Epiphany

This is a still from a music video that I have mentioned previously, it contains a lot of aesthetics and styles that I admire greatly. The cinematographer Evan Prosofsky loves to use 35mm film which is what this was filmed in and uses very smooth movement similar to Dave Fincher. I really want to trial this floating action, in the last week I have used a green T-shirt to see what the green screen function in my editing program would do which then gave me an idea similar to this!

Reflection

This week was better again and as Paul outlined more in touch with how the course will run through. We filmed a scene with another group where we switched rolls from helpers to the primary filming group. This worked well as we were able to see how the group would work from both sides of the camera. I was an actor in my primary group and sound for the other group. The lighting in the location made it hard to get a crisp image for both groups but that didn’t matter as we were able to show the shots and angles we wanted. This week worked a lot better than last week fo sho!

I would love to create something that uses all of my loves / inspirations of cinema, the whole reason I am doing this course through one scene. I haven’t quite yet decided on how I want to approach this, i have ideas flying through my head but whatever it is I want it to be something I am proud of. The main things I want to be reflected through my work is influence from my favourite films / directors / and most importantly my interests. I have fleshed out some ideas, those being supernatural themes / special effects and clear direction in cinematography. I think i’m more interested how something looks (superficial I know) but i enjoy in other work how the things i see can make me feel. I think what i need to do now is look into some other directors that I enjoy and read up about there methodology and see how that is reflective in their movies / scenes. Note: looked at David Fincher – Other directors to look at* – Terrance Mallick – A G Rojas / Evan Prosofsky Cinematographer (Music Videos).

SCENE

This scene from the David Fincher film ‘Zodiac’ occurs towards the end of the film when Robert seems to be getting extremely close to discovering who the Zodiac is. I think it is going to be hard to critically analyse David Fincher’s shot order, framing and construction knowing that he is such a perfectionist however i will try my best. Fincher is probably my main inspiration when constructing a scene from start to finish which is the reason why i picked one of his films to look into and find more of what he might be thinking.

The scene begins with a conversation between Robert and a gentleman from the cinema. The establishing shot is a medium long shot consisting of both actors quite centred in relation to the whole shot. The first 30 seconds is quite well paced, i would say medium time between cuts. I really like how Fincher cut the shots in relation to the information the characters know. Firstly from medium close ups of both of them until Robert discovers something quite chilling where the shot changes to a slightly different angle of him.

The following three cuts occur quite fast and direct the viewers attention towards a different part of the house. There are four shots in total, three of Robert and one of the other Gentleman. I like how Fincher uses the information in the script and story to help direct his shots.

I also noticed that he uses a J-cut in the conversation between the two only once, the rest of the time the cuts in between pauses. There is also a cut without mouth movement of the gentleman which i guess is a good way to show facial expression to add to the character /story.

The next sequence I don’t like as much, the angles aren’t as “open” as the scene upstairs which very well could have been due to the space limitation in the basement that they filmed in. I feel there is lots of dead space around the two in the reverse medium close-up shots. I know the darkness surrounding the two adds to the mysteriousness of what is actually happening although I think that they could have filled a bit more with some props etc.

The final series of shots are all pans that with the accompaniment of Robert quick movement create suspense. All the shots throughout the scene are rigged onto a tripod or dolly which coincides with Fincher’s love for smooth camera movements. This works extremely well for this last sequence where Robert wants to get out of the house as quickly as possible.

Epiphany

This week i had an epiphany about superpowers, or supernatural themes in films, in particularly the editing and special effects that go into it. I have in the past tried some with photos using fishing wire to make it look as if it is floating. There are some examples in a couple of music videos where it is really well done Raffertie, I AM WHAT I AM. If i were to do a scene i would really like to incorporate something like this.

Reflection

The first editing task was complete on Wednesday of this week and some of the final cuts turned out really well. I especially enjoyed the group that had the coin stuck in the eye as well as the constantly changing characters. It was technically perfect for exposure and focus and the angles / panning was awesome. Overall this assignment was useful as we were able to bounce of other people in the group while all working towards the same goal.

The second activity was a bit harder as we had problems with the camera and i know i personally forgot how hard it is to remember lines and ques within a 6 minute period. I didn’t find the filming process as productive because half of the time it just felt like we were either trying to fix a problem with the camera or remember lines. If it was a task to test our selves in a short time period then it was good but with the course focus being on taking time with a scene and shot i feel like it didn’t really relate or help me. I am really excited with the prospect of setting up a scene from scratch using your own personal methodology. I think once i figure out how I want to go about it, some of the hands on task will come a bit easier. All in all it felt like we were just revising how to use the equipment again which ive already done, it’s fair enough that people including myself could learn the equipment better, but (you won’t like this Paul) I’m quite comfortable using a SLR. I know it isn’t a professional standard although for the purpose of constructing a scene for me personally, a SLR quality is ok. Working on a scene or sequence in a group situation is helpful however! it does help me understand how to work in that environment etc.

The original footage that we had for this abstract task didn’t turn out that well because we had trouble with the focus ring and the getting it into the editing software as it wouldn’t let me import it. I was able to convert one of the videos and used that for this video. On top of that, I had trouble getting the audio files I recorded so was unable to use them. I thought this was a very interesting project as it forced you to think outside the box which is something that has been encouraged this semester.

Week 11 Bohippo Bonanza

Song:

Snoop Dogg feat. Pharell – Beautiful

I always imagine walking into a house party in a really big house at night time with people walking around everywhere having a good time. Then through the house out the back there is a pool with lights and someone dives off the roof into the pool. This is what I imagine in my spare time.

Movie:

Gravity (2013)

They said you had to watch this movie in 3D and i’m glad they said that cause it was visually amazing. I’m not usually a fan for movies in 3D but this one was an exception due to it’s amazing visuals and cgi effects! apparently 60% of the movie was cgi and throughout the whole movie i was trying to see the fake parts but it was so hard!

Photo

This is a small poster I did for OMN in my spare time. It is something that i have experimented with quite a bit and involves a simple circle mask and transform rotation! It is quite effective and sort of matched the style of music he makes.

General Post

One week left after this week and I can’t wait. I’m starting a new job and just generally enjoying life from here on in. Can’t wait for the chill summer dayyyyyzyeeeeee ahead!

Week 9 Bo – Bo – Bonanza

Song:

Dragon – Still In Love With You

Dragon was an Australian / New Zealand Rock band from the 70’s lead by Marc Hunter. Their main song from the opening scene of Puberty Blues ‘Are You Old Enough’ is probably there most well known and I heard this other song on the Radio in Dad’s car once and was instantly mesmerised by it. The video is very cool and 70’s also and is quite enjoyable to watch.

Movie:

Your Father’s Murderer a Letter to Zachary (2008)

This documentary was insane. Almost too insane. I won’t ruin it for anybody but it was so well filmed and it grabbed your emotional state and threw it around the room. The story was about a man named Andrew Bagby’s death and the devastating events that follow. Definitely worth a watch!

Photo

This is a gif i made from a bunch of photos of my friend Tim at Sorrento. When I first saw gifs I thought they would be ridiculously hard to make but after a few youtube tutorials I found that they were quite easy once you found the right settings etc. I added the circle and red mist later.

General Post

I have completed GTA 5, the main storyline anyway. That has been my last week, if you had read my last BONANZA. I haven’t done too much else really, I decided that I need to get off my bum and involve myself more in the uni atmosphere and meet some friends, and also be more active and get outside more, especially now that it is coming into summer!

Week 8 BOOOONANZAAAHHAH

Week 4 De Le BONANZA