The Sci-Fi Film genre started in short films in the silent film era, these usually lasted 1-2 minutes as the Sci-Fi genre was experimental at the time. These films were usually intended as comedy films and heavily relied on technological themes. 1902 spawned what is considered the very first Science Fiction film "Le Voyage dans la Lune" or "A Trip to the Moon" by director Georges Méliès. This is set in a spacecraft launched to the moon through a cannon. It drew upon Jules Verne and H. G. Wells (groundbreaking Science Fiction authors) in it's storyline and backdrops. Its ground-breaking special effects pioneered the way for future
science-fiction films, and it became largely popular after its release.
Saturday, 17 August 2013
Monday, 5 August 2013
The Matrix: Analysis
The film 'The Matrix' Is probably one of the best examples of the Sci-Fi/Post-Modern films to date. The short film I create may feature similar scenes to the matrix such as the fighting simulation or other simulation scenes. The Matrix played a big part in creating story concepts for this film.
The Matrix is a Sci-Fi film in which a man finds out the world he lives in is a lie and is simulated to keep his brain active so he can be used as an energy to robots humans created. He joins a group dedicated to destroy this simulation and he discovers that he is 'The One' which means he is the savior and destroyer of the Matrix.
This follows typical genre conventions (a fear of the alien, machines and lights etc.) Which I don't think my film will follow. My film is Sci-Fi but will feature no Alien contact and the machines are as simple as a computer and peripheral devices for it.
The film is also aimed at an audience between the ages of 15-30 which isn't my ideal demographic but IT shows that Sci-Fi can appeal to most age groups that watch films.
The film I will produce will differ from the plot of the Matrix as The main character starts off in a world where he knows what is real and ends up in a world that confuses him. The world he creates destroys his real life and he seeks comfort in the fake world.
The element of The Matrix I want to utilize is the agents and their duplication. As this world i a game world, there are going to be glitches and anomalies and I like the idea that the same character is reused as an extra. This is all well and good but will require a lot of attention and editing for a small establishment between the worlds and I'm not sure it will be worth the extra filming.
The Matrix is a Sci-Fi film in which a man finds out the world he lives in is a lie and is simulated to keep his brain active so he can be used as an energy to robots humans created. He joins a group dedicated to destroy this simulation and he discovers that he is 'The One' which means he is the savior and destroyer of the Matrix.
This follows typical genre conventions (a fear of the alien, machines and lights etc.) Which I don't think my film will follow. My film is Sci-Fi but will feature no Alien contact and the machines are as simple as a computer and peripheral devices for it.
The film is also aimed at an audience between the ages of 15-30 which isn't my ideal demographic but IT shows that Sci-Fi can appeal to most age groups that watch films.
The film I will produce will differ from the plot of the Matrix as The main character starts off in a world where he knows what is real and ends up in a world that confuses him. The world he creates destroys his real life and he seeks comfort in the fake world.
The element of The Matrix I want to utilize is the agents and their duplication. As this world i a game world, there are going to be glitches and anomalies and I like the idea that the same character is reused as an extra. This is all well and good but will require a lot of attention and editing for a small establishment between the worlds and I'm not sure it will be worth the extra filming.
Friday, 2 August 2013
Genre Conventions: Science Fiction
Science fiction refers to a genre of media in which laws and theories in science are expanded and exaggerated. This usually involves encounters with alien species or concepts and may explore machinery and technology. These forms of media are usually set in the future or in other universes. The SlideShare below describes an idea of a typical or atypical Sci-Fi film.
Whilst I do not completely agree with some of the conventions for a typical Sci-Fi described (E.g. Fast camerawork in action sequences and Big cities are where the action is held) I almost completely agree with what makes an atypical Sci-Fi film.
The film described here (Inception) is another example of a Sci-Fi film where the main character is caught in multiple worlds. This is what I consider an atypical Science fiction film as it is all based around human contact and is set in the present and in this universe as opposed to other Sci-Fi films.
Some conventions of Sci-Fi are more to do with sub genre compared to Sci-fi as a whole. I believe that Sci-fi films try their hardest to break a feeling of good and evil. With films containing different species, the alien is nearly always just trying to live and humans interfere. With Dystopian films, usually has little idea of evil besides a previous event. In films with a human caused threat which establishes humans as good and evil.
Whilst I do not completely agree with some of the conventions for a typical Sci-Fi described (E.g. Fast camerawork in action sequences and Big cities are where the action is held) I almost completely agree with what makes an atypical Sci-Fi film.
The film described here (Inception) is another example of a Sci-Fi film where the main character is caught in multiple worlds. This is what I consider an atypical Science fiction film as it is all based around human contact and is set in the present and in this universe as opposed to other Sci-Fi films.
Some conventions of Sci-Fi are more to do with sub genre compared to Sci-fi as a whole. I believe that Sci-fi films try their hardest to break a feeling of good and evil. With films containing different species, the alien is nearly always just trying to live and humans interfere. With Dystopian films, usually has little idea of evil besides a previous event. In films with a human caused threat which establishes humans as good and evil.
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Film Conventions: Sub Genres
At this point, I know my Film will be a science fiction piece with a slasher-horror element to it. Embedded below is a SlideShare presentation giving examples of sub genres of Horror and Sci-fi as well as other genres of Film.
An example of horror/Sci-Fi is the film Alien but this is not the sort of Science fiction Sub genre I am going for. If I were to follow this presentation's sub genre definitions, my film would be closest to the Mad science with slasher elements.
A huge problem with slasher is going to be the blood and gore. Whilst this is only going to have a small part in the film and could be left unseen, I really want some shock factor for the audience, mainly to show how twisted he has become or to show how messy he is to start off with. If this were to happen, It would start off as a very visual thing and then the murders become less obvious so less is seen. This would show that he is learning to kill. All problems aside, I think the film could work out with visual slasher elements and could make the film more complete.
All in all, At this point in time, I will make my film a Mad Science film with moments of slasher horror as these genres best describe my vision for the final outcome.
An example of horror/Sci-Fi is the film Alien but this is not the sort of Science fiction Sub genre I am going for. If I were to follow this presentation's sub genre definitions, my film would be closest to the Mad science with slasher elements.
A huge problem with slasher is going to be the blood and gore. Whilst this is only going to have a small part in the film and could be left unseen, I really want some shock factor for the audience, mainly to show how twisted he has become or to show how messy he is to start off with. If this were to happen, It would start off as a very visual thing and then the murders become less obvious so less is seen. This would show that he is learning to kill. All problems aside, I think the film could work out with visual slasher elements and could make the film more complete.
All in all, At this point in time, I will make my film a Mad Science film with moments of slasher horror as these genres best describe my vision for the final outcome.
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Main A2 Production: Story
As I want this to go into production as soon as possible, I have had to start thinking about a detailed story for the film so then I can begin story boarding and experimenting with different techniques according to what I need for my piece.
I have most of my story sorted out, my main issue is subplots and whether or not to include. They will help me to establish a confusion between the real world and the game world. Anyway, for now I have included the main one and I believe this one is the most appropriate. This will be highlighted in red and character background will be highlighted in blue.
The Main character is an outcast with nobody in Sixth form that shares his interests. He is amazing with computers and has a passion for gaming. He is around 17-18 years old. The main character is walking through school during lessons as he doesn't want to face his classmates. He then faces the main antagonists which after some chat, begin to beat him up. this scene ends with a boot to the face in a eye line match shot.We see a computer code initiating on a black screen and the main credits roll over these next scenes. We see the main character in a blank white background which slowly renders to be the grounds he was in for the opening scenes. He begins to explore what he has been creating for so long and he discovers the antagonists once again but this time, he initiates a fight with them. He uses a dialog box or voice commands to initiate events that aid him in his battle. As he is about to end the fight, the antagonist becomes a line of code and the game freezes, reminding him that the world is just a game.
The next scenes are a montage of scenes that show the contrast between his real life getting worse and his fake life getting better. He is shown getting abused in real life and returning these blows in the game. He is shown forming a relationship with a girl in game and he finds her in real life and begins talking to her as if she is the game version, this leaves them both in confusion. By this point it is made obvious that the game is the majority of his lifestyle now.
Then he snaps, some event in real life (Maybe the death of a family member) causes him to simulate a murder scene in game. As he has become more and more frustrated with the main antagonist, he decides that he will be the victim. Once the murder takes place, he sees the game as a murder simulation, learning stealth and various methods. During the last kill, he gets caught, he is confident so he goes along with it and doesn't flinch when he is arrested. Something is odd when he finds out what he is being charged for, only some of the murders that happened are accounted for. it is then he sees some of his victims are still alive. This is when he realises that he is no longer in the game, but in the real world. He is then arrested and then the credits roll.
There are still details left to figure out but I think the story itself is pretty strong.
I have most of my story sorted out, my main issue is subplots and whether or not to include. They will help me to establish a confusion between the real world and the game world. Anyway, for now I have included the main one and I believe this one is the most appropriate. This will be highlighted in red and character background will be highlighted in blue.
The Main character is an outcast with nobody in Sixth form that shares his interests. He is amazing with computers and has a passion for gaming. He is around 17-18 years old. The main character is walking through school during lessons as he doesn't want to face his classmates. He then faces the main antagonists which after some chat, begin to beat him up. this scene ends with a boot to the face in a eye line match shot.We see a computer code initiating on a black screen and the main credits roll over these next scenes. We see the main character in a blank white background which slowly renders to be the grounds he was in for the opening scenes. He begins to explore what he has been creating for so long and he discovers the antagonists once again but this time, he initiates a fight with them. He uses a dialog box or voice commands to initiate events that aid him in his battle. As he is about to end the fight, the antagonist becomes a line of code and the game freezes, reminding him that the world is just a game.
The next scenes are a montage of scenes that show the contrast between his real life getting worse and his fake life getting better. He is shown getting abused in real life and returning these blows in the game. He is shown forming a relationship with a girl in game and he finds her in real life and begins talking to her as if she is the game version, this leaves them both in confusion. By this point it is made obvious that the game is the majority of his lifestyle now.
Then he snaps, some event in real life (Maybe the death of a family member) causes him to simulate a murder scene in game. As he has become more and more frustrated with the main antagonist, he decides that he will be the victim. Once the murder takes place, he sees the game as a murder simulation, learning stealth and various methods. During the last kill, he gets caught, he is confident so he goes along with it and doesn't flinch when he is arrested. Something is odd when he finds out what he is being charged for, only some of the murders that happened are accounted for. it is then he sees some of his victims are still alive. This is when he realises that he is no longer in the game, but in the real world. He is then arrested and then the credits roll.
There are still details left to figure out but I think the story itself is pretty strong.
Tuesday, 23 July 2013
Main A2 production: Further Concept
I have been speaking with my media tutors and they think the concept could work and isn't too ambitious for a short film if I don't get too out of hand which I am happy with.
A problem with the concept is that I had no ending or narrative beyond a certain point. I now have a pretty detailed narrative that I can work with and I think could prove an interesting story-line. I now have the angle of the main character using the world he creates to eliminate all his enemies and murders them one by one but he starts committing actual murders as he has lost grip on what is real and what happens in the game. Again, this concept has a few endings and I am not sure how I will approach the possibilities as of yet but I am really keen to see the end product and I hope this means I will produce a high quality product.
I find this a really gripping concept as it can portray a pretty standard postmodern concept in a way that interests me more than any other way the message could be shown. I like the 'Rape and Revenge' genre explored in films such as Kill Bill.
A problem with the concept is that I had no ending or narrative beyond a certain point. I now have a pretty detailed narrative that I can work with and I think could prove an interesting story-line. I now have the angle of the main character using the world he creates to eliminate all his enemies and murders them one by one but he starts committing actual murders as he has lost grip on what is real and what happens in the game. Again, this concept has a few endings and I am not sure how I will approach the possibilities as of yet but I am really keen to see the end product and I hope this means I will produce a high quality product.
I find this a really gripping concept as it can portray a pretty standard postmodern concept in a way that interests me more than any other way the message could be shown. I like the 'Rape and Revenge' genre explored in films such as Kill Bill.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Main A2 Production: Concept
My main A2 production will be a short film that lasts around 5 minutes. Throughout the process of producing my sweded film, I have had the chance to think about the Main film I will be producing. The main idea I have and my favourite idea so far is the idea of a sixth form student designing a game of his own life to make it better. His life then becomes less identifiable with the game he becomes obsessed with. This is the most appealing concept to me as:
- I can use the school and there is no age concern for the actors I want to use.
- It is a very postmodern concept and I thoroughly enjoy post-modern films.
- It also has Sci-Fi elements to it which is another of my favourite Genres.
- With the scenes I have in mind, I will be able to test my abilities with chroma key effects.
- Most scenes will be relatively easy to film.
- I think the final product could be a great short film.
The story is quite strong an can be tampered with to fit darker plot twists should I see fit and I am really enthusiastic about this idea, I hope that this idea is not too ambitious as I believe this could be the final concept.
Saturday, 13 July 2013
Total Film sweded film article
I have found an online magazine article for the popular magazine 'Total Film' and this has will really help when I create the magazine article. The article discusses the 7 best sweded films on YouTube and helped me determine the tone of these sorts of reviews.
There’s something about a man choking the life out of a stuffed toy that makes a scene so much more moving than when it’s a real dog. This piece of text (referring to the sweded 'I am Legend') alone determines the tone and focus of the review. The review (like the sweded films themselves) are very lighthearted and appeal with 'B-Movie' audiences that find low budget stunts appealing, especially when it is a memorable scene. The reviews are focused on how it reflects the original film and features such as the best scene recreated. Modern sweded films are created for comedy as well expressing a love for the film. Many people see this as a generic pleasure of sweded films.
We’re not entirely sure why the toy dog catches fire, but it’s funny. This text (referring to the sweded 'Edward Scissorhands) further backs up the point that the article and the films themselves are focused on comedic value.
From this article I have established a tone and focus for my magazine article. I have learnt that articles focussed on sweded films (even by high standard film magazines) focus nearly exclusively on the comedic value and the reviews are very informal. I have chosen an online magazine review compared to offline as it is less formal and sweded films are internet based so it makes sense to use online magaszines as examples.
http://www.totalfilm.com/features/7-best-sweded-films-on-youtube/page:7
There’s something about a man choking the life out of a stuffed toy that makes a scene so much more moving than when it’s a real dog. This piece of text (referring to the sweded 'I am Legend') alone determines the tone and focus of the review. The review (like the sweded films themselves) are very lighthearted and appeal with 'B-Movie' audiences that find low budget stunts appealing, especially when it is a memorable scene. The reviews are focused on how it reflects the original film and features such as the best scene recreated. Modern sweded films are created for comedy as well expressing a love for the film. Many people see this as a generic pleasure of sweded films.
From this article I have established a tone and focus for my magazine article. I have learnt that articles focussed on sweded films (even by high standard film magazines) focus nearly exclusively on the comedic value and the reviews are very informal. I have chosen an online magazine review compared to offline as it is less formal and sweded films are internet based so it makes sense to use online magaszines as examples.
http://www.totalfilm.com/features/7-best-sweded-films-on-youtube/page:7
Monday, 1 July 2013
Spinal Tap Poster analysis
The poster I will be recreating is a character poster. this is usually done to generate hype for a film with a well known actor or actress but this was not the case for this poster. This was to get a feel for the film as they are posed ridiculously and one of the key plot lines (the 17 inch Stonehenge) is present.
I hope to get the Stonehenge made of paper in Place of the actual model and use pictures from the band archive and use those as this posters design. I will also recreate the logo as a block white version. This will create a sweded feel.
The poster features little more than the pictures of the actors, the Stonehenge picture and the title of the film. This will make it easy to recreate.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Spinal Tap Scenes I believe are important
Spinal tap has very little story as it is a mockumentary, this means I do not need to follow a certain set amount of scenes. I believe however that to maintain the film's feel I need to keep a few scenes and the rest are up to me to include. I think I should include:
- The opening introduction to the film
- The origin story of the band
- The drummers history
- Stonehenge scene
- Some on stage performance
- Nigel leaving the band
- Nigel announcing a Japan world tour
- Credits with vox pops
Sunday, 23 June 2013
File Corruption
I had filmed all of the scenes during a break of our band's practice session, I had edited a significant amount of the film and Had little to do today, I went onto the computer to find the files all corrupted, even on the SD card, After several attempts to recover I have decided to re film these scenes, I hope to achieve this quickly. Until then, I am in the process of researching the designs of movie posters and conventions of magazine articles. I hope this is only a minor setback and will not affect my work when completed.
Friday, 21 June 2013
Spinal tap Progress
I have filmed several scenes for the swede of This Is Spinal Tap, I have filmed the opening sequences as well as some vox pops type scenes with members of the band. I have yet to film the performance scenes and as there is not a lot of editing to be done, I hope it will not be a difficult task to complete.
Storyboards are basically complete and all that is left is the final scenes.
EDIT: 22/06/2013: I have finished filming of all the scenes I had hoped to and am in the process of editing the video.
Storyboards are basically complete and all that is left is the final scenes.
EDIT: 22/06/2013: I have finished filming of all the scenes I had hoped to and am in the process of editing the video.
Monday, 17 June 2013
Spinal Tap complications
I have realised that I do not know enough people willing to act to distinguish different characters, I will have to miss out the scenes involving Hubbins' wife as well as play the director myself, These are issues that don't really affect the storyline
This is Spinal Tap
This is the film I will be sweding, I have found the entire film on vimeo which will be helpful when scripting.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) from EMPIRE on Vimeo.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984) from EMPIRE on Vimeo.
Friday, 14 June 2013
Sweded Film Challenge
A sweded film is a remake of a film on an extremely low budget, this usually takes the key aspects of the story line and sums them up in a short amount of time.
We have been given a task to create a sweded version of one of our favourite films. I have chosen the Spinal Tap films as my films to recreate. It will star my band and any other friends if needed. I will go through the films and pick out which I feel are the essential scenes as well as some of the funniest. This should be completed by the 28th of June.
We have been given a task to create a sweded version of one of our favourite films. I have chosen the Spinal Tap films as my films to recreate. It will star my band and any other friends if needed. I will go through the films and pick out which I feel are the essential scenes as well as some of the funniest. This should be completed by the 28th of June.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)