A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - CAN I KICK IT?

What kind of mood do the filmmakers create in this video? What are 3 techniques that they use to create this mood?

   The filmmakers create a fun and energetic mood. The had a variety of shots and used them all effectively.  They cut back and forth from all of their shots. The video showed all the artists standing and dancing around as they sang the song. It was neat how they ended the video with the same shot they started the video 

COLDPLAY THE SCIENTIST

What is the theme of this music video? What kind of techniques are they using to convey it?

   The theme is very depressing and sad. The video is played in reverse so that you find out what happens in the end. The character is in a car accident. In real time it would be in the beginning. The lyrics of the song actually work best if the video is played in reverse.

RADIOHEAD THERE THERE...

What kind of mood did the filmmakers and the artists create in this video? What are 3 techniques that you noticed they used to create this mood? Use what you've already learned so far in the class to craft your response.

   The filmmakers of this music video created a very adventurous and intriguing mood. One of the things that helped them was the set and background. The look of this world/forrest was very interesting. Also, the way he walked around. He was always walking around so curious and interested in everything around him. The fact that the animals were stuffed and not CGI. was good and not a terrible distraction. The editing of the music video also helped with their execution. It had a good pace and was cut together very neatly.

BEASTIE BOYS SABOTAGE

What kind of mood did the filmmakers and the artists create in this video? What are 3 techniques that you noticed they used to create this mood? Use what you've already learned so far in the class to craft your response. 

   The filmmakers and artists created a very fun and pumped up mood. Things happening all over the place and no time for caution. They don't let you stop to catch a breath. They cut on action and also when the beat drops (from the song). The edgy cinematography also helped a lot. lastly, the coloring of the film. The yellowish look made it feel more alive and action-packed.

MICROPHONE TYPES

What are the benefits of a shotgun microphone vs. a handheld microphone? How about a lavalier microphone vs. a shotgun microphone? If you were shooting an interview on camera, which microphone would you use? Why?

   Shoutgun microphones can get good quality sound but require a person to operate it. These microphones are attached to a long pole and held over the taents, being out of frame, or up close to where ever the sound you're trying to get is coming from. Handheld microphones are good for concert stages and field reporters. This type of microphone is obviously visible and they're never used for indoor sets. Lavalier microphones are attachable, usually to your clothing such as a shirt, and very small. They're also known as laspel microphones and it's a good idea to add widescreen to minimize wind noise, when using outside. 

IT'S FOLEY TIME!

What are three essential things that this article mentions to keep in mind? Why might each of these be important for video production?

   When being a foley it's good to keep in mind that you might have improvise a lot of your sounds. Also, you need the right equipment. You might have the knowledge to record the perfect sounds, However, the correct equipment will be the difference between a professional sound or a low budget sound. This helps me with my video because we are actually recording our entire song.

                 

   

IRON MAN WITHOUT MUSIC

Without music, how does the scene feel to you? Why? What aspects seem missing? How do you think having music change this scene?

   The entire scene really works dramatically. Without the music you're simply being exposed to the screaming and gunshots, and it keeps you on edge. You really feel the action and tension as the scene plays out. The Dark Knight has an underground chase scene, and the scene also has no music. This builds the scene's tension and gives it a more realistic serious tone. In fact, I saw a version of that same scene with music added and it's not as great as the original. Back to the Ironman scene, if we were to add music the scene wouldn't be terrible, but it also wouldn't be as intense.

YOUR MUSIC VIDEO PITCH

What is your music video idea? What is your visual concept/story? Why did you choose this song and concept? What are your locations? What music video style are you emulating?

  Our music video idea is showing the injustice and stereotypes that some foreign kids are treated with. Our story is actually based on a true story that my partner Joel Perez experienced. When he was in elementary school he went through something that has stuck with him ever since. That was his inspiration and now we are making it. It shows a student deciding to ditch school and wondering off around the neighborhood. These were tough and complicated times for him. Suddenly, a police officer finds him and asks him to enter his vehicle. Upon arriving back at his school he finds counselors, teachers, and his parents waiting for him. He was met with a lot of hate and stereotypical /racist judgment from the teachers and police officers. The officer even asked him to lift his shirt to check for gang related logos or tattoos. This was a clear message to Joel saying how he would be looked at and thought of in his community. Our shooting locations include his school and neighborhood. Joel wrote the song and we are working on getting the right beat fir it at the moment. We believe our style is representing a very real and serious tone about the stereotypes that many face now a days. He also says he's inspired by the work of the artist Kendrick Lamar.

MOVIE MUSICALS

How did the musical first develop in hollywood? Why do you think it play such an important role in the history of filmmaking? Why do you think there has been such a revival of the musical in pop culture in the 21st century?

   Ever since 1927’s The Jazz Singer, Hollywood movies were only musicals. During the early 30’s, film studios, all tried to surpass each other with their "over the top spectacles", putting out a lot of formulaic musical revues. Sadly, the money from the victims of the Great Depression stopped coming in. They got tired of the same thing over and over again. They demanded more. Then came Busby Berkley, he was a Broadway dance director. Warner Brothers brought him in in hopes that he would stop the obscurity of the movie musicals. And so he did. Movie musicals weren't a small phase that Hollywood went through, it was a very significant moment in film history. In fact, so significant that we still get musicals now-a-days. They can still hold up, they just must be done in a specific way. This is because films today aren't like films back then.

DIEGETIC VS. NON DIEGETIC SOUND

What is the difference between diegetic and non diegetic sound? What is an example of each that you can think of from a film?

   Diegetic sound is when you an see sound on screen. For example, when you see people talking (dialogue), hear explosions, rain, or footsteps (sound effects), and music thats played by a sound system. Non-diegetic sound is when it comes from a source that isn't present or given in the story's universe. For example, music that is used to bring emotions into the story (score) or sometimes they have commentary or narration by an actor.

MONO VS. STEREO SOUND

Summarize the key differences between stereo and mono? Why is each important? If I were recording an interview with someone in a noisy environment, which might be a better type of microphone to use: stereo or mono? Why?

   Stereophonic sound is the copy of sound when using more than 2 independent audio channels creating the feeling of sound heard from many different directions. It's much more expensive than Mono and is used for film, television, music players, and FM radio.

   Monaural (monophonic)has audio in a single channel, often centered in the “sound field”. i.e. and stereo (Stereophonic) are classification of sound.

FROM EDISON TO T-PAIN

How do you think these technological advances affected filmmaking? Which 3 of these advances do you think are the most important to video and film? Why?

   I believe that these sound & music technological advances created a milestone for filmmaking. As people wanted a more advanced and convenient way to watch films, they began to pay attention to this "sound" thing. Filmmakers quickly started to adapt and incorporate sound in cinema. I believe that the phonograph, graomphone, and stereophonic sound are the most important to film and video.

THE HISTORY OF SOUND QUESTIONS

Take a moment to write down 2 questions about the history of sound that you would like to learn about. What do you want to know about these aspects of sound history?

   I was really wondering about the methods and systems they used back then to incorporate sound in their films. Also, how much of a competition was it? Did the crowd react in a positive way or negative way? What obstacles did they encounter?

DIFFERENT BIT RATE & AUDIO

Using the qualities of sound that you learned, how would you describe the differences between the bit rates? How do each of them sound different?

   You can tell the difference because some flow a lot smoother than others. Also, the first ones (higher kbps) sound a lot louder and clearer than the last ones (lower kbps). Withe the kbps lower the quality sounds like crap. As if the song were being played next door and you were hearing it through the wall.

   

SEEING SOUND

What do you find interesting about this video? How does seeing sound visualized help you understand what sound is?

It demonstrates the technique know as schlieren flow visualization. It's used to see anything that distorts the air. This good for knowing because this way we can have an idea as to how our sound is recorded in film.

YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH SOUND AT THE MOVIES

What are 2 things things that you notice about the sound in modern hollywood movies? What is the first film that made you think about the sound of the film? What interested you? The sound effects? The sound track? The dialog? Why?

   The sound in modern hollywood movies is always blasted as loud as they possibly can. The first film that really made me think about sound is Gravity. The sound depth and quality was perfect. Not only was the score of the film amazing but the dialog was used in such a way that you felt like you were there with her. 

STORYTELLING ADVICE

How does Ira's advise relate to what you are going through in the class so far? What are the key points that he mentions in the video? How could they be applied to you? What part of his advise seems helpful?

   It talks about how we all go through a struggle when we first begin to write stories. We know it isn't that great but we're aware of the potential that it has. Some tips he gives us is to write as much work as possible. This way we will get all our good ideas out and/or find a writing style. As a writer, this is really good advice because I often find myself in that tough situation. I always try to write as much as possible on my free time. This way I can write the best of my potential.

STORYTELLING & SCREENWRITING WRAPUP

Now that we are about to take the quiz on storytelling, what are 3 things that you've learned in this unit? What are 2 things that you'd like to learn more about? What is one thing you're still unsure about? Why? Please be specific and use vocabulary you've learned in the unit so far.

In this storytelling unit I learned the importance of The Hero's Journey. Every hero has gone through this cycle, each in their own way. Also, the structure and separate segments of the 3 Acts in a story. Some examples would be inciting incident, obstacles, and the crisis. Lastly, the importance, power, significance, and advantages of a setting. Every storyteller uses different settings to tell their different stories. This varies from a dark and gritty mansion to a 5 mile long space station. I would like to know more about the type of characters that best fit a setting or genre. 

THE SCREENPLAY P. 2

Now that you've learned the basic layout to the hollywood screenplay format, what are 3 things that surprise you about it? Why? Compare your thoughts to Mondays blog entry. What was different? Why?

   I knew most of this basic layout format. However, I wasn't aware of the shooting script, subheader, and the intercut. I'm not so familiar with every detail and note that must be added to the screenplay. Compared to Monday's blog it's clear that I'm very comfortable when writing a screenplay.