Final

What did I lean from Theater 3800:

I learned that it was not what I was expecting. It was overwhelming and something I had never done before. After looking back on the semester I am glad I took the course. It taught be to valuable skills that I will take into the professional career after graduation.

I don't plan on going to film school or becoming an indy film marker but I will take what I learned from my producer experience with me.

I learned that organization and constantly communication is key. I learned that being flexible and never becoming fully attached to details is important to remember. Communication is the biggest thing I will take from this course. Even though I am a communication major I can read books all day about how to communicate with people, techniques and theories alike.

Collaborate on ideas was another aspect I learned to work on this semester. When I began this class I had no idea about anything film related. I just watched movies instead of appreciating them. I never watched the credits unless their was a really epic song that I had to stalk the credit to find it. Other than that I never would give the credits their respect and watch all the film makers work attributed.


I also learned that making films is a learning experiences and it has to be learned hands on. At first I didn't understand why we were going on location to help with films, volunteering to work on other films and messing with extremely bright and expensive equipment. However now I understand. You have to be hand on when film making. I learned so much off my first movie about lighting and shadows. I valued the extra shots we took that allowed for a smooth editing and post production. It is always better to have addition options with different angles. No matter how daunting the process is to film the same scene 40 times. The end result is what matters.


I could not be more thankful for this experience in video production. I did something I never thought I would and possibly might have found an addition direction to take my career. I love producing. The power and achievement felt after taking complete kiosk and transforming it into a finished project for others to enjoy. I love being organized and schedule. Having a career where that is possible would be a dream.

Thank you for the wonderful experience. I could not have chosen a better class to take my final semester.

Reactions to the final film

Last friday both teams presented their film projects to the class for their debut.
The pre-viewing decision was very critical and exposed the filming flaws that each team experienced.
Both groups faced issues with lighting, actors and locations but in the film industry.

My group faced difficulties with our actress become ill and having no voice. Location did not proved us with difficulties until it came to shooting outside. The lighting is where we faced our largest struggle.
The lights we were using were far too hot for the lighting scene Jonathan had planned. The movie was meant to be shot in a no lighting atmosphere since all the power was supposed to have gone out in the beginning of the film.

We also ran out of matches which limited the amount of takes we could shoot. However, I feel we improved in our film making strategies since the first film. We learned how to cheat the scenes using one location which saved us a lot of time.

The outside lighting during our outdoor scene is where we faced our down fall while shooting. Our lights were too hot to give the night look. Our lights looked appropriate if we would have had a Batman  symbol in the night sky... it was blinding.

I also was blinded a few times during the evening but whatever makes the film happen we did.

The only other issue that effect our film was the amount of time it took to convert the files. We spent 4 hours waiting on files to convert to a usable format but it was our oversight before filming to check the type of files it was saving.

But all in all it was a fun time with the cast and crew. I wish we would have had more time with editing to fully achieve Jonathan's vision but it came out nicely.

Fashion Police

Where comedy, fashions and absolutely cruel jokes combine.

Joan Rivers host the show along with a panel of Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Osbourne, George Kotsiopoulos. Anything from best dressed to worse dressed celebrities of the week. Fash-hoes of the week. B*** Stole my look. Every part about it is entertaining.

Even the fashion panel shakes their head at insults that Joan throws out. Joan is incredible crash and rude in her comments but its her character.

Joan Rivers has made her career off of criticizing people's attire and now she has an outlet to bash celebrities clothing every week rather than only at large awards show.

I tend to catch Fashion Police during its reruns and right before bed most times I watch it. However, it never fails to put me in a good mood. I believe that is one of the purpose of media. If the view is not experiencing an emotion or feeling that the previous didn't feel before hand than the program has not done it job.

I should be laughing, shaking my head at the demeaning remarks, wanting to go find a similar dress after watching Fashion Police or at minimum taking mental notes of all the awful trends.

 

E! News

Gah! I love E! News it makes me happy. I love entertainment news even though I know it is trash.

Of all the other celebrate center new shows I trust E! News. The stories seem to be well researches and maintain journalist integrity. I also enjoy the wide range of topics they hit during their news program. From the latest gossip news and fashion trends.

I enjoy the sit down interviews and in-depth it take to getting the best quality reports for their show.

Reporting on media is a huge part in the social media world to me. It is the verbal twitter feeds, internets collection and behind the scene look at their lives.

E! News also previews the latest movies and premiering exclusive trailers that allow movie buffs to enjoy in the news cast.

My favorite segment always deals with fashion. I love it.  I love seeing what the broadcasters are wearing as well as the celebrities they report on. It's walking eye candy.

I am obsessed with Giuliana Rancic and Kat Saddler. They are personable, fun and entertaining everything that a host has to be on an entertainment new show.

Facebook obsession

Since social media is an acceptable form of media to blog about here is the observation of the beast that is Facebook.

I love and loath Facebook every day. I enjoy the feeling of inclusion that I receive after I scroll through my new feeds or click through weekend photos of friends lives.

If I wasn't there then I can experiences the event through the camera lens. Better yet if I cannot watch a major sporting event all I need to do is glance down the status update to know exactly what happened.

I spend an incredible amount of time on the social media beast. Quick session become hours plus longs constant creep session where I refresh the home page constantly. I need to know what other people are doing. I think it has a combination of my major, journalism, or the utter detest for boredom.

However, one of the best benefits for me is communicating with people who are out of the country or have no other form of communication. Those are things I do like.

The things I do not like about Facebook is how much time I spend on the site. I feel like once I get sucked in I can kiss three hours of my day good bye. Lackself-control, I believe, is my fault but its so addicting.

Call me Scrooge

Its that time of year. Christmas trees, light, decorations - the whole nine yards. The movie around this time make me want to put my foot thought my t.v. then throw it off a balcony. They are the most painful things ever to watch. The plot lines, the acting, the cheesy heart-felt coming together nonsense. I just dislike it all. I blame Lifetime, Hallmark, WE and another creator of a procreator of 90-minutes horrific films.

Granted I know plenty of people who enjoy watching the traditional and oh so predictable single mother meeting the secret man who is Santa jive. It awful and its on repeat. Overall I find them to be a waste of time for people to indulge in, even as background noise.

When I think about good Christmas movies I think about the Christmas Story, Polar Express, The original Santa Clause. Not many that I named are t.v. only movies. To preface the bashing, I'm not a huge fan of Christmas which is the root of my distaste for the sappy movies.

Film number two

The time as come for film number two to transform from random film snippets to a masterpiece of cinematography....Okay maybe that was  stretch but its defiantly time to finish the thing and move on.

I thoroughly enjoyed filming the movie as well as the working with the group. We worked well together this round as well. Everything from production meeting to getting together, we experienced minor hiccups throughout the progress but nothing that injured the filming progress.

The experience was educational learning how to cheat scene, use different camera angle and light to turn the same shooting area into a completely new place, The magic of movies is remarkable.

However getting thr raw footage is taking forever to convert which is putting a damper on the project. Oh well it will be a finished product soon enough. Oh, or at least before 1 p.m.

Ted

A few days ago I decided to check out the film Ted. This film was the brainchild of Seth MacFarlane. The man directed, co-produced and co-wrote this movie. Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Seth MacFarlane (in cuddly but devious form) are the stars of the film. Overall, I thought this film is going to remain a classic. It’s incredibly funny and relatable to so many.

The plot of the film is simplistic. Boston-boy John Bennett wishes that his stuffed animal Ted would come to life as his best friend. Twenty plus years pass and John and Ted remain friends. Ted becomes a has-been celebrity whose partying ways gets him into trouble often. When John gets a girlfriend and has to become serious Ted’s relationship with John is in jeopardy. This and several other raunchy events make for an entertaining night.

Mark Wahlberg and McFarlane’s chemistry is perfect. I couldn’t stop laughing the entire time. Kunis is not to be ignored either. Her performance is a mix of comedy and drama. She is trying to keep Wahlberg’s character in check, mature, and committed to something in life. Everyone should have someone like this in their life at some point.

Filming took place in Boston and you really got a feel for the place and the people. The city and stadium shots were beautiful- perfect for establishing shots. The D.P. deserves props. The music in the film was definitely retro. A lot of popular 80s and 90s songs were on display. It made for some enthusiastic scenes.

I’d encourage so many people to go see this film. Ted has something for everyone. You will remember countless one-liners that may even stand the test of time. If you’re looking to let loose and have a good time this is the movie for you to see. Period!

Chelsea Lately

Paragraph 1: Offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie’s title, director and key actors.

Okay, I will honestly admit that I have not had much time to watch movies this semester. Not even the final Twillight saga. I know, I know tragic.

However I do have time to watch late night trash t.v. before I go to sleep. Since I need to keep on pace with my blogging quest I am going to recap t.v. shows.

The first t.v. show on the chopping block is Chelsea lately. 

It is hosted by comedian and author Chelsea Handler with a revolving gain or comedian friends and show mascot Chewy. 

The E! Network air the show at 11 p.m. week nights and reruns episodes around 1 a.m. Therefore the reason I am able to watch the program.

Paragraph 2: Summarize the plot of the film. 

The general concept of Chelsea Lately is a 30 minute comedy show comprised of three segments. Monologue,the round table, the sit down interviews. Chelsea is constantly condemning the last entertain trash while insulting her panel and audience. It too funny not to laugh. 

Paragraph 3: How did the actors portray key character roles? Did they fulfill your expectations?

The only expectations that Chelsea Lately needs to accomplish its goal is to present witty insult with excellent timing and plug Belvedere vodka. Those who watch understand Chelsea and her drinking habits. 

Paragraph 4: Were any particular film techniques used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and music enhance the setting and themes of the film?

The camera angles start out at wide shot with Chelsea's monologued followed by mid shots of the panel. During the interview scene the camera has both Chelsea and her guest in the frame at all time. 

Paragraph 5: Offer a decisive factor that tells the reader to attend the film or not.

I say watch Chelsea Lately, it hilarious ,slight cruel but so well timed one can't help but laugh. Nothing is better than falling asleep after a good laugh at stupid people. 

First time Night shooting

Au Clair de la lune shooting commenced at 9:30 p.m. Monday evening and wrapping night one by 1 a.m.

It was a relatively painless shoot minus the ungodly bright lights. I now know how a deer feels on a country back road.

Mike, Nate, Jonathan, Fatemia and myself meet up in Richmond hill to begin the shooting for the night. The actors were spirited and put on fantastic Irish accents for the evening. Between fake typewriter, burning insists for smoke appeal and failing miserably at quietly blowing out a candle it was a great first night.


My job for this shoot has been more laid back than the previous due to stronger communication and a larger group of people to work around.

Nothing makes for a happy producer than to have everything planed out and organized prior to the shooting.

The only dilemma we faced in the shoot was running out of matches and hot lights looking too much light real like for a "no light" feel. Here is hoping we can work that out for tonight's shoot.


It so happened that we had the moonlight grace us with its present when we attempted the outside shots.

Film Festival

Shout out to my rad professor, Mrs. Boner, gave us mad hook up to the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. It was rather epic. It was my first time attending even though I have lived in Savannah my whole life.

What was not to enjoy about the festival tons of interesting people, famous people, no class lecture. Overall a fantastic time. We even got to see Matt Dylan from about 20 rows back but hey. I saw him. Not to bad looking of a fellow if I say so my self.

Thank you Mrs. Boner for letting us enjoy the art of cinema in our own city. I appreciate the education.

First Film

We Willie Winkie was an insane project to work on. It went from a four person group to a three person project quickly. With the drop of a team member the project became slightly more intensive. To add fuel to the fire we also had a group member getting hitched. Then four became two.

The film shoot lasted 12 hours and occurred in on day. It was tiring to say the least; however it was an extremely educational experience. I learned how to set lights, create shadows, operate boom and so on. Minor independent filmmaker in the works, I tell you...not really.

The set up for the each scene proved more difficult than the next. Moving furniture adjusting extension cords, because Jasmines' old house proved problematic. Oh well, it was a success in the end and could not have been more grateful for her hard work and deception to achieving our vision.

The filming schedule took its toll on me. I also got to act in the film casting the shadow for the creepy  WWW. It was a laughable experience that turned out creepy just like we wanted.

Legally Blonde: Final Courtroom Scene

Answer the questions below:

·         Describe what happened in the scene you watched; How does the scene make you feel? What techniques did the filmmakers use to make you feel that way?

In the courtroom scene of Legal Blonde the main character Elle Wood is questioning the daughter of the murder millionaire who was allegedly shot by Brooke Wyndham. A variety of shot angles and shot sizes allow for different imagines and emotions to be felt through the camera.  The close up shots express strong emotion of the characters intensifying the story. 

·         How did the pacing of the scene (fast or slow) or the movement of the camera affect your reactions?

The scene pace begins slowly by picking up pace when the main lawyer character was dismissed by his client, Brooke, in return Elle come in to finish the trial. The scene continues at a slow pace while the questioning of the witness is a slow, repetitive session later picking up speed once Elle deducts a flaw in her story reviling her alibi and coax a confession. 

·         List all the visual qualities such as framing, camera angles, colors, setting, costumes, décor, and lighting.

Camera angles consisted of a mixture of a very wide shot to capture the court house opening scenes then focused mainly on medium and close up shots depending on the type need to get the emotion across. Close up shots were highly affective in the confession shot to capture the shock and awe on the charters' faces. 

The decor is a court room set is the standard court room form. Audiences benches, defendant and plaintiff benches, witness stand, judge's bench.

·         What was the mood of the scene? How did the colors used in the scene contribute to the mood?

The scene was bright and an air of excitement and happiness. 

·         What did the costumes tell you about the characters?

Elle signature color is pink, during her time at Harvard she gave her signature color a backseat to fit into the lawyer role. In the final courtroom scene Elle dawns a pink dress and strappy blinded out pink stiletto as if she was back in here element. 

Brooke was in a low plunging blazer with a long gold necklace with Hollywood type hair and make-up. 

Emette was is a typical suit and tie 

Elle's sorority  sister were in outlandish outfit that targeted them as outsiders. 

·         How did the music contribute to the mood and what did the music tell you about the characters?

·         What did you learn about the characters from the dialogue?

·         What were the values and opinions expressed in this scene?

What did I get myself into?

81 days until graduation...

Mere minutes ago I wrapped up a production meeting with my film group; a collective group of theater and non-theater majors. Our idea was short and sweet.As we developed it into a script details were added. Too many I think. When we view the schedule looking at the rapidly approaching deadlines and  schedule increasing exponential as the weeks past my head begins to spin. What did I get myself into?

I took this class because it fulfilled an 3000+ elective slot, to be honest I did not anticipate the work load of this class. Not that I don't enjoy learning new things but im about to redline.

The idea and script writing process was enjoyable being able to take one sentence concept and a four line poem and transform it into a script. Which soon, hopefully, just maybe will become a workable production shoot and movie.  Fingers cross.

The class is not exactly what I pictured. More hands on work than I planned with my already insane schedule. I picked the class and register for it. Nothing worth doing is ever easy, so I'm hoping once its all said and filmed Video Production will leave me with knowledge I lacked in August.


That what I have for my feeling right now. Here is to a productive last 10 weeks under the lights.

The Dictators

Paragraph 1: Offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie’s title, director and key actors.

My overall opinion of  The Dictator (2012) was a mildly inappropriate humorous film. Sascha Baron Cohen and Anna Faris star in the film. The outrageous comedy plays on wildly unreal government set up but nothing unreal for a Sascha Baron Cohen film.  It not something I would pay to watch but what can you do when it a Red Box movie and friends. 

Paragraph 2: Summarize the plot of the film. 

The Dictators begins with a Republic of Wadiya became in the state that it is currently in. The Dictator, Aladeen is extremely wealth and crazy ruler. If his people do not appease him then he will have you killed type ruler. Aladeen has to make a trip to the U.N for address his country nuclear weapons issues. Aladeen advisor makes a plan to have Aladeen assigned and hires a double that he will use a puppet once the treaty is signed. The advisor plans go awry when Aladeen is still living and planning to regain his title back. It is made difficult to regain his status because he lost his bread. 

Paragraph 3: How did the actors portray key character roles? Did they fulfill your expectations?

Baron Cohen portrays Aladeen is his typical fashion as an outrageous and inappropriate standard character. He is overly sexual and outlandish as he is in the rest of his movie. He reminds be if Will Ferrel because his character is always the same.    

Paragraph 4: Were any particular film techniques used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and music enhance the setting and themes of the film?

The film to me did not have anything special film techniques but music was used to escalated emotions during the scenes.  

Paragraph 5: Offer a decisive factor that tells the reader to attend the film or not.

It is a situational film. If you want a good laugh and do not want to think about the characters then it is a decent film. Like I said I would not pay to see it but Red Box yes. 

The Italian Job (2003) - Movie Review

After work I'm watching Fx and what comes on but the Italian Job. How lucky can I get.

The cast consist of: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Jason Statham, Seth Green, Mos Def and Edward Noton.

The 2003 action packed and payback themed money is enjoyable from start to finish.  A group of friends full of a flawless robbery to soon be betrayed by one of their own. Nothing makes a movie more enjoyable than a revenge plot line for me. "I'm taking this from him" is an appropriate quote from Theron's character as she joins her father's old group to avenge him.

The entire cast fulfilled their roles is their individual ways. Each character had their specific role which built into a well organize team bent for fool-proof hiest. Wahlberg plays the new appointed leader of the group. Theron is the safe cracking daughter of the Southerland's character who is out to avenge her father's memory. Statham is his classic bad ass driving, smokin' hot accent self (SN: I also watched Death Race following the Italian Job. Stathum tends to play the same BA character in all his movies and I perfectly okay with it) Seth Green add the brains to the groups cracking into the traffic control system allowing Green to control the streets of LA. Mos Def adds explosions to the group while Norton is the teammate that went rouge.

The camera action in the Italian Job was quick and always in motion. The scenes if not racing where full of action and geared up with fast pace music. The movie was visually stunning with insane driving and action stuns. 

The Italian Job was released in 2003 I highly doubt my blog critique will alter nine years of prior judgment; however, the movie is one of my favorites. The actors are outstanding, great plot and full of action. Need I mention the epic chase scenes in Mini Cooper. 

The Big Bang Theory - Television Show Review

Paragraph 1: Offer your overall impression of the film while mentioning the movie’s title, director and key actors.

The Big Bang Theory is a quick wit collection on highly intellectual gentlemen and a interesting collection of female characters.  Johnny Galecki as Leonard, Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper and Kaley Cuoco as Penny are just a few of the characters. Directed by Mark Cendrownski.  

Paragraph 2: Summarize the plot of the film. 

The plot of the episode I view was were Sheldon and Leonard's boss requested they attend a work party to grease the palms of rich potential donors. Sheldon refuses to attend leave the funding responsibility to Leonard and Rejash. After the fear of liberal arts receive the fund Sheldon joins the events repulsing all the donors. 

Paragraph 3: How did the actors portray key character roles? Did they fulfill your expectations?

The roles of each character are well cemented. Leonard is the trustworthy friend that is always around to do what is necessary 

Sheldon Cooper  never fails to deliver witty one-liners and do things only to his liking. Nothing else will suffices for this quick witted genius. 

Paragraph 4: Were any particular film techniques used in key scenes? How did the film techniques and music enhance the setting and themes of the film?

Most scene changes are moved by music. The music end and begins scenes while the camera angles are fairly static. 

Paragraph 5: Offer a decisive factor that tells the reader to attend the film or not.

The humor and wit of the character keeps me tuning in. I am not one with a lot of spare time for t.v. but I must say when I do I hope I can catch episode or dear say watch On Demand. 

Media Survey-

Media Literacy Topic #1
Post all answers to the questions below in your blog
Keep a media log for one week, listing all the different types of media avenues you use and how much time you spend with each one for each day of the week. Make a chart that summarizes your habits 
o How do you use media? Which media do you use? (Do you use YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter? Read newspapers or magazines? See billboards or other advertising? Do you watch TV, listen to music, surf the Web, and play video games? 
Also, answer the following questions:


 What does your media use say about you?

I like to stay in tune constantly with what people are doing and always in the know. I am never disconnected from media for a prolonged period of time. 


 Which media do you trust and why? 

I trust media that has been pasted down to me from my friends and my parents. I would have never started using Twitter, Pinterest or even blogger if it weren’t for the recommendations of my friends. 


 Which media do you enjoy the most and why? 

I enjoy social media and entertainment media. Being on a journalist track I like to know who is doing what and how their lives are unfolding. I enjoy listening and watching media such as the radio, television


Are you willing to broaden your exposure to different media? If you used to watch mainly sports and action/ adventure on television, are you now spreading your viewing to a wider range of genres? 

I am willing to try new types for media and expand my views on what type of media I allow to influence me. 



Type of Media Hours Per Day Days of the Week

Friday
Twitter, Texting, Pinterest, Radio, Television 
Texting: 5 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours

Saturday

Vogues Magazine, Radio, Television, Twitter, Texting, Billboards Texting: 3 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours
Television: 4 hours 

Sunday

Texting, Twitter, Radio,television Texting: 5 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours 

Monday

Computer, newspaper, Twitter Radio
Texting: 5 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours
Newspaper: 1 hour

Tuesday
Twitter, Texting, Pinterest, Radio, Television 

Texting: 3 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours
Internet: 2 hours

Wednesday
Twitter, Texting, Pinterest, Radio, Television 

Texting: 3 hours
Twitter: 2 hours
Radio: 4 hours
Television: 4 hours

Thursday
Twitter, Texting, Radio, 
Twitter: 1 hour
Texting: 1 hour
Radio: 1 hour 

Friday

Twiiter: 1 hours
Texting: 1 hour
Internet 1hour
Radio: 1 hours