Juno Filming Task

Juno Filming Task

For this task, we were asked to recreate the opening scene of the film Juno. We were put into groups and had to make our own storyboards and film our own video, making it as similar to the original as possible. We used props to do this, such as a red jumper, milk bottle and guitar.

First of all, we had to create a storyboard of the original Juno video and use it to make our own film. On the storyboard, we wrote what each shot would show and how long it would last. We also drew a picture to show the position of the shot. Our storyboard had to be accurate because we could not see the original Juno video when filming. We went through the storyboard a couple of times, after making it, to ensure it was as close to the original scene as possible. I feel that our storyboard was quite accurate and we included how long each specific shot should last for, although we could have been more precise with the drawings as it would have helped us to positions the shots better. Fortunately, we could easily find suitable settings for the shots and I think ours matched the original well. However it was hard to record the shots for the correct amount of time when filming. We could have filmed some of the shots a bit longer because they were a couple of seconds too short and we had to stretch some of them out when editing.

I felt that our filming was quite successful as we did not have to re-shoot too many times to get them right and sometimes we filmed in one take. Although occasionally cars got in the way of filming or we were not positioned how we wanted to be and we decided to do it again. Our video looks similar to the original because the order of the shots and the settings are the same. For example, we filmed near grass or houses like the original. The positioning looks accurate in some of the shots but could be improved in others, for example, in one shot, it should be a close up of the character but ours camera shot is further away than the original.

We edited the video on Adobe Premiere to put all the shots together and put it to the song played in the opening scene. On this program, we were able to lengthen some of the shots that were a few seconds too short and put them in the same order as the original. I put effects and transitions on each of the shots when I had finished making the film. The skills I learnt on Adobe Premiere and in filming will help me to create videos in the future.

We had strengths in that we worked well together in our group and were able to share our ideas to get the best out of our work. We got all the footage we wanted and edited the video to make it as similar to the original as possible. Props were used to make the shots as close to the original as possible, such as a guitar and chair, and I wore a red hoodie to look like the character in the film. However, some of the transitions are not the same as on the original video. To improve, we could have discussed each shot in more detail before filming, instead of just going into it, and take more time deciding who was better at what. We both worked well doing the parts we decided for ourselves, but we were a bit rushed in making this decision. By discussing each shot more, it would have helped us to position each shot more accurately.

Doubt

Doubt

As a group, we were given a genre of film that we had to make a film out of. Ours was family drama. We had to create a film that suits the genre well and that people would want to watch. We had to make it unique and with a suitable cast, title and narrative. Once we had come up with our film, we presented it to the class in this PowerPoint presentation.

Feedback

We were given feedback on our film to show us what the good qualities were and what we could improve on to make the film more suitable for the genre and appealing to the audience. On average, our title was given an 8/10 and people said that it was effective but could be more interesting. Our title was 'Doubt' which implies the drama that will be in the film but, because it is only one word, is not a very unique. The audience gave our chosen cast a rating of 8/10. It is appropriate and people liked the choice of characters because they were suitable and have played other past roles well. They also said the film is interesting because there are 8 children. Although some of the audience thought the film may become a bit confusing because there are so many children to keep track of when watching the film. The audience said our narrative was suitable for the target audience and it was given a 7/10. Our plot is unique and attracts the audience. We chose to have the BBFC certificate as a 12A which most people agreed with. We were also given a 7/10 for how well our narrative fits the genre. The audience said that it shows the darker parts of a drama well and definately suits the family genre because it is based around a big family with 8 children. For our film being different, we had quite mixed feedback. We were given an average of 8/10, with the highest rating being 9/10 and the lowest being 4/10. Some people thought it was very unique whilst others thought it was the same as other films from that genre. I think we were given good feedback and am happy with the results. We scored quite high in most of the areas. Although the audience only gave us a 1/10 for our marketing ideas. We did not have any interesting marketing ideas apart from film posters. I agree with this feedback and think this is the main area we would improve on if we were to promote a film again.

Short Pixar Film Narrative

Short Pixar Film Narrative- One Man Band

Equilibrium: The setting for this short film is in the centre of a town square. It is exterior and looks like it is set in the past.
Disruption: The musician in the middle of the town sees a girl about to put a coin in the water fountain. He starts playing music so that the girl gives it to him instead.
Recognition of disruption: Another musician also appears and they compete for the girls' money. Both playing their music louder.
Repair disruption: The girl loses the coin down a drain as a result of the musicians trying to hard to get her money. They played too loudly, too close to her and scared her.
Reinstatement of equilibrium: They feel sorry for the girl and give her an instrument, which she plays and gets given a bag of money from a someone. She puts the coin in the fountain and keeps the bag of money.

Film Trailer Analysis

Film Trailer analysis- The Vow

From this film trailer, we can tell that the film is about newly-wed couple although towards the beginning of the film, they are in a car accident and the woman forgets who her husband is. It is about them trying to recover their relationship and seeing if she can love him again. The trailer is set in summer, and mostly in daylight, until the accident, which takes place at night in a snowy winter. This change in setting shows the change in mood of the film. The couples' happiness is portrayed through the sunny setting of the film trailer, whilst the dark winter shows the sadness in the film.

This trailer shows the film as having many different themes. The genre of the film is romance, but it is a romantic-drama and not a rom-com. The trailer shows the film being about love, loss and second chances. It is an emotional film although it is shown to have some comical parts as well (mostly before the accident takes place).

The two main actors are named in the trailer, along with another film they have been in. It says 'Rachel McAdams from The Notebook and Channing Tatum from Dear John'. It has named films from the same genre so the audience knows that they have played a similar role. People are more likely to watch a film if it has well-known actors in it, which is why this is shown in the trailer.

The trailer aims this film at a particular audience by saying that it is coming out for valentine's day. This is to encourage couples to go and see the film and also shows the type of film it is going to be. The genre of the film is also illustrated in the music for the trailer, as it is a slow song being played. The music is quite upbeat but becomes more tense after the accident. The music is quieter when the actors are talking. The actors' speech is cheerful and gives the film an upbeat feel until the accident, where they talk in a more serious tone, giving you an idea of the other side of their romantic story.

Film Trailer Analysis- First Guardians of the Galaxy

 The majority of this trailer is set interior and is in a supernatural place, which shows you that the genre of the film is sci-fi. It is a marvel comic film which suggests that although there is action, it will not be too violent. The trailer suggests the this film has some themes of battle, comedy and action.

It does not give you much of an idea of who the battle is between, but does show an action seen taking place. The trailer introduces the characters more then giving what happens in the film away. Fictional characters are shown but no stars are named as play lead roles. The target audience is younger people, who may be less concerned as to whether or not there are any big actors in the film.

The music in this film is faster in the action scenes but remains cheerful throughout. This suggests the light hearted silliness to the film. Low lighting is used to create darkness, portraying danger, and the characters are dressed in supernatural costumes, illustrating that it is a sci-fi.

Film Opening Sequence Analysis- Titanic

The opening sequence for this film starts off with people waving to those on the ship as they are about to set off. Clips of people waving continue throughout most of the opening sequence. This symbolises the theme of loss and saying goodbye to loved ones. The backing music for this film is played throughout the film and is also symbolic of the theme of eternal love. The name of the film, "Titanic", is displayed in the opening scene above water, which suggests that the setting of the film is on a ship in the ocean. The opening sequence is set outside but suggests that there will be interior scenes in the boat. The film mostly uses low-key lighting to create a dramatic atmosphere but uses high-key lighting at certain points to reflect their hope.

Genre Photos

Genre Photos

 

Horror: For this genre, we took the photo in black and white to give it an eerie feel. The darkness created represents the danger that will be in the horror film. We used low-key lighting,- a feature commonly used in horror films- to produce sharp contrasts and create silhouettes. Mirrors are often featured in horror films, so we thought that, by showing a mirror, the genre of horror is illustrated well. The character in the mirror is staring straight at the camera, creating a sense of someone watching you. The hood being up on the character creates more mystery as to who they are and what they want. Only half of the character is shown which suggests they do not want to be seen, further creating a mysterious scene. By angling the camera so that a tap is shown, lets the audience know where the scene is set. By setting the photo in the toilets, a further sense of fear is created because everyone has been in toilets and looks in the mirror. It makes the scene more relatable and therefore, more spooky.

Romance: For this genre, we took a close-up shot of two people holding hands. This is a common gesture, so illustrates romance well and shows the connection that the two people have. We used high-key lighting to create a natural, optimistic and realistic scene, which is often used in romance films. We took the shot in front of a flower bed as flowers give the scene a natural and positive effect. Flowers also further illustrate romance as they are often given as a romantic gesture.

Action: We took this photo so that it appears to be in the middle of action. We set it in a car park, showing the cars' wheels which gives the scene the element of danger that often comes with action films.The shot was taken from the ground and shows the character observing from on the floor. The character is looking straight at the camera, creating a tense effect. The bottom of the photo is blurred to make the character stand out more and send your focus straight to them. It gets you hooked on what the are doing and will do next. You cannot see the rest of the setting or who the character is actually looking at. This encourages you to see the film and find out why she is in this position and who she is looking at.

Sci-fi: We used this image as it illustrates how alien the film will be, without giving away what the film is about. We took a photo of an eye and edited it to duplicate it, so that it does not look human. The eye looks very unusual and almost gruesome. By showing just the eye and not the entire body, people will be encouraged to watch the film and find out what the rest of the alien looks like, as well as where it is. This photo uses high-key lighting to make it clear and bright, as well as low-key lighting  to make it dark at the top with shadows being created.

Comedy: Although this shot is not particularly funny, it shows that the film is likely to be crazy and slightly idiotic. It shows the character doing something irresponsible by trying to get over and fence with a warning sign on it. This scene does not give much away on what the film is about, which makes you want to find out why they are trying to climb a fence.The close-up shot of the character shows their happy expression and high-key lighting is used to create a cheerful, natural effect.

Film Poster Analysis

Film Poster Analysis

Denotations: 

This film poster shows an image of a boy stepping out of a car. The title suggests this is a time machine. There is light coming out of the time machine and the poster has a background colour of black to blue to yellow. There are also flames on the ground where the tyres have been. 

Connotations:

The flames on the ground suggest there is going to be danger in the film and may also suggest speed or a limited amount of time to solve the problem. The light coming out of the car shows that discoveries are going to be made during the film. The background colours of black to yellow make the poster look like it is dusk, also suggesting a limited amount of time. The dark colour fading to yellow could show that their are going to be problems in the film which will be solved and will result in happiness. 

Film Trailer Analysis

Denotations:
This film trailer is made up of little clip of the film and uses a contrast of dark lighting as well as bright lighting. It has tense background music and the main character is narrating over the trailer. The characters are dressed in plain clothes and many of the buildings are derelict. Those that aren't, appear very modernized.
Connotations:
The background music creates suspense for the viewer and gives you an idea of what the genre of the film is. The music goes well with the narrative and informs you on what the film is about. The characters' costumes are different to the clothes worn by people today which suggests that the film is set at a different time. The derelict buildings shows the damage that has been done to the setting, suggesting the dangers that may be faced in the film. The modern looking buildings and props used give the film an advanced look, suggesting it is set a long time in the future. The bright lighting also gives the film a futuristic feel, whilst the darker lighting shows that there will be threats in the film.