NEA Prelim.

Since starting the NEA project on the 18th June, I have obtained and developed a range of new and pre-existing skills. I have received performance training, website training, studio training as well as developing my communication and teamwork skills. The biggest thing I have learnt about my performance would be to let go as much as possible, as this is when the best and most authentic shots are obtained.

I have created the first cover of two for edition #1 of my magazine 'Identity'. It is a streetwear/indie fashion related magazine. Prior to that, I had a 12-hour studio day on Monday 9th of July, where I directed a number of shots for my own material and modeled in many other peoples shoots, which helped me to be confident in my own. I also conducted thorough background research in order to ensure my own magazine would be conventional but also would have unique elements to set it apart.

I am planning to continue with my current project in September. I am also going to Central London at some point during summer in order to shoot some interesting (and 'street') backgrounds which I then may go on to use in September but they would more be to provide a possible option rather than a certain part of my project. I may also take some extra shots with another female model in September, but I do already have multitudes of material so these shots would be either for coverage, or most likely, for use on my website.

Homeland Continuity Task

1. What was your role in the task and what did you actually do?
When we were planning the task I was the scriptwriter. I had to be cautious of time constraints for the scene as well as making the script consistent with that of Homeland. Furthermore, I also contributed to organising the various shots and helping to block a crude version of the scene. During the shoot, I was the 1st AD, meaning I had to use the clapperboard to ensure effective organisation, as well as providing another viewpoint to the Director whilst rolling. I then produced my own edit post-shoot. 

2. What factors did you have to take into account when planning, filming and editing?
Our task was centered around a brief in which it was essential to ensure fluid continuity above all else. we also decided to focus on the process of entering a room as well as a shot- reverse shot conversation style. Once we had decided on this we were able to plan shot types and script accordingly- in the style of Homeland. We outlined the basic premise of our scene and then I set to work at writing it whilst the camera team wrote down a shot-list. The shot-list was essential as it allowed ease at the time of shooting it, especially with time constraints being very strict. When editing, I had to consider that some of the footage would have mistakes and that I had to find the most efficient way to overcome them 

3. How successful was your sequence? Did you manage to demonstrate match-on-action, shot-reverse-shot and the 180 degree rule? Did you achieve continuity overall?
As a group we filmed a wide range of shots, both stationary and moving in order to vary our pace and provide an entertaining sequence. We also enforced the 180 degree rule to ensure a flowing and logical sequence. We also incorporated lots of action and movements to enable a flowing and exciting edit. In post, this meant that it was relatively easy to create matches on action, however it also posed some problems such as the door opening shots, in which I had to splice audio from 3 different takes to create a realistic sound.

4. What have you learnt from completing this task?
From this task I have learnt that it is essential to pay lots of attention to small details in shots, for example our folder, which can cause a great amount of trouble later on in post with continuity, which is what I encountered.

Celebrity Magazine Cover

1. Summarise the music celebrity you have created. Include name, music genre, personality and how they are being used to comment on contemporary celebrity.
My celebrity, 'esq.' is a artist from a fusion of genres, mainly rock and trap music. He uses gender as a tool to challenge certain stereotypes that exist within the music genre. For example, the trap scene is massively male dominated and has very masculine undertones. His quirky and unique manner mean that his quite serious messages are delivered light-heartedly but in ernest.

2. Evaluate how you have constructed the representation of your celebrity through your cover image and cover headline/text (denotation/connotation of text and image).

      On my cover, the model esq. is wearing bright red lipstick. This is a definite challenge of classic gender-based ideas as men would traditionally never wear lipstick. Furthermore, this is especially poignant as the industry in which he is based has quite rigid ideas about gender so challenging this is a big part of his philosophy. As well as this, the juxtaposition of the masculine, metallic ring next to the pink gemstone ring represents one person being able to almost 'wear' both genders whilst still making it in the music scene, something no-one else is doing. Esq. is wearing a flowery necklace as well, which furthers his feminine image/persona. It is these contrasts which make this cover an effective challenge to regular, regimented beliefs.

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        3. Reflect on the production/editing process.  Are you pleased with the end result? Identify what is successful about your shot?  What would you have done differently in hindsight?

g       Overall, I am quite pleased with my final cover. I really like the colour scheme and the use of props. However, if I had more time, i might retake this shot with a little bit more happiness and lightheartedness to reflect my celebrities persona. Additionally I would fix the bug that caused my skin smoother program to not worl, in order to achieve a more professional look.

Current Music Video Analysis

Current Music Video Analysis

Conventional Techniques in Music Videos

"Will He" by joji

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zXxQHBpd8


 1) Effective use of proxemics

In the music video, the second shot we see features some interesting proxemics and juxtaposition of imagery. There is a person in a panda suit dancing on a table in a dimly-lit room surrounded by flickering lights and people who are unconscious. When paired with the piano introduction, this shot eludes an element of mystery and crypticism. This mystery will effectively draw the viewer in as they will want to perhaps wait and see how the different images are related, or at the least work out any hidden meaning behind them.

2) Use of Camera Movements

At timestamp 0:21, we see a shot where the camera tracks a bloody bathroom floor up to a bathtub. While the shot is tracking forwards, we see the mask from the panda outfit in shot 2 on the floor followed by a MLS of a bath with the artist, joji, in it. This camera movement is effective as it reveals to the audience that joji is the panda, therefore, in all later shots featuring the panda, we can assume this is joji. 

3) Use of Filters and VFX

In the "Will He" music video, the editors have applied filters in post in order to do a few things.
Firstly, The use of filters is conventional of not only joji's visuals but also his alter ego Filthy Frank. This is appealing to fans of joji and his other personalities as it is something he is recognised for and makes this music video easily identifiable as one of joji's. Additionally, the filtering gives the music video a professional feel, which is a convention of modern music videos, which is important as I believe this is only joji's second music video, so being able to capture the high level of quality associated with the industry he's entering. 

4) Contrasting shot types

At timestamp 1:51, we see a very sudden cut from a CU of the female character to a low-angle MS of joji, with a a very brief edit in between. This rapid change in perspective helps to build pace and keep the music video moving forward. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the girl and joji hints that they are related in some way and in many senses shows some element of foreshadowing. Storytelling without words is integral to many music videos as often there is the track playing on top, so if an artist wishes to tell a story which isn't int the lyrics it is conventions like this quick cut that are so important.

5) Use of Structural Devices

At timestamp 2:40, we revisit the same shot as earlier, however it is slightly darker than before and instead of tracking to joji in the bathtub, we track to the girl from the video sitting up against the wall with an arrow in her head, blinking idly. This is effective use of cyclical structure to convey a message. In this case, it ties together all the previous imagery and almost makes the video make more sense by revisiting earlier shots. In this case, it could show that joji has murdered the girl, or as she is still alive, the arrow could have connotations of love etc. It is these double meanings that will capture the audience. 

Trailer analysis of 'It'

Trailer analysis of 'It'

           Audience Appeal

·      Love interest established at 0:08. This will not necessarily be attention grabbing for the core horror audience, however for fans of the book or original film, it will be appealing
to see the newer versions of these characters and will also provide them with a
sense of satisfaction- as they know what will happen with regards to the love
interest.

·      First sight of 'It' at 0:49. This will be appealing for fans of the genre as we can see the full extent of his scariness, which also hints at the high level of horror and tension that
will be on screen both later in the trailer and the film itself.

·      Tense background music begins at 0:53. This is appealing as it heightens the tension and creates the foundation for the scary atmosphere, which fans of the horror genre will enjoy.
It gratifies their need to be entertained without taking up any of the screen
at all

             Genre Signifiers

·      The visuals in the trailer all seem to have a slight dullness or sheen to them. This helps the audience establish that the film isn’t going to be a chic flick for example and provides
a subtle undertone for all the horror to take place, the only exception to this
sheen is when we see the clown, in order to make him as prominent and scary as
possible.

·      There is a montage-style sequence which begins at 0:56. It features sudden almost violent cuts in synchronisation with a sound mimicking a heartbeat. This reinforces the horror genre as it not only hints at the tension within the film, but also gives the trailer a scary
and intense feel.

·      Also at 0:56, we see a graphic which says "from Steven King's Terrifying Novel". When we see the name Steven King, we instantly associate it with the horror genre, and high
quality horror at that. Furthermore, the adjective 'terrifying' reinforces the
idea of the horror genre.

             Branding

·      Throughout the trailer, we see the motif of the red balloon. Not only is this a piercing image and a powerful one, but it also is associated with 'Pennyworth the Dancing Clown' and
helps brand the film as not only a horror film, but as the classic gruesome story,
IT.

      Characterisation

      During the trailer, we see many different elements and visuals that give the antagonist, Pennywise, his easily identifiable and unique character. For example, one of the first things we notice about Pennywise is his eyes at 0:49 when he comes out of the darkness in the gutter, along with his eerie smile. This is appealing to the horror-fan audience as from the trailer, they can immediately tell that the monster in the film is terrifying- regardless of whether or not they know anything about the book or previous film.

Media Shot Reflections

Media Shot Reflections

 1) Identify in what way this shot signifies your chosen genre?

My shot is identifiable as a soap-style/melodramatic TV drama through the use of slightly exaggerated body language and props that further this exaggerated look and reinforce it.

2) How did you direct the shot to achieve the desired effect?

The way I achieved this soap-style melodrama can be seen through the model's clutching of his hair, which connotes his stressed and nervous state of mind. This is further connoted through the scrunched up balls of paper, which express his previous failures and the scrunching also reveals that the task has evoked stress from the model.

3) How did you intend the audience to interpret your still - what meanings did you intend to convey?

I intended for my audience to draw a sense of panic and to also pick up the tense situation within the still.

4) Identify what is successful about your shot

I believe the positioning of the clock face directly above the model's head is an effective use of iconography. Furthermore, the positioning of the clock in relation to the model's head implies that 'time is in his head'.

5) What would you have done differently in hindsight?

In hindsight, I would get the model to grip the pen tighter as well as his hair. This would emphasise the stress of the moment. I would also attempt to remove the glare from the clock-face in order to obtain a more 'professional' look