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Showing posts from October, 2020

Short Film vs. Feature Length Film

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The short 9 was expanded into the feature film 9. They share several similarities but also have many important differences. Both films share a basic plot premise. This includes the rag doll 9 in a post-apocalyptic world working with other rag dolls to defeat the evil robot monsters. Additionally, both films share the dark color scheme and lack of light. The most notable difference between the two films is that the short included no dialogue where the feature film did. Both did utilize sound, but both did not utilize dialogue. When watching the feature film, it was much easier to follow along with the plot. I had to rewatch the short multiple times to real get an in-depth idea of what was going on because of the lack of dialogue. I was able to enjoy the feature length film more because of this. Another difference between the 2 is that in the feature length film there was crisp and well-defined animations. In the short, the animations were not as futuristic or clean. The well-defined ani...

Research 9, the feature film

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The feature length film 9 by Shane Acker is an animated film produced in 2009. The film was an expanded version of the short 9. The animation features rag dolls that are being attacked by robot machines. It begins with a scene of a man creating these rag doll creatures, giving the viewer a little bit of background on the characters. The main character 9, awakens to an apocalyptic world. An outward zoom is used to enhance the post destruction scene to show that 9 is standing in the only house that is left standing. The dark color scheme used throughout the film also helps enhance the post destruction effect. Because of the length of this film, the director was able to go in depth to build the characters and reveals a little bit more about their personalities. Even though it is longer, the plot is only further developed in 2 ways. We learn that the machines going after the rag dolls are working for a larger and more dangerous machine. In addition, we learn, why humans have been destroyed...

Research 9, the Short

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The short 9 produced by Shane Acker depicts a rag doll named 9. It follows his journey through a post-apocalyptic world. In the animated short, characters are drawn into motion, but the director makes an interesting choice to not include dialogue. The viewer relies on the clicks and clacks of the characters in that scene to help enhance the film. Thus, make it easier to understand. Another big part of the viewer understanding the characters actions is through their facial expressions. Having no dialogue made it more difficult for me to understand. I anticipate that it may also be hard for others. The director also makes it clear that the rag dolls are the underdogs by placing them in raggedy and torn up clothes. This makes it seem like they had been through a lot or had a difficult time. Because this short was only around 7 minutes the viewer did not get an in-depth look into the characters. We got a surface level understanding of the characters and who they are. Shadows and lighting a...

Genre Choice for Film

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  The three genres researched by our group were action, horror, and thriller. In our research for the action genre we found consistencies that greatly contribute to the aspects of action films that make them what they are. Some of these consistencies were appealing to us, such as the building of suspense, gradual building of sounds, jump-cut and action match editing techniques, and the common settings. However, the prolonged chase scenes, weapons and martial arts, and dangerous stunts are not among the characteristics we are looking for for our film. We are glad that we chose to research action films because, although our movie will not be within the genre, we will certainly take advantage of the different features we can adopt in order to enhance the quality of our final product. Following action, we chose to research the horror genre since our pitch sets the scene for a somewhat suspenseful and eerie film. Within our horror research we found the editing techniques to be the most ...

Genre Research- Horror

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Horror films are designed to incite fear, panic, and shock while still being entertaining for the viewer. Movie producers use camera angles, camera movements, editing techniques, sound, and Mise-en-scene to create horror films. Horror films traditionally use high angles, close ups, tracking shots, low angles, and establishing shots to convey the message. For example, a tracking shot may be used to create the image that a character is being chased. Diegetic and non-diegetic sound is extremely important in horror films to help enhance the fear and shock. Diegetic sound in horror films may be the sound of a chainsaw, a character screaming, footsteps, or creaking doors. Non-Diegetic sounds may be creepy music as well as eerie sounds. Mise-en-scene is also a key part in the production of horror films. Typically, the setting is in a dark, maybe abandoned or isolated area. This creates mystery and suspense for the viewer. Props may be knives, axes, chainsaws, or some type of weapon. Makeup m...

Genre Research-Action

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 A movie enrolled in the action genre, also known as an "action adventure," is defined as, "a genre of film, TV, literature, etc., in which the primary feature is the constant slam-bang of fights, chases, explosions, and clever one-liners," according to literaryterms.net. Action adventures often follow a certain set of conventions or codes that producers either choose to follow or go against to convey the purpose of their film. These conventions include, but are not limited too, the camera angles and movements, the lighting, the editing techniques. and Mis-en-scene. To start off with, movies or productions in the action genre, that follow the conventions of the genre, typically use two-shots, tracking-shots, drone, shots, high angles, and finally close ups. As an example, tracking shots are typically used to convey a sense of high suspense, such as in a high speed car chase or an antagonist running from a protagonist. On the other hand, two-shots may be used to conv...

Genre Research-Thriller

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    A movie in the thriller genre is often characterized as having immense conflict, tension, and unexpected twists. This genre is extremely intriguing to us because of its conventions. We are very interested in the prospect of creating a film that would have a very intense or powerful meaning. Common CAMS in this genre include close up shots, tilted angles, handheld shots, and high angle shots. These shots are key to a genre like this because it gives the audience a heightened sense of anxiety. For example, close up shots convey especially intense emotion and tilted angles make the scene appear more daunting and confusing. Common sounds in this genre may include footsteps, gun shots, car engines, or banging. Oftentimes, thrillers will include car revving or scared whispering to convey something stressful and that the characters are somewhere they are not supposed to be. Common mis-en-scene in this genre could be guns, clocks, and harsher lighting. There are often el...

Genres I Would Like to Research

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I n the previous blogs, our group came to the conclusion about our  pitch decision. We decided we want to pursue, "Friends go on a trip  together and the world is suddenly shut down by a deadly virus. The  virus is much more powerful than expected." However, a key aspect of  the film we did not discuss amongst ourselves during this early  planning period was the genre which we were going to center our film  around. The selection of a genre is of uttermost performance as it  will likely ease how the film's  purpose is conveyed to the audience.  Additionally, genres have attached conventions, or codes, surrounding  them, for example in the camera angles/shots, mis-en-scene, editing,  and sound aspects respectively. With these "attached conventions" a  director needs to choose whether or not they would like to follow or  go against them. Overall, the selection of the genre is VERY important  to our Final Task and such we...