After having come up with an idea of what our montage film was going to be about, the class was ready to present the pitch to the class. However, at the last second, Mrs. Wong informed us that we were to incorporate the concept of 'Angels' into our film ideas. We were then given the rest of the class to brainstorm and come up with ideas that match the new specifications of this unit.
To come up with a reasonably well developed idea, I would have to keep in account that a montage had to be included in the film, the incorporation of angels, and not to be over ambitious and to keep the idea simple and easy to achieve. By the end of the class, I have come up with an idea that consists of 3 parts.
The story follows the life of a depressed man, who follows the same routine every day, and lacks to find the meaning in a fulfilling life anymore. This is portrayed through a series of shots with the man in the same position every time with the same expression, but with the background changing, showing the progression through his monotonous life everyday and that his emotions are down and also feel the same way. These speed in which these shots are cut together would keep increasing as this shows that this man lives like this every day.
The second part to my story is when the guardian angel of the man shows up in his room one day. A conversation then starts up between the two, and the guardian angle begins to open the man's mind to new ideas, inspiring him and guiding him to a more exiting and fulfilling life.
The last part to the story is when the montage comes in. This is a montage sequence showcasing the concept of 'coming out of the darkness to find a new light in life' and this could be portrayed through a variety of metaphors and symbols, such as the sun rising, the man taking a leap of faith etc. Finally, it cuts back to the man lying back down onto his bed, reminiscent of the beginning of the film, but this time, a smile crosses his face as the film ends.
Some interesting ideas about contrasting the two different moods that I aim to portray through this film are to have a low contrast, low saturated image in the beginning, keeping the mood cold and monotonous, and as the film progresses into a more optimistic feel, I would then raise the contrast and saturation in the image, causing the picture to feel a lot more colorful and fulfilling, which is a metaphor to the emotions that the man is going through at the same time.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Documentary Questions Worksheet - Capturing Reality
What is the subject of the film?
The subject of Capturing Reality is a documentary about the creative stages and process that are needed to be taken to create an actual documentary, featuring interviews with fellow filmmakers and behind the scenes footage of documentary shoots.
Who are the characters?
The characters of the film are the various directors and crew members of various documentaries.
Is the film told from a subjective or objective point of view? How do you know that?
The film is told from an objective point of view, as the film explores the concepts and processes behind the creation process of various different documentaries.
Why do you think the film would be different if it had been a fiction film?
The film would not work if it were presented as a fiction film as this documentary is documenting documentaries. If the film were to be fictional, then all of the information would be made up, and therefore, would not present an accurate concept to the audience, thus taking away the meaning of a documentary, which aims to cover and educate the audience on a specific subject based on facts.
What kinds of sound does the filmmaker use? Is silence an important part of the soundtrack? What dialogue, music, voice-overs, commentary, and sound effects? What purpose do they serve?
The filmmaker used a variety of diagetic and non-diagetic sounds to enhance the atmosphere and mood of the documentary. Soundtracks would play in the background for establishing shots in respect to a silent atmosphere during interviews or whilst the narrator is talking. The sound effects serves not only to fill in the awkward spaces, but also acts as a transition between various clips.
How do music, sound, and image work together to convey the story of the documentary?
The choice of music and sound that the filmmaker chooses to use helps convey the certain atmosphere that the director is trying to put across to the audience. Images are used in a certain order to tell the story of the subject that is being documented.
Does the film use a narrator? If so, what role does the narrator play? What attitude does he or she take to the subject? How does this attitude contribute to the film's overall message?
Yes the film used multiple narrators, each one a different director to a different film, explaining the steps that are needed to be taken to make a documentary.
Is the filmmaker a character within the film? If so, what role does he or she play?
The filmmaker was not a character within the film.
What does this documentary reveal about the world? How does the filmmaker help the audience experience the world with new eyes?
This documentary opens the world's eyes open to the process that goes behind the creation of a documentary.
What story is told in the film? How is it scripted? How has the editing of the film affected its final message?
There is no story in the film in the chronological sense. This film is mainly based off of interviews and behind the scenes shoots of documentaries to justify the creation process behind a documentary.
What kind of camera techniques are used? How do these choices help the filmmaker get across the message?
Establishing shots were used to set the location and let the audience have an idea of the surrounding area. Close ups were used in the interviews with the filmmakers to enhance the relativity with the audience.
The subject of Capturing Reality is a documentary about the creative stages and process that are needed to be taken to create an actual documentary, featuring interviews with fellow filmmakers and behind the scenes footage of documentary shoots.
Who are the characters?
The characters of the film are the various directors and crew members of various documentaries.
Is the film told from a subjective or objective point of view? How do you know that?
The film is told from an objective point of view, as the film explores the concepts and processes behind the creation process of various different documentaries.
Why do you think the film would be different if it had been a fiction film?
The film would not work if it were presented as a fiction film as this documentary is documenting documentaries. If the film were to be fictional, then all of the information would be made up, and therefore, would not present an accurate concept to the audience, thus taking away the meaning of a documentary, which aims to cover and educate the audience on a specific subject based on facts.
What kinds of sound does the filmmaker use? Is silence an important part of the soundtrack? What dialogue, music, voice-overs, commentary, and sound effects? What purpose do they serve?
The filmmaker used a variety of diagetic and non-diagetic sounds to enhance the atmosphere and mood of the documentary. Soundtracks would play in the background for establishing shots in respect to a silent atmosphere during interviews or whilst the narrator is talking. The sound effects serves not only to fill in the awkward spaces, but also acts as a transition between various clips.
How do music, sound, and image work together to convey the story of the documentary?
The choice of music and sound that the filmmaker chooses to use helps convey the certain atmosphere that the director is trying to put across to the audience. Images are used in a certain order to tell the story of the subject that is being documented.
Does the film use a narrator? If so, what role does the narrator play? What attitude does he or she take to the subject? How does this attitude contribute to the film's overall message?
Yes the film used multiple narrators, each one a different director to a different film, explaining the steps that are needed to be taken to make a documentary.
Is the filmmaker a character within the film? If so, what role does he or she play?
The filmmaker was not a character within the film.
What does this documentary reveal about the world? How does the filmmaker help the audience experience the world with new eyes?
This documentary opens the world's eyes open to the process that goes behind the creation of a documentary.
What story is told in the film? How is it scripted? How has the editing of the film affected its final message?
There is no story in the film in the chronological sense. This film is mainly based off of interviews and behind the scenes shoots of documentaries to justify the creation process behind a documentary.
What kind of camera techniques are used? How do these choices help the filmmaker get across the message?
Establishing shots were used to set the location and let the audience have an idea of the surrounding area. Close ups were used in the interviews with the filmmakers to enhance the relativity with the audience.
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