No Live Action

We have dediced to leave out the live action bit, I thought this would work but I was out-voted. We changed it because it apparently wouldn't fit. We will most probably not film the Molly scene because Hannah has alraedy done the editing.
On the original writing side, The dialogue (which can be found on my blog somewhere) at the start is mainly taken from Eastender's, I tried to show Conor in the darkest way to show that he was a abusive husband, I did do some "happy memories" but they were cut out. I also did the  "bad memories" which weren't cut out, we shot those because it made the audience realise how abusive Conor was and make more tension within the audience. The running is taken from the original Florence video and I see it has the "Walk of Suicide". I know, gloomy title but it shows how abuse can cause things like that. By doing this it shows the effect's of abuse. the suicide scene was improvised and to be honest, I could of done better. However it's better than nothing. Whilst filming in all the scene's I tried to do more flowing shots because I usually do short clips and also I have taken it from my main influence Tasya Van Ree. I was alos more creative with the shots eg. using skateboards.

Saved by the Bell

Recently, I have dediced to scrap one of my expressive arts which is set because its not classed as a expressive arts and I think it's a bit of a lousy one. Instead i have chosen original writing even though I find it a bit of a boring one , it's too late to choose a cool one.
We have in fact managed to film all the scene's planned and we have dediced to show live action. As in, at the end of the video. Hannah will appear in her famous red duffle coat and walk to the stage. We hope to show this as her ghost. Kinda taken from the storyline Ghost. Whilst filming, we had a arguement brewing at the start between Hannah and her husband/boyfriend person, Conor also known as Steve in the film because it then shows that the theme of the video is domestic abuse.
Whilst filming, I planned many shots. One of my favourite scene's was the kitchen scene. I liked it because I got to do lots of shots on the table, I like because it does a reflection. I then remembered one of my influences Tasya Van Ree ( the artist from LA who I have a huge obession with). She did a film called Silenced where she filmed it all in one shot. I dediced to get creative and dediced to film Hannah running up the hill whilst I skateboarded towards her, this was our version of a dolly shot (where the camera is on a track on rolled towards the protaginist). By skateboarding towards her, I got a steady slow shot towards her and it was also quite fun.
During the kitchen scene, it reminded me of Eastender's for some reason probably the shots and the drama. So, at the end of the day we have taken bits and bobs from both prelimanry studies.  
Currently, Hannah is editing and we have one more scene to do which is with Molly or somebody like that. Hannah tells Molly that Conor (sometimes known as Steve) is abusing her.  I wouldn't normally involve but it fits in with the lyrics of the song.

Time

We have filmed two scene's out of about six/seven with one week to go. We have to do editing and filming all in week. Also, hannah has missed quite of lot of lessons. Generally things are getting quite cramped. I hope tackle this may filming through the weekend but it is hard to contact hannah and i also have plans. So, things aren't looking good. i could aslo scramp the live bit, but that may bring our mark down

White Room Scrap and Rough Clips

We have filmed two scenes in the past couple of days, one is the underpass scene and the other is running/memory scene in Conwy.
I have roughly put the clips together to see what they looked like and to see whether they worked.
(Please Note, these clips haven't been touched by Hannah who is doing the editing and the songs used are not the song we will be using in the final edit, mainly because I wanted to experiment and the Florence song can get quite irritating.)
Underpass Scene (1977)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiwtZ8QrE38
Conwy/Memory Scence (without flashback)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qx7VepZ3CI&feature=related

Whilst filming, we dediced to scrap the white room scene because of time issues and we thought it wouldn't work in real life. So, instead we are expanding on the running scenes and we might bring suicide in. When she commits suicide, it will cut to live action of Hannah in a "Ghost" outfit. This way it will add more dramatic affect and will expand both our second expressive art's (Set for me and Costume for Hannah).
We might re-film the suicide because it doesn't look very good and we think we can do more with it.

On Set...

Here are some photographs I took whilst filming the Conwy/Boat/Suicide scene.

We have decided to scrap the White Room scene because of time issues and also I believe that it may not look good in real life.

We choose the boat to take images from because it was an interesting set and I could do very creative shots in and around the boat. The boat adds an arty sense to me and I really like it.

We have also dediced to end the video in suicide, (again, I think suicide is a very important issue which can be tackled very well in film and art). Ending the video in suicide makes the video actually have some sort of storyline. Ending with suicide shows that there are big sacficaes to betrayal and also domestic abuse which is our second theme. It is kind of like the unit but I believe that art should have a message, even if it is a small message. Anyway, below are some shots I did on set

Above is a quick set drawn out on the computor. It is of my set which I wish I could if i had the room and budget, by doing this I can start visualing and credating my own set .

Eastender's (Preliminary Study Two)

The preliminary study is an episode of Eastender’s. The main outline of the storyline is that the son of Phil Mitchell, Ben Mitchell is considering (and finally acts out a betrayal to his father) because he feels jealous of Phil and his older (adopted) brother, Jay’s relationship. Ben’s way of betraying his father is by calling the police. Ben calls the police because Ben knows Phil killed Stella and can't deal with knowing but mainly because he is jealous of Phil's increasingly close relationship with Jay.

The type of betrayal which is addressed in this episode of Eastender’s is jealously and betrayal within the family unit. I think jealously is quite powerful within this episode due to many reasons such as the camera angles, script and acting.

I think that the target audience of Eastender’s is mainly family-oriented. I think this because the show is broadcast on the UK’s main channel, BBC One which is a family-oriented channel. The show is also broadcasted roughly about 8pm, this before 9pm (where swearing and adult issues are allowed to shown) so it means Eastender’s is a fairly “safe” show. Of course, the show is based on “real-life” issues so some issues are distressing but on the swearing/adult issues it is a fairly safe show.

(Phil finds out that Ben betrays him)

I found the show interesting; I am not an Eastender’s fan but I found the camera angles interesting such as the close up’s they use to show emotion. I found that made an impact on the audience and added dramatic effect, one example is the scene where Ben is sitting with the rest of family and the camera angels show how alone he feels within the family. I have seen this camera angles in many TV shows, by having the camera still and spaced out, it shows loneliness and perhaps awkwardness within a group. Another thing which I found interesting was the setting, the sets such as the square and the Mitchell’s garage. The sets add natural and realistic effect. Also, there were about four to five settings where the Mitchells are seen. I think by putting them into different backgrounds each time, avoids confusion to the audience and adds reality to the show. I liked the script in the episode, I think the script was well written and explained the story well. The episode ended on Phil being arrested and Ben smirking, and saying “Happy Birthday, Dad”. By Ben saying this, it adds a different interpretation to the character and leaves the audience to wonder.

The first style of the work I have chosen is the sound effects. The sound effects during the show are digective such as a door slamming or music being played in a shop. More importantly at the end of every episode, there is the classic “dum-dum-dum”. They add this to add more impact to the cliff-hanger and make the story more interesting. At the end of this episode, Ben smiles and says “Happy Birthday, Dad”. By adding this statement at the end, it makes the audience have a different interpretation of Ben. Personally, I think after watching two episodes which involve the Mitchell’s betrayal storyline. The comments at the end made me not like Ben. At first, I wasn’t quite sure whether to have sympathy for the character because of his jealously of Jay/Phil relationship.

However once Ben said that statement, it made me not like Ben so I think it was effective to have that final statement and then having the classic “dum-dum-dum”.

Another main method they used during the episode was camera angles. There is one scene when Ben is attempting to drive the rally car, instead he ends up flatting the engine and he is told to let “a proper driver” Jay drive. The camera angle is very good because it has a close up Ben’s face to show his embarrassment and anger. Also during that scene there is a huge crowd who chase after Jay and leaving Ben behind. This was well filmed because once again it showed Ben’s loneliness within the Eastender’s neighbourhood and family. His mother or step-mother stays behind. I think this was effective because it showed that he has some support within his mother or step-mother. However I do not how the story pans out.

The main method of the show is for me, the way the script writers and producers made the show realistic (even though some of the plotlines are non-realistic to me). But it is shown in a soap opera realistic context. I think this is a good method because it can show important issues which pop up in everyday life such as betrayal. The acting is used in Eastender’s is mainly informal language and everyday language such as slang. I think this adds a natural environment for the audience and makes them feel more at home.

The similarities between GHOST the musical and the episodes of Eastender’s are that both show the betrayal involving jealously. (For example, in GHOST Carl kills Sam because he wants money but also jealous of Sam relationship with Molly. The jealously aspect in Eastender’s is Ben becoming jealous of Jay and Phil). Both studies share the same dramatic effects of the betrayal. By that I mean, because Carl is jealous of Sam, it eventually involves the death of Sam. In Eastender’s, it involves Phil getting arrested). I think both results are slightly un

I think the best one which explores betrayal is Eastender’s. I believe that because I find Eastender’s more realistic, I think GHOST is unrealistic because of the murder of Sam by Carl and the Ben story is more believable.  I think I favour Eastender’s more because I watched a full half hour episode, whilst GHOST I watched a two minute trailer, so I didn’t get to see the full storyline involving betrayal.  But on the production side, I do prefer GHOST’s production because of the lighting and projections and find this quite influential in my expressive arts work. On the betrayal side, I do have to go with Eastender’s because I liked the script writing. The script writers managed to build the Ben/Phil story up throughout the episode, however in GHOST it was an unexpected betrayal and I prefer tension building up because it adds more dramatic feel to the piece.

Elizabeth & the Catapult

A source of inspiration has come from a small music video for a song called "Thank you for Nothing" by a folk singer called Elizabeth & the Catapult. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLAfmxC5lJI
The reason is that this video is an inspiration because of the set and the camera work. (My two expressive arts).
On the set front, the video is set in a very beautiful forest and involves the singer, Elizabeth walking away trying to find firewood. This may seem a very "boring" kinda plot. However it really works. Mainly because the song is a very simple folk song, so the video fits in.
The main reason why I dediced to take influence from it was because the camera work is very well done. The camera mainly does panning views of Elizabeth and the background of the forest. I like this method because it is very still and I think it symbolise's calm and tranquail. Which is what the song is about. However, our song is a very fast moving, quite angry song. So, its the complete opposite which I find quite intersting to study. For I can watch the Elizabeth video, and know what our video will be like because Elizabeth's is completly the opposite (I hope that makes sense to you...)
Another reason why I like this video so much is becuase of the backdrop :

 ( a wonderful panning shot of the winter forest)

 ( Elizabeth's builds a fire..)

I find that because this song is a emotional song, the setting plays a big part, such as this part:

As you can see the river is in the background, this is my favoutite part of the video because it adds an extra thing in the background. Otherwise, the background may look bland and makes the forset look more beautiful, and this to me makes the song more beautiful
I hope to take some of the panning shots into our production, and aslo may attention to the little things in the background.

The wonders of Tasya Van Ree and I'm a Hunter

One of my all time favourite artist, Tasya Van Ree has influenced me in my work in Ex.Arts. Tasya Van Ree is a  L.A based artist and photgrapher, who speciales in black and white portraits/photgraphs. She has also recently directed and produce a few short films and a music video.

(Above one of Van Ree's famous and my favourite portraits of the actress, Kate Moenning).

The reason why I am talking about Tasya Van Ree is because she always shots in black and white, something which I am thinking may look good in No Light, No Light. However, this is Hannah's terroitry since it's editing. But I think it will good, espically in the flashbacks, sort of what we did in the last project, (where the character is remembering her life before she commits suicide).
The main reason however, is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWqsHFWna2k
This is a short film by Tasya, but what striked me the most was how Tasya managed to film the entire 7 minute video all in one shot. I am used to doing many shots at one time, then collabrating them in the editing process. I think this is a very good piece of film because Tasya manages to make the camera flow and study the character before the character kills herself. This is to me, extremely impressive because I am used to seeing pieces of film with stand still shots, or even seeing it with a flowing camera angles, but this is the first ever video I have seen where this works. I am considering taking the "flowing camera angles" to No Light, No Light. Of course not the entire video because it won't look good but perhaps one of the flashback/ running scenes. I think by doing this you can study the character in a intiamte way. Also, the 7 minute film is filmed in one room, and Tasya has set the room out, so the protagnist can easily move around the room but also so she caputure the protagnist expressions well.

(shot from `Silenced` by Tasya Van Ree)

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Another video which I have taken an influence from is "I'm a Hunter by ASKA" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaTP7jMPjd8 I know the first bit is a tad strange but it is choreographed by one of my favourite actresses/musician Shanynn Sossoman who is known for her weird ways. The reason why I am bringing this video up is because the set is very impressive, along with the camera angles. I love the bit at the start where, Theresa Wayman (yes, her again) is talking about the Reverend Mother and there this a still shot of the room ,to what I think imprisonment and loneliness. Then there is a close up of Theresa talking and you can see anger and somehow loyal

(above Theresa. close up)
 That's what I see from the shots and I think that might be what Shannyn was thinking whilst helping to produce this music video. Going back to the set, there is the artwork which adds a arty sense and shows a virtual side of the video. I know that sounds stupid that it seems visual in a video, but I think that the artwork plays a big part. However, the video is shot in about two rooms , one which is very cramped and shows (once again imprisonment). The other is bigger and is in front of a candles, which adds an extra-visual for the audience and somehow brightens Theresa and ASKA.

(The room with candles)

Anna Richards (Bubs)

Ghost The Musical

The preliminary study is the trailer for the Ghost The Musical which has been adapted from the 1990 film Ghost. The main outline of the story is that Sam is a New Yorker banker and is in a relationship with Molly (who professes in pottery). Sam suspects foul play in his bank and eventually finds out that it is his best friend, Carl. Carl then kills Sam and Sam turns into a ghost. Of course, Molly and everybody else can't see him. Sam then goes to see a psychic to tell Molly that he is a ghost. Once Sam is dead, Carl tries to steal Molly. I have not watched either the musical or the film so I do not know how the story ends.

However I know from the storyline and the trailer, betrayal plays a big part. Betrayal is addressed through Carl betraying Sam and even killing him for his own comfort. This film is based on friendship betrayal and I think everybody can relate to this such as be-friend somebody who is secretly "hiding" something. Furthermore, once Sam is dead, Carl tries to steal Molly so I think Carl is trying to steal Sam lives.

I think the main target audience for the musical is for fans of the 1990's film who are mainly adults in present day. Also, I think the target audience is for musical and West End fans. The genre of the musical is romantic supernatural drama, so I think some of the audience are there because they are into romantic "soppy" musicals and fans.

Personally, I am not into the storyline because I do not like romantic films and musicals but I do like traditional musicals such as The Sound Of Music and Mary Poppins, mainly because of the songs and the characters. However, I do think the production of Ghost is very impressive. I really like the projections such as the train scene I saw in the trailer. The train adds set and makes the audience feel like they are "in" the production; it also makes more emotion in the audience. I like the multi-media which is used in the production such as the lighting and costume. The lighting is very good because when Sam is a ghost, the lighting is pale shaded blue which symbols he is a ghost. Molly wears pale pastel colours, so this symbols she is alive.

The style of the work is a modern musical adapted from a film. It is modern because of the big use of projections, lighting and dancing/singing. The dancing and singing are modern to me, mainly because I am used to old fashioned musicals. But I do think I would like to experience the production of Ghost because it much different to the usual West End production. The projections are really good use because it has a dramatic effect and also because the story involves a supernatural theme, it adds a "spooky" effect to the productions. The lighting is very good as well because every character is lit up, Sam and Molly's lightning is well done because even when they are extremely close, Sam is a shaded indigo colour and

Molly is a pale white. This is very impressive technology wise and adds a lot more effect.

The dancing and singing which are shown in the trailer are mainly songs between Sam and Molly but also there is a section showing a typical New York “Aretha Franklin” song by the psychic and a jazz-hand song by Carl. I think the songs are quite good because there are chosen for the characters and helps the audience understand the characters more. Going back to the psychic’s song, from a minute of watching her musical piece, the audience can gather what her personality is. Such as, she is quite outgoing (from the fast song but also her costume which is very colourful and bright). The costume in the production seems very good such as Carl is always wearing expensive looking suits and smart styled hair. I think this shows that he is quite smug and does anything for his comfort (which is true because he even killed Sam for his comfort).

One main method used is that I can see from the trailer is that there is only one stage. I think this is a good method because if there are numerous stages, it can confuse the audience. Another way of communicating the songs and the lyrics are what the characters are feeling. I think that is a very important method because it shows the audience what exactly the characters are thinking. There is dancing as well which shows what the audience what they are thinking through the movement of the body.

Running...

We have decided to have the protagnist (who is now named Cam, named after Camila Grey from Uh Huh Her.That's a another very long story)  in different locations whilst she is running. We have got this idea from the original No Light, No Light, where Flo is running away from the voodoo. However in our video, she will be running away from her "husband/boyfriend person" because of domestic abuse and generally he's mean ways. By having her running, we can use many locations (such as the flyover because that look's vaguely urban for North Wales). We want to use an "urban" location because it suits the song and the theme. Also, we think it wouldn't work if she is running from Mrs.Evan's vegetable patch (no offence to anyone named that and has vegetable patches).  We will have Cam running past places of sinificant. Such as a bench or something where Cam and her boyfriend first kiss or hold hands or something vaguely romantic/happy. We hope to have Hannah playing Cam and Conor playing...Conor. Let's just hope Hannah and Conor don't break up soon, otherwise we will be a bit stuffed. The next place will be somewhere where something bad happend or where somewhere he began to be abusive. Then, it shall be a place where Cam tell's her friend (That will be played at the part of the song, where its says " To say it to a crowd But it's so hard, my love To say it to you out loud"...We shall still have the white room and that will have about 1 and a half minute screentime. We are doing this beacuse there isn't that much we can do in the white room and we don't want the audience bored, that kinda defeats the objective of the task. We are having her running past places because I can do a lot with set/camera angles. It will look quite good on screen and we also want to take something out of the Florence original video.

Black Paint Experiment

We did an exeriment to see how thick the bklack paint is to see if we need to add more water to make it thinner, we will also carry out tests later by throwing it against a wall to test peoples aims and to test if it works and see if we need to make any alterations.

First physical set

 Our set, inr eal life it will be bigger and th back board will be replaced by a wall, and it will be covered in white wallpaper

 This is the set with me Bubbles, to show how big it is in comparison with a person,  Frlom this we decided to make it bigger.

 The tripod reoprestents a place where we may position a camera

 Anouther possible camera

 The actual view from the camera

 Anoutehr psoition for the camera

 This is a shot from the top corner of one of the boards, I would love to use this shot but we need to find out a way to position the camera here

 A shot from thje camera too the side, I also love this shot and will use this

This is a birds eey view

White Room set

White room set camera angles and editing

Plans and Stuff

New stuff one before Chritsmas