Short Film

I had a great time making the short film the NCC chair project. I did a lot of the directing and camera work and also did the music. I had a lot of fun doing this a working with Carter, Nate, Jack, and AK. Working on this film really intrigued my interest in film and I will definitely be looking to do something like this again in the future. Our group had a good dynamic as I helped us move forward in a direction we all had ideas that we used and added to the film and it was truly a great group effort. 

Editing

 

    Editing is an important part of filmmaking, and "Moving Pictures" offers vital insights into the craft. The book focuses on the three editing stages: assembling, rough cut, and fine cut. The editor chooses the best takes and arranges them to produce a rough blueprint of the film during assembly. The rough cut fine-tunes the edit and adds sound effects, music, and color correction, whereas the fine cut polishes the film by fine-tuning the edit and adding sound effects, music, and color correction. 

    "Moving Pictures" also emphasizes the significance of continuity editing, which ensures that shots are cleanly blended together to produce a continuous story. This entails paying close attention to the positioning of actors and items in various shots in order to maintain continuity throughout the film. The book also delves into the many sorts of cuts used in film editing and how they affect creating a specific mood and delivering a compelling story. 

    To summarize, excellent editing is crucial for a successful picture, and the book "Moving Pictures" provides an in-depth look at the editing process. Understanding the many stages of editing, continuity editing, and types of cuts can help editors create a seamless, engaging film that conveys a compelling tale .

Everything Everywhere all at once

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a visually great-looking and interesting exploration of the multiverse and identity, directed by The Daniels and featuring a great performance from all actors. The film challenges its audience to think deeply about the interconnectedness of all things. I was not a big fan of the film as I thought it had too many strange and weird things. I appreciate the acting performances as they were very good and deserved the praise they got for them. Also, the cinematography and effects of the film were very high quality. Overall not the biggest fan of the story or plot but the actors definitely did a great job.

Swiss army man

     Swiss Army Man is a great film that defies easy categorization. It features a surreal and unconventional storyline that may initially seem absurd or comical, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that it is a poignant exploration of some of the most profound themes and questions about the human experience. Through the relationship between Hank and Manny, the movie delves into the complex and often contradictory nature of human emotions and relationships, and examines what it means to be truly alive. 

    The film is a testament to the power of cinema to challenge our perceptions and provoke us to think deeply about the world around us. It is an immersive experience that takes viewers on a surreal and emotional journey, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life. Swiss Army Man is an indie gem that deserves to be seen by anyone who appreciates unconventional storytelling, thought-provoking themes, and exceptional filmmaking. I actually went and rewatched some of the movie to appreciate the look and style of the film I felt like the characters were eh just not my vibe the actors were great tho. Also the whole farting and flying just threw me for a loop and was weird other than not too bad a movie. 

Types of shots

 The article "Types of Shots in Film" discusses various camera shots commonly used in filmmaking to capture different angles, perspectives, and emotions. 

The article talks about all these kinds of shots in the article.

5. 1. Extreme Wide Shot (EWS): Shows the entire location or setting. 

6. 2. Wide Shot (WS): Shows the subject with its environment. 

7. 3. Medium Shot (MS): Shows the subject from the waist up. 

8. 4. Close-Up Shot (CU): Shows a specific part of the subject, such as their face or hands. 

9. 5. Extreme Close-Up Shot (ECU): Shows a very specific part of the subject, such as their eyes or mouth. 

10. 6. Over-the-Shoulder Shot (OTS): Shows one character from behind the shoulder of another. 

11. 7. Point of View Shot (POV): Shows what the character is seeing from their perspective. 

12. 8. Dutch Angle Shot: A tilted shot that creates a sense of unease or tension. 

13. 9. Low Angle Shot: Shows the subject from below, making them appear larger or more powerful. 

14. 10. High Angle Shot: Shows the subject from above, making them appear smaller or weaker. 

15. 11. Tracking Shot: Follows the subject's movement with the camera. 

16. 12. Dolly Shot: Moves the camera towards or away from the subject. 

17. 13. Crane Shot: Uses a crane or jib to move the camera up or down. 

18. 14. Steadicam Shot: Uses a stabilizing device to capture smooth, steady shots while moving. 

19. 15. Handheld Shot: This creates a sense of realism and immediacy by capturing intentionally shaky shots. 

Overall, the article explains how the different types of shots can be used to create a wide range of visual and emotional effects in film. 

Get Out

 "Get Out" is a 2017 horror film directed by Jordan Peele that tells the story of Chris Washington, a young Black man who spends the weekend with his white girlfriend's family. Chris discovers a dark secret lurking beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic and wealthy white suburb as the weekend progresses. Through the concept of the "sunken place," a hypnotic state in which Chris finds himself, the film explores the subconscious ways in which racism operates in our society. 

    Peele also questions the concept of racism, as portrayed by Rose's family. The film's presentation of this theme encourages viewers to confront their own biases and complicity in the perpetuation of systemic racism. "Get Out" is both a thought-provoking social commentary and a masterful work of horror filmmaking that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Of its powerful message and ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties about race, it is a film that demands to be seen and discussed. I really enjoyed watching this movie and I liked the twists and suspenseful sequences. Overall one of my favorite movies I have seen this year so far.

Narrative

    The "Narrative" chapter in "Moving Pictures" discusses how storytelling is important in movies. It's been that way for a long time since people started painting on cave walls. The chapter talks about how stories usually have a main character who has to face some kind of problem or challenge, and then they figure out how to solve it. That's what makes the story exciting and keeps people watching. 

    The chapter also says that it's important to have characters that people can relate to and care about. That way, the audience gets more invested in the story and wants to see what happens next. Another thing the chapter talks about is how conflicts and obstacles can make a story more exciting. If there's nothing at stake, then the story can be pretty boring. The chapter also mentions that there are different ways to tell a story, like with flashbacks or by starting at the end and then going back in time. And because technology keeps getting better, filmmakers have more options for how to tell a story and make it look cool.

    Overall, the "Narrative" chapter is all about how important it is to tell a good story in a movie. If you want to make a movie that people will enjoy and remember, then you need to pay attention to things like characters, conflicts, and the way you tell the story.

Marie Antionette

 

    "Marie Antoinette" is a 2006 movie directed by Sofia Coppola that depicts the life of Marie Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, as she becomes queen of France and faces the challenges of her reign. While the film received mixed reviews, some viewers appreciate its cool style and music. 

    Although some criticize the movie's historical inaccuracies, Coppola defended her approach, saying the movie is more focused on conveying the difficulties that Marie Antoinette faced rather than strict adherence to historical facts. Kirsten Dunst's performance is also praised for making the character more relatable and less stereotypically shallow. 

    The film's mise en scène, or visual elements, also play a significant role in immersing the audience in the story. The period-accurate costumes and sets, along with the use of natural and candlelight, contribute to the film's overall atmosphere. The deliberate and slow movements of the actors also add to the film's visual style. Ultimately, "Marie Antoinette" raises important questions about power and societal treatment based on one's identity, despite its flaws. 

Rear Window

 

"Rear Window" is a 1954 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly. The story follows L.B. Jefferies, a photographer who is confined to his apartment with a broken leg and begins to spy on his neighbors through his rear window. However, he becomes convinced that one of his neighbors has committed murder, and sets out to solve the mystery with the help of his girlfriend Lisa.

The film is renowned for its masterful storytelling and suspenseful direction, great use of tension and character development, and standout performances from Stewart and Kelly. The creative camera work and intricate set design add to the sense of intrigue that fills the film, making it a great film to watch and enjoy.

In my opinion, "Rear Window" is an amazing movie that still captivates people today. The way that Alfred Hitchcock tells the story and creates suspense is really cool and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The actors, James Stewart and Grace Kelly do a great job and add depth to the story. The way the camera moves and the set looks make you feel like you are spying with the main character, Jefferies. Overall, "Rear Window" is a great movie that is still a good watch even though it's from a long time ago.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

    The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a silent German Expressionist film that was released in 1920. Directed by Robert Wiene and written by Hans Janowitz and Carl Mayer. One of the most notable techniques used in the film is the use of high-angle shots, which create a sense of unease and disorientation. These shots are often used to depict Dr. Caligari, the film's villain, looming over the other characters. This serves to visually reinforce his position of power and control, making the audience feel like they are caught in a nightmare and unable to escape. The use of these high-angle shots, along with the striking visual design, creates a unique and unsettling atmosphere that immerses the audience in the story.

    The film also makes use of a number of close-up shots, which are used to great effect to convey the emotions of the characters. These shots allow the audience to see the expressions and emotions of the characters up close, which adds to the sense of intimacy and connection with the characters. The close-ups are often used to show the characters in a state of extreme emotion, such as fear, anger, or sadness, which adds to the sense of tension and unease. The use of camera angles and close-ups in The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, combined with its striking visual design, creates a unique and unsettling atmosphere. I really like the story overall and surprisingly enjoyed watching the movie. Although puzzling at times and a little weird I've come to appreciate the movie.

A brief History of cinema

 After reading chapter 1 "a brief history in cinema." My favorite movie/ clip was "A Trip to the Moon" which is a silent film that was released in 1902, and directed by Georges Méliès. The film is considered to be one of the first science fiction films ever made and is a landmark in the history of cinema. The story follows a group of scientists who build a rocket and fly to the moon, where they encounter a group of lunar inhabitants known as Selenites. 

The film was written, directed, and produced by Méliès, who was also the lead actor. The film is only 14 minutes long, but it was a major success in its day, drawing large crowds and earning critical acclaim. 

Méliès is considered to be one of the pioneers of cinema, and "A Trip to the Moon" is a testament to his brilliance as a filmmaker. He used a variety of special effects techniques to create the illusion of movement and a sense of adventure, and his use of color is particularly noteworthy. The film's iconic image of the rocket hitting the eye of the man in the moon is still widely recognized today.

"A Trip to the Moon" was a groundbreaking film that paved the way for the science fiction genre, as well as for special effects in cinema. It is also a fascinating glimpse into the early days of the film industry and the creative vision of Georges Méliès. The film has been preserved and is available to watch online, I recommend you to watch it and experience the magic of the first sci-fi film ever made.

Snowy Review

The short film Snowy is about a pet turtle seeking happiness. As he attempts to provide Snowy the care and attention it requires, Larry, the father of the family who owns the turtle, is followed in the movie. Through his travels, Larry discovers that Snowy requires more than just the bare necessities in order to thrive—she also needs room and possibilities. The purpose of the movie is to get people to reflect more deeply on what true pleasure and contentment are and how they might apply this to their own life. The camera angles in the movie are used very effectively to highlight the contrast between Snowy's confined life in its little cage and the huge universe outside. In conclusion, Snowy is a great story and film that emphasizes the significance of caring for oneself and others as well as the little things in life.

Introduction

 Hi, my name is Alexander Hobson I was born in Atlanta Georgia but have lived most of my life in Fishers Indiana a suburb outside Indianapolis. I am a freshman here at North Central and participate in football. I am majoring in Entrepreneurship. I chose to take this class because I love watching movies and like learning all about them. I spend most of my free time watching movies and training for football.

My favorite movies to watch are all the Star Wars movies. I grew up watching them since I was very young and have seen all of them countless times. My personal favorite is Revenge of the Sith. I really like all the technology used in the film. I personally like the dialogue in the movie too as it fits the movie.