Use or challenge conventions, represent social groups or issues.
Preliminary task
This short video uses the traditional school plot of 'forgetting homework' as the starting point.
Film opening
PreZi on conventions, represent social groups or issues
Experimenting on using fake hair props
Conclusion
Overall, we did not challenge conventions too much in the history of comedy, but we did fuse parody and dark comedy (jokes on gender and political correctness), high school, action, and romantic elements together. This gives our opening a level of depth as different layers overlap each other. The audience can decode (Stuart Hall) the opening in various ways that stress social issues such as the immaturity/overmaturity of high school students, the classification of gender, and potential problems in education regarding core values.
Engage with audience, how distributed as a real media text
The Louis and Danny multiverse
Our strategy is to create a consistent icon that hook the audience. However, by inputing different elements in our preliminary task and film opening, a new character with the same actor and traits give more variety of punchline. Fusing ideas - genre hybridity from Steve Neale.
The ultimate Fan Collection
After the idea of multiverse, a collection of Louis's photo better establish the feeling of a movie star, and how he interact with the audience in the reality.
The two iconic accommodations
These two places have unique building structures and are suitable for filming.
Art department Upper school learning zone
Although the main attraction is the dramatic comedic effect, we decided to keep the setting in school and maintain the school uniform. This applies to both the preliminary task and film opening. Inclusion of inside jokes are presented as a result of internalizing the audience group, which gives more verisimilitude.
As the presentation of characters is very abstract, the recognizable school environment increases the verisimilitude of a high school drama/comedy/philosophy genre (Steve Neale). The repeated motifs of school elements connect with the members of the school and reward them for identifying particular plots.
Banana-Comedian
The format of taped banana is directly taken from the artwork 'Comedian'. A straightforward symbol of post modern comedy and absurdism.
This is designed to create intertextuality between the external world, blending reality and hyperreality (the world within the film - Baudrillard). Audiences who are familiar with this artwork will grasp the essence of absurdism and the strong intention behind abstract elements.
It was a shame that we did not successfully brought boba tea into the setting, the scene would be more detailed and full with the existence of this iconic drink.
Development in production skill
I Have Learned
How to choose camera angles and I have learned how different camera lenses create various visual effects and convey corresponding meanings, resulting in consistent shots.
Additionally, I have gained practical experience and improved my overall management skills by anticipating potential obstacles that may arise during filming, such as varying weather conditions affecting lighting, the possibility of certain locations being closed, or the absence of cast members.
Furthermore, I have developed an understanding of the importance of considering the position of characters and cameras in relation to the light source and establishing a sense of connection between them.
In our preliminary task's diagram
We used mostly straight cuts to amplify that Louis is in a rush, with various panning to show the speed.
We have multiple scenes with a variety of shots. However, they are not well connected in many occasions. The main thing we tried is camera movement and how to present a series of actions. Whether to use a transition or straight cut, to display continuity or power.
The film opening
The initial diagram of Louis's movement
The opening includes two turns and two different stages, slowly building up the tension. The introduction of the environment also builds up the 'abstract nature', including the banana on the wall with no narrations. Cuts to see different perspectives of Louis also give audience an all rounded idea of what kind person is our protagonist.
The second diagram
With only one turn, this version is more applicable in delivering essential content. However, this is not so convenient in presenting the conventions. We included more people in the scene to build the tense atmosphere. The only thing is the lighting, which makes it less visually attractive.
The Final diagram of Louis 's movement
We narrowed down to a simpler setting based on the second diagram and removed unnecessary shots. This helps us explore more details. Since the entire film opening is centered around Louis' introduction, we discussed several plans to ensure that his path produces appropriate camera angles. The success of this project lies in our efficient shot list (story accommodations), which brings clear focus to the conversation as audiences do not need to shift their attention between different locations.
Integrate technologies
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