Dates | filming | editing |
10th March 2011 | 20th March 2011 | |
11th March 2011 | 21th March 2011 | |
15th March 2011 | 22th March 2011 | |
Friday 18 February 2011
Production Schedule
Questionnaire
In my Questionnaire I came up with fifteen questions and ask two people the questions.
Here is my questionnaire:
Here is my questionnaire:
Questionnaire
1. What is your gender?
2. How old are you?
3. How often do you go to the cinema?
4. What do you expect to find in an opening sequence?
5. What do you think makes a good opening sequence?
6. What do you enjoy about the sports and the crime/gangster genre?
7. What types of characters do you identify with?
8. What sorts of action/dialogue do you expect to find in the gangster/crime and sports genre?
9. Could you name some key conventions and codes, you expect to find in the gangster/crime and sports genre?
10. Could you name themes that are found in the crime/gangster and sports genre?
11. What kind of narrative structure do you prefer and why?
12. What representations are used within the crime and sports genre?
13. Do you prefer a black and white film or a colored film and why?
14. Have you heard about Italian Neorealism?
15. If you have, could you name an Italian Neorealist film and director?
And here is a video of where I have asked a person, I filmed relevant questions:Favourite film company logo's
Here is my logo that I have designed for my production logo:
Production Journal
In this personal journal I will be making a personal account of my experiences or an account of my filmming and in the stage of post production.
10th March, 4:00-5:40:
In my production journal, I first thought about the types of clothes that would be worn, the colours that were chosen was blue, black and white trainers. I chose these colours because I would know they would connote certain representations on the character. The first camera shots that were shot were scenes that involved the character boxing, skipping and using the gym, these shots were used because I wanted to show how the characters life evolves around the sport of boxing and I wanted to represent the character as masculine, but someone who is in conflict with himself and judges himself. The panning shots were used to emphasise how the character wants to be considered one of the greats in boxing, it also symbolises tension and friction between his subconscious, consciousness and reality vs fiction. At the moment I would say the thing I enjoyed the most was not the accuracy of lighting or mise-en-scene but the camera shots and movements I used to connote different representations about the character, the style, theme and tone of the movie. At first I thought about shooting the film in black in white, because he would show tension in the community but would also relate to Scorsese's Raging Bull as someone who is misunderstood within the community but I chose colour because I thought it would not be liked by my target audience because not many people in my target audience would appreciate black and white films, noir films or classical films from the 1920-1950s. The things that i didn't like doing while filming were that I found it difficult, that when using different syle of lightings to communicate different representations of the character but after using it it got more easier.
15th March,5:30-8:45
On the shooting of the scene i found it was very hard to do some movements such as the tracking and over the shoulder shot because of the room was too small to do it. I also found it hard getting the right amount of lighting to use in every scene to continue with continuity. When I began to experiment with different types of lighting etc i got a better sense of how to represent my character and the mise-en-scene as a reflection on the character. I also enjoyed showing different representations of the character such as someone who is ruthless and non reflective etc.The cards that were used in this scene were the King, Queen and Ace, I used these as metaphors to relect the character and other aspects of life, the moment where its shown where we use the King and Ace is a reference to Italian Neorealism as it signifies that the character hasn't got better but his got worser.The cards, money and vodka and glass shows him as someone who's traits that made are the onhe's that bring him down in the end.
20th and 21th March:
On these days I did editing using the editing program, movie maker on my sony laptop. Previoulsy the movie was at 4 mins and i have cut it down to 2:59 and will edit the film some more so it can be finished at 2 mins, I have used a variety of effects and transitions but I still have to edit the other part. I have put the title sequence and end credits on my film and slowed and fasten up some of the sequences to portray and represent different things etc. On the 22nd March it should be ready to show and export to CD, blog and youtube, I at first knew that I was going to use Gimmie Shelter by the Rolling Stones but because that would be copyright I changed the song to Moving Mountains. Although I chose this song it reflected the sports genre but i didn't find it as reflective as Gimmie Shelter as it didn't have the same emphases from the song. At the moment I have editing fun but at some time frustrating, but i think when it comes to the final product it be more challenging then other mainstream films and create more tension through the narrative, character etc.
29th March
Today I have searched through a variety of music and after not finding the music I found my music and now all I got to do is re edit it, put a quote at the end of my film and speed up the film and then put the music on then I should be finished.
10th March, 4:00-5:40:
In my production journal, I first thought about the types of clothes that would be worn, the colours that were chosen was blue, black and white trainers. I chose these colours because I would know they would connote certain representations on the character. The first camera shots that were shot were scenes that involved the character boxing, skipping and using the gym, these shots were used because I wanted to show how the characters life evolves around the sport of boxing and I wanted to represent the character as masculine, but someone who is in conflict with himself and judges himself. The panning shots were used to emphasise how the character wants to be considered one of the greats in boxing, it also symbolises tension and friction between his subconscious, consciousness and reality vs fiction. At the moment I would say the thing I enjoyed the most was not the accuracy of lighting or mise-en-scene but the camera shots and movements I used to connote different representations about the character, the style, theme and tone of the movie. At first I thought about shooting the film in black in white, because he would show tension in the community but would also relate to Scorsese's Raging Bull as someone who is misunderstood within the community but I chose colour because I thought it would not be liked by my target audience because not many people in my target audience would appreciate black and white films, noir films or classical films from the 1920-1950s. The things that i didn't like doing while filming were that I found it difficult, that when using different syle of lightings to communicate different representations of the character but after using it it got more easier.
15th March,5:30-8:45
On the shooting of the scene i found it was very hard to do some movements such as the tracking and over the shoulder shot because of the room was too small to do it. I also found it hard getting the right amount of lighting to use in every scene to continue with continuity. When I began to experiment with different types of lighting etc i got a better sense of how to represent my character and the mise-en-scene as a reflection on the character. I also enjoyed showing different representations of the character such as someone who is ruthless and non reflective etc.The cards that were used in this scene were the King, Queen and Ace, I used these as metaphors to relect the character and other aspects of life, the moment where its shown where we use the King and Ace is a reference to Italian Neorealism as it signifies that the character hasn't got better but his got worser.The cards, money and vodka and glass shows him as someone who's traits that made are the onhe's that bring him down in the end.
20th and 21th March:
On these days I did editing using the editing program, movie maker on my sony laptop. Previoulsy the movie was at 4 mins and i have cut it down to 2:59 and will edit the film some more so it can be finished at 2 mins, I have used a variety of effects and transitions but I still have to edit the other part. I have put the title sequence and end credits on my film and slowed and fasten up some of the sequences to portray and represent different things etc. On the 22nd March it should be ready to show and export to CD, blog and youtube, I at first knew that I was going to use Gimmie Shelter by the Rolling Stones but because that would be copyright I changed the song to Moving Mountains. Although I chose this song it reflected the sports genre but i didn't find it as reflective as Gimmie Shelter as it didn't have the same emphases from the song. At the moment I have editing fun but at some time frustrating, but i think when it comes to the final product it be more challenging then other mainstream films and create more tension through the narrative, character etc.
29th March
Today I have searched through a variety of music and after not finding the music I found my music and now all I got to do is re edit it, put a quote at the end of my film and speed up the film and then put the music on then I should be finished.
Preliminary Task
Preliminary Task:Shoot and edit a conversation using:
1.Shot reverse shot
2.180 degree rule
3.Match on action
For this task I was involved in a group including that of Luke and Inderbat, where I was the director and cameraman, whereas Luke and Inderbat were the editors. This task was filmed in Havering college and edited using final cut pro.
Click this link to watch the preliminary task
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6y7V0kgITk
1.Shot reverse shot
2.180 degree rule
3.Match on action
For this task I was involved in a group including that of Luke and Inderbat, where I was the director and cameraman, whereas Luke and Inderbat were the editors. This task was filmed in Havering college and edited using final cut pro.
Click this link to watch the preliminary task
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6y7V0kgITk
Script for film
MISPHAPEN IDENTITY
BROCKTON, SOME YEARS AGO
Video, of ROCKY MARCIANO FIGHTING IN A BOXING MATCH.
CUT
INT-HOUSE-AFTERNOON
Vodka and glass is picked up by someone.
Vodka and glass are seen being carried over to desk.
TRACKING SHOT AND OVER THE SHOULDER SHOT USED
FRANK CALGNER is seen in bedroom sitting down at desk by himself.
INT: GARAGE
CUTAWAY TO PANNING SHOT OF PAST FIGHERS INCLUDING ROCKY MARCIANO ETC
CUT BACK TO PREVIOUS SCENE
Close up of bottle and glass being put on to desk.
FRANK grabs bottle and glass and pours himself a drink.
FRANK drinks vodka from glass.
FRANK (V.O.)
I was once a boxer, a fighter, a gangster, now I’m a ruined entity who awaits his demise.
CUTAWAY
Punch bag is being punched in a close up.
EXT:
FRANK skipping, with skipping rope.
V.O
FRANK
When you become out of touch with reality you live in darkness, fear, your mind goes wild and your soul becomes corrupted by greed, money and power.
Cut
FRANK IS DEALING CARDS.
POINT OF VIEW SHOT
Another character chooses two cards.
Cards are then turned over.
Cards on either side of the middle card are turned over but the middle card remains not turned over. One of the cards is a king and the other is a queen.
CUT
FRANK is dealing with another gangster.
CUT
Close up of an open safe with lots of money inside. Camera zooms out of safe with money in it.
Frank is shown counting his money.
FRANK then shows his face to audience
FRANK
(Aggressively)
When you crave for money, your mind becomes illogical and you lose touch with reality.
When you’re pursued it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens. They say there are two types of people in this world, the moral or the sinners.
When you lose your consciousness, you lose your identity, mentality. When you lose touch with reality, how do you tell what’s reality and what’s not?
Close up of clock ticking.
FRANK grabs knife.
CUT
Card in the middle is turned over turns out to be an ace.
Cutback
Card’s face being shown.
PAN
Other characters eyes are shown.
FRANK
Who are you?
Other character
You know who I ‘am Frank, I’m you.
Close up of glasses, money, and card being thrown into the scene. Or character standing their with blood pouring on to floor or shot showing blood coming out of characters eyes underneath sunglasses.
Quotation at end of film: The subconscious is a powerful thing it can question your morality or devour your identity.
Call Sheet
CALL SHEET
PRODUCTION:
PRODUCTION OFFICE (name and address):
Misshapen identity, Havering College
SHOOT DATES:
12th and 13th March and the 19th if needed for some more filming.
12th and 13th March and the 19th if needed for some more filming.
CALL TIMES:
SHOOTING LOCATION:
At home: Living room and garage
PRODUCTION MOBILES:
NOTES:
HEALTH & SAFETY/ FIRST AID:
First Aid
CAST:
Me and Ryan (Brother).
TRANSPORT:
Bus
EQUIPMENT:
Camera, tripod, cards, lamp, table, glass, vodka bottle, punchbag
STOCK:
LOCAL POLICE:
Metropolitan Police Station
NEAREST HOSPITAL:
Queens Hospital
STUDENT SIGNATURE: TUTOR SIGNATURE:
Monday 14 February 2011
Roles and Responsibilities
AS Media Studies
Roles/Responsibilities
Task/Document | Name/s | Division of labour (%) |
Treatment | RHYS | 100% |
Script | RHYS | 100% |
Storyboard | RHYS | 100% |
Audience research | RHYS | 100% |
Location shots | RHYS | 100% |
Production schedule | RHYS | 100% |
Shot list | RHYS | 100% |
Call sheets | RHYS | 100% |
Equipment/props list | RHYS | 100% |
Risk assessment | RHYS | 100% |
Meeting minutes/blog updates | RHYS | 100% |
AS Media Studies Production Brief
AS Media Studies Production Brief
Project name | Mishapen Identity |
Group members and production roles | Rhys Chidwick-Director, editor and cameraman. |
Rough outline | My outline would start off with a gangster bringing over a glass and vodka glass to the sitting room. He then drinks it, after he drinks it he starts dealing cards and the person talks to the audience, then talks to another gangster, this then goes to a cutaway of the person punching the bag and a flashback of a safe clothing with money in it. |
Similar texts researched | The similar texts that I have researched are other films such a Raging Bull and the Departed. I chose these movies because they are ones that are challenging the norms of the gangster and sports genre and because these were directed by Scorsese who imprints his messages and representations, which I will be able to do. I also looked in other crime and sports genres such as Rocky, American Gangster, The Godfather, Ali, Gangs of New York and Goodfellas. |
Target audience | The target audience will be C1 to E in demographics and be aimed at people of the age of 16-25 years of age which will be aimed mostly at both genders but primarily males. |
What generic codes and conventions will operate in your text? | The generic codes and conventions I will be aiming to use in my text is a typical narrative, typical characters and typical music so I will be able to create a response from the audience which I will be aiming to create and control. The characters will also challenge the character types and won’t be dressed in suits but casual clothing to create an impression of the character. I will also be aiming to use a punch bag and picture to create excitement. |
What representations will be offered in your text? | The representations that will be offered in my text would be the character type of the gangster and the actors challenging that character type and I will be aiming to challenge the boxer who I want to be seen as a protagonist but not a straightforward character but an anti villain and a person who is a victim of his own undoing. I will also try to convey many representations of the boxer, which will be done through camerawork, lighting, mise en scene and sound. I will aim to portray many themes, and take some characteristics of Italian neorealism in to my project. |
How will you test if the production is successful? | I will show to audiences to get a response from the audience and I will be using questionnaires about the genre and the improvements I could make to the film. |
What resources will you require? | The resources I will require is props such as a punch bag, vodka glass, glass, cards and a picture of Rocky Marciano etc. |
Identify any threats to the successful completion of the project… and how you would overcome these. | My computer breaking down or freezing. i would overcome this by putting all my research etc on to a USB. |
Here is a video of me telling audiences, what story is about and answering various questions about my film:
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Research and Planning
Crime genre
The crime genre and the gangster genre surround the sinister action of criminals or gangsters etc, who operate outside the jurisdiction of the law, who either steal or murder people. Crime stories in this genre often circulate a criminal figure or victim of a figure. It also glorifies the rise and fall of one of the criminals e.g. bank robber, gang, murderer etc in personal power struggles or conflict with the law and authoritative figures, underling or competitive colleague or a rival gang. Headline grabbing situations including real life gangsters or reports of crime being used in the films. The gangster and crime films are usually set in large, crowded sites, to provide a view of the secret world of criminals which include nightclubs or streets with lurid neon signs, fast cars, piles of cash, sleazy bars, contraband,seedy living quarters or rooming houses. Exotic locales for crime add an element of adventure and wealth. The writers also dream up interesting gangland jargon for the tales such as Tommy Guns or molls.
It also usually talks about the rise and fall of a gangster. Gangster films are mostly immoral self-destructive and street smart. Rivalry with or against other criminals in gangster conflict is an important plot characteristic. The crime plots also include how the criminal be caught and who will apprehend the criminal. Mostly about the rise to power and a cruel disguise while showing an ambitious desire for success and recognition,but can express sensitivity and gentleness.
Gangster films are often morality tales, which are usually in pursuit of the American dream of success stories turned upside down in which the criminals live in an inverted dream world of success and wealth. The characters are usually from poor immigrant families , gangster characters often fall prey to crime in the pursuit of wealth, status and products because all the other, ways to the top are closed of to them. Even those they are doomed to failure and death, criminals are sometimes portrayed as the victims of circumstance, because the narrative/plot is told from that criminals perspective. They also talk about betrayal, violence and the connection portrayed in the Italian American family.
The setting a crime genre is usuallly in the countries like America and are usually set in the past and influenced by real or fictional characters and events e.g. Goodfellas and the Departed character Frank Costello based on Jimmy whitey Bulger and Colin Sullivan is based on John Conolly an FBI agent and the film is an homage to Howard Hawks 1932 film Scarface.
Typical characters found in the crime/ gangster genre are characters such as:
Genre: Biography, Sport and Drama
Ridley Scott
Rocky Marciano
1. For this opening sequence, I will be the director, cameraman and editor. In this video, I will be aiming to providing a characterisation of the character, the location, creating tension and getting the audience to feel connected with the character.
Typical characters found in the crime/ gangster genre are characters such as:
- The muscly guy
- Detective or authoraitive character
- crime boss
- The criminal etc
Iconography shown in the crime,gangster genre:
- Guns
- Money
- Suits
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Set in a poor neighbourhood
- Cars
- Cigarettes
- Mansions etc
Crime genre film posters
Sports Genre
Films that involve sports such as Rocky etc have the sport become evident to the plot of the story. The often talk about the rise and fall of the character and its mostly being the best and getting to the top. They often come from poor middle class backgrounds and its mainly about the conflict between them and their opponent. Sports genre's usually have conventions in such a boxing film like Raging Bull containing conventions as boxing gloves, boxing ring, boxing dress code such as boxing shorts, robes etc. The characters are mostly based on real life characters such as Rocky is based on Rocky Marciano.
Sports genre film posters
Typical characters found in the sports genre:
- The fighter
- The coach
- The reporter
- Authorative characters
- The trainer
- The coach
- the wife etc.
Iconography shown in the sorts genre:
- Sports equipment
- Sporting arena
- Training area
- The home etc.
Things that should be included in a title sequence?
- Director
- Editor
- Composer
- Actors
- Colour-black or coloured
- The title
- Sound
- Studio companies logo and name
- Production crew
- producer
- Screenplay writers
- Title sequences often use montage
- Costume designers
- Key production
- Parts of scenes from the film
- The film's title
- An introduction to character or character type
- Indication of place
- Indication of historical period
- information regarding mood and tone
- Introduction to signature theme tune
- Information about genre
- Questions that the viewer finds intriguing(sets up enigmas).
- Patterns and types of editing that will be echoed in the remainder of the film
- Mise en scene and cinematography that will be echoed or elaborated upon later in the film.
Task 1: Research into at least two opening sequences of films of the same genre as your main task?
Opening Scene of Raging Bull:
Genre: Biography, Sport and Drama
Camera Shot: Long shot of Jake LaMotta in the ring.
Camera Angle: Low angle shot when seeing him in the boxing ring.
Sound: Non diegetic noise (Soundtrack)at the start of the scene to the end of it.
Mise-en-scene: Gloves
Lighting: Fill lighting
Editing: Cut from credits to scene.
Camera Shot
One of the camera shots that is used is a long shot, which is used by Scorsese to show Robert DeNiro's character in the ring while boxing as this shows Jake LaMotta in the ring, it is also used to show the scenery that is being depicted in the scene and to show Jake LaMotta character positioning in the scene. The response that is drawn from the audience, is one that relates to the character of Jake LaMotta and confronting his domestic rage and overbearing masculinity. The long shot used by Scorsese in the opening of Raging Bull displays a picture, painting or photograph in slow motion, this is used to paint a character of the protagonist and to tell the audience that this isn't no conventional Hollywood film like Rocky but its more articulate and artistic. It also adds to the experience of the audience that their waiting for the beginning of Martin Scorsese. It also adds to the atmosphere but building the scene up to something that is pivotal in the scene. Also in a way Scorsese is using a long shot to compare the character of Jake LaMotta to the boxer of Rocky Marciano.
Camera Angle
The camera angle that is used in this scene of Raging Bull, is an eye level angle, the eye level angle shows the character is on the same level as the character.. The function of this camera angle is to make the audience feel like they can relate to the character of Jake LaMotta and have a relationship with this character.
Sound
At the start of the movie Raging Bull, the director Martin Scorsese uses non diegetic such as the soundtrack. The soundtrack that Scorsese uses at the start of Raging Bull is the Intermezzo from Cavallieria rusticana by Italian composer Pietro Mascagni, this soundtrack is used to reflect the mood of the era of the 1980's. Its also's used to represent the theme of Italian American identity. This tells the audience that Raging Bull is sport,drama and biographical.
Editing
In the opening scene of the movie Raging Bull the editor Thelma Schoonmaker uses a cut to cut from the credits to the opening scene of the movie. The cut is when one image is replaced by another without a visible transition. The function of the cut is too cut to a related piece of action, Raging Bull is unconventional as it involves montage editing. The pace of the editing is fast which tells us that it uses montage editing. Slow motion is also used in editing to make the audience feel like their waiting for a boxing match to begin.
Lighting
From the opening scene of the movie Raging Bull , the director uses an lighting called fill lighting. Fill lighting is used in the opening of Raging Bull to portray the atmosphere, which is done through fill lighting and presents a common and traditional view of how the director portrays the experience of a boxing match through flash photography and cameras. The main function of fill lighting is to take out the shadows to create a more realistic and accurate depiction of the 1980's.
Lens
the lens that are used by Martin Scorsese in the film Raging Bull is depth of field. Depth of field is used to show how much of the shot seems to be in focus, in front of and behind the subject. The depth of field is used to express the importance of the character of Jake LaMotta and how he is central to the film. The impression created from the opening of the scene of Raging Bull is one of inspiration and passion.
Colour
the director uses black and white colouring for Raging Bull because, he got the colouring of the boxing gloves used wrong as they are suppose to be red and not black. The colour is also used to allow the audience to feel involved in the life of Jake LaMotta and so the audience are allowed to relate to the time period of the 1980's.
Mise-en-scene
In the opening of the scene of the movie Raging Bull the director uses mise-en-scene such as the gloves, boxing robe, shorts and boxing ring. The boxing gloves are used to present the themes of acceptance and masculinity. whereas the robe is used to shield LaMotta's identity and it allows the audience to be suspicious and curious about the character of LaMotta but also presents the theme of masculinity and power. The boxing ring conveys a representation of confrontation but in a Way is linked to Darwin's theory of the Strongest beating the weakest in society. Robert DeNiro is positioned on the left of the screen, this tells us that Jake LaMotta is being portrayed as a character as an authoritative and powerful character.
How the opening scene of Raging Bull establishes enigma, genre, mood and hook the audience?
The opening scene of the movie Raging Bull creates an enigma through the use of dress code. This is portrayed in the scene when Jake LaMotta is wearing a robe which conceals his identity. This creates a mood to the audience one of curiosity and hostility and aggression and it also hooks the audience into wondering who that character is but also reflects the theme of identity it also establishes the nature of the character who can be seen as an aggressive and passionate character.
The opening scene of Raging Bull establishes the genre through the use of mise-en-scene. This is depicted in the scene such as the director Martin Scorsese uses costume, character positioning and location. The costume which the boxer is wearing is a boxing robe, gloves and shorts, these are conventions of the sports, biography and drama genre these tells us that the narrative of the story evolves around the sport of boxing. The boxing ring also connotes to the audience that this is not a straightforward equilibrium and the protagonist is actually being depicted as an animal and paranoid character. It also suggests something about the character as someone who trapped by his own conscious and his own human nature or characteristics.The lighting also adds to what kind of genre such as fill lighting is used to take out the shadows and is also used to create an atmosphere such as by using flash photography to paint a distinct, realistic and accurate picture of the 1980's. The lighting also suggests a representation of him as a insecure and narrow minded whereas the character positioning suggests someone who is the protagonist and an authoritative character. The non diegetic noise used at the start also expresses the admiration and the conflicts of the character which paint a more realistic perspective of the character. In a way the contrast of lighting compares him to someone who is not merely human but who is seen as a domestic animal.
The opening scene of Raging Bull creates mood from the audience by playing on the use of conventional conventions such as using the boxing ring as a place of conflict, atmosphere and entertainment but it also represents the character as a ring that is controlling and caging the character in.This creates mood to the audience as it tells the audience that its not a straightforward mainstream film and creates a mood of enlightenment and curiosity. The flash photography also creates a mood such as it creates a more surreal and accustomed depiction of the sport of boxing. The soundtrack of the film Raging Bull communicates to the audience that the story is a tragic and emotional.
This opening scene of Raging Bull gets the audience hooked such as by using colour to represent the time period, sound to communicate messages about the genre and the character of Jake LaMotta. Also the dress code and other elements get the audience hooked as they communicate to the audience, connotations about the society, culture, identity etc.
Camera Shot: Mid Shot when talking to Vinny, close up of Costello coming out of dark lightening.
Camera Angle: Eye level when talking to Colin.
Camera Movement: Pan in garage scene
Mise-en-scene: Money, Boston.
Sound: Diegetic noise (dialogue) and non diegetic noise (soundtrack).
Lighting: Key lighting, fill lighting and back lighting.
Editing: Cutaway from garage to corner shop location.
Cinematography
In the opening scene of Raging Bull, the director and cinematographer use an mid shot to display the scene of when Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) is talking to Vinny in the corner shop. The main function of the mid shot in the film, the Departed is to show the character of Vinny from waist to head. The impression that the audience is able to gather from this scene is that they are able to view Vinny's body language, through the body language that is being portrayed in the scene, tells us that Vinny is fearful and scarred of Frank Costello. The mid shot also lets us to be able to recognise the individual and you can also see what Vinny is doing with his hands, so this is depicting the theory of leakage through non verbal communication. The mid shot shows Vinny in an envious and defenceless mood and by using the mid shot Scorsese is implying a power struggle between the characters of Vinny and Frank.
Camera Angle
A camera angle that is used in the opening scene of the Departed is an high angle which is used in the scene with Colin and Costello. The function of the high angle in the film the Departed, is used to make Colin look vulnerable and insignificant. The high angle creates an impression towards the audience, one of which is depicting an relationship between the two characters of Colin and Frank and it makes the audience feel connected with the conversation and the characters.
Camera Movement
One of the camera movements used in the opening scene of the Departed is a pan, where Frank Costello is walking in the garage. The pan is used in this scene to show the camera pivoting side from side, which is used to scan a scene or to follow a moving subject. The camera movement that is used, is used to express to the audience that the director is introducing us to the villain of the narrative and by introducing the villain first in the narrative, this tells us that this film is unconventional and that the equilibrium is actually being told in a different manner.
Mise-en-scene
A piece of mise-en-scene that is being used in the opening scene of the Departed is money. The reason why Scorsese uses money in the opening scene of the Departed is because his trying to communicate to the audience the genre of this film to the audience such as it communicates to the audience that it is a crime genre, another way we can tell this is an crime genre because money is an convention of crime based genres. This piece of mise-en-scene also tells us, that this film is central to the importance and value of money which is shown in an insert shot. Another piece of mise-en-scene that the director uses is clothing such as Frank Costello wears a dark blue shirt which implies royalty and his a cold tormented character. This colour tells us that he is a villainous character who craves for power and dominance within society. The location that is used in this scene is Boston, this setting is used as it is an location that the middle class and working class can relate to. Which allows the audience to feel that the director is concentrating on ethnic minorities like Irish American and paint a realistic picture of Boston.
Sound
The director Martin Scorsese uses diegetic noise in the opening scene of the Departed. The dialogue that is used in the opening scene is verbal such as when Frank says "Vinny don't make come down here again", Vinny then says "It won't happen again Mr C. Through this dialogue we can tell, that Frank Costello is the character in charge and when Vinny talks we can tell his defenseless and vulnerable. This provokes a response from the audience, of them feeling sympathy for Vinny and seeing Frank Costello as an authoritative and tormented character.
Lighting
One type of lighting that Scorsese uses is back lighting, which is used in the scene when Frank is in the garage. The main reason for why back lighting is used is because the director wants to draw a response from the audience and by using the back lighting the director is separating Frank from the background. By using the back lighting to separate the subject and background he also uses the lighting to cover the identity of the character, which establishes a mood towards the audience of suspense, curiosity and tension.
Juxtaposition
In the opening scene of the Departed the director uses the editing technique, cutaway. A cutaway is used by the director because he wants to use the cutaway as an editing transition that can cut to related piece action that is not being portrayed within the scene. By using a cutaway, the director and editor are able to communicate to the audience, the kind of society it is of whether its an traditional or modern society and tells us that what kind of social class is being represented and maybe stereotyped. The director also uses a shot reverse shot, which is an editing technique used to show that their is an conversation happening between the two characters of Vinny and Frank. This editing technique also implies to the audience that kind of relationship that is being portrayed within the scene and it also implies to the audience that their is a conflict and power struggle between the two characters. This technique conveys a mood to the audience, which is one of hostility and aggressive nature.
How the opening scene of The Departed establishes enigma, genre, mood and hook the audience?
The opening scene of the Departed establishes an enigma such as by Scorsese using back lighting he is hiding away the identity of Frank Costello. this tells us that one of the main themes in the film is the concept of identity, it also establishes the character of the Costello as a dark twisted and disturbed character it also communicates to the audience that other characters are going to have a conflict or relationship with Costello.
The opening scene of the Departed establishes genre through the conventions that it holds such as money and themes such as violence and Irish American identity. The opening scene also depicts violence at the start and police which tells us that this film is a crime genre.
The mood that is established in the opening scene of the Departed such as it is used to create an atmosphere of Boston as an violent, oppressive and territorial society. The opening scene also establishes a mood of interest and anticipation.
The opening scene of the Departed hooks the audience through news footage, which is one of violence and the director also talks about ethnic identity and the scene of Jack Nicholson character in the garage draws attention the identity and makes us question what kind of character Frank Costello is.
Themes addressed in Raging Bull and The Departed:
- Violence
- Machismo
- Redemption
- Guilt
- The Italian American identity
- Catholicism
- The father and son relationship
- Leading characters are often psychopathic
- His characters also want to be accepted in society or a society
- Characters are also victims of their own circumstance(s)
- The rise and fall of the characters etc.
Target Audience
The target audience I would say that is best suited for is 16 year olds to late 20s. The social class that i would say that would target for my product would be the working class and C2-E demographics and it would target males more then females. I said that my product would be best suited to the ages of 16 year olds to late 20s because i believe that this target audience most popular in terms of revenue and they are the most targeted target audience. I chose the working and middle class because i believe that it would appeal to their character as i aim to make it an unconventional film. I said that my product would be targeted at both genders but i would think that it would appeal to men more then women because the narrative of the story is centered around corruption and boxing as it would be an unconventional film like Raging Bull and not a conventional film like Rocky.
My project film, synopsis:
Idea number 1:
My film centers around the character of Frank Calgner a former boxing who is in hiding form the mafia after exposing some of the gangsters in an corruption scheme and stealing money from them. In his state of denial he becomes alienated, unsocialised, paranoid , secretive and an alcoholic. In this film he talks about his rise and fall and his meeting and dealings with the mafia.
Themes that I want to portaryed in this film are themes such as:
• Identity
• Alienation
• Corruption
• Creed
• Denial
• Guilt
• Violence
• Death
For this film, I will be the director, editor and cameraman. This project will be set in my living room and garage for the boxing scene.The enigma that will be introduced in the narrative of my story is the theme of identity and why is the character corrupted by greed and corruption.
Idea number 2:
My second idea for my film is about an private detective who is investigating the fraud within the boxing world and talks with a former boxer and hitman's dealings with gangsters and he killed his boss to rise to the top till he was apprehended by the Private detective. It talks about his boxing past and how through crime he lost his perspective on the world.
Private detective Robert Nielsen.
Hitman and boxer names is Frank Calgner(this character will be based on the character of Rocky Marciano).
Films that have influenced me:
• Goodfellas
• The Departed
• Apocalypse Now
• Gangs of New York
• Raging Bull
• Rocky
• American Gangster
• Blade Runner
• The Godfather
• Catch me if you can
• Hells Angels
• The original Scarface
• The Shinning
• Rome, Open City
• Downfall etc
Film directors that have influenced me:
Martin Scorsese
Ridley Scott
Francis Ford Coppola
Howard Hughes
Howard Hawks
Stanley Kubrick
Robert Rossellini
Robert Rossellini
Who my character is going to be based on?
Rocky Marciano
Other boxers who influenced my story and character?
Muhammed Ali
Jake LaMotta
Treatment
In the opening sequence of my film I will be saying what part of my narrative i will be depicting within the time frame of 2 minutes.
- Starts of with a video of Rocky Marciano.
- Close up of Vodka and glass.
- Then someone bringing the vodka and glass into sitting room.
- Sitting down in a dark room.
- Tracking shot or pan of camera showing pictures of fighters.
- Gangster punching punch bag.
- Cuts back to room where his dealing cards.
- Puts three cards down on the table.
- Turns over two cards but leaves the card in the middle down.
- Person talks to audience.
- Audience still doesn't still see protagonists face.
- Cut to a ex boxer do a dealing with a gangster.
- Tracking or zooming out of safe, with safe open with money init, being closed.
- Guy comes out of darkness showing his face, while talking.
- Close up of watch ticking.
- Then grabs a knife from his pocket and puts it towards his face.
- Cut to card being turned over and then cuts back to blood pouring from his eye.
1. For this opening sequence, I will be the director, cameraman and editor. In this video, I will be aiming to providing a characterisation of the character, the location, creating tension and getting the audience to feel connected with the character.
In this treatment i will be aiming to create a character that the audience is able to empathise and relate to. I will also be aiming to create suspense, tension and draw emotions from the audience. I will also aim to use some other of the characteristics of Italian Neo-Realism and incorporate some of the characteristics into my work. Their will also me various themes used in the film such as corruption, greed, identity etc. I will also use lots of camera movements to convey different emotions and to create a typical and reliant response from the audience. The films i draw my inspiration from are films such as Raging Bull, Rocky, The Departed, American Gangster, the godfather and various other films. I have also taken inspiration from other films that aren't contained within the genres i am researching such as Inception, Blade Runner and Apocalypse Now. The music I will aim to use will mainly be rock or roll or other songs such as Take on me, Don't look back in anger, jump into the fire, Live forever or the song at the end of the Bourne Supremacy. The character that will be portrayed in my story will be an anti-hero and will be a multi strand narrative. The song that i will use will be aiming to portray emotions of reluctance and guilt. The narrative will be an disequilibrium.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)