I used a Camera to film and photograph for the video, to edit it I used Premier Pro, in which I needed to edit the photos together as a montage. I have learnt it is difficult to find people to cast and participate in my video, script writing was very easy, because my video is quite simple and repetitive so no script was really needed. The group worked well together it was me and one other girl, we are friends and working together was easy, I took the shots and filmed while Annie edited it together.
Audience Feedback
'Good video, its creative'
'A fun watch, I could watch it again and again'
'The song fits well with the video'
Here is the video!
If I was to do it again, I would use a better camera so the footage is better quality. I would also possibly add some more footage in, maybe of some happy people or colourful shots.
Definition: A documentary is a recording of an event, generally based on peoples perspectives or experiences and/or general facts.
Generic Conventions
-Non-fiction
-Real life events
-Natural lighting and sound, no exaggeration in sound or dramatic lighting
-Can be actual footage with real people involved not always actors
-Realism- this can be shown by archive footage, interviews, location shooting and following the action
- Interviews or conversations with experts / witnesses / participants
-Narration is to communicate in narrative form, so the audience understands more
-Its can be in an interview form or voiceover Lighting
-Low key lighting – social realism / mood / tone / artistic reasons
-High key lighting – moral, idealistic realism / encodes POV
-Key and fill lighting – Documentary realism Camera
-Close up, extreme close ups
-Establishing shots to set the scene.
6 modes of Documentary (Bill Nichol)
Expository: Doesn't follow the strict conventions of most documentaries, uses voiceovers and addresses the audience directly . Observational: It focuses on just using one camera and observes the world. Participatory: The maker is visible in the video and are usually the voiceover too. Reflexive: Based on real life moments and objects, these are based on suggestions and opinions rather than real facts. Performative: Based on emotions, the maker may interact with the subject. Poetic: Subjective representation of reality.
Positives of Documentary Films
-Can record changes/events in society which can have an impact on peoples lives, to inform them or for evidence -Easy to record -Can require low budget
Negatives of Documentary Films
-Could easily be a boring topic -Always a case of being biased towards someone/thing -Expensive to make it a good documentary that people will be interested in
-Exhibits real life characters and stories
-Intense social reactions Mise-en-Scene
-Dull lighting, portraying gritty and bleak nature
-Close up of characters
-Low angles and High angle shots- to portray superiority or weakness
-Clear shots and angles showing different groups
Characters
Characters are crucial to a drama as they help to create the tension and atmosphere of the film due to the circumstances they are facing. Another typical character seen in Dramas is a friend or family member that the main character confides in, there are
Setting:
There are a wide variety of settings used in drama films, due to the wide variety of plots that a drama film can cover. For example, for a teen drama, locations such as schools, streets, homes, cities, any location because they are based on typical experiences. However, for main dramas locations can vary from the workplace to an old fashioned location. This shows the wide variety of plots there are when creating a drama film.
Positives of Drama Films
-Storylines follow a similar format and simple to think of -Costumes are easy to find and fund because they are mainly normal clothes -Can require a low budget -New narratives can be easy to design -Simple and standard camera -Settings are east to find
Negatives of Drama Films
-Can be boring if done wrong -Can be difficult to make a unique film that can stand out -Can have a limited older audience
Textual Analysis
Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison for the murders of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to a tough prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes. While there, he forms a friendship with Red (Morgan Freeman), experiences brutality of … Moreprison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc., all in 19 years The lighting of this film is quite dark but natural, the sun isn't shining much until the end because prison is a depressing place, the lighting enhances it and implies it on the audience so they get a feeling of dullness too. The 2 main characters are Andy and Red the story is based around their friendship and life in prison, the story exhibits what life is possibly like in prison.
Setting: a comedy film is often set in a bright place, or a location known for a social event. Camerawork: is usually naturalistic and the characters are filmed in a way that shows neither of the characters is better than the other. Sound: is very important within comedy genre, Diagetic sound like the dialogue needs to be clear to make sure it was heard so people find it funny and hear the jokes. Non-Diagetic is also important, edited sound can be used to place emphasis on certain situations. Lighting: the lighting is often natural or commonly bright because this create a realistic environment. Bright and happy colours are often used to show this it is a happy situation. Props: they are very important in comedy shows, objects that may hurt the character are well known. Props are used in slapstick comedy because it is virtual in that theme. Characters: Idiotic people are usually used in contrast with a group of normal people, this shows a contrast of personalities and emphasis the stupidity of the character. Also above intelligent people are used (The Big Bang Theory )
Positives of Comedy Films
- Can be low budget - Very little is needed for costume -Lots of possibilities for narratives - Camera angles and shots can be simple and not from difficult angles - Little editing is required -Few characters are needed
Negatives of Comedy Films
-Can be difficult to find a new storyline -Can be hard to find appropriate and willing actors -Can be boring if done incorrectly -Humour of the comedy can be targeted at a very specific audience
Textual Analysis
Bad Neighbours in a 2014 comedy film, about a young family, who have new neighbours, they end up being a Fraternity house of brothers, who have wild parties and at trying to be stopped by the neighbours. Rogen and Rose Byrne star as Mac and Kelly, new parents who go to war against the college fraternity that have moved in next door. Head of the frat pack is Zac Efron as Teddy, a sweet-natured hunk who doesn’t want to keep the couple’s baby awake, but can’t pass up an opportunity to party. The family, have a young child, the dad (Seth Rogen) is the character who brings most of the comedy to the film, his behaviour and the fact he is a little over weight, and tries to act cool compared to a young, buff 20 year old. The setting is in a suburb street in America, probably somewhere in California, its based in 2 houses, the frat house which is crazy, messy, and crazy college life style compared to the family friendly, calm house next door. This shows great contrast in the age although there isn't much difference, but when having a child, it makes you a lot more mature. The audience of teenagers are attracted to this film making it very successful because of the hunks especially Zac Efron, and the partying college life, a lot of American teens will experience although not as crazy as shown in this film. The Guardian summarised it as ' Bad Neighbours pits family man Seth Rogen against a fraternity lead by Zac Efron’s handsome dummy. It’s Project X crashing a Joe Swanberg movie.' The lighting is natural and bright, and costumes are very casual and everyday.
My Own Idea for a Comedy Film
Following the typical American teen comedy, a group of friends have finished college for the summer and want to party all the time, they go on a road trip where they face lots of comedic problems, and finally get to the party where more typical comedy, teenager things happen. The target audience would be 15-25 year olds and the rating would be 15.
