Seminar, reflection

In the past seminar I learnt the importance of thoroughgly thinking out possible questions and making sure I become efficicent at answering them.

It also allowed me to think about what influences, research and practitioners as well as other factors, have helped developed my work so far during the course.

Clip from I am Legend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tK0e4DT8uE

Protagonists..

I was looking at a few independant films that I have, ones in particular that deal with quite risky themes and have the type of central chracters who are uncommon in most Hollywood style bockbusters.

A film called Brick (2005, Rian Johnson) for instance, deals with themes such as drugs, gangs and killings. Although these themes are dipicted in a number of Hollywood movies, I feel that they are often glamorised or sugar coated in order to suit or please the wider target audience in which its aimed for. In Brick, the true grittiness, pyscology and thinking behind the drug culture as well as other related thiemes are expolored. It is not only the subject matter but the central protagonist that caught my attention. Brendan, (Joseph- Gordon-Levitt)is a very isolated, intricate character and does not possess many of the sterotypical qualities of a hero. The film is very intelligent in its story telling and I found it very hard to miss things and lose track when first watching however it is highly praised by reviewers and is a good example of how stereotypes and 'safe options' dont necessarily have to be followed in order to create a compelling story with dynamic characters.

Brick

Images of filming and location

Thing of the week - '9'

Synopsis from imdb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472033/

9 takes place in a parallel world, in which the legacy of humanity is threatened. A group of eight sapient rag dolls, living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland is joined by 9 (Elijah Wood), who shows the leadership they need to truly survive. The dysfunctional but resilient group includes 1 (Christopher Plummer), a domineering coward; 2 (Martin Landau), an aged inventor; 3 & 4, mute twin archivists; 5 (John C. Reilly), a stalwart mechanic; 6 (Crispin Glover), a visionary and artist; 7 (Jennifer Connelly), a brave warrior; and 8, a large silent bodyguard and supporter of 1. There are several creatures up against this group; the cat-skulled creature from the short film, a split-headed flying pterodactyl, and a snakelike creature with hollow pod body.

Moving Image- Our Film, hyped up synopsis

Synopsis for our film

This short film is based on technology and how advances within this ever evolving sphere of life can be seen in a negative light. Celebrations soon transpire into disaster as Stan, a creator come inventor wins an award for his magnificent ‘figure’. The figure however soon turns out to be his downfall and that of mankind as a whole, which an apocalyptic ending to the piece. Whether Stan had an underlying knowledge of these events before they unfolded or whether he had some kind of evil, malicious intent will remain unknown. Technology is a strange beast and if you fail to tame it, it can and will consume you.












Based on themes and ideas from film such as

The Iron Man/ Tetsuo (1989)
The idea that technology can become destructive and remorseless is something that we have incorporated into our film. Also the idea that technology as a whole can be extremely consuming, dangerously so.




I am Legend (2007)
The idea of a desertless, remote landscape is also something that we have tried to use in our film. Following the gastronomical massacre caused by the award winning creation in our piece, we hope to create a similar effect of an empty, barron world.

The History Boys New vs Old

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464049/

I saw this film for the first time earlier this week after picking it up from work and thought that aside from being very enjoyable, it was also a good example of the tranisition of things through time and how old and new style practises can clash. In this case teaching methods are clashing as a group of Oxbrige hopefulls are mentored in an additional school term, necessary if they want to stand a chance to study at the grandest Universities in the country.

Moving Image- Our Script and making different meanings from things

1 INT. STAGE. NIGHT 1
TITLE: FIGURE
Flashbulbs pop, camera shutters click as STAN smiles, blinking in the
glare of the lights
2 INT. STAGE. NIGHT 2
Stan stands at the podium. He leans towards the mic
STAN
This isn't just testament to me. I know I'm
the youngest to ever win this. And I know
some say this is symbolic
Stan shakes the award towards the audience
STAN
Though I'm grateful. Though it's not just
about me
3 INT. WORKSHOP. DAY 3
Stan applies slightly more pressure to the vice
STAN
just, just, just, just
Taking the scalpel, concentration high Stan makes a minute adjustment.
We can't see what he adjusts
STAN
(v/o)
They say technology is a station that you
pass through. You can't stop. This awards
says slow down to read the station name at
least
2.
4 INT. STAGE. NIGHT 4
Sam holds both hands high in the air. In his left hand he holds his
award. Between thumbs and forefingers he holds something else,
something very small
STAN
I learnt from my dad. It's the detail
We can now see the figure, white, small, plastic figure sam holds
SAM
See you can't get that with computers...
5 INT. WORKSHOP. DAY 5
We travel slowly across the shelf of figures. Man holding a briefcase,
arm in pocket; a woman carrying a purse; an old man with walking stick
SAM
(v/o)
...all too generic by computer
MAN
Please stop
6 INT. STAGE. NIGHT 6
Sam pauses
MAN
(v/o)
I can't speak about this. If you let me go
7 INT. WORKSHOP. DAY 7
Sam has paused, scalpel in mid-air
3.
MAN
(o/s)
I promise. I probably can't get a signal, O2,
shit network
SAM
You see if you can get the detail. Really
look at the detail
8 INT. STAGE. NIGHT 8
Sam milks in the applause
SAM
(v/o)
Really good, then the rest will follow
Sam punches the air celebrates as waves of applause crescendo
9 INT. WORKSHOP. DAY 9
The man is chained into a pose. Hunched. Sam places a walking stick in
his head. Returning to his workbench he resumes curving the figure
The END