Film Trailer Review: Life of Pi

The movie Life of Pi directed by Ang Lee, came out on the 21st of November. The buzz that this movie has started to stir up is from its trailer. In this review, I will talk about the aspects of the trailer that make it quite successful.

Figure 1

The narrative structure of the actual film is easily depicted by the selected scenes that were incorporated in the trailer. The trailer consisted of only significant scenes in a chronological order to clearly show the story line. The first scene shown in the trailer does a really good job of establishing the story line for this film. The shots are from the first scene with the ship that the animals are being transported on. Figure 1 above established the scene with the animals on the boat. This scene is significant because it is shows the main conflict that Pi faces throughout the movie. The following scenes show other conflicts and resolutions of the movie, without giving the actual movie away. Also, the trailer does not show the climax but rising actions that make the audience want to further know about the movie and climax of the plot.

Figure 2

The cinematography in this film was really done well. Each shot really exemplified a purpose and the editing in post production really completed the film. I really liked the shots when Pi wakes up on floating debris and realizes that he is stranded in the middle of the ocean. The way that the sky reflects off of the blemish free water really has a cool effect. Figure 3 below is a screenshot of one of the shots in the scene. The general look of the film did suite the story line quite well. The main character, Pi, is a young man from India. Through wardrobe and appearance, the audience can tell the time frame really good for this movie just from the trailer. What I really liked about this film is that over time, Pi's hair got noticeably longer due to being stranded and distraught. Also, from what is in the trailer, the relationship between Pi and the tiger is shown to be progressively growing closer throughout the whole two minutes. One of my favorite scenes in the trailer is the one where the water is glowing green around the boat and then all of a sudden a whale jumps out of the water and over the boat. Figure 2 above is a screenshot from the scene.

Figure 3

Figure 4

This film was completed majority through its edit in post production. This film took place in the middle of the ocean with a lot of dream like and imaginary stuff happening. Definitely a lot of time had to be put into the editing process of this film. For example, the beginning scene of the trailer has Pi swimming through the flooded ship and there is a zebra that swims by the camera. They most likely did not really try to drowned a zebra for this scene, so they definitely created the shot in the edit. In figure 4 to the left, you can see the shot of the zebra swimming underwater. The edit of the trailer pretty generic. It was the type of trailer with out dialogue, a dramatic song and used text to show rising action and explanation for each scene. The movie is an action drama and I think the trailer song fit it well. The song consisted of orchestra instruments that gave a dramatic and fast paced tone for the trailer. Because of the music being fast paced, the cuts from shot to shot are really quick. At some points, the music slows down and shots are held on screen much longer and at a slower speed.

Overall, I feel that this trailer was well done and followed the standard conventions of trailers good.
Heres the link to the trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/lifeofpi/

Documentary Pre-Prodution: Winter 2012

Documentary Pre-Production: Winter 2012

1.Purpose: To educate the audience about radiology at San Francisco General Hospital

2.Contacts: My father, my father’s boss, my father’s co-workers, and possibly patients.

3.Interview Questions: -What’s your favorite thing about working at your job? -What did it take to get to your position today? -How was it when you first started working here? -What is the hardest thing about your job? -Can you tell me some history behind the hospital? -What do you usually deal with on a day to day basis? -What is the weirdest case that you’ve ever dealt with? -How are the patients that you scan usually?

4.Shot List- Close-Ups, Extreme Close-Ups, Waist Shots, Long Shots, Extreme Long Shots and B-roll.

5.General Flow: The beginning would open up with the with shots of the neighborhood eventually leading up to the hospital. Then a shot of the sign of the hospital with some others inside the hospital. Next, I would use some voice over to introduce the section of the hospital I am documenting while showing B-Roll of the whole Radiologist department. Like people working, technology and stuff like that . After, I would introduce my first interviewer and ask them questions while showing B-Roll relating to the questions. Then, I want to talk about some history behind the Radiologist department and how it has updated from before. And within talking about the history and stuff, I want to maybe include more interviews. Finally, I want to end the documentary with every interviewer answering a good closing question with B-Roll of the hospital.

6. Scripts: Questions for the interviewers, templates to answer the questions and voice over script. Intro:________________________________________________________________ Closing:_____________________________________________________________ 7. Production Schedule: By November 30th - All pre-production is done; treatment, 2 column script ready, etc... By December 6th - All filming is completely done By December 9th - Rough Cut done and Music score started By December 12th - Whole edit is complete and ready to be exported

"Drug Crazed - USA" - Film Critique

The documentary film Drug Crazed - USA is an investigation of the new designer drug called, "Bath Salts." This documentary informs the audience of the dangers of this new drug that is sweeping the nation. It argues about whether the drug should be legal or not but clearly states it's position by the use of interviews, voice overs and other evidence. People who were interviewed told the heart wrenching stories of their loved ones that were consuming the drug and addicted to it. And in some cases, losing their lives. The people interviewed were followed around to document their attempt to reach their goal of banning Bath Salts.

Dickie at his birthday

One larger story followed was the story of "Dickie Sanders." Dickie Sanders was on the rise to becoming a great BMX star until his behavior on Bath Salts cost him his life. His story is told by his father who was there when Dickie tried to kill himself and when he actually did. Dickie's paranoia that was brought upon him because of the Bath Salt caused him to shoot himself and take his own life. Emphasizing this story shows the audience the dangers behind this drug and the effects of it.

The documentary is narrated by a voice over to introduce each person and explain backstory behind each of them. The narrator also explains the context behind the video on the screen also. This makes it easier for the audience to understand more meaning behind what is displayed. The narrator also clearly takes his position on the side of the argument against the use of Bath Salts.

One of the interview doctors

Medical professionals and scientists are interviewed to provide information on the drug. They discuss what chemicals and substances are in the drug and they explain what they do to your body and mind.

The director did a good job of organizing the way that the each scene was put into order. First, the drug was introduced, then stories of the drug were told, and finally, the medical research and science behind the drug was revealed.

One drug bust in action

I also like how the director incorporated the drug busts to show evidence of further attempt to ban Bath Salts. Within a scene of the documentary, the director showed live footage, archival footage, and direct interviews. All of these contributed to the standard conventions of the documentary film genre on top of the cinematography style. Nothing fancy was done for the artistic choice of cinematography. Most shots were still, but there were a few continuous shots that were shot handheld during the drug bust scenes. Almost no music at all was played during the film besides in the opener and credits. This was most likely done to preserve the informative side of the audio. This documentary overall I feel was pretty effective. It was executed well to give the audience information about the drug. Although, it could have been a little bit longer and talked more about the origin of the drug. Otherwise, it was good film.

Link to documentary: http://documentarystorm.com/drug-crazed-usa/

Short Film Step-Outline: Fall 2012

First Date

STEP-OUTLINE

By: Dominic Colangelo

Scene:                    Dramatic Intent:

A teenage boy named, “Ernest” is at home having trouble picking out an outfit to wear. Picks an outfit after a while then leaves home.	Shows Ernest has no sense of style and he is nervous for his first ever date.
Ernest waits nervously outside his dates house. Knocks on dates door and awkwardly meets parents of his date. After, the date, Ida, and Ernest are on their way out.	Ernest’s personality is introduced here. He can be considered timid/ shy, quiet and lost.
Walking, Ernest realizes that he has no idea what him and his date are going to do. He has nothing planned.	Ernest is confused but does not want to ruin this date for him or Ida.
Ernest is not sure where to take a girl for their first date so he brings Ida to a fast food restaurant. They eat quietly with minimal words exchanged.	Bringing Ida to a McDonald’s is funny because what girl wants to eat at McDonald’s for their first date. This shows Ernest as a confused or lost person.
The two walk and go into random stores that they pass on the piers. Ida’s eyes lock on the merry go round.	Ida’s outgoing personality is exemplified while Ernest’s timid and quiet personality is exemplified.
Ernest is morbidly scared of rides but he does not want to show his fear around Ida. So he gets on the merry go round with Ida.	Their contrasting personalities are mainly exemplified here. Ida is attracted to Ernest because of his timid personality.
They get off the ride and want ice cream. They walk into ben & jerry’s nearby and share a sundae on the pier.	Quickly, Ernest is catching on to this dating thing. He feels he can open up more to Ida. This scores Ernest some points with her.
Ernest brings Ida to the aquarium. Ernest apologizes to Ida explains his story to her. Ida gets him and shows sympathy.	The aquarium is significant. Ernest’s mom used to take him there before she passed away. He never had the woman figure in his life to teach him how to date well. But really Ida did not mind the date at all.
Ernest brings Ida home and thinks the date was a disaster. But he earns himself a kiss and another date with Ida.	Ernest did well on his first date and realizes there is some hope for him.

My storyline has all ten elements of storytelling within it. The main character in my story, Ernest, has a goal to have a good first date with the girl of his dreams, Ida. But Ernest is not exactly sure how dating works exactly which connects to his backstory. His backstory is revealed later on in the story that his mother died and he had no one really to talk to how a first date should go down. This can also be the unknown in the storyline because it is unexpected. The backstory then links with the element of obstacle by Ernest going on a first date without knowing how to date. Discovery occurs when Ida finds out that Ernest's mother has past away. Relationship is building up between Ernest and Ida, and fading between Ernest and his mother. The setting of my film is Pier 39 in San Francisco because it is a large tourist attraction and is a common place for dates. Multiple moods can be felt from my film but I think that sympathy and connection are the two main moods. Ida feels sympathetic towards the end of the date because she finds out why Ernest's date has no sense of, "direction." Connection is felt by the audience because the attraction between Ernest and Ida is obvious and inevitable. The time will be modern time and day because it suppose to be told in modern time. Ernest comes off to be a nerdy, awkward and dryly comedic teenage boy. He has ALMOST no idea when it comes to girls and relationships which is obvious to the audience. Ida happens to be sort of opposite to Ernest. She is an outgoing, social and accepting teenage girl that will be easy to infer from her actions. 

Characterization

A good movie always has a great main character. This character is always brought to life well and seems as if they were a real person if their part is played well. For example, Robert Downy Jr.'s role in the Sherlock Holmes series is executed very well. I feel that Robert Downy Jr. suits the part really good and makes me feel like he is actually Sherlock Holmes. If you do not know, Sherlock Holmes is based on a book series written by, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle." The character in the book is a very logical and smart detective who solves numerous crimes throughout the series. Robert Downy Jr. gets into the mind of Sherlock Holmes and brings Holmes to life. The movie version of Holmes is brought to life by his Brittish accent, daring and witty acts, his wardrobe of trench coats and his signature corn cob pipe.

The scene below is the opening scene to the second Sherlock Holme movie. Holmes proves his wit and physical capability when he fights against four other men. In the middle of the fight, he has a flash forward of what the men that he is fighting will try to do next. Now the book version of Sherlock Holmes is not psychic, but by performing this flash forward, it exaggerated the brains that Holmes actually has. The obstacle of defeating four men is surpassed by this premonition he has. Also, Holmes enters the scene in a disguise as a Chinese man. This is kinda humorous and exemplifies how there is a character within the character of Sherlock Holmes.

Trailer to both Sherlock Holmes Movies:

Sherlock Holmes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egcx63-FfTE

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDv0WRmPWp8&feature=watch-vrec

Creativity Can Be Increased By Writing- Get Yo Juices Flowin'

A recent post on Chase Jarvis' blog, has claims of higher creativity by writing. Statistics in the blog says that as writing reduces stress and increases self- esteem and happiness. According to Jarvis, in his own experience of getting his, "creative juices" flowing, happiness gets his creativity really moving. And after using one of the five writing techniques that are listed in his post, he feels that he is in a much better mood. For example, one of the techniques are, "describing a perfect self." This technique is when you write down an event or day that everything worked out for yourself. I felt that it was the most interesting technique. Maybe i'll try one of these out next time I get the chance to.

Here's a link to the post: http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2012/09/writing-makes-photographers-more-creative-5-easy-tips/

Review: When You Find Me

The film, When You Find Me directed by Bryce Dallas Howard, incorporates eight storytelling elements into his film. The eight elements are ones that I have wrote about in a past blog post. You can check those out at: http://reviewdis.blogspot.com/2012/09/10-themes-of-storytelling.html. In this post, I will go into further detail and exemplify Howard's use of his elements of the images that he based the his shots on.

Unknown

The theme of, "The Unknown" is exemplified here in this shot of a white tree. The tree is in multiple scenes throughout the film. Every scene with the tree in it is shot with filters that make the whole setting look angelic and almost dreamy in a way. In the shot, the sky and horizon are gloomy and melancholy while the foreground and mid-ground are illuminated brightly with the contrast super high and saturation low.

Mood

The theme, "Mood" is depicted here in this shot. The face of the girl happens to be monochrome and in focus while the background seems to be colored and blurred. Black and white in this frame make the girl's face stick out which intensifies her facial expression. Her facial looks sad and that gives the shot a mood of sorrow or grief over the death of her mother.

Obstacle

This frame of the gate to the cemetery shows the theme of, "Obstacle." This gate of a cemetery represents challenge and obstacle in the life of the two little girls when their mother dies. When their mother died, the the older sister blamed the younger sister for them not being able to speak to their mother before she died. The scene when the two daughters are in the graveyard was influenced by the picture. 

Relationship

"Relationship," is the theme shown in this frame above. The story line of this movie revolves around relationship because the sisters relationship between each other drastistically change when the death of their mother occurs. Also this image seems to be more of an intimate relationship, it can represent the sibling relationship just because of the word, "relationship." Also, the fact that the image is black and white, it can relate to the sorrow and grief that changed the sisterly relationship.

Setting

This image of the cockpit of a rotted, broken down airplane relates to the theme of setting in the film. The image influenced the scene when the younger sister enters a spaceship in the woods and wakes up older, as if it was a dream. The image and the actual scene have multiple visual details to add to the theme. The outside of the aircraft is the woods, which gives the scene a sense of being lost or exploration. In the cockpit, it is rotted down and makes the scene seem old and unused.

Character

This image of a girl in a swing influences the scene where the younger sister is swinging on a swing while her older sister in on the ground next to her. The actions between the two sisters show an effect of what the death of their mother has done to their relationship. This depicts both characters as sorrowful and mourning. The younger sister sits in the swing, slowly swinging and staring at the ground because she is sad over her mother decesing.

Time

This picture exemplified the theme of, "Time." The picture does this because the scene of the picture looks to be night. I can make this assumption because of the lantern and dimly lit background. This image influenced the scene where the younger sister was running through the cemetery in search of her spaceship. This spaceship would take her to mother she thought. That represents time in the actual theme of the film.

Goal

The image above represents the the theme of, "Goal" to the viewer. This picture was exemplified by the scene in the film when the younger sister sees a spaceship that she thinks will take her to her mother. She thinks that this spaceship will be the only way that she can get back to her mother. This sets a goal for the younger sister which causes her to feel the need to get to this spacecraft.

Link to film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbHtzlCAQ7o&feature=relmfu

10 Themes of Storytelling

In photography and film, there are 10 themes to storytelling. The themes consist of mood, goal, backstory and other themes of that sort. Continue reading to learn more about some of these themes.

Mood

Mood conveys atmosphere, tone or emotion.

The attention in this picture is brought to the babies face. Using a lens with a long focal length, the photographer was able to blur out the background while keeping the image of the baby's face sharp and crisp. The baby's facial expression gives a sense of innocence and awe. The blue lights that illuminate the face of baby and her father create a harmony and connection between the two. Although the father's back is facing the camera, it is to point more attention to the baby rather than distracting the viewer.

Goal

Goal is what the subject is pursuing.

The motion vector in this picture is man in the wheelchair moving toward the left of the frame. This is done by using a lens with a long focal length to blur the background while preserving the image of the man in the wheel chair. By doing this, it brings attention to him and shows the intensity of . It represents the theme of goal because the man is moving the ball up court despite his difficulty of being handicapped. The photographer framed the subject in the center of the frame with the bottom lines of the frame parallel to the foot rest of the wheelchair.

Backstory

Backstory is what is further into the history the image.

This image represents the theme of backstory. The image shows to have history behind what in within the frame. The piano keys and piano itself look to be worn down which give the piano a general age of "old." The effect of a blurred, distortion or opacity drop to the hand can mean multiple things. Possibly that the piano has been played many times before, gives the images a motion vector and adds to give the picture time. The photographer framed the picture along the top of the piano to give the piano a sense of horizontal symmetry, which goes with the actual keys of the piano.

Character

Character is your subject or whoever the focus is.

This picture represents the character because it shows a connection between both characters in the picture. The two in the picture seem to be grandmother and granddaughter at a merry-go-round. The facial expressions on both aren't exactly super happy, but also they aren't super sad. The fact that the picture is monochrome though gives almost a melancholy feel to the picture. It also gives the picture age.

Obstacle

Obstacle is anything that is blocking the subjects goal or in the way.

The focus in this picture is a teenage boy looking up, profile view, at what appears to be a hill. The camera looks to to be eye level with the subject and makes it seem as if what he is looking up at could be a challenge or obstacle. The picture is taken with a normal sized focal length which is lined up along the orange-ish colored flowers. This graphic vector gives the picture depth and seems as if you can reach into the picture itself. The tone of the actual image gives a sense of faithfulness or enlightenment because of the illumination on the face of the subject. The smoke in front of the face of the subject makes the picture seem as almost if it is a dream.

Relationship

Relationship is the emotion or connection between anything.

This picture represents relationship because the subject of the picture is the couple who are holding each other very intimately and close. The boy's hand is acting as an index vector towards the face of the girl he is holding. The illumination of the sun behind the subjects warmly illuminates the whole image without over exposing the it or completely silhouetting the boy and girl. The rays of light casted off on the leaves of the tree to the left also give a feel of autumn to the picture. The photographer framed the people in the picture using a "dutch angle." This almost warps the image and destroys a sense perspective behind the image.

Setting

Setting is the location of your image to add effect to the topic.

This picture represents setting because is shot with a normal focal length with a lot within the frame. The whole picture has a lot of texture and patterns. The house looks to be old which gives the photo age. The lighting in the picture shows the house to be lit up dreamily, and joyfully. Rather than if the image was light dimly, it would make the house seem scary and uninviting. The trees along the edges of the frame are in the foreground but blurred. The house is in the background but crisply focused.

The Unknown

The unknown is anything that is not known or can be an unexpected twist.

This picture represents the unknown because the staircase looks as if it never ends. The leaves on the trees and on the ground make it seem if it is autumn when this image was taken. The picture has a sense of depth going up the stairs. Rays of light that are being casted through the leaves to the right give a dreamy illumination to this image. Also the curvy trunks of the trees that line the staircase to the left make it seem like something from like "Alice in Wonderland." Age is given because of the worn down stairs that look as if they used to be much less crumblier, and not cracked.

Time

Time is the time and day of the frame in history.

This image represents time because it portrays a room that has been worn down after time of neglection and failure to upkeep. The clutter of things in the room make is seem as if the room was destroyed by maybe an earthquake or ransacked by robbers. Being in monochrome, the image has a depressing feel of emptiness or loneliness. Which you can infer that there are no residents of this household. The photographer framed this image along the top corner of the wall where it meets the roof and using a camera with a short focal length. This se of a short focal length was to get a lot into the frame with not be being able to back up far.

Review: Silent House

The movie, Silent House by Chris Kentis, is a psychological thriller based on an Uruguayan horror movie called, "La Casa Muda." Chris Kentis' previous work includes the hit movie Open Water. The whole movie is one continuous cut and shot from a POV, similar to Chronicle and Cloverfield. If you get motion sickness easily, I do not recommend you watch this movie. The camera is constantly shaking and moving. Despite all the camera movements, you feel the tension and emotion that Elizabeth Olsen feels in her position.

The setting of this movie is a cluttered, summer house looking over a lake. The movie opens with a girl (Olsen), her father and uncle cleaning out the house. Olsen hears little creaks and all those other scary noises you think about when you're home alone. But Olsen, her father and her uncle aren't the only ones there. Olsen ends up by herself in the house and ends up getting chased by someone unknown man. She sprints up stairs and locks herself in a room. These events eventually lead up to her finding her father's body in a pool of blood. Olsen goes back downstairs and outside the house to find her uncle, but when they go back upstairs to find her father's body, it's gone. She splits up with her uncle for a little and then gunshots are heard throughout the house. Hiding under the table, again, she sees her uncle's body being dragged across the ground by the unknown man (or woman). After she witnesses this horrifying sight for herself, she comes out from under the table and a twist in the story takes place. At this point, the audience should have realized she has a psychological problem and that Olsen was imagining everything that occurred. According to pictures shown, she was molested by her uncle and father as a child in that house. So this was Olsen's revenge on her uncle and father. She was the one who shot her uncle and beat her father to death.

Okay, so the ending kind of ruined the movie for the audience. Olsen mutilates her father with a sledgehammer and walks off screen, nothing said. The storyline overall was not too complex to follow until the last 5-10 minutes comes. That when the audience has to use their brains to put it all together. Which ties together with other little foreshadows and hints from earlier in the movie. Personally, I feel they could have chosen a better cast. The actor who played Olsen's father looked as if she could've been a husband or brother which made it seem awkward when she called him, "Daddy." The "eerie" soundtrack goes relatively well with the theme of the movie. The only thing about it is that I feel it is a little too subtle. A detail that is really subtle that no one seems to notice is that every few minutes, random spurts of blood start to show up on Olsen's shirt with no reason for it. The plot in one sentence should go something like this: A young woman is terrorized by an unknown man while cleaning out her old Summer house that ends with a twist. Overall this movie probably deserves a C-, but fact that some of scenes made me wanna crap my pants, I give it a C+.

Link to trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD88EFBFuos