Coursework Blog

EXPERIMENTING WITH HORROR MAKEUP On Wednesday 10th October, we experimented with SFX makeup techniques and adapted accordingly to the look we aimed for. As well as this, we tried a varied amount of methods. These methods included marking on a shape then forming the wax around it and cutting a line into a pre-layed layer of wax to form a cut. One of the images features the shape drawn previously. The things we used was SFX wax, food colouring, cotton wool, water, tea granules, staples, string and liquid latex. The skin was washed and dried before the process began and newspaper was layed down and spare T-Shirts were worn in order to protect the surfaces as much as possible. This was done in order to ensure the least amount of damage to surfaces and clothing in the surrounding area. The feedback we got from these was varied and will be taken on board. For example, we showed friends and they said, "wow that's amazing." Although, when it was put under light, it didn...

Norms and conventions I have conformed to the norms and conventions of film through narrative, setting and costume. Narrative = Linear narrative not to distract audience from the scene and they won't loose track of the story line if it was a non-linear narrative.  I have developed on existing norms and conventions Camera shots = Not strictly adhered to rules of thirds as feature films do not conform and this should be the same in short films I have challenged norms and conventions Representation = LGBT (specifically lesbian) community in society. The inspiration came from PRIDE (2014) because of the representation of minority groups Integrated the inspiration by Featuring a lesbian love story (Lisa and Alex)

Short-film idea from the news I would turn this into a short film by using it as a music video. This is because the emotions in this film are required to be emphasised by the tone of the music. The sound that I would use would ideally be melancholy - as the main characters emotions could be easily portrayed in this way. For this film, I would use only non-diegetic sound as it gives more of an effect of context. This sound effect would give a deeper meaning to the film - maybe the child in bad sleeping conditions feels like she can't speak out due to being over-ridden by the others in her family. I would exaggerate the features as the story is very plain, and doesn't intrigue me. In order to create a sense of ambience for this short film, there would be shots of the character on a ragged mattress in the middle of an empty room and then cut to them in a busy street. The character would be looking at the camera and the people around them would be moving. 

Love, Simon (2018) A young coming-of-age tale about a teenage boy, Simon Spier, goes through a different kind of Romeo and Juliet story.  Simon Spier keeps a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he's gay. When that secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.  Simon has a love connection with a boy, Blue, by email, but the only problem is that Simon has no idea who he's talking to. Simon must discover who that boy is--who Blue is. Along the way, he tries to find himself as well.   I watched 'Love, Simon' during the summer holiday. I loved this film, although I would change some aspects of the film. I recommend it strongly!

Why are there short films? Whats the point? The purpose of a short film is to create the same effect as a feature length film but retain the time frame to a shorter length. Arguably, one of the most common features of a short film is non-fiction. For example, Public Service Announcements (PSA) videos most frequently cover the topic of bullying, safe sex, drug use etc. Generally the topics that are considered to be most influential for a teenager. However, this was not the case during the silent era (1895-1930) as people would visit the cinema to be entertained as this was not accessible at home. As well as this, sometimes families would go to watch two films in one day and make a whole day trip out of the experience. This film style could be said to be used as a coping mechanism for the bloodshed of World War one, as the families lost fathers, brothers, sons etc. As the families needed a distraction from the horrors of the war (and sometimes a morale booster) they visited the cinema...

Generating ideas - Followed Mood Board Plot synopsis; "How long are you going to be babe? I love you. ~ Alex." Narrative Characters? A closeted lesbian Locations? In a busy cafe. Situations? Lisa realises she is gay. Objects? A video camera When? Midday - in autumn. Genre Drama, fiction, teen. I chose this genre because there is so many opportunities that can be taken when entertaining  this genre. For example, a drama can the form of a murder mystery (e.g. Broadchurch) or a romantic drama (e.g. The Twilight Series.) Potential cast Lisa - Erin McHardy Max - Alexander Cripps Alex - Nia Preston Mise-en-scene Setting - Cafe  - Train platform  Hair and makeup - No makeup needed - No hair styles needed (representing daily life) Costume - Casual clothes - Binary opposites Props - Sugar sachet - Scarf - Mobile phone Lighting - Natural l ighting (in cafe, outside on bench.) Character expression/m...

Introduction to Film 3 Act Structure The three-act structure is a model used in narrative fiction that divides a story into three parts ( acts ), often called the setup , the confrontation and the resolution . 1) The first act is usually used for exposure , to establish the main characters, their relationships and the environment (setting) they live in. Later in the first act, an on-screen incident occurs that confronts the main character (the protagonist ), whose attempts to deal with this incident lead to a second and more dramatic situation, known as the first turning point, which : (a) signals the end of the first act, (b) ensures life will never be the same again for the protagonist (c) raises a dramatic question that will be answered in the climax of the film. The dramatic question should be framed in terms of the protagonist's call to action, This is known as the inciting incident , or catalyst. As an example, the inciting incident in the 2017 ...