the film. Where it takes place. The setting can add to the mood, for example, by the weather. Rain would create a sad, depressed sort of mood. Changes of the settings can indicate new starts, loss, success etc.

On location is when the film or scene is shot at the actual place. Eg, a playground.

In the studio is when the scene/film is shot inside a studio with props, lighting and more to make it seem like it is actually shot outside or at the actual place. It is much cheaper to shoot in the studio rather than on-location.

Props and motifs:

Props are things on the scene, like a book, chair, desk, cell phone that give you clues about the character. If a prop is used again and again in different scenes it becomes a motif.

A motif is something that is repeatedly used in the film, helping to describe something about a character without actually telling you. Sounds or musical phrases also count as being a motif. You assume things by these motifs. Such as a cell phone or brief case may suggest that the character is a work-aholic.

Vocabulary

·         A shot:

A shot is a piece of filming from where the camera is turned on until when it stops.

Example: In the black swan where she is on the wings of the stage is one shot, crying. It lasts from when she is there until they show the instructor/director coming towards her, across the stage.

·         Edit:

An edit in a film is where one shot ends and another begins.

Example: An example of this would be where the shot of her crying ends and they move on to show you him walking across the stage.

·         Scene:

A scene is a collection of shots, arranged in order to make sense.

Example: A scene in black swan could be showing her dancing on stage, they show her from the audience’s point of view, and then the show another shot of her up closer, and then they might show everything from her perspective, what she can see.

·         Frame:

The frame is the boarder or edge of the screen. People walk into the frame and out of the frame. That is how you would see them in the picture and then they would just walk out of the frame, out of sight.

Example: When they show a scene (cafe, bar, a park) And people are running across the grass (in and then out of the frame) or when someone gets up form their seat and leaves the cafe. They leave the frame.

·         Framing:

Framing is when they choose what images the audience gets to see on the screen.

Example: If there is a scene where they are showing a telephone conversation, and they’re only showing one end of the conversation, you cannot see the other participant.

·         Diegesis:

The diegesis is everything in the world of the film. From the noises the characters herd, the events in the film that the audience doesn’t see.

Example: In Shortland Street when the doctor guy is in the car park underground and he thinks he hears someone walking towards him, but he can’t see them.

·         Mise-en-scene

This is basically the props used. Clothing included.

Example: for example in home and away they have cups, plates, chairs, tables etc at the diner.

·         Cinematography:

Cinematography is the art and technique of film making.

Example:

·         Editing:

Editing would be taking out the scenes not needed, the incorrect ones. Voice over etc.

Example: There are always scenes that don’t get put into movies. Ones that don’t seem necessary, or just scenes that have been filmed several times, only the best one will get used.

·         Sound:

Sounds are very important in cinematography as you would know. Background sounds like the birds chirping or wind. Then you have the actors talking. Or noises that are meant to be herd like a door knocking.

Example: In a car accident scene you may be hearing the car screeching to stop.

·         What is a narrative:

A narrative is basically the story being told, in either writing or by voice.

Example: At the start of ‘The series of unfortunate events’ Lemony Snickett is narrating. He is describing a bit about each three of the children, while you see shots of each.  

·         What is a genre:

A genre is the style of a film or the category it falls under. Such as horror, romance, comedy. Etc.

Example: The movie remember the titans might fall under the drama genre.

·         What is Intertextuality:

Intertextuality is when the film makes reference to another, makes you think of a certain story line, character, and situation in another film. It is also what a parody does.

Example: The motion picture “Epic Movie” makes reference to several films such as Narnia by the costumes, characters, story line, etc.

Review - Black Swan

I have recently been to see the movie 'Black Swan' I wasn't sure what to expect, I hadn't spoken to anyone who had seen it, or read anything about it. After seeing the movie I'm still not sure about what my opinion of this film is.
The film was definitely interesting, surprising, in some places i laughed and in others it freaked me out. I think it may have been the craziest movie i've seen. Part of me feels like it was amazing and then part of me thinks it was just silly. I don't regret going to see it at all. For me it wasn't one of those easy watch movies. It wasn't too confusing, but you had to think about it to be able to understand it. You had to use your head in some places, to realise what was happening and why it happened.
I think the reasons why I like it were how it made you think, made you think to understand what was happening. It wasn't one of those story lines that you see all the time, it was different to the movies I've seen, so you had to pay attention I guess.
I can't really think of any reasons why I personally didn't like it too muchm but it's just not what I would usually watch. Most of my favourite movies are ones based on true story, sport films. Those are the types of movies that I walk away thinking 'man, that was good'.
That isn't really a good reason not to like the film 'Black Swan'. I can't really explain why I didn't totally like it. I couldn't put my finger on it. And now that I realise I have no reason not to like the film my opinion of it is changing. Now I guess my opinion of the movie was that it's actually pretty good. Quite interesting.

Media studies - Why I've chosen to take this subject.

Well I've been interested in media studies from the time I saw I could take it in school. Didn't fully understand what media studies was going to be about or involve, but what drew me towards taking media studies was that I'm not certain of what I want to do for a career later on in life. Either architecture or some sort of design. But the a job involving some sort of media also appeals very much to me. I am really interested to give it a go at least. Even if I do decide it's not for me, there is no harm in trying things.

Although I'm still finding out what this class will be like, I'm very excited to continue with it, to see if I love it so much to include it in a career for myself.