week 888888888 lectorial, reading, my death (jk), etc

Posted on 29th April 2017 by macorloncito

The stresses of university has finally creeped up to me and as a result, my sleeping schedule is basically non-existent. I’d give a detailed description of what time I go to bed but that would just be irrelevant. Anyway, the reading! The reeeeeeaaaaading. I actually approached it differently to what I usually do which is obviously read it in my head but hallelujah for technology. I made my laptop read it out for me (please refer to fig. 1). I’d say that she has a fine Aussie accent with a slight difficulty to pronounce certain words. Hah.

(Figure 1)

Before I stray away onto another topic, I was quite confused as to why we were given a reading about Harry Potter until Brian actually explained it in the lectorial. However, reading a blog post (?) about an interest of mine (which was Harry Potter) was actually quite refreshing. Not saying that the readings have been bland but this is just one of those that peaked my interests, unlike the one about the animals… As for the actual reading, I knew Jenkins was talking about the actual concept of a ‘fandom’ and how it thrives and survives in our perception of reality. I know. Deep as f*ck right? He was reflecting on Harry Potter’s large following, hence why it even has its own theme park for fans to visit and re-live the world of the story.

Now relating the reading to the lectorial – Brian’s lecture made me think about the subculture of a ‘fandom’ and how it affects and influences. I’ve never actually reflected how large a following can get (aka a fandom) until Brian mentioned cosplaying and made me rethink – “wow, fandoms are actually crazy”. And now that I think about it, I think I’ve been in a fandom myself (oh god this is super embarrassing) and I’ve noticed the relations we make between the real word and the world of -insert any TV show/movie/cartoon/etc-. From cosplaying to fan-fictions, we try to make sense of the reality we face as a coping mechanism to whatever we may be facing in our daily lives. As Brian said, it “expresses who we are while trying to relate it to the reality of the world‘.

As for the editing segment of the lecture, the class was shown what the actual meaning of a “rough cut” and a “fine cut”. To be honest, I had no clear concept of what both those cuts meant and I simply just meshed the process of a rough and fine cut. For the next time I use Premiere Pro for a major project, I’ll definitely keep these two things in mind:

Rough cuts are when you assemble the pieces of story together, cutting down anything unnecessary.
Fine cuts are for when you refine the story. And what I mean by refining consists of colour-correcting, audio mixing and checking for any bits of tiny details that piece the story together. It’s truly the time to add in your aesthetic style.

🙂

lyreca

a week eight initiative post

Posted on 23rd April 2017 by macorloncito

Like I said in week seven, I’d conclude my thoughts on 13 Reasons Why, especially its impact on myself after finishing the show. The ending left on a cliff-hanger with another death of character, leaving fans to interpret and come up with speculations about what’s going to happen next. I guess that’s how people usually cope when they’ve binged-watched a series right? The show sparked both positive and negative reviews/responses and honestly, I stand more on the negative spectrum in the crowd of opinions. In fact, my friends and I have even de-briefed and reflected on character development, plot and essentially the message it gives. We feel that it doesn’t promote a very helpful message on teenage issues – it actually just worsens and deflects on preventing suicide.

(Source)

Now look, I could sit here all day providing resources, articles, tweets and comments about why this show is an unhealthy portrayal of suicide but each to their own I guess. It just doesn’t sit right with me, that’s all. At the end of the day, it’s the content-maker’s job to entertain – a show won’t get popular like this if it were portraying boring characters with real storylines. Eh.

week 7 initiative post in two parts

Posted on 14th April 2017 by macorloncito

Soooo since Brian cancelled the lectorial (thank god but gws Brian lmao), he has instructed us to write two initiative posts in order replace the lecture/reading! Luckily, I’ve decided to post the reading so it should somehow meet this week’s quota of posts, hah.

The first initiative I’d like to talk about is my experience watching TV shows/films ever since I became a media and film student. Let’s use Jane the Virgin as an example.

(Source)

I’ve becoming more aware of the cinematic/editing techniques that media-makers use in order to produce the genre of a film or a television show. In this case, Jane the Virgin being categorised as a ‘dramedy’/romantic comedy/telenovela/etc – the show is supposed to follow the elements that make up those certain genres. Being a show that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the cinematography for example gives a depiction of reality rather than an “artsy” shot you would usually see in a typical Hollywood blockbuster films. And as for the editing, it is an unconventional form with a Latin lover commentator, a type-writer font (explains events) that adds a comedic effect and whatnot. The overall production of the show perfectly fits the story that is being told. Which I really like!

Now, for the second segment of this post, I want to talk about another recent television show – 13 Reasons Why. I don’t even need to include an image of the TV show’s header because you know exactly what I’m talking about. Its hype was well-supported by a media widely used – social media! From Buzzfeed headlines to memes, those were certainly more than enough to get me curious about it:

(Source)

But you get drift, right? This is a genre that is completely opposite to aforementioned show, Jane the Virgin, and they share no similar qualities, whatsoever. Just my 2 cents! From the photos I’ve included, I wanted to discuss the social impact or the “hype” created. Thinking deeply about it, how does the “hype” even begin? Is it because the show produced such good quality that it was enough to be raved and meme’d about? That’s the obvious answer of course, but it’s hard to occur to me because eight episodes in and I’m not into the show at all. I suppose it’s the mysterious elements that keep me at bay with the show, but content-wise, it’s not something I’d look for. I feel like I’m contradicting myself so I guess I’ll just have to finish the show to find out my ultimate opinion about it. In comparison to JTV, the production is on another level in terms of how it’s shot/edited (colour-corrected, for example) – it gives more of a serious tone, which is obviously how it should because the mentions of bullying, suicide, mental illnesses, etc.

Hm. This left on a confusing (?) note but I guess I’ll have to keep you updated on my next initiative post about both these shows, especially for 13 Reasons Why.

Toodaloo,

lik 😶

#7 – the reading

Posted on 11th April 2017 by macorloncito

“They are both like and unlike” – reference to humans and animals.

The reading is discusses the profound differences between man and animals and how animals for example, possess human-like qualities in a certain aspect.

How this relates to media? I have no idea at all. But what I can make out from it is that unlike animals, man is able to create idea, therefore man is able to create. And through media, it is a form of self-creation/expression that animals are not able to comprehend. This is not to diminish the ability of animals. In fact, animals possess a quality that makes them different from us – it is their detachment with worldly stresses and issues that make them, well, animals. In a way lack of self-realisation can be burden-lifting and comfortable because they don’t have to experience an existential crisis that we humans do. Nonetheless, this inherent quality that we possess is what makes us essentially human – this is why we are able to create.

lectorial number six

Posted on 10th April 2017 by macorloncito

I decided that with the two upcoming essays on my plate, I took the week off, meaning that I missed out on the glory of Media One’s lecture, week six to be exact. I asked a few of my friends what happened during the lecture and I felt the need to include their responses or opinions of the session because why not!

I also looked at Brian’s post to and luckily it has a multiplicity of resources and links to keep me updated –

Paul’s video lecture online: I’ll be honest but I’m not entirely sure what he’s talking about in the video but assuming from the title, it’s about being a media operator, duh.
The message from the video that stuck to me the most what being extra extra early than the participants you’re planning to shoot. For example, Paul said, always be three hours early if the setting up and preparing takes an hour. And the rest totally went over my head with all the legal jargon.
I guess I missed a crucial part of week six because I know a lot happens behind the camera and that is the pre-production, legal, paperwork kind of stuff. I’ll definitely ask questions in the future about it.
After an extensive search, I was unable to watch the video provided in Brian’s blog post – he hyperlinked the wrong link haha. But assuming from the title, (and a little bit of google research) it is about the evolution of technology or rather the advancement of technology – the world wide web. There is definitely a relationship with video the reading, discussing youth’s use of the internet and such.

lyreca

why do youth share so publicly? a week six reading

Posted on 10th April 2017 by macorloncito

The concept of public versus private space, is mostly discussed on the medium that is technology. The generation of millenials and X/Y experience a new form expression that has never been experienced before by previous generations. What I’ve noticed in the reading is that it emphasised the concept of “power”, making it a reason why youth “overshare” on the internet. The reading discussed the different roles teens and adults have on the internet and that is –

adult = power/the surveillance and teen = their form of expression/the challenger against the “power”

The reading could be interpreted in so much more ways but that’s my version of it, as I tried to condense it. All in all, my opinion of the whole topic is that previous generations have always been vocal about their expressions/opinions/etc but now in the new age of technology, the teenagers of today are the ones facing the the question of “why youth share so publicly?”

That’s that?

lyreca 🤢

media outside of media 1 #week6

Posted on 4th April 2017 by macorloncito

This week, despite all the upcoming due dates for my assessments, I decided to have a Harry Potter marathon with a couple of mates. For educational purposes, of course. I thought it would help if I could analyse the film techniques and apply the content I was learning in both Media 1 and Intro to Cin. Studies. And you know what? I’m glad I did because I saw the series in a different light (or shall I say darkness in this case) – I noticed that as the film progressed, the cinematography became darker in terms of the lighting. Take this scene from Half-Blood Prince for example:

(Source)

The colour of the film has pretty much been consistent, including times of suspense such as this scene, when Harry and Dumbledore were on the hunt for one of the horcruxes. Of course, in a cinematographic and a narrative analysis, something ominous is on its way, hence why the lighting is predominantly dark.

Linking this all back to Media 1 though, I reflected on all the aspects that came into filmmaking, especially the people in charge – the director, producer, editor, and the hundreds of cast and crew making the film. I referred back to the group activity we had and realised that this is why we are assigned to group activities at university – in the university, we are exposed to people with different walks of life and experiences, much like the industry we will be entering in to. Just a mini realisation I had mid-marathon. I pretty much downed the series in 2 days. Pat on the back for doing that instead of homework! 😂

lyreca

workshop #5

Posted on 3rd April 2017 by macorloncito

“Our eyes create art”

On a somewhat cold day of week number five, Lyreca had no knowledge that her Media 1 class would be operating on cameras (Sony MC50, to be exact). She came into class unprepared, with a million things in her mind about the upcoming assessments and especially this interview project. This activity would be the perfect task to keep her busy mind in check, especially with all the dread about these assignments slowly drawing near her. Right?

One thing I can say about this video – shitty audio.

Undergoing Thursday’s task was definitely unexpected as I have previously mentioned. I think it’s better to put the series of event in a list so here goes:

Liam directed us to the ~hub~ of borrowing equipment, which was just downstairs from the class. I’m not sure why but the people reminded me of the typical, flannel-wearing (with a cigarette in their mouth) film-school graduates. I mean their outfits just said it all. They seemed like cool people though. They pretty much told us the house-keeping rules – borrowing equipment, being on the blacklist, that kind of stuff.
Back to the classroom again, Liam explained to us the basics of how to operate the MC50, along with the tripod. He told us the basics such as the establishing shot and the 180° line. This is something I’ve already read about from the subject Introduction to Cinema Studies. Doing these two subjects together definitely correlates with one another, therefore, helping me with all technicalities.
We chose the grass area as our location, because of its convenience – students hanging out on the grass, studying, doing whatever a student is supposed to do, I guess?
We filmed what we were supposed to film – we interviewed each group member, but for some unexplainable reason, I didn’t get to share my piece of advice. Nonetheless, I got my turn on operating the camera so I’m not too fussed by it (but I would’ve liked some screen time, though 😅).
Group activities are definitely something I need to work on. I need to stand my ground when it comes to creativity and ideas that I believe in. Some problems that were encountered was definitely the creative differences between us girls and who operated the camera (positioning angles, for example). These differences however, were mitigated by Premiere Pro – we decided that if any error happens, we could always fix it through the editing process.
I think the quality of the video will show the type of interdependence we had on the day – one of the most successful camera shots were the ones with the clearest audio, as Liam stated that audio will be the or mostly the main focus for the upcoming project. Why else would you watch an interview with bad audio?
in my opinion, the camerawork was sort of mediocre, including the audio. Overall, this translated as a somewhat mediocre piece of work for me – I don’t blame it entirely on the camerawork/audio/production. This also goes towards the post-production process done by the editor, but hey, it’s all part of trial and error.
Finally, something I’ve discovered about camera technique? Like I said before, audio really matters! Therefore, the framing and the composition of the shot contributes to producing an audio where you can hear the person speaking. Note: The only shot we didn’t get to take was the interviewee’s POV or perhaps the camera behind the interviewee.

That’s it for now,

lyreca 👀

reading, lectorial, week 5 shenanigans

Posted on 1st April 2017 by macorloncito

Interviews. Week 5.

This reading has been a little bit different from the casual, relaxed readings that we’ve been given these past few weeks. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed reading the informative stuff about the interview and I didn’t know the extensive preparation we had to go through in order to perfect or even execute an interview. Writing this after Thursday’s workshop, it was exciting to put this theory into practice – mainly the basics such as establishing shot, an action shot, cutaways and whatnot. That’s really all I can say about the reading. Like I previously said, this was just a nice, simple informative read. It did not provide or invoke any emotional response like the previous weeks where we explored the creative side of media. Not saying that interviews aren’t creative, but in this aspect, it’s probably the least creative I’ve dealt with in this course. Does that make sense?

Interviews. Louise Turley. Project Brief Two. Ahhhhh!!!

We had a guest lecturer who actually wasn’t from our course – I’d say she’s like a mix of a Director, Producer, Writer, Editor and even a “Camera and Electrical Department”, according to IMDb, at least. Relating to the reading, she gave a few interesting points in a nicely designed presentation – one of the pointers that stuck to me were, “Do they have something to say?”. I think that’s a crucial decision to make in terms of making quality content, which is something that’s really important to me. Speaking about quality content, I have been dwelling on Project Brief #1 ever since the submission and I realise how my content was so ‘un-quality’-like. This is something I’d like to improve on for the next project, creating a clear and polished video. I hope Miss Turley’s advice can be put into good practice and I will definitely take her advice for future assignments. Ahhhh!

Onto Brian’s segment. I’ll be honest here and kind of dozed off/daydreamed during his lecture. Although I’ve looked back at the lecture slides and had a small recollection about the video Brian showed us:

(Source)

This is probably something I need to rewatch in order to understand what Brian was trying to say. I’m sure Brian was talking something about narrative blah blah blah but Louise’s voice was still stuck in my head, discussing her previous work, mostly about interviews. (Lol, the size of the image reflects on how much I care about the movie).

This is probably as far as I can go when it comes to simmering down the lectorial and the reading. Week 5 has gotten to me, especially since becoming ill. That’s all!

l y r e c a 🤓

Lyreca's blog

My media experience from 2017–onwards

Tag Archives: reflection

week 888888888 lectorial, reading, my death (jk), etc

a week eight initiative post

week 7 initiative post in two parts

#7 – the reading

lectorial number six

why do youth share so publicly? a week six reading

media outside of media 1 #week6

reading, lectorial, week 5 shenanigans