In one of the recent articles that we had to read for class, there was a chunk dedicated to talking about point of views. Well, maybe not directly, but it still came through in the text. As I began to ponder this, I realized how important point of view is for an audience. Point of view gives your audience an anchor. Something to hold on to when things may seem vague. It can give them a starting point so that they know where to go.
There are pros and cons to using point of view.
Pros:
- have a starting point
- can develop the depth of a character
- can narrow down your subject
- helps to develop a more complex plot
Cons:
- lack in depth of development in other characters
- sometimes and put constraints in covering multiple ideas
- subjectivity vs. objectivity
- bias
However, it seems as though it would be hard to tell a movie without point of view. So, what do you think is better? Do the pros outweigh the cons?
Film and Fashion
Two movies: The Devil wears Prada and Confessions of a Shopaholic
Alright, I already know what is going through everybody has heard as I write about these movies. That think that I picked something lame, or something that isn't profound or deep to write about. Maybe you are right. This movie isn't profound or deep. It's not some new indie film that just recently came out (Honestly, I find it hard to find an incredibly good indie move). Its not an Academy Award Winner....well the Devil Wears Prada was probably nominated for one or two, but that's besides the point. The reason why I chose to write about this is because both of these movies pertain to something that I love. Fashion.
What is so interesting about both pieces is the use of lighting for each film. Many of the times when a director was trying to get a shot that would accentuate the clothing, they would use harsh lighting to create more angular shadows and create shapes within the shot. This was usual done when they were shooting a frame that had apparel that was edgy. For shots that were more fun and colorful, there would be softer lines that would give gradual shadowing and softer lights, making the shot seemed warmer. Another interesting think is that a lot of the background was neutral colors, very bland. Many times it would be white. By using a white background the light would bounce of the wall and reflect onto the object that the director is trying to shoot creating a different kind of frame.
Alright, I already know what is going through everybody has heard as I write about these movies. That think that I picked something lame, or something that isn't profound or deep to write about. Maybe you are right. This movie isn't profound or deep. It's not some new indie film that just recently came out (Honestly, I find it hard to find an incredibly good indie move). Its not an Academy Award Winner....well the Devil Wears Prada was probably nominated for one or two, but that's besides the point. The reason why I chose to write about this is because both of these movies pertain to something that I love. Fashion.
What is so interesting about both pieces is the use of lighting for each film. Many of the times when a director was trying to get a shot that would accentuate the clothing, they would use harsh lighting to create more angular shadows and create shapes within the shot. This was usual done when they were shooting a frame that had apparel that was edgy. For shots that were more fun and colorful, there would be softer lines that would give gradual shadowing and softer lights, making the shot seemed warmer. Another interesting think is that a lot of the background was neutral colors, very bland. Many times it would be white. By using a white background the light would bounce of the wall and reflect onto the object that the director is trying to shoot creating a different kind of frame.
The Blindside
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Over the weekend (actually on my way back to school, using an FM transmitter and my iPod) I watched my favorite movie. Well, at least for right now it is. I think one of the reasons that I like The Blindside so much is because its a lot different from a lot of movies that come out these days. I think this movie actually has something more to it than comedy that is vulgar and disgusting or ,once again, preaches that we should all do just whatever we want to. This movie gives me hope in what sometimes seems to be a hopeless world.
One of the great things about The Blindside is the way that the movie was shot. None of the frames for this movie were shot hand-held; you couldn't see any minimal shaking in any of the frames. I think this was probably because the movie needed that idea of solidness, grace, and strength to keep up with the character of Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock. Also, many of the dialogue shots between Leigh Anne and her son, Michael, are mainly a back-and-forth movements of close ups between the two characters which allows the audience to fully see the emotions play out on the characters face and give the audience a more personal feel. The other thing that I thought that was cool about the way the movie was filmed is that when a character was narrating what was in their head, there would be shots of each thing that the character is talking about. I thought that this was a good idea because it helped reinforce the concepts that the character is explaining.
One of the great things about The Blindside is the way that the movie was shot. None of the frames for this movie were shot hand-held; you couldn't see any minimal shaking in any of the frames. I think this was probably because the movie needed that idea of solidness, grace, and strength to keep up with the character of Leigh Anne Tuohy, played by Sandra Bullock. Also, many of the dialogue shots between Leigh Anne and her son, Michael, are mainly a back-and-forth movements of close ups between the two characters which allows the audience to fully see the emotions play out on the characters face and give the audience a more personal feel. The other thing that I thought that was cool about the way the movie was filmed is that when a character was narrating what was in their head, there would be shots of each thing that the character is talking about. I thought that this was a good idea because it helped reinforce the concepts that the character is explaining.
The Office
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
One of my favorite TV shows of all time is definitely The Office. My reasons for liking it are not just because of the hilarious one liners or the awkward events that many of the characters go through. I also find the way that the office is shot to be fascinating. The Office is shot like a documentary which is very interesting and unusual for a fictional show. Because it is shot like a documentary, the audience gets that feel that the show is more realistic. However, the irony in that is that the show tends to be unrealistic in its plot. I'm pretty sure that if Michael Scott was your boss, that he wouldn't be your boss for very long, or he wouldn't have lasted 6 seasons. Another great thing about shooting the show in documentary style is that even though the audience sees how ridiculous it can be around the office, we see that not all the characters feel as though everything is okay. The way that we know this is through the interviews that interject in the middle of a scene to give commentary on what is actually going on. Through these interviews, the employees real feeling about certain situations are shown, many times disagreeing with what is going on the a particular situation. So, if you haven't seen the office yet, you should. And if you have, I commend your excellent taste. :)
The Art of Film
Sunday, September 5, 2010
I think that most people, living in a world that is dominated by the movie industry, take for granted what they see before them. Many people see watching movie as a common pastime instead of a work of art. Many think that movies are not art; rather, movies are just a story that make us laugh, cry, be terrified, or leave us feeling content. However, if we decided to take a step back from constant movie watching and began to look at movies not just through the lens of a spectator, but, rather, through the lens of appreciation for art, movies would look different. We would be able to see the purpose behind point of view shots, and why one character is shot from off angles or mainly has close up frames. If we could look at a film that way, we would revolutionize the way we look at movies. That's what I hope to get out of this semester of learning about the introduction into digital video. I want to revolutionize the way that I see film and learn to appreciate what I have taken granted of for so long.
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