Over the last two years, through AS and A2, I have understood how important real media texts are in the research and development of products and their creation. It is clear that research gathered allows for easy reconstruction of stereotypical features, and a clear understanding of what is typically needed when creating such products. During AS I was given the task of creating a 2 minute opening sequence for film noire, while during A2 I was tasked with creating a promo package containing a music video, digipak and advert for the dance music genre. The structure of this essay will flow from pre-production to post-production, clearly highlighting developments made from AS to A2.
During pre-production for AS, a key way of gathering research was through the watching of LA Confidential. This example of film noire clearly highlighted how lighting and colouring clearly affected the overall feel of the product and its importance in the film noire genre. I understood from this film that black and white colouring must be present throughout, and that dark lighting when appropriate should be used. During pre-production I also viewed Double Indemnity, another classic film noire, which clearly made apparent how costume will be a key factor in my production. It made clear how the apparel of the time added to the overall sense and feel of the film, and how such costume design will be needed within my production to create that classic film noire touch. The film Smokin' Aces was also referred to for research and planning; reaffirming the ideas gathered that clothing, lighting and colour were hugely important in the overall picture of film noire. This is showed how stereotypical ideas were apparent across the board of key films under this genre, and that breaking such a tradition would subtract from this consistent image.
In A2 it became apparent that much more research was needed, with more sources being utilised due to the genre being fairly loose compared to the likes of film noire. For example, Avicii's (a key dance producer) website was used to reflect the overall style of dance music and how it's products were generally depicted. From this I understood that simple themes were consistant throughout, and should be considered when creating my products. The All of the the Lights music video by Kanye West was also referred to for research, which was vital in understanding how individual shots should be used and how colour was also as apparent in dance music as film noire. From this I now understood, quick and fast shots should be used as-well as bright colours; as appose to dark and gloomy colour schemes. Physical media was also researched, this being the likes of the Nero advert in a magazine. This highlighted how song and band logo's were the most important feature of adverts, and that the colour scheme between logo, song a products such be linked. This creating a better overall picture thats easy to recognise.
Production for AS consisted of embracing what I had collected through pre-production research and implementing it in filming film noire. As identified through the likes of LA confidential, I used a slow-zoom on a variety of shots to maintain the desired film noire effect and remain traditional to the stereotypical elements of this genre. I embraced the use of long shots throughout my filming also, so that character and environment could be established easily, especially as the typical black and white colour scheme can distort environments. I tied these elements together with the use of a low-angle tilt, to help slowly establish the character and pinpoint to the audience a sense of power, which I have discovered through research is widely used when filming film noire.
During A2 production these skills were advanced and expanded upon, but utilising research gathered on the dance music genre. For example, instead of slow and long shots these were replaced with short/fast clips, such as during the fight scene, to remain interlinked with the stereotypical view of dance music and remain in time with the music. The use of close-ups, especially during the scene of mouthing lyrics, was also widely used to remain in-keeping with typical dance videos such as 'call on me'. This maintaining the link between video and audio, maintaining the connection. Lastly, match-on-actions were used (bag snatching scene for example) to maintain the up-beat tempo that comes with the dance genre and give a visual representation for the music and lyrics.
Post-production during AS was vital to maintaining the key elements that came with the film noire genre, adding effects and features that clearly depict the genre being shown. A key element was the use of a black and white filter during the film, to remain tied to the genre and the time it represents. It was also clear that a protagonist narration was evident throughout most film noires, therefore a separate audio narration was incorporated into Final Cut to coincide with the visuals that are being displayed. Closely linking with the black and white feature. Still images were also imported (newspaper clippings) were also imported to portray to the audience media and plot-line without having to show a visual representation, which is frequent in film noires.
A2 saw pre-production being developed and become much more important in the portraying of genre. Photoshop elements were also combined with the clips recorded to add a surreal elements and maintain the common stereotypes of dance music (ie. 'Pow Signs'). Slow-mo was also widely used to create a more 'epic feel' to the product, which si widely used during breakdowns and bridges of music video's under the dance genre.
16/25
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you did not finish as your examples were excellent and detailed. However one thing you must work on is discussing how you have progressed and developed from AS to A2 - this is still missing from your answer so incorporate this next time. Keep up the excellent work Jak!
Sally