LAST SAMURAI ANALYSIS
The establishing shot shows us the rolling mountains of Japan, this gives the watcher the idea of there the film is going to be set. The establishing shot consists of a tracking shot across the mountains with some traditional Japanese music in the background to add the effect that Japan at this time is a peaceful place. The next few shots still show the mountains but a narrator is added and he tells us of how Japan was created by the gods, then he voices his own view about how Japan was made by a “handful of great men”. This shows that the film will be about one or a few heroes that keep Japan at peace or from falling into tyrannical rule. This then cuts to a man sitting on a hill with his eyes shut, this indicates that he is thinking about a past experience. The scene then changes to a flashback of hunters cornering and fighting a white mountain tiger, this gives imagery of battles to come within the film. The scene then fades into the title screen. All the while the traditional Japanese music is giving us a calming feel to the movie.
This is our opening sequence to our children 's film. We have spent about a month working on this film so we hope you like it.
Love Mick, Ben and Charlie xox
Sunday, 8 November 2009
from Mick M
The other day we finally managed 2 finish our motion capture scenes for the intro of our lego movie which was to be set for children to watch.
Ill admit it wasnt the best childrens film ever because we included slapping a woman and stealing babies.
But it was good in the fact that we only used lego, we included a dragon, and involved a baby which in a way a child can relate to because like babies they are still young.
I liked it that we included a dragon cause it makes it easier for children to be interested in, because children love the whole fantasy style. E.g. like lord of the rings which was based for a child's age group, and included dragons and orc's and dwarves and all other sorts of monsters, yet it ended up interesting many of the older ages. And there are even groups that play fight with little character figurines so it has definately captured a wider audience than the original producer's thought it could have. Which in turn brought more money into the whole film which meant they could do even more amazing visual animations in the following 2 more movies.
Troubles
- we had some trouble with filming while we were trying to make our lego good guys and bad guys jump and float, cuz we had to use some string to keep them hoisted in the air and make it look like they were falling also, which made it very tricky cuz we had to time the motion capture and the speed at which the lego was moving just right.
- we also had problems with the amount of fingers and hands in our image capture, this was either because of the fact that our string was a tad too small or that we were not concentrating on the images that were being captured.
Ill admit it wasnt the best childrens film ever because we included slapping a woman and stealing babies.
But it was good in the fact that we only used lego, we included a dragon, and involved a baby which in a way a child can relate to because like babies they are still young.
I liked it that we included a dragon cause it makes it easier for children to be interested in, because children love the whole fantasy style. E.g. like lord of the rings which was based for a child's age group, and included dragons and orc's and dwarves and all other sorts of monsters, yet it ended up interesting many of the older ages. And there are even groups that play fight with little character figurines so it has definately captured a wider audience than the original producer's thought it could have. Which in turn brought more money into the whole film which meant they could do even more amazing visual animations in the following 2 more movies.
Troubles
- we had some trouble with filming while we were trying to make our lego good guys and bad guys jump and float, cuz we had to use some string to keep them hoisted in the air and make it look like they were falling also, which made it very tricky cuz we had to time the motion capture and the speed at which the lego was moving just right.
- we also had problems with the amount of fingers and hands in our image capture, this was either because of the fact that our string was a tad too small or that we were not concentrating on the images that were being captured.
from mick
ooh guys and ive figured out how we can introduce our story and ourselves. We have a clear green screen to start with and then this like print off of a person comes on and then farts out and shouts out the name of our story and then maybe another person comes on and then does the same with each of our names and make the names out of carboard pieces. cuz it will look really good with our picture story and it will be quite easy and will give us more time (looking like we have done more). anyways i think is a good idea lol cuz we have to introduce ourselves.
or we could get willing writer to write it all out then we slowly capture the shots 1 at a time as theyre writing it , then screw up the pages and throw them away.
or we could get willing writer to write it all out then we slowly capture the shots 1 at a time as theyre writing it , then screw up the pages and throw them away.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Children's Film Openings
Monsters INC.
*Doors key to narrative
*Plays on horror but breaks the suspense into a comedy
*Suggests that monsters are used
*Jazz suggests that film will be light hearted
*Includes animated monsters in the opening scene
*It also shows the time as being 9:05 pm which is considered late for children
*The camera angle shows all of the child's toys so we know that it is set in a child's bedroom and gives us implication that this movie is set for a younger audience, but can still appeal to those of a more mature nature
Nightmare Before Christmas
*It has dark, creepy music to begin with
*It has rhyming narration at the start
*tells you of monsters hiding around your house to scare you at any time
*pumpkin scarecrow at the start to emphasize on the halloween theme
*has animated beings so that a younger audience can watch without being disturbed
*Focuses on the guillotine to signify that there is likely to be a guillotine later on in the film and to show that this is a horror for children
*Gives small introduction to the key characters
Home Alone
*Has cheerful upbeat music
*this music show's that this is a family film and is suitable for all ages.
*by showing all the family members it brings us into the film more
*and by introducing kevin it shows us that he is likely to be the main character
what we are planning to do something like:
jabberwocky
*Doors key to narrative
*Plays on horror but breaks the suspense into a comedy
*Suggests that monsters are used
*Jazz suggests that film will be light hearted
*Includes animated monsters in the opening scene
*It also shows the time as being 9:05 pm which is considered late for children
*The camera angle shows all of the child's toys so we know that it is set in a child's bedroom and gives us implication that this movie is set for a younger audience, but can still appeal to those of a more mature nature
Nightmare Before Christmas
*It has dark, creepy music to begin with
*It has rhyming narration at the start
*tells you of monsters hiding around your house to scare you at any time
*pumpkin scarecrow at the start to emphasize on the halloween theme
*has animated beings so that a younger audience can watch without being disturbed
*Focuses on the guillotine to signify that there is likely to be a guillotine later on in the film and to show that this is a horror for children
*Gives small introduction to the key characters
Home Alone
*Has cheerful upbeat music
*this music show's that this is a family film and is suitable for all ages.
*by showing all the family members it brings us into the film more
*and by introducing kevin it shows us that he is likely to be the main character
what we are planning to do something like:
jabberwocky
Monday, 12 October 2009
Mick M homework
The Sound Of Music- by robert wise
ATMOSPHERE
The film starts out in what looks like scandinavia or somewhere very cold which tells us that the story is likely to be quite an emotional journey. this then converts to a nice country-side with a big lake and then to a nice quaint village this signify`s that this will be a film for all ages. The bells from the local church come along a tiny bit later which shows that this is a highly catholic area and they are within tranquil surroundings.
CHARACTER
We come up to Maria singing "the hillls are alive with the sound of music" , she then crosses a river whilst singing which shows us that she confident and safe and is not going to be come to any harm and shows us she is not afraid. she also throw's stones in the river which depict's to us that she is in a nice and peaceful place. It then goes on to maria forgetting her hat because she was so happy on her own, which shows us she does like company, but not too much.
CAMERA
The film pans along the scandinavian alps probably in a helicopter getting in all the scenery to show that this is a family movie,also that it is a nice area. We then pan in to a quaint village which also shows us what this film is planning to do for us. we then get a close-up of maria who starts to sing "the hills are alive with the sound of music" this shows us who the main character is and it also signify's that it is a family adventure.
ATMOSPHERE
The film starts out in what looks like scandinavia or somewhere very cold which tells us that the story is likely to be quite an emotional journey. this then converts to a nice country-side with a big lake and then to a nice quaint village this signify`s that this will be a film for all ages. The bells from the local church come along a tiny bit later which shows that this is a highly catholic area and they are within tranquil surroundings.
CHARACTER
We come up to Maria singing "the hillls are alive with the sound of music" , she then crosses a river whilst singing which shows us that she confident and safe and is not going to be come to any harm and shows us she is not afraid. she also throw's stones in the river which depict's to us that she is in a nice and peaceful place. It then goes on to maria forgetting her hat because she was so happy on her own, which shows us she does like company, but not too much.
CAMERA
The film pans along the scandinavian alps probably in a helicopter getting in all the scenery to show that this is a family movie,also that it is a nice area. We then pan in to a quaint village which also shows us what this film is planning to do for us. we then get a close-up of maria who starts to sing "the hills are alive with the sound of music" this shows us who the main character is and it also signify's that it is a family adventure.
WHAT IS A CHILDREN'S FILM
A children's film is a film aimed for those younger than 12. A children's film also has to be appropriate for those above 12.
‘films aimed for children as its audience - as opposed to a family film, no special effort is made to make the film attractive for other audiences.’ (Wikipedia)
U (universal) is a film suitable for all ages over 4 years old, they have positive morals. Any violence, horror or threatening behavior is not prohibited and must be "counterbalanced" (bbfc) with good morals.
No racial comments, discriminating language or behavior issues unless its viewed in a negative way.
There should be no connotation to drug use in any form. Which includes all illegal drugs, unless promoting a suitable anti-drug message to young children.
Any horror scenes or scenes that can cause a young child anxiety have to be short, brief and mild. Imitable behaviour should not be permitted in a children's film, of which a child is likely to copy. Easily accessible weapons should not be included in the broadcasting of such film's.
mild bad language should be use rarely, strong bad language shouldn't be used in a U film.
There should be no sexual content in a U classification film. Natural nudity is allowed.
no sexual behaviour unless its mild, which involves kissing, hugging etc. references are only allowed.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Welcome
This group consists of Charles, Ben, Mick. We have been asked to make an opening to a children's film.
we will post updates for planning and research here.
we will post updates for planning and research here.
Monday, 28 September 2009
lemony snicket
Narrative;
The narrative showed that the film is happy to start with with the littlest elf going through the forest to see all his friends. Then it suddenly changes to a depressing graveyard, which shows that the film will turn out negatively.
we learn that each child has a certain skill that they can use, claus likes learning from books, sunny bites things and violet is an inventor.
they find mysterious secrets in there parents burnt down house e.g the spy glass and the mysterious police report helps the children discover that their parents have been murder.
later on the narrator advices you too leave the threater or place of viewing which goes against conventional filming.
this hint that we should leave the room gives us an idea that something bad will happen to the children and all the money that there parents have left them.
Themes;
hopelessness, family love - they've lost the parents, searching for the truth, over coming tragedy
Characters;
lots of information on the 3 children including character profiles.
there is a small scene with the banker showing that he feels sorry for the children
Atmosphere;
contrast - happy from scary in a minute.
Makes a very quick change from happy to sad
unsettling
shock
unease
unexpected
Youtube video Lemony Snicket
PRELIMINARY TASK (BEN AND MICK)