Thursday 26 September 2013

Final Cut Pro X (Pt 1)

I have used Final Cut Pro X to edit the microdrama. My first impressions are that it is a very big program and has lots of capabilities. I can see how someone could edit a whole movie on it as it seems readily equipped for such a thing. The basics, however, are quite easy to grasp, such as the blade tool and the titles. Some of the things I have used are:
- Blade tool and select tool to create a basic linear cut.
- Titles to overlay at the start of the film.
- Sound effects
Overall I am finding the program relatively easy to use and I am looking forward to continuing to use the program to develop my understanding and grasp of how editing software works and can work to my advantage.

Wednesday 25 September 2013

Microdrama: Completed + Reflections

The Task: 
We were told to make a short drama so we could learn about using Final Cut Pro, the different narrative theories, and different shot types. This was our final edit:


Analysis:

If I had more time, I would've taken more care in composing the shots like getting a better close up (not blurry) and would've taken more shots at different angles of the same part. This would enable me to cut between shots quicker and the shots would also be better.

I could improve it by spending longer on the filming part which means I could get the right shot instead of having to just use the only video that we had. I could also improve by creating my own sound effects so they would be more suited and precise to the video.

The red shoe was a key part of the video and I think if we had done more with that it would have made it more interesting and improved it.

We used Barthes' narrative enigma theory by not showing the antagonist until the end of the microdrama.

I think a musical theme that was continuous throughout would have improved it too by setting the tone even more.

This was my first time using Final Cut Pro to edit video so as I continue using it I will get better.

Microdrama: Our Narrative

Synopsis
A couple are walking when the boyfriend gets a call. He leaves for a minute to take the call, and comes back to find his girlfriend has gone missing. He searches for her and eventually is led to a room where he finds the person who has taken his girlfriend. He throws a shoe which he finds on the ground and knocks out the kidnapper, then finds his girlfriend and returns her shoe to her.
Characters/Proppian Archetypes
Conal - boyfriend - hero/protagonist
Amber - girlfriend - princess or prize
Me (Poppy) - kidnapper- villian/antagonist
Amber - person with iPad - donor/helper
Sarah - mysterious person who turns out to be kidnapper - false hero
Narrative Enigma + Binary Oppositions
The narrative enigma is created when we don't know who the villian is/who has kidnapped Amber.
The binary oppositions are:
boy/girl
good/evil

Tuesday 24 September 2013

The Brief

Our brief is:

Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.

Monday 16 September 2013

Last five movies I've watched

Howl's Moving Castle (Miyazaki, 2004)
Budget: $24M
Box Office: $235M


Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets (Columbus, 2002)
Budget: $100M
Box Office: $878M


We're The Millers (Thurber, 2013)
Budget: $37M
Box Office: $113M


A Clockwork Orange (Kubrick, 1971)
Budget: $2.2M
Box Office: $26M


Submarine (Ayoade, 2010)
Budget: $1.2M
Box Office: $2.03M