Citizen Kane versus Notorious

Of the two films we have viewed from the 1940s (Citizen Kane and Notorious), which one do you prefer and why? Refer to the quality of film techniques used by the directors at least once for each film in your answer.

Homework on Citizen Kane

After viewing the film and hearing some of the commentary by Roger Ebert, what do you remember the best (and what is most important for you about the film?). Does it deserve its status as one of the greatest films of all time? Would you recommend it to a friend? Why or why not?

Please bring your work, word processed, to class next week.

Responding to The Wizard of Oz

What accounts for the continuing appeal of a movie released in 1939? Well, there are a lot of things about this movie that appeal to me, it has always been a favorite of mine, but I think the main thing that has given this movie its staying power is the fact that everybody dreams of escaping sometimes, going "somewhere over the rainbow" as Dorothy would say. Being taken from the daily troubles and day to day mundane and transported to some fantasy world is a dream that I do not think will ever die. I think that is also why "Somewhere over the Rainbow" has become such a classic song, people just love the idea of waking up "where the clouds are far behind" and the "troubles melt like lemon drops". Through the whole movie we are transported to another world that feels totally real with all the details they put into the sets, costumes, special effects, really just every little detail seems perfect. But as we go through this fantasy world, we find that maybe it is not all it is cracked up to be, maybe it is not as perfect as it first seems. Dorothy immediately misses home when she gets there and has to go through hell and high water to get to The Wizard of Oz who can grant her wish to be sent home, all the while having to fend off the Wicked Witch of the West and her creepy flying monkeys. This movie reminds us that as much as we can wish and dream of some fantasy world where everything is perfect, there is nowhere where everything is perfect, there is no such thing as perfect, and when it comes down to it, we take what we have for granted and probably appreciate what we have more than we even realize and I usually leave this movie feeling happy for what I have. I think that the feel-good power of this movie, combined with the beautiful, cute, amazing, yet creepy and demented all too real fantasy world Dorothy is transported to, and touching on that human nature of a dream of escaping is what makes this movie such a classic that everyone can enjoy and that translates through generations.

Responding to The Wizard of Oz

What accounts for the continuing appeal of a movie released in 1939? Be specific! 

Make one short comment on a film technique that you noticed was (look at your handout “Film Terms” for examples) used in The Wizard of Oz. Choose one scene that you would like to discuss in detail during our next class. 

Bring your writing, word processed, to class. 

Creating an Image --- Sept.27 Assignment

Creating an Image --Sept.27 Assigment

Image

Image

Creating an image: The signboard of the Museum

Image

Image

 

A Vague Cat   

 

 

Scenes from China

Creating an Image

I decided to take some photographs of my cat sitting in a shoe box. I started by doing some low camera angle shots of her but I didn't like the subject placement; I didn't think it was eye-catching enough because of her being in the center and it looked too busy in the background so I tried some high camera angle shots. I tried to not put my cat in the geometrical center of the photo but I thought it looked fine in the last photo since I made the shot interesting while adding some contrast and dynamic symmetry by including the streams of light that were coming in through the blinds and shining on the floor.

A Memorable Image

This photograph makes me smile. The caption says "Parents of freshmen students sleep on mats laid out on the floor of a gymnasium at Huazhong Normal University". First of all I love that the university not only lets but seems to encourage that the parents do this. I'm sure everyone can say they've seen their parent(s) overtired on at least one occasion because parents have a lot to juggle, so the fact that the university lets them take a moment away from all that and have a nap is wonderful if you ask me. It's also great to see them embrace it so whole-heartily. I love how they all seem to be in such a deep glorious sleep and are all in different sleeping positions. Now I understand what my mother used to say about me looking so sweet and angelic when I was asleep. There's just something very sweet about this photo and about seeing people in such a vulnerable state when they can't fix themself up or have any conscious thoughts about how they look or are coming across, they're completely free and raw. I think that the bird's eye view really translates this because you get to see all the people at once in a way you wouldn't if the camera was at any other angle.

A Memorable Image

Students practice moves at a pole dancing club in Wuhan, China on August 31, 2012.
This photograph is successful because of the low viewpoint and subject placement.

Paramilitary policemen jump above their fellow policemen's arms as they take part in psychological training in Tongling, China on August 28, 2012.
This photograph is successful because of the subject placement and the low viewpoint.

Parents of freshmen students sleep on mats laid out on the floor of a gymnasium at Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan, China on September 8, 2012.
This photograph is successful because of the subject placement and mainly because of the bird's eye viewpoint.

Containers are loaded by workers in Qingdao on September 9, 2012.
This photograph is successful because of the subject placement and the fish eye camera lense that was used.

A North Korean girl plays at a game booth at a Folk Street in Sariwon, North Korea, Sept. 23, 2012.
This photograph is successful because of the subject placement.

Creating an Image: Hummingbird at a Feeder

Sample from Sami

My 5 Favourites

It was hard to choose!

National Geographic contest 2011. LONE TREE YELLOWSTONE: A solitary tree surviving another harsh winter in Yellowstone Park. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (Photo and caption by Anita Erdmann/Nature/National Geographic Photo Contest)

A woman leans into the mouth of a plastic shark to kiss her child at the COEX Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, July 24, 2012. (Hye Soo Nah/Associated Press) 

A livestock seller pedals his bike, towing his newly acquired pig that he plans to fatten before putting on the market, in Guantanamo, Cuba, July 25, 2012. (Ramon Espinosa/Associated Press)

An Indian woman gets both a faceful of powder and a handful of green paint during celebrations in Allahabad on March 20. (Rajesh Kumar Singh/Associated Press

World Press Photo Contest. 1st Prize Daily Life Singles: A photograph of North Korea's founder, Kim II-sung, hangs on a building in the capital of Pyongyang, North Korea, Oct. 5, 2011. 

Mountains Calling!

OUTDOOR SCENES - Lenticular Over Mt. Rainer: The wonder of the weather. (Rolland Hartstrom/National Geographic Traveler Photo Contest)

Pedal Power!

Welcome and Good Chaplin Resource

It was very interesting to hear from you three today and nice to know that you are all film buffs! The teachers are trying to make our class a bit bigger but it seems to me that our group can definitely do some good work together this year in any case.

I've found some more information on Chaplin that I had not seen before. If you'd like to look, it includes some information on "The Kid" that gives you a sense of what Chaplin was doing for his first feature length work. The dream sequence was pretty strange!

Here's the specific page on the film we saw: http://xroads.virginia.edu/~1930s/film/chaplin/meth5.html

You can also go to page bottom and find the home page. It's a really old site that is hard to navigate but it is good quality and interesting.

More on my favourite pictures on the weekend.

Memorable Scenes

What, for you, were the most memorable scenes from the many films we watched this year? Choose three to share. Why were these scenes memorable for you? Think about what made them work well and why—mention camera work and editing in your answer. I will try to bring as many of the originals as possible.

Links to Videos from May 17th Class

Extreme Long Shots, Close Ups and Other Shot Angles

How to Make Interviews Interesting with Single Camera Set-Up

Screen Direction Tips for Continuity: 180 Degree Rule

Liven Up Your Documentary by Capturing B-Roll

Cut on the Action to Create Smooth Transitions

Remember that you will need to use our school log in and password (on your worksheet) to access these videos.

Sound Effects

Hi guys here is a link for "Sound Effects" which Brad mentioned last week to try it on our videos while working with editing software.
( I'll show you how it works on Thursday if you couldn't figure it out)
http://music-for-video.com/free-sound-effects-for-video-makers.html

Cyberlink Links

Here's the link to the Top Ten Video Editing Programs that lets you buy the program for 50 dollars instead of a 100 (thanks Farzad!).

 Cyberlink PowerDirector Manual. This is a large file, so please be patient as it loads.

"Ronin"?

Did you like the movie, even though, as Ebert argues “The movie is not really about anything”?

"Hush" and "Carrie"

Many people express a distaste for the horror genre of film making. Indeed, horror films are often exploitive and use cheap effects to thrill and scare an audience. 

Have your views about the horror genre changed after viewing “Hush” from the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer by Joss Whedon and “Carrie” by Brian De Palma? 

What did you like the best when you viewed these two works? Would you recommend either of them to a friend? Explain.

Hey, you guys! how was your spring break? Well, the reason that I post a message here is I finished my film footage, and I'm wondering if any one of you guys want to see my raw film footage and maybe give me some of your "expert" feedback..... :P If any one of you guys want to see my raw film footage, leave a comments below and I'll bring it to the class this Thursday!^^ Thanks.... :)

Comment on Akira Kurosawa's Dreams

Comment on Akira Kurosawa’s “Dreams." How was it seeing such a stylized and different use of film? Critics are divided down the middle; they either loved it or hated it. Why the big difference? In fact, two reviewers commented for the Washington Post in 1990—the one I didn’t quote didn’t like the film at all! (rated 7.6/10 at IMDB and 83% by users at Rotten Tomatoes but only 53% of critics liked it).

Paris Je T'aime

Which of the three short films did you prefer and why? We watched Tuileries (with Steve Buscemi), Quartier Latin with Ben Gazzara and Gena Rowlands (the divorcing couple) and Quatrieme Arrondissement with the Denver letter carrier speaking in rough French on why she loves Paris.

Have fun "directing" your first short scene. Remember to draw your plans before you shoot. It is enough to have three to five different shots and a screen time of a minute or two. See you Thursday!

"I Am Sam"

It seems we all liked the film. Be specific about why (or why not). The critics didn't like the movie but it has a respectable 7.4 out of 10 at IMDB. Why is that? Maybe one of you can figure it out . . .

Don't forget to shoot some video before next week's class. Your teachers can be found walking around the school during regular school hours--9 to 3 p.m. if you want to come and visit us. Bring your umbrella!

Film Making Story Ideas

Time to get serious here on a story you might like to film.

For instance, I could do a documentary style film on a favourite Main Street fruit and vegetable store, called Logan and Jade's for the owner's names (but not that officially). Logan is known for his signs that detail things like why he cannot afford to sell ripe avocados and why, no, he does not have riper ones hidden in the back of his store. Whether he'd agree to be filmed is another story . . .

"Firefly" Good Television?

After watching an episode of this number 7 ranked (all time for IMDB users) TV series, what do you think?

about cyberlink....

hi, you guys......^^ I found the cyberlink software... I have a cyberlink DVD solutions, and I'm sure this isn't the one we need, sorry you guys for popping your bubbles... sorry!!!!!!!!!!! :'(

Comment on "The Shawshank Redemption"

Was it the best? Refer to your worksheet for my detailed question.

Remember to bring your HD camera to class on February 23rd for a bit of practice, some instructional video and more discussion on film making possibilities. See you then!

Filmmaking tips and Editing software.

I was looking up on internet and found these stuff, I thought it'll be good to share with the rest of class.

Top Ten Video Editing Software Programs

Reviews
http://video-editing-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAJzfQ9RnJM&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02q2Fvixwmc&feature=fvwrel

===================================================================

Sony Vegas Movie Studio
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uX6ECn3Fy4
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdwBPaD2etE&feature=relmfu

Tutorials
http://www.learningvegas.com/public/department42.cfm?gclid=COXXgfisoa4CFakbQgod2W8FRg

=================================================================

MAGIX Movie Edit

Tutorials
http://www.magix.com/ca/movie-edit-pro/plus/functions/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnBzU7pZKL0

==================================================================

PowerDirector 10

Tutorials
http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/tutorial/

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Filmmaking Tips

Movie Making Tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5HZHLd2H6w&feature=related

Three Point Lighting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFM8bHuYmhg&feature=related

Filmmaking Techniques
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJoBewQhr_Y&feature=related

Video Camera Shooting Tips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjSsIQooAJg&feature=related

==========================================

Sony hdr-pj10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7q3TN7YjSs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJoBewQhr_Y&feature=related

Hope its helpful.

An American Haunting

Using one of the questions from your worksheet, write a short answer based on viewing the film, "An American Haunting."

Web Resources for Film Studies

I've found quite a few and list them below. Please share any links you may have the same way as me—as a post rather than a comment so you may use the "Link" feature in the posting box. You might want to check on the links you find at other sites to expand your search. Other topics you might search for are good sites on "storyboarding" or "scriptwriting" etc. Good luck and see you on February 2.

Fourteen Actors Acting: A Video Gallery of Classic Film Types

Press Play Blog (Dark Knight Video Essay Hosted There)

Anatomy of a Scene (multiple scenes in multiple films with directors' discussions)

David Bordwell's Website on Cinema

We have a camera! Here's a link to see its features.