A gift...

Here's a little parting gift from my heart to yours. Let it inspire you to kick some butt in the final exams. Two things that are awesome (penguins and zombies), together at last. Just like you and the exams: two awesome things that when combined, become more than just the sum of their parts. Enjoy your revision and your exams!! (and this video)

Exam Reflection

Tell me about how you think the exams went. What did you study the most for? Did you feel prepared? What can I do to help you become more confident and succeed on the final exams? How much time did you spend on each essay? If you finished early, did you go back and check that you had answered the question and written as much as you possibly could have? Did you make sure that you referenced key words from the topic in your answer? Did you memorise key quotes from the worksheets, experts and films to use as examples? Anything else? If you did not write ANYTHING for one or both of the papers, I am obviously disappointed and I'd like a detailed apology. And finally, what will you do to make sure that you are even more prepared for the final exams?

(to be completed as a blog post)

Technology standard

There are two parts to the production assessment. The actual production and creation of the film itself, along with all the paperwork and evaluation and planning, etc. AND then there is also how well you have coped with using technology to produce your film, which can be an even larger mission. Things like using cameras and lighting, computer editing programs and adding sound, etc. Again, this can be completed at NAME, so your mark depends on how competently and in depth you used technology. Complete a blog post detailing what technology you used and how. You can include screenshots of the editing program you used to illustrate your competence. Consider & comment on your use of the following:
--Operating a video camera
--Composing shots
--Recording or using sound effects, dialogue or music
--Importing images & video files
--Creating music or sound effects
--Editing images for moving image production (use of editing software)
--Editing sound for moving image production (use of editing software)

Production Evaluation for singles

So, you have finished your filming and editing! Well done you. But you are still not quite done. You need to complete an evaluation of how well it all went:

This activity will assess your ability to evaluate the production process you used for your film trailer, and its effect on the product.

You must provide specific details and/or examples to support your comments. You should consider the following:
• Positive aspects of the process;
• Steps in the process that could have been better done;
• Strategies suggested to achieve this;
• Some evaluation of how these changes to the production process may have affected the media product.

Production Evaluation for PAIRS

Once you have completed your filming and editing, your next step is to complete an evaluation of the process. Have a look at the exemplars for an idea of what to include, but here are some ideas if you get stuck.

Here is the template for pairs:
Team Review Process
This is essential to ensure fair marking and equitable contribution of team members to the production process. You will meet with your teacher on at least three occasions during the production to check on progress and teamwork.
You must make notes on the relevant stage of production before the meeting and hand these in to your teacher at the meeting. They will form the basis of your teamwork discussion.

Remember: Your teacher is using these meetings as one way of gathering evidence that all team members are contributing in an equitable way to the production. You should feel free to talk to your teacher at any stage if you are worried about how your team is going.

1. Pre Production Meeting

A. Briefly describe your contributions to pre-production.
What did you do that was effective? How could you improve your contribution to the team?
Pre-production includes:
Concept; Research; Treatment; Scene Summary; Script and/or Storyboard; Crew and Talent list; Production Schedule; Art Department; Locations and Permissions; Test shots; Revisions.

B. Peer review
Outline what effective contributions the other team members made.

2. Production Meeting

A. Briefly describe your contributions to production.
What did you do that was effective? How could you improve your contribution to the team?
Production includes:
Direction; Camera; Lighting; Sound; Acting; Production Design; Location Management; PR; Footage review; Pick-ups.

B. Peer review
Outline what effective contributions the other team members made.

3. Post Production Meeting

A. Briefly describe your contributions to post-production.
What did you do that was effective? How could you improve your contribution to the team?
Post-production includes all stages specified in the task:
Visual Cut; Sound effects; Sound editing and mixing; Graphics and titling; special effects.

B. Peer review
Outline what effective contributions the other team members made.

Checklist for Production: 2.6

You should be well on your way into your production by now. Some of you have finished; all of you will be at least into the post-production stage, and thinking towards evaluation. Here is a checklist of EVERYTHING that you need to have completed (on your blog where possible) before Monday Week 9.

1. Pre-Production work
-Concept
-Research
-Treatment (make sure to include a discussion of your intended STYLE)
-Storyboard (completed on template)
-Crew/Talent list
-Production Schedule (may be completed on
-Art Department
-Locations, permissions

2 & 3. Production & Post-production work
-Filming of all scenes
-Acting, props, costumes, etc
-Editing & creation of short film
-Submitted via CD/DVD or file on USB to KZ

4. Review/ Evaluation
-Blog post: See your task sheet & exemplars

Beautiful painted stop motion

Some amazing stuff from this guy: this is his newest one, which is amazing in scope and scale. Creative and stunning.

BIG BANG BIG BOOM - the new wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Title sequence about TITLE SEQUENCES

Woah, like the previous short stop motion film that had stop motion film inside it, this is just full of layers and begging for an Inception reference. This guy made a possible title sequence for a documentary about title sequences... Brilliant.

A History Of The Title Sequence from jurjen versteeg on Vimeo.

Christchurch nostalgia

Also not new, but this is a sweet look at Christchurch before the quakes. Remember that? This uses tilt-shift to make it look like miniatures. Adorable, for sure.

Christchurch-Timelapse from lukaskaupenjohann on Vimeo.

More stop motion

This is not a new video but it is pretty beautiful.

500 People in 100 Seconds

A lot of you are doing stop motion short films: this should be inspiring. Or maybe terrifying: imagine the work involved!

Wait for it... Short film!

Here is a very interesting short film that shows the importance of using sound and symbols for impact... This same director also has a link on YouTube to a creative re-think of "fairies."

Premiere Pro Video Tutorial

If you are stuck with finding out how to do something on Premiere Pro, there are lots of online tutorials and help. Here is a pretty good basic how to use Premiere Pro. And the guy has a great accent. There are more tutorials by the same person: this one shows you how to get started.

For some reason, this will not play embedded in this blog post: click on the name of the tutorial below to open it on the Vimeo site and see what Jordy has to say about using Premiere Pro.

Premiere Pro Tutorial - The Workspace [2/5] from Jordy Vandeput on Vimeo.

Helena Brooks- Nothing Special

We have watched some Hallensteins and Glassons advertisements directed by Helena Brooks. Here is an interesting and funny short film she directed.

The Walking Dead

I am really enjoying this television series. It is about zombies: inspired by Romero and produced by Frank Darabont. The special effects are movie-quality and the dark, post-apocalyptic vision is nihilistic and captivating. It is also visually stunning. Check out these intense stills from the first episode:

Awesomely creepy New Zealand short film about a kitchen sink

I really love this short film because it is random and oh-so-creepy. Check it out.

Stunning short travel films

People are so clever! Check out these amazing short films that are a vivid way to share these guy's experiences with travel. This is what they said about it: "3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage... all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ....into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films.....

= a trip of a lifetime.

move, eat, learn"

EAT from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

LEARN from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

MOVE from Rick Mereki on Vimeo.

How to fix horror films...

A very interesting piece in Slate about how the horror genre should reinvent itself. Have a read, it's thought provoking! And you could use it for your essays on genre! Here's the link. And if you are VERY BRAVE (and old enough), look at the slideshow of the most gory scenes from horror film.

Other Pre-Production Tasks

The following tasks you should also complete, probably on your blog. This is not due Monday, but needs to be completed before you start filming, so... Pretty much Monday, really.

Task 4: Crew and Talent
Secure services of crew and talent as appropriate. Prepare a master list of team members and crew/ talent. Include home phone numbers if the production involves work out of school after hours. Check with your teacher and the crew concerned for any privacy issues to do with contact details.

Task 5: Production Schedule
Prepare a dated list of the whole production process indicating when you plan to complete tasks. Each dated entry should list personnel involved, equipment required, props required, location, time details and contingency plan. Use the template provided.

Task 6: Art department
Prepare a master list of props and costume required and where you will source these from. Include names and phone-numbers of suppliers.

Task 7: Locations, Permissions
Prepare a brief profile of each location that you wish to use. Use the location planner attached. You will need to secure permission to use any location through the owner of that location. Get the owner to sign the agreement slip or (in the case of council owned locations) complete the appropriate application forms

Film Production: Treatment

After you have written a paragraph about your concept, you need to write a paragraph describing the opening scene. This is called the film treatment. It should be in the present tense, and describe in detail what happens, what the audience will see and hear in your film opening. Check out this example of a treatment for The Terminator to get inspiration (but don't write this much! One paragraph is enough!). This is part of your pre-production tasks (due Monday) and should be completed on your blog.

Genre Concept Paragraph

I am so excited about the great ideas and planning that is going into your film openings! There will be lots of horror and gore, and also love and laughter. Let me know what you are thinking:

In a paragraph on your blog, comment on the following:
1. a brief outline of the name/genre of the film opening
2. the principal ideas you wish to explore
3. the emotions you wish to evoke
4. the impact you wish to have on the audience
5. a brief outline of the story, character and style of the opening

You should consider:
Access to sources/ talent
Availability of equipment, resources
Interest to your audience

A love story filmed on a camera phone

We have been thinking about ideas and limitations for our own production today. Here is a short film that was made with Nokia camera phones. And it looks pretty darn awesome: interesting idea and clever execution.

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

Powerpoint about horror films

There isn't a lot new in this powerpoint that I found on Slideshare, but it does have some good points and awesome backgrounds. Check it out:

An Introduction to Horror Films

View more presentations from lclarkhfc

Everything is a Remix...

SO! The next installment of Everything is Remix has been completed! Look! There are old computers and an interesting summary of the creative process.

Everything is a Remix Part 3 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Also, this is an amazing (and long) article about creative remixing in art.

.

Thinking about GENRE!

So we have seen a lot of movies. They have a lot in common, but they are also significantly different. I would like you think a bit more deeply about the conventions in at least two of the films we have watched and comment on their significance. This is what you will be writing on in the end of the year exam. So, figure out how to get back on your blog and write a post that includes:

1. Describe

Choose ONE convention across at least TWO movies. Describe how this convention is used in this film. Use specific examples (textual evidence: techniques, details) and refer to your notes as necessary.

2. Explain

Discuss why this convention was used in this way in these two films. How does it link to the film as a whole? How does it develop an idea within the film? How does it reveal an attitude or point of view of the director? What was the audience response to the way this convention was used? What was the audience's expectations? Why? How did the way this convention was used conform or depart from tradition?

3. Analyse

Discuss the impact, change and implications of the way this convention was used in these films. How effective was this convention? How did it add to the commercial success of the film (or not)? What happened after and before this film was made that is relevant to the way this convention was used? How does the director's use of the convention reflect current events of the time? Why has the convention changed (or not) in the two (or more) films you are discussing? What are the possible effects on society of watching these films-- why? What do experts say about the way this convention is used in these films?

Don't retreat, reload

This is an interesting article that discusses the recent trend in films towards looking backwards into the past. Retro is trendy. The ultimate remix? But why? What escapism can we find in the past? Here's the link.

How to survive a horror movie

If you want to survive a horror film or a crime movie, there are some basic rules: avoid sex and bathrooms – and never, ever, do 'one last job', says Ben Walsh

Check out this article about things NOT TO DO (and think about WHY?)
Article from The Independent about what NOT to do

Nothing to do with horror, just some interesting short films

These videos are inspired by discussions on Radiolab, a radio programme. I think they are beautiful. And interesting. Check them out: what do you think?

Symmetry from Everynone on Vimeo.

WORDS from Everynone on Vimeo.

If you like these, check out Radiolab and also Everynone's other videos on Vimeo. Hope you are all having a great holidays!

How to make a horror movie...

Some of you came up with awesome ideas for films: Cowboy Zombie face-offs, submarine love stories, accounting love stories (?). But now that you have your concept, what's next? Here's a handy flow chart that makes the whole process simple! (it is an advertisement for a French TV channel).

Here's a bigger version so you can read the words.

There are also similar flow charts for action and animation.

Screaming or laughing? It might be in your genes...

So I know that some people (like me) are terrified by horror films and have nightmares. I had to turn my television towards the wall after watching The Ring. But other people just laugh. Well, research has shown that it is genetic! Check this story out: Horror film gene that makes some scream while others laugh

Do zombies make your skin crawl? Or do vampires make you helpless with the giggles?

Rebecca Black: talentless teen or radical visionary?

So by now, you will have seen Rebecca Black's embarrassingly bad, over produced music video of "Friday." I personally can't wait until the time comes when I can say "it's Friday!" without hearing an echo of "Fun fun fun fun!" (or gang fight, gang fight?) Here is Rebecca Black re-imagined as heard by a lip reader:



However, I thought it is worth risking getting that song stuck in your head again to point out this: http://www.theawl.com/2011/03/arms-so-freezy-rebecca-blacks-friday-as-radical-text <------- This is a hilarious close reading of the music video that suggests Rebecca is challenging our materialistic, superficial culture to the core. Try not to overthink your own close reading this way, but appreciate the funny!

Do you feel sorry for Rebecca Black? Will people always remember her? Or is she just going through her fifteen minutes of fame? Is all the negatively towards her deserved? How has the internet enabled this? Why have so so many people watched her?

Movies made into barcodes

Check out this awesome tumblr site: http://moviebarcode.tumblr.com/

It has movies reduced to barcodes, so you can see the colour palette! You can also order prints. Pretty awesome.

Compare Inception:

With Kung Fu Panda:

But, Ms Kazimi, I can't get onto YouTube on the school computers!

I know, that's frustrating. But sometimes in life we need to just accept the things we cannot change and then find ways around them. (That's how that quote goes, right?) So here are some sites that are not blocked by the school that you can look at videos on (some of them don't seem to work on all the computers, and some only work on Firefox because it has more things installed than the school Explorer browser thing). If you can't find it on something else, you can find a youtube link at home, because I can look at youtube clips. OR you can bring the DVD to school and watch it over and over and over again with no waiting to download. Be pro-active: solve the problem.

Art of the Title (especially the ones that have vimeo clips, since Quicktime is not installed on all the school computers)
MetaCafe (um, some of these videos don't load on some computers and some are a bit dodgy, but hey, it's kind of like YouTube!)
Vimeo (not everything is on here, most of this is created by people instead of just copies, so you might have a hard time finding scenes from movies, but give it a shot)
Daily Motion (like YouTube)

And of course, ask the other students. They might just know other good websites or ways to get things working.

Everything is a Remix

Yes, everything has been done before. Think that baseline or that camera shot looks familiar? That's probably because it is. Everything is referencing something and every media product is part of a larger media story. This is relevant to what we are studying because we are looking at horror films, which are part of a genre and part of a tradition. Here is a link to an amazing project looking at how music and films are remixes and sometimes even knock-offs.

Everything is a Remix

Everything is a Remix Part 1 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Everything is a Remix Part 2 from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Part C of your Close Reading Assessment

This is the crucial bit. This is what you have been studying for. BRING IT.

Comment on the film terminology and how it creates meaning: PART C OF TASK

Choose FOUR film techniques (look at the list, or also choose a different one from your film terminology sheet): LOOK AT THE EXEMPLARS. ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT EACH ONE.

These are the sort of questions that you will be answering for EACH one—

1. Describe: What is the definition for the film term? Describe two examples IN DETAIL from the opening scene, including screen shots if possible. What meaning do these examples create? What do they show you about the film / characters?
2. Explain: Why are these examples effective in creating meaning? What position does this technique place the viewer in? How does it show you something about the film/ characters / larger ideas and purposes of the film?
3. Analyse: How do these examples create meaning? Bring in your own outside knowledge or apply it to this film/ scene. Make assumptions about the film maker’s purpose for using elements in combination (e.g. to shape the viewers’ emotional response, to create atmosphere, to show character, to construct a story) and/or Make connections with way elements of media language have been used in the wider film and/or Make connections with the style of this director and/or Make connections with other films of this genre.

-----I might prompt you to add more information to your answer, like this:

Example: The student says “The director uses a close-up here to show the boy’s emotions…”

Teacher response:

• What is that emotion?
• Why is he showing that?
• How does the selection of the close-up work to do this?
• How does it relate to the previous emotional state?
• How is it relevant to the scene?
• How does this shot relate to the one before/after it?
• How does this effect work with other visual/aural elements?
• How is this feature used in other parts of the scene? Is it for the same purpose?

Art of the Title

Yes, the Art of the Title website is AMAZING. Here is a video clip that integrates a lot of different awesome title sequences. How many can you recognise?


A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson on Vimeo.

Learning from Zombie Movies

Since I am starting to think about our genre study, here is some important information if you are ever caught up in a zombie attack. It is presented visually as well, so you don't have to waste time when you need information quickly.

Here is where I sourced this relevant info: http://www.geekologie.com/2011/03/what_weve_learned_from_zombie.php  (and they are right, this still doesn't help me sleep at night... zombies= scary, indeed)

Choosing a film opening?

Are you having difficulty picking an opening? Remember that you are looking at around the first five minutes of a film-- the title sequence or maybe a bit of the first scene, depending on what you think is the most relevant and gives you the most information to analyse. You want an opening that has a strong, effective use of techniques (remember we studied these and even played pictionary with them) so you can achieve Excellence in your analysis. You want to pick a film that you enjoyed, because you will be spending a lot of time thinking about the director and their intentions, so it will be helpful if you are not already bored by it. Chances are, if you like it, there is something you can say about it. You cannot pick one that we discussed together in class (Dawn of the Dead, Catch Me If You Can, Napoleon Dynamite). You should definitely check out the Art of the Title website (http://www.artofthetitle.com/) if you haven't already. And if you're still stuck, here are some more sites with ideas about striking and thoughtful opening sequences:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20186223,00.html 
http://theroxor.com/2009/03/14/10-awesome-opening-credits/
http://www.nerve.com/archived/blogs/the-twelve-greatest-opening-credits-in-movie-history-part-1
http://www.nerve.com/archived/blogs/the-twelve-greatest-opening-credits-in-movie-history-part-2
http://thefilmstage.com/2010/09/03/the-25-most-memorable-opening-scenes-in-film/2/


Switch that brain on and get thinking!

Even more about Facebook: A different perspective

Well, for every person and every viewpoint there is the other side of the story, supported by different research and statistics. Here is an article that suggests that since you create a "better" version of yourself on Facebook, looking at your profile can actually help your self-esteem, since you are reminded about all the best aspects of your life. Remember the article in Slate suggested that looking at other people's statuses and the very structure of the site itself (the like button, the photo tagging) created self- alienation and unrealistic expectations (leading to depression). How can we balance these two different articles? Is one right and the other wrong? Or can they both be right?

Here is the link to this new article so you can think about it yourself: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/visiting-your-facebook-profile-boosts-your-self-esteem/453

Are video games changing us?

Read this article about how video games encourage players to be "conservative."


http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=moral_combat

What do you think?

We discussed how the medium of Facebook changed the communication and the participants' experiences and world view. According to Monica Potts in this article, how does the medium of video games (some specific examples are given) change the players' experiences and maybe their worldview? How can games have a "conservative worldview"? WHY?

Your blogs- I want to see them.

So, I am optimistically thinking that you have all made a lovely blog site and started posting information about your chosen film opening. Right? Excellent. But I need to see them. Can you please follow my blog, email me your link or something so I can have a look at all of your amazing-ness. Thanks.

Facebook infographic

I know, I just can't get enough of thinking about facebook! Check out this awesome graphic representation of some interesting info about our favourite social networking site.

The World Is Obsessed With Facebook from Alex Trimpe on Vimeo.

Just for fun...

Yeah, life has been pretty serious lately. Take a break and check out how well you know famous movies with this quiz!! Maybe even think about how these different aspects of mise en scene contribute to the environment and mood of the film? Or just enjoy it. (click on the photo, guys)

Facebook and YOU!

We started the year by thinking about how Facebook is an emerging medium, and we looked how it shapes our communications and changes our interactions.

Here is the link to the Slate article that we read together in class:
http://www.slate.com/id/2282620/

Is this the REAL Facebook experience?


see more Failbook

Stuck on thinking about openings?

 Here is an awesome website with a great collection of opening titles as well as some interviews with the directors/ designers and information! Have a look:


http://www.artofthetitle.com/

Set up your own blog!

Look, I did it. So it can't be that difficult.

1. nGo to www.blogger.com 
2.    Click on get started, and open an account 
3. You can use EITHER your school email (ID number@burnside.school.nz) or your own personal email as your mail account
4. Name your blog your ID number, or if that is taken, bhs-your ID number
5. Also use your ID number as your "name" on your blog so I can tell that it is you, but no one else can.
6. Make it look awesome.

  Play with the settings and complete your first blog post:

Your first blog post:

n1. Your thoughts on your opening scene: these can be tentative or assertive: include links and discuss what you might use for your assessment.

n2. Create an avatar for yourself. Here are some different sites:

http://www.squidoo.com/avatarmakers

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-cool-online-avatars-without-any-image-editing/
http://www.amctv.com/originals/madmen/madmenyourself/ 
http://www.squidoo.com/become-an-mm-simpsons-character

And I'm actually sure you can find a better one. There are Simpsons ones and South Park one, M&M ones and animal ones. 

Here's mine:

 

n