THIRD BLOG POST: MAINSTREAM FILM VS. INDIE FILM
Elements of a Film:
Image
All filmmaking uses a light capture/recording device. It is then projected upon a screen. In theaters powerful lamps are used to project the image through a focusing lens. In television a vacuum tube projects lines of electrons upon a phosphor coated screen. Although the image is a recording of captured light the aesthetics of what we are viewing is still determined by the use of the basic elements and principles of static, fine art. The rules of composition are still the same. Color theory still needs to be applied to any successful film production. Lines and shapes need to be pleasing to the eyes, and more importantly, they need to be used subliminally to direct the eyes of the audience to the next shot without creating a distracting "jump cut". The elements and principles of art need to be read, reviewed, memorized but more importantly, they need to be used consciously. When critiquing your film, you should be able to identify why your film is visually effective using the elements and principles of art. Together the intelligent use of the elements and principles of visual art can help you create dynamic compositions that will help give your film good overall continuity.
The single photographic exposure on film or video of the image is called the frame. Frames are combined to create a shot. Shots are combined to create a sequence. A shot is any uninterrupted exposed section of film or video. A frame is in actuality a still photo image. It doesn't record motion; it records light and the result of a single frame is the same as a still photograph.
Time
Film had two types of time. The first is the actual length or duration of the film, for example, a run time of 90 minutes. The other type of time is called diegetic time, or time that is the result of the story or narrative. The story may span the a few minutes, a few hours, a few days, a few years or a lifetime although it may only take 90 minutes to tell the story through the film. In Stanley Kubricks "2001 A Space Odyssey" he leaps his story over a span of 3 million years. Diegetic time also works with simultaneous actions, using a technique called cross cutting. For example, during the running home scene in "Ferris Bueler", shots of Ferris and his sister are shown in separate locations but happening at the same time. Film makers can quicken time or retard time. Often, stories are told in short sections of real time edited together in sequence. Anything unimportant to the story is omitted.
Motion
Motion pictures, whether video or film, give the illusion of motion by the movement of many still frames through a projector. Because of a physical property of the eye and brain called the "persistence of vision" you are able to perceive the illusion of motion using motion picture technology. This illusion of motion distinguishes motion picture photography from still photography. Some of the earliest motion pictures were made from paper photo prints arranged in a flip book. This technology had drawbacks since they could only be viewed as very short shots and the size of the audience was limited to one.
Frame rates of motion pictures are 24 frames per second. That means that the camera records 24 shots per second and it is played back at the same rate. If it is played too quickly the motion appears to quicken and if it it played back too slowly then it appears slow. If you were to shoot at twice the speed, lets say 48 frames per second, you would achieve a slow motion look when the film is played back at 24 frames per second. The video frame rate is 29.92 frames per second, however for simplicity sake we will refer to the rate as 30 frames per second.
The element of motion is the motion that we see while we watch a film or video. Since everything moves it would be difficult to shoot a truly still shot with a film or video camera. There is always some motion somewhere. You can easily tell the difference between a still shot taken with a still camera then inserted in the video, and a non action shot filmed with a motion picture camera.
Because we are so accustomed to seeing motion editors will add motion to still photos that are inserted. Any stop in motion will distract the viewer and cause a jump cut.
Sound
Sound is not essential to a motion picture however sound is so common in film that it is included as an essential element. For the first 30 years of cinema motion pictures did not have sound tracks; sound technology evolved more slowly that the motion picture technology. Since films had no sound track, an organist, pianist or small ensemble would accompany the film. The score was played live. Now sound is an integral part of the film and it has been since 1928. For a few years, sound technology, since it lagged behind photo technology, forced cinematographers to return to more primitive filming styles. Many of the camera motions had to be abandoned because the microphones could not record sound at a distance. Microphones were awkwardly hidden in props close to the actors but out of necessity, the sound technology quickly advanced to meet the needs of the dynamic film styles that were developed in the 1920's and even earlier.
Most films now include dialogue recorded on the sound stage, sound effects that are included during post production, music scores, narrations and voice overs. The explosions, gunshots, car crash sounds, wind, rain, and thousands of other sounds are all added during post production by sound designers called "foley artists."
Believe it or not, professional film productions do not use the built in microphones included with consumer camcorders. Professionals use expensive sound equipment that is beyond the financial reach and technical know-how of most amateurs. The quality of the built in mikes is poor and acceptable results can only be achieved in a indoors in a well "padded" room without a fan, air-conditioning or electric motors. Like the camera, the microphone does not differentiate and seperate the good sound from the bad sound. For this reason it is very difficult to do a good dialogue with the built in mikes and often you will need to resort to a narrative voice over to tell your story.
Lighting
When we record using photographic instruments we record light. We do not record objects, people, buildings or anything at all - we record light. Image is what the mind does to the light once it is recorded and played back.
Cinematographers strive to have control over lighting conditions. The most experienced ones have full control over lighting and work with the director to create mood and effect as well as consistent continuity throughout the film.
Like sound technology, lighting is expensive and requires knowledge to use it effectively.
Sequence
After filming is complete, the editing process begins. The editor and director together will decide the length and order of the shots and piece them together to create a sequence. The sequence tells the story using the visual language of film, or film syntax. We have a specific way of viewing shots that makes the most sense to us as an audience. The most common way of ordering and arranging shots is called continuity editing.
Composition
Composition is the use of the visual elements and principles to create a frame that is aesthetically interesting, attention holding, and consistent with overall continuity. Composition is the placement of the shapes within the frame that enhance the film reality or "mise en scene".
Because the frame has a fixed boundary, composition will happen automatically. However, good composition must be made to happen. It is rare that it happens by accident. Directors work with set designers, costume designers, lighting technicians and cinematographers to create the best possible placement of "filmic" objects. Actors must be blocked (placed) carefully in each shot so they can be clearly seen by the audience.
Choose a film you have seen many times and pause on a frame. Look carefully at how the director has placed the actors and objects in the shot. All the actors were carefully placed on their "mark."
SOURCE: http://www.filmclass.net/ElementsFilm.htm
Mainstream Film: Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy
Synopsis
It tells the story of quadruplet siblings played by Vice Ganda which the girl and the boy grew in the custody of their rich father while the "bakla" (Mark) and "tomboy" (Panying) grew in their poor mother.
But destiny makes a way to make their paths cross in an unexpected way. Two of them meet in the mall (The Girl, (Girlie) and the Gay, (Mark), wherein one of them was arrested after being mistaken as the one who shoplifted an item. But when things go wrong, Dad reveals they are not just twins, but quadruplets. As the four of them meet and their parents confess the truth as to why they were parted, they will be facing another challenge as one of them is in need of a liver transplant. (Peter)
But since they've been separated for a long time and grew apart, there will be hesitations if saving the life of the other really matters.
Main Cast
- Vice Ganda as the quadruplets:
- Girlie Jackstone (the Girl)
- Peter Jackstone (the Boy)
- Mark Jackstone (The Bakla / Gay)
- Panying Jackstone (The Tomboy / Lesbian)
- Maricel Soriano as Pia Jackstone
- Joey Marquez as Pete Jackstone
- Kiray Celis as Snow White
My remarks/comments to Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy based on the Elements of Film:
Sound
- The sound is well-fitted to the sequences in the film. When the sequence is serious or drama, , the sound is enough to capture your feelings, and when the sequence is a funny scene, the sound's also appropriate. The transition of the music is smooth. Their theme song "Whoops kiri" was wonderful and appropriate to the film.
Sequence
- The sequences of the story weren't equally distributed, the funny sequences and the drama sequences. And that was good because the movie's genre is comedy but somehow they putted a little drama, and also it was good. The story was well-managed, every sequence was full of emotions.
Composition
- The visual elements of the film were all present, their acting was spontaneous, undeniably full of laughter and it is undoubtedly interesting. All in all, the film is wonderful. The money of the people who watched the film were totally worth it.
Indie Film: Tuhog
Plot
Due to a road rage between two buses, an accident occurs which puts the lives of its passengers in jeopardy. But the ones greatly affected by such event are a middle-aged woman named Fiesta (Eugene Domingo), an old and retired family patriarch Tonio (Leo Martinez), and a lad named Caloy (Enchong Dee). These three people are pierced through a single steel bar – a dangerous situation that even their doctors find hard to solve. But even before this unfortunate circumstance, these three have their share of ill-fated lives.
Fiesta is a bus barker of Janus Express whose life revolves around taking care of her demented father Carding. Being a dedicated daughter to Carding turns her into a lonely spinster that scares men away with her fierce and masculine demeanor. Until she meets Nato (Jake Cuenca), a new driver hired by Janus Express that eventually wins her heart. But just when she thought that she’ll finally have her far-fetched happiness with Nato, things start to get complicated when she finds out Nato’s painful secret.
Tonio is a retired old man who after getting past his prime and being a refuge to his family, now wants to fulfill his shrugged off dream of becoming a baker. He decides to use his pension to fulfill this dream. At first, his own family is skeptical about it but he eventually gets their support along with his friends to make it happen. Now, it’s all up to him to make this work and find out if this is a dream worth all that risk.
Caloy is a young man preserving his virginity for his girlfriend Angel (Empress). They have made an agreement to give up their virginities to each other and only to each other. However, Caloy gets challenged to remain faithful to this pact because of the difficulties of the long distance relationship he shares with Angel. Moreover, he starts to doubt the loyalty of Angel to him and to their relationship because of a guy named Jun Rey who is seemingly getting involved with his girlfriend.
Tonio and Caloy were pulled out of the steel bar and were each brought to the only two operating rooms in the hospital while Fiesta was left to die. The film ends with Nato visiting the grave of Fiesta, Tonio having a success with his bakery and Caloy lying in bed with Angel.
Cast
- Eugene Domingo as Fiesta Dacanay
- Leo Martinez as Tonio Sucat
- Enchong Dee as Caloy Sicat
- Empress Schuck as Angel
- Jake Cuenca as Renato 'Nato' Timbangkaya
- Manuel Chua as Bobby
- Nikki Valdez as Faith
- Kitkat as Rochelle
- Beauty Gonzalez as Jenna
- Rodjun Cruz as Mark
- Joe Vargas as Wayne
- Dimples Romana as Lolet
- Eda Nolan as Peachy
- Noel Trinidad as Carding
- Bodjie Pascua as Lando
- Menggie Cobarrubias as Bert
- Carla Martinez as Mercy
- Jon Achaval as John
- Nor Domingo as Pugeda
- Hyubs Azarcon as Boyet
- Nico Antonio as Adrian
- Ariel Ureta as Dr. Nuguid
- Allyzon Lualhati as Dr. Paz
- Nicco Manalo as Dr. Sanchez
- Maliksi Morales as Street Kid
Elements mentioned in WOTL: How to make an Indie Film.
- There are times that the sound is not clear.
- The camera angle is unexplainable. It's always moving, sometimes I cannot picture what's going on in the scene.
- The Director has a deep way of thinking.
- There is taong grasa in the film.
- The movie has a large amount of budget.
- There are some scenes that the protagonist is looking across the distance as he is stating melodramatic lines.
