My name is Ruba Khan and this is my media blog in which I will be doing all my coursework on, homework and any tasks we may need to do. I am currently doing media studies as an AS level and hope to carry it on for A2. I enjoy this subject thoroughly and I would love to do something along the lines of this in the future. I enjoy filming and editing the most. I like to be creative and would like to think I am a creative person. I have a thirst to make things unique and exemplify them in my own way. However, the theory part of media is very interesting to see how things are created in the media industry (films, music videos, adverts, etc.). Also it is fascinating to see all the cast & crew, cameras and time that goes into making something tricky look so easy as we watch it.
Friday 20 May 2011
Sunday 10 April 2011
Serendipity Opening Sequence Analysis
Serendipity is a 2001 romantic comedy starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. This was mainly popular amongst adults due to its' intensity of romance. Also the romance element was between 2 adults which makes this less relatable for youngsters and teenagers.
It immediately begins with a jumpy, happy song whilst the credits are occurring and the setting is being introduced. The music is very classical which allows it to be aimed at the targeted audience - adults. The opening sequence seems to last for 4 minutes and 19 seconds which is longer than what I have seen so far compared to others. Since it is longer than usual, it comes back to the genre - romantic comedy. This is because, longer opening sequences allow the extract to move at a gradual pace, decreasing the tension level. A number of basic, simple camera shots are used. This is because, in movies with similar genre to this, it is mainly about what you see in the screen in order to know what is happening. Everything in the frame is essential. Whereas, in horrors, they have many shots where it is oblivious to who and what is in the frame. This happens to enhance on the suspense. As the credits finish and it starts immediately in a shop, the 2 main characters are obviously shown as them 2 bump into each other wanting to buy the same item. The viewers instantaneously know that the love affair will be with these 2 later on in the film. As the opening sequence comes to an end, a restaurant called 'Serendipity' is shown. This answers the question to the viewers of why the movie is called this - it is obviously related to this shop. Viewers will now want to watch on to find out why the restaurant is crucial.
Crane Shot
A crane shot is a shot taken using a camera on a crane. A crane is large, heavy piece of equipment which allows the camera to move up, down, left, right, diving in on action or moving diagonally away from it. The common ways of using crane shots are to view the actors from above, to move up and away from them or a subject - a popular way to end a movie. Most cranes work automatically for the camera and the operator but some can be manual which operate by remote control. These are usually seen in enthralling and emotional scenes.
Panning Shot
This is an example of a panning/pan shot. Panning shot can be done as still photography as well as a video. In video, it is to scan a subject horizontally using the camera.
In photography, panning is used to insinuate fast motion, and highlight the subject from other elements in the frame.
Feedback from Class
When getting feedback from the class, we handed out an audience feedback sheet for them to fill out whilst watching the extract. There were a few questions on there which they answered and helped us to see their point of view. Many of the sheets we reviewed showed a pattern - there was a trend between the answers. We evaluated all the answers and gathered the results into the most common answers:
1) What was good about the film?
* There was good camerawork from different angles and perspectives.
* Good plot development through the character - easily understandable.
* The protagonist acted well and genuinely looked lost when needed - she portrayed her character well.
2) Who do you think the target audience is?
* Some thought it was aimed at teenagers whereas others thought it was aimed for adults.However, the most common one they all agreed on was young adults.
* Aimed at people who enjoy horror which meant that they all grasped the genre.
3) Did you notice any serious issues such as continuity errors, strange edits - Did anything not make sense to you?
* It was predictable.
* Not enough shots of the protagonists' reaction.
* Did not make sense at times - when the girl is walking into the forest, there is a shot of her walking into the deep forest, however the next shot involves her walking on a pathway. This was due to the various continuity errors towards the end of the extract. Shaky at parts.
* No suspense built - lack of editing at this point; sound needed for enhancement.
* Needs a lot of editing and re-ordering of shots.
1) What was good about the film?
* There was good camerawork from different angles and perspectives.
* Good plot development through the character - easily understandable.
* The protagonist acted well and genuinely looked lost when needed - she portrayed her character well.
2) Who do you think the target audience is?
* Some thought it was aimed at teenagers whereas others thought it was aimed for adults.However, the most common one they all agreed on was young adults.
* Aimed at people who enjoy horror which meant that they all grasped the genre.
3) Did you notice any serious issues such as continuity errors, strange edits - Did anything not make sense to you?
* It was predictable.
* Not enough shots of the protagonists' reaction.
* Did not make sense at times - when the girl is walking into the forest, there is a shot of her walking into the deep forest, however the next shot involves her walking on a pathway. This was due to the various continuity errors towards the end of the extract. Shaky at parts.
* No suspense built - lack of editing at this point; sound needed for enhancement.
* Needs a lot of editing and re-ordering of shots.
Feedback from Mrs Thrasher and Miss Kasam - Showcase
We had a showcase in which we had to present our opening sequence to the class and our teachers. This helped us to improve on things we may not have noticed ourselves. They watched it, evaluated it and then told us constructive criticisms in which we would benefit from.
Mrs Thrasher and Miss Kasam both thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of shots we used in our opening sequence. One of Mrs Thrasher's favourite shots was when the protagonist jumps over the water puddle. She said it was shot very well. She also enjoyed the heavy breathing of the killer as his face was not visible, generating a more mysterious atmosphere. It was diegetic sound which related back to the genre.
The criticisms she claimed were that it dragged on towards the end when there was allegedly supposed to be a chase between the protagonist and the killer. It made it into a whole story rather than just an opening sequence. Opening sequences are intentionally supposed to end on a cliffhanger. As a result, the viewers want to watch the rest of the film. However, ours did not end on a question. Therefore, we edited it and cut off the ending and redone some of the ending to make it more understandable. Also, when we presented it, there was no music in there which made it boring at times to watch. She said that it is crucial to have music in there to make it more effectively frightening.
Mrs Thrasher and Miss Kasam both thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of shots we used in our opening sequence. One of Mrs Thrasher's favourite shots was when the protagonist jumps over the water puddle. She said it was shot very well. She also enjoyed the heavy breathing of the killer as his face was not visible, generating a more mysterious atmosphere. It was diegetic sound which related back to the genre.
The criticisms she claimed were that it dragged on towards the end when there was allegedly supposed to be a chase between the protagonist and the killer. It made it into a whole story rather than just an opening sequence. Opening sequences are intentionally supposed to end on a cliffhanger. As a result, the viewers want to watch the rest of the film. However, ours did not end on a question. Therefore, we edited it and cut off the ending and redone some of the ending to make it more understandable. Also, when we presented it, there was no music in there which made it boring at times to watch. She said that it is crucial to have music in there to make it more effectively frightening.
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