In the last lesson, the class started to make a short experimental film.
I was on the lighting team. Over the weekend, I had compiled a lighting script of ideas as to how we could light the scene, with different lists of suggestions for extreme close ups, close ups, medium shots, long shots and extreme long shots.
In the lesson, my group set up the lights and arranged them so they would light well without being in shot or casting any unwanted shadows. There were three lights, so we had one each. I attached a dark purple filter onto my light. After some experimentation, we found out that my light was good for bleaching out shadows and muting colours, so my light was used to balance the other, brighter coloured lights and to create a kind of surreal half-light.
In addition to operating my light and helping set up/put away the equipment, I also helped the other people who were in my group by suggesting which colour combinations would go well at different points.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Formalism and Realism - The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari
'The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari' is a German film from 1920. It follows a young man, Francis, as he tries to find the murderer of his friend. His friend was killed soon after a travelling circus act, Doctor Caligari and the somnambulistic fortune teller Cesare, told him he was going to die.
The film uses many things to suggest the delusions of a madman.
The film uses tinted film to create atmosphere, but this was a very common technique at the time. However, there are other things that suggest unreality. First of all, the plot device of a fortune teller who sleeps all the time, but tells predictions while he dreams. The props are often skewed or at an angle, giving a dreamlike atmosphere, and the camera is usually far away, suggesting a kind of detachment. This creates a surreal, formalist air.
The ending is also rather formalist, as it turns out that the events were all the imaginings of a madman.
The film uses many things to suggest the delusions of a madman.
The film uses tinted film to create atmosphere, but this was a very common technique at the time. However, there are other things that suggest unreality. First of all, the plot device of a fortune teller who sleeps all the time, but tells predictions while he dreams. The props are often skewed or at an angle, giving a dreamlike atmosphere, and the camera is usually far away, suggesting a kind of detachment. This creates a surreal, formalist air.
The ending is also rather formalist, as it turns out that the events were all the imaginings of a madman.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
One film that has inspired my idea:
A film that I have decided to use as inspiration for my project is 'The Ghost', a Korean horror film made in 2005, directed by Kim Tae-Kyung.
Three points of inspiration are:
1) The idea behind the plot. 'The Ghost' uses amnesia and the accompanying confusion about identity to create atmosphere because the ghost in the story seems to be tormenting the characters for no reason. I have decided to use a plot that involves a similar idea, but I will be focusing more on the psychological aspect as opposed to the supernatural.
2) The device of dreams and flashbacks. 'The Ghost' uses these very well to reveal what has happened without giving away the entire plot. I have decided especially to use the idea of the haunting mostly manifesting itself through nightmares, and hints as to what has happened appearing in these nightmares.
3) The lighting. 'The Ghost' uses green and blue lighting to create a chilling atmosphere, as opposed to the usual lighting colour used in horror movies, which is red. I am also going to try to use different colours and lighting methods in my project.
Three points of inspiration are:
1) The idea behind the plot. 'The Ghost' uses amnesia and the accompanying confusion about identity to create atmosphere because the ghost in the story seems to be tormenting the characters for no reason. I have decided to use a plot that involves a similar idea, but I will be focusing more on the psychological aspect as opposed to the supernatural.
2) The device of dreams and flashbacks. 'The Ghost' uses these very well to reveal what has happened without giving away the entire plot. I have decided especially to use the idea of the haunting mostly manifesting itself through nightmares, and hints as to what has happened appearing in these nightmares.
3) The lighting. 'The Ghost' uses green and blue lighting to create a chilling atmosphere, as opposed to the usual lighting colour used in horror movies, which is red. I am also going to try to use different colours and lighting methods in my project.
Saturday, 16 August 2008
New inspiration
Recently due to various happenings, I have fallen behind in my work, and so I am still on the stage where I am forming ideas.
I have decided to stick with the idea of atmospheric horror, and I am now looking at ways in which I can use the idea, and how different techniques in lighting, camerawork and sound effects can add to atmosphere.
I have found this video on YouTube.
It is an animation, which means I cannot directly take the style. It also doesn't have a story or dialogue, which are both needed in this project. However, the lighting in this is very good, and the music is effective. The jumping transitions and use of surreal props also serve to unnerve the viewer. I will definitely look into how I can create similar lighting, and, if possible, find similar sound effects, particularly the high-pitched scraping/squeaking noise.
I have decided to stick with the idea of atmospheric horror, and I am now looking at ways in which I can use the idea, and how different techniques in lighting, camerawork and sound effects can add to atmosphere.
I have found this video on YouTube.
It is an animation, which means I cannot directly take the style. It also doesn't have a story or dialogue, which are both needed in this project. However, the lighting in this is very good, and the music is effective. The jumping transitions and use of surreal props also serve to unnerve the viewer. I will definitely look into how I can create similar lighting, and, if possible, find similar sound effects, particularly the high-pitched scraping/squeaking noise.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Small update - 'thought shower' - idea 1
I have been trying to think of ideas for what my project could be about/utilise. I have been thinking about the kinds of films I watch a lot of, and enjoy, as well as certain parts I particularly like.
I have thought of using an atmospheric horror style. Not the explicit gore and screaming, because - as far as I can see from the previous students' films - this has been used a lot.
I want to explore the more subdued kind of horror that uses the viewer's mind.
One scene, which, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a clip of, is the scene in '28 Days Later', where the main character (Jim) has exited the hospital he was in to find himself in a London that is completely deserted.
For the most part, 28 Days Later is the kind of film I don't want to do, as it has a lot of very physical screaming-monster-and-bloody-violence horror.
However, the scene I mentioned earlier, with a seemingly empty London, is brilliant, and has that kind of chilling atmosphere I am looking for. The sickly, pale yellow colour cast on the light, which is used quite a bit at the beginning of the film, is very effective, and the soundtrack used is spot on. It's a remixed version of 'East Hastings' by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I think the section of 'East Hastings' used is 'The Sad Mafioso'. It really does send shivers down your spine if viewed properly.
I am not planning to do anything as ambitious as block off parts of London during dawn hours, but I am looking for that unsettling kind of film. I think it might have something to do with the collision of the familiar (London) and the unfamiliar (London being completely deserted).
The scene I posted was shot on DV tape, which accounts for the slightly washed-out/bleached look. It works quite well here.
I will investigate into other films/scenes that have the effect of unnerving the viewer as opposed to going full throttle into explicit horror.
One problem I can see with this approach is the question of how I will create such an atmosphere in less than five minutes. I will try to investigate into this.
I have thought of using an atmospheric horror style. Not the explicit gore and screaming, because - as far as I can see from the previous students' films - this has been used a lot.
I want to explore the more subdued kind of horror that uses the viewer's mind.
One scene, which, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a clip of, is the scene in '28 Days Later', where the main character (Jim) has exited the hospital he was in to find himself in a London that is completely deserted.
For the most part, 28 Days Later is the kind of film I don't want to do, as it has a lot of very physical screaming-monster-and-bloody-violence horror.
However, the scene I mentioned earlier, with a seemingly empty London, is brilliant, and has that kind of chilling atmosphere I am looking for. The sickly, pale yellow colour cast on the light, which is used quite a bit at the beginning of the film, is very effective, and the soundtrack used is spot on. It's a remixed version of 'East Hastings' by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I think the section of 'East Hastings' used is 'The Sad Mafioso'. It really does send shivers down your spine if viewed properly.
I am not planning to do anything as ambitious as block off parts of London during dawn hours, but I am looking for that unsettling kind of film. I think it might have something to do with the collision of the familiar (London) and the unfamiliar (London being completely deserted).
The scene I posted was shot on DV tape, which accounts for the slightly washed-out/bleached look. It works quite well here.
I will investigate into other films/scenes that have the effect of unnerving the viewer as opposed to going full throttle into explicit horror.
One problem I can see with this approach is the question of how I will create such an atmosphere in less than five minutes. I will try to investigate into this.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Gantt Project editing
Today I edited my Gantt chart. I put the first draft of the script in parallel with the storyboarding. I also extended the filming and editing times, and set the % complete bar on my scheduling to 85%, and the thought shower to 13%. The project is now set to end in mid-December.
Using Gantt Project helps me to put everything in perspective. I had to do a presentation with my Gantt chart, and I had to justify my ideas. The feedback I received helped me see what changes I needed to make.
If I find a video clip, I might add it later.
Using Gantt Project helps me to put everything in perspective. I had to do a presentation with my Gantt chart, and I had to justify my ideas. The feedback I received helped me see what changes I needed to make.
If I find a video clip, I might add it later.
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Blog number two - Gantt projects and phantom beasts.
I have finished my rough schedule in the form of a Gantt chart, and I have uploaded it to the course website.
I watched the sequel to the American remake of 'Ring'. Just like the first film, I think the Japanese version is better. They use less special effects in the Japanese Ring films, which I like. The American ones spend a bit too much time on quick shock value rather than letting little things get the viewer uncomfortable. Basically, the American ones are 'scarier', but the Japanese ones have a bit more to them in terms of plot. Even the prequel was pretty good.
This is something I found on Youtube the other day. I quite like it because it's a bit of a character study as well as a 'chiller'. That, and they did their research on the Black Shuck, the folkloric phantom dog.
Random fact: the picture I am currently using of the dog with a red outline is a stylised version of the Black Shuck.
I watched the sequel to the American remake of 'Ring'. Just like the first film, I think the Japanese version is better. They use less special effects in the Japanese Ring films, which I like. The American ones spend a bit too much time on quick shock value rather than letting little things get the viewer uncomfortable. Basically, the American ones are 'scarier', but the Japanese ones have a bit more to them in terms of plot. Even the prequel was pretty good.
This is something I found on Youtube the other day. I quite like it because it's a bit of a character study as well as a 'chiller'. That, and they did their research on the Black Shuck, the folkloric phantom dog.
Random fact: the picture I am currently using of the dog with a red outline is a stylised version of the Black Shuck.
Friday, 13 June 2008
This isn't really my first blog, but hey.
I have a blog already, but this is my first proper work-orientated one. My usual one's just going on about whatever is happening.
This one is for my Moving Image Arts. So posts will be about work, and maybe a couple of films. I will try to post when something happens. This is my production diary for storyboards, scripts, ideas, problems, progress and the such.
I will also put clips of videos and films that I find interesting.
This one has a nice concept: the idea of chance and where it takes you.
The bottom of the page keeps on flashing red text at me. It's a bit ominous.
This one is for my Moving Image Arts. So posts will be about work, and maybe a couple of films. I will try to post when something happens. This is my production diary for storyboards, scripts, ideas, problems, progress and the such.
I will also put clips of videos and films that I find interesting.
This one has a nice concept: the idea of chance and where it takes you.
The bottom of the page keeps on flashing red text at me. It's a bit ominous.
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