30/8/11

Film class started off with the discussion of the analysis of the clips of films we chose last class. Two students were then chosen to give a short presentation on the clips that they chose. The first presentation was done by Brigitte Ng, on the last scene in the movie Wanted (2008), directed by Timur Mekmambetov. I found this clip particularly interesting as the director made good use of camera movement and the types of shots to create suspense and tension. We were told that one of the shots of the camera slowly moving across the room to the 'supposed' main character was a tracking shot, done with a steadycam. Steadycams are one way to create a track shot and it is an apparatus that is extremely difficult to operate, so that there are professionals specifically trained to operate such a camera apparatus. Various close-up shots were also discussed throughout the scene and were explained how the successes of close-ups could be used to signify the tension progressing throughout the scene. At the end of the scene, a bullet-time effect could be seen, a bullet shot by the main character through a sniper, striking the antagonist of the film in the back of his head.

In popular film culture, Blade (1998) was the first film to use bullet time, when a character in the film dodges around the bullets fired at him. In the 21st century, bullet-time then evolved and appeared in the Matrix Trilogy (2000), a popular action film, which is how most people know this effect.

The next clip was of a scene in Memento (2000), directed by Christopher Nolan, discussed by Stephen Shao. It was shown in the clip that the main character, Leonard was trying to find the killer of his wife through notes and tattoos. This scene was especially interesting when Leonard was driving in the car, and he closes his eyes and flashbacks occur. Christopher Nolan builds up tension in this scene by using a slight crescendo in music, the tighter frame around the subject's face, and the fact that Leonard is driving with his eyes closed. The tension is then released when Leonard brakes and stops in front of a tattoo shop.

Towards the end of the lesson, Miss Rosati took out a camera and a tripod and explained its basic features and uses to us, such as the lens, the memory card, the battery, the tripod stand etc. We were then given time to familiarize ourselves with the functions of the camera to better prepare ourselves for the challenge shoot next class.