Character

The character that appealed to my interest is Christopher Johnson from District 9, directed by Neill Blomkamp. Going into this movie, the audience is already characterizing him from his appearance and the negative associations given to his species shown through the trailers. His species, labelled prawns for their mollusk appearance, are alien, shunned, and concentrated in isolated camps. The alien species are trapped on Earth because their spacecraft has been idled and unable to run. Christopher Johnson is one of the more intellectual prawn. He becomes a character of interest once the protagonist, Wikus Van De Merwe, discovers that Christopher Johnson is necessary for achieving of his own goal. But that's not the focus here; Christopher Johnson is the focus.

His goals are pretty straight forward - he wishes to go home and save his people from the cruel treatment of Earth. As the film progresses, the audience discovers another goal that Christopher Johnson needs to achieve: that he much re-power the spacecraft with a rare fuel that has been confiscated by the protagonist Wikus. Eventually, Wikus is contaminated by the fluid and begins transforming into a prawn. Christopher and Wikus come to an agreement that if Wikus helps retrieve the fuel for the ship, Christopher will return Wikus into his human form. Nonetheless, his main goal of returning home and saving his people trumps all others. This distinction is revealed through various aspects.

His character is represented as an intelectual of his species. We are revealed this through his oddities and attire. Unlike the rest of his species, Christopher wears a salvaged red vest as well as pieces of cloth covering his leg, like shorts. This not only identifies Christopher, but also shows that he is not like the rest of his species - crude and naked. In order to carry out his goal, Christopher feels the need to observe and conform to human patterns. He is also respectful and obedient to the human species. All of his actions are acts that he needs to carry out in order to achieve his goal.

In the final scene of the film, Christopher is trying to get to the ship to return home, but is under heavy fire from military personel. He and Wikus break through, but this physical barrier is not the main obstacle in the scene. Rather, it is the emotion decisions that he must make. The importance of his goal is shown through his hurry to return home. Consequently, he must leave Wikus on earth, promising to return after saving his alien race. This emotional decision is the greatest obstacle because it forces Christopher to make sacrifices in order to achieve his goal: either he abandon the lives of his people for cure Wikus, or he leave Wikus so he can gather resources to save his people. Christopher overcomes this obstacle through making sacrifices in order to save the lives of his race.

10 Themes: 'when you find me'

CHARACTER
In this short film, the narrative focuses on two sisters, Lisle and Aurora. As the short film progresses, we as an audience get a sense of how the characters interact with each other. In this image, Lisle is first introduce in her younger age. She is shown in bright red and blue colors, with a playful undertone. She seems to be the more innocent of the two sisters. Their relationship is a key factor in driving the plot of the film. This aspect will be explored further in later sections. The character aspect of the film is essential for the audience to connect with the protagonists because if properly executed, we as an audience feel a sense of connection to the story.

SETTING
The setting often changes in this short to accomodate the two protagonists. The setting in this still is particularly interesting because it represents the mystical world, the magical and also crosses over to the theme of the unknown. But nonetheless, this setting plays the most significant role in the film because it resolves the conflicts of the characters. With Lisle, she finds her mother as a child. With Aurora, she comes to terms with the argument with her mother and finds forgiveness and bliss. The other important setting is the farm from scene in the beginning. This setting represents the isolation that these characters have with the rest of the world, and in the abstract represent the characters emotional isolation with each other. Lisle cannot communicate her desire for finding her mother, and Aurora cannot communicate her sadness with her mothers death because of Lisle's lack of understanding. Other settings include the hospital, the graveyard, and the diner.

RELATIONSHIP
The relationship portrayed in this short is between sisters Lisle and Aurora. In the beginning, it is revealed that the two have a healthy relationship because they are playing some variation of cops and robbers - they are interacting with each other. It is also communicated that Aurora may be the agressor and Lisle the victim. We see this through not only the older sister, younger sister relationship but also because of the characters they are acting as: a sheriff and a robber. Further in the short, this playful representation comes to reality when the sisters react to the death of their mother differently. Aurora is the angry and takes out her anger on Lisle's innocence. The relationship seems to be breaking apart. What is interesting is how their relationship in the years between the young plotline and the old plotline is not shown. This causes the audience to assume that it is not together. By the end of the film, their relationship is mended, ending in a overcoming of their past.

GOAL
There are many goals in this film as a result of the many parts of the story. Also because there are two main characters, each has their own goals to achieve. One of the main goals is from the character of Lisle; she does not understand death and therefore desires to be reunited with her mother. This is her primary goal. The goal drives Lisle's character because it reveals her innocence as well as her backstory. Her character is further emphasized when she does achieve her goal - reaching her mother. She reunites with her mother in the white, mystical world. Having the setting stay in a magical world ultimately reveals more about Lisle character. The goal in this film is successful because it not only shows character motivation, it also reveals more about the characters

OBSTACLE
The overarching obstacle in this film is the relationship between the sisters. The tensions between them are shown in multiple points of the film starting from the death of the mother. The death is the catalyst for the character's obstacles. The sisters seems to be separating from each other as shown by the different interests of the sisters. The first being the space between the sisters when they are sitting apart on their front yard. The next is the night/graveyard sequence. When the reach the gate, Lisle and Aurora cannot pass the gate because it is locked. This gate is a physical representation of the the barrier between the sisters. When Lisle climbs over the gate, they are separated. The interesting part is how the obstacle represents the sisters' relationship because even when they are grown up, the tensions are still apparent; it is not until Lisle and Aurora explain everything that the obstacle is overcome.

MOOD
The mood in this film is much melancholy. The two sisters are in a stage of distress in both time period. As children, they have to face the death of the mother; as adults, they face the separation between their relationship. The mood often affects the film through dramatic light and the character's emotions. For example, in the above still frame, Aurora is dimly lit with very dramatic fall off on her face. This darkness is apparent throughout the entire film. The mood is established through the darkness that is strung throughout the film. Furthermore, the emotions shown by Lisle and Aurora further emphasizes this melancholy mood.

TIME
Time is expressed in this film through the two different time periods. This highlights the gap between the sisters because in the film, we learn that they became distant due to the different feelings towards the mother's death. The different times shown emphasizes the sisters' separation. We do not know if they have made up with each other or are still apart - this adds suspense and wonder to the main plot line. Another aspect of time used in the film is the techniques of editing. Strung throughout the film are different shot lengths which are held out to emphasize certain points or highlight things of significance. This manipulation of time affects how the audience interprets the film because the editing or lack thereof, dictates the speed and time of the film.

BACKSTORY
This short is interesting because of how the backstory is woven into the narrative. The death of the mother is, as the audience probably concludes, from some sort of terminal illness or cancer. The audience then wonders how long the sisters have lives without their mothers. Because of the lack of a mother figure in their life, this significantly strengthens how the audience perceives the sisters - they stay close to fill the void of their mother. However, immediately after the hospital scene, the sisters are bitter to each other. Another aspect of how backstory translates into the short is the gap between their childhood and their adult life. The audience wonders what has happened in between these years and have to create a conclusion of their own.

UNKNOWN
The helps set the mood for this film. The unknown is included in various parts - from the cartoon spaceship sequence to the white magic world. The use of the unknown can reveal character, specifically for Lisle. Through the space sequence, we visualize how childish she really is. Her youth gives her innocence. The white sequence with Lisle also shows that she strives to connect once again with her mother. It is interesting how this aspect of 'unknown' is shared between the two sisters. In this sense, the unknown plays a role to unite the sisters.

DISCOVERY
Discovery in this film provides a sense of closure, a solution to the problem, a climax to the film. The sisters discover a part of the other that they have no understood before. It provides a sense of closure in that they understand the emotions that they each were feeling at the time of the death of their mother. Reuniting with the mother, even in the magical realm relieved Aurora, the older sister. The realization that her mother was not upset about the last words Aurora said made her feel less regret. Being able to encounter her mother one last time provided a rewarding resolution to the short film.

The Film World

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

In this article from Photofocus, it outlines for up and coming photographers or just those interested how 'breaking the rules' of photography isn't always a bad thing. It outlines a set of questions a photographer should ask themselves in making a stylistic choice. They should understand the 'rule' they are deciding to break and why and for what purpose. It is interesting in this article that the author, scottbourne, refers to the 'rules' loosely because when you look at it, they are not 'rules' at all, but more rather - guidelines.

10 Themes of Storytelling

1. Mood - a state of quality or feeling at a particular time. In this particular photo, it seems to be a simple picture of the symbolic golden gate bridge, but it conveys much more that just that. The lighting shows rays of hope is closer within the frame whereas the darker undertone from the clouds are more in the distance. The effect of the bright yellow dominates the blues, causing the mood of hope to shine through the golden gateway.

2. Goal - the result or achievement toward which effort is directed. In this photo, a dog is static on a path that stretches along the Z-axis. The depth of field stretches all the way down the frame into what seems to be a forest. This photo exemplifies goal in the the road represents a long journey for the dog to enpart on. For me, I think this photo would have benefitted if it used a more selective focus because it would represent the obstacle aspect of goal a little more, but who am I to critique?

3. Backstory - a narrative provided a history or background context. This photo exemplifying backstory is very interesting because of its use of shadows. The shadows already represents something, that when framed right, can tell an entire story as this photo does. It shows a silhouetted person, slouched with multiple shadows gesturing at him. The shadows are perhaps disappointed with him or maybe the shadows are a manifestation of his own thoughts, revealing that he is disappointed in himself.

The Southern Belle: Film Review

Title Shot of The Southern Belle

The Southern Belle brings us into the minds of two characters who are having relationship problems.  Directed by Patrick Biesemans (works on various web commercials) and written by Martin Cox, the short film explores the motivations between two completely different individuals, a taxi driver and the passenger he picks up at the end of his shift. It is revealed that Josh, the passenger, has a desirable life with a good job and beautiful wife and children. Problem is that he has some adultery on the side and when his wife found out, all types of problems arose. It turns out that the taxi driver is in a similar predicament with his wife. Stopping in the middle of his run, the taxi driver begins to narrate his story and revealing the instability of what seemed to be a sane taxi driver. But his story is not fully unfolded until the apex of the narrative and ultimately leads to the unexpected, jaw dropping climax.

The two characters stay within the cab throughout the film

As a film with only two characters, the techniques to create characterization is crucial to make sure the film does not fall flat. Characters usually fall into two categories. What we, as the media has molded us to expect, are used to are the well rounded, dynamic characters with motives that audiences slowly uncover over the duration of the film. On the other hand, there are the characters that only seem to have one emotion and are do not change emotionally throughout the film; these characters are known as static characters. Thankfully, the characters in The Southern Belle are not these so called static characters. Usually, the first way that the audience judges a character is by the external portrayal, or their wardrobe. The taxi driver can be implied to be a middle to low class individual (it also helps that we know he is a taxi driver). Also, Josh, the passenger can be implied that he is a well off business man because it is introduced in a suit.

Different uses of shots - used for pacesetters

Furthermore, the characters are the driving force of the film. All that really happens in the film is verbal communication between the two characters. This can be difficult to to effectively produce because dialogue can sometimes become dry, or pointless to an audience. In this case, however, the dialogue is compelling and forces the audience to pay attention, dragging in the audience into the story that is being told. In a way, the audience assumes the role of the taxi driver, listening to the problems of their passengers - only in this case, we are spectators. The pacing is perfect and there is not a single moment in the film in which I felt dragged on. The film was quickly paced one minute then slows down the next. What really defined the desired pace of the film, in my opinion, was the music consisting of the simple chords on the piano to the rapid bowing of the strings. This extra addition is what sold the film, accurately portraying the desired mood of the film and instilling emotion into the audience.

Rim lighting is used to create a mysterious mood

To fully appreciate a film, one must consider all aspects of the film. Editing is one of them. As stated earlier, the pace of the film was defined by the interactions between the characters. But various other directorial choices are also playing a role. Whether it be the choice between the use of diegetic or non-diegetic sound or even the shot selection. What the audience sees or doesn't see affects how an audience appreciates a film and Patrick Biesemans is able to deliver. Lighting and setting are also aspects to consider. The choice of using dark, silhouetted characters mystifies their background and their motives, allowing audiences to want to delve deeper and uncover more about the character. The use of rim lighting suggests that we only understand the surface of the characters and not the internal motivations. For me, this made the film that much more suspenseful, that much more thrilling and most importantly, it worked.

Use of dramatic lighting - fully reveals characters

All in all, this film is a great short and illustrates the ability of director, Patrick Biesemans to capture an audience. This is definitely a well scripted film and is a great example of how screenwriting should be executed. From start to finish, the short had me on the edge of my seat, desiring to know more about the characters only to find out that in the end, I knew too much about the characters. Great screenwriting and great narratives can be recognized when you finish watching a film and still ponder over what you've just experienced. The Southern Belle will definitely remain in my mind as a must watch short. 

(see full film below)

   

Clarity: Treatment

Logline: A boy comes to terms with his emotions by escaping through nature..

A boy sits on a log, the same log in the same clearing that he has been returning to for years. Here, he can be himself. Here he is alone, away from the pressures of society and family. Here, he can clear his mind and never go home. This small clearing is his home, this is his escape.

As he sits outside the cafe, he tries to picture what it would be like if it never happened. The thing that made him so isolated, so separated from everyone. If only someone shared the feelings that he felt. He couldn’t imagine that he could ever talk to anyone about it. He sees the flyer that has always been posted in the same position - group therapy, for those who need it. Frustrated that he sees it everyday, he closes his eyes.

He scratches another tick on the log in the clearing. He puts the knife under the same rock he has always put it under and gets up. But that isn’t enough, he feels that something is missing. He returns to the rock and pulls the knife out and marks a nearby tree, “what can I do?” he inscribes, and drops to the floor, tears rolling down.

What can he do? He has to go back, as much as he doesn’t want to. So he does. In another public spot, he sits, gazing across as far as he can see. This place so much different than the clearing, he cannot see the horizon, he cannot hear himself think, he cannot function. He cannot stand it - the stares, the murmurs - he is imprisoned.

He returns. He breathes. He glides down to the clearing when he notices that there is something written on his scratched tree. A reply? He looks around thinking somebody has been watching him. Does someone else know about his sanctuary? He decides its okay, knowing that there’s nothing to lose. He writes back.

Day after day he returns, discovering new messages, and he feels a satisfaction from this connection to the unknown. He is able to express once again, even if it is not in a regular way, it is better than how he was a few days ago.

He decides to give the group therapy a try even if he doesn’t speak and only “passes” on speaking, he has allowed himself to attach himself to other things, and work his way back into a regular life. Whom had once been lonely and emotionally isolated now has a new charisma. His energy flows through his limbs and it radiates through his appearance. He continues to write on the trees.

He finally expresses himself to others comfortably. He doesn’t “pass”. He decides its okay, and expresses himself in voice. He doesn’t looks away in disgust when people look at him. He sees light in the world. He seems to be well off and stable once again.

Back in the clearing, he reaches for the knife, ready to write a new message. He had not been here in days. His life is finally coming together and he is not the lonely boy he once was; he is now an individual, one that can clearly articulate his emotions. He brushes the carved trees with his hands. He feels through the carvings that he had once wrote, the carvings that he has distanced himself from. He feels the precise lettering, and feels the emptiness underneath his own writings - the replies to his messages are gone.

Titanic: Film Language and Representation

V. Film Language and Representation
The characters that are in this extract mainly include the passenger of the ship with sub-characters such as the captain and the ship's designer. The production value and the amount of people in the shots depict the chaos in the ship. There are different emotions portrayed. The range from prideful acceptance, to chaotic and hopeless. These emotions allow the audience to see not everyone responded to the event the same way and provides a more nuanced portrayal. There are also interesting use of angles in the excerpt. To accommodate the sinking angle of the ship, some shots are also angled. These are usually the sequences that are still in the interior of the ship. These shots are further emphasized by the use of lines within the shot. The horizontal lines contrast with the camera's edges, therefore adding to the sense of the sinking Titanic. The is little camera moves. There are only slight pans and trucking, along with the dolly shots of the entire ship. The editing jumps from place to place. It doesn't only focus on the emotions of one person. Instead, it goes to many aspects of the ship's emotion, from the rich to the poor, from the old to the young. This reveals the many emotions that Cameron had wanted to portray - that the Titanic was a dramatic, tragic event, contrary to the prior films made on it which showed the sinking as graceful.
The sound in this excerpt heavily influences how the audience should feel, and perhaps Cameron's intended effects. It begins with the calm music that the band plays, with screaming in the background, but the music is louder than the chaos. The montage of the ship, along with the music, shows one aspect of the event, where are the yelling in the background encompasses another. Overall, this scene is intended to be artful and expressive to incorporate all the beauty in the ship and the etherial qualities. Nearer to the end of the excerpt, the music changes to a dramatic, upbeat instrumental. The audience now feels a heightened sense of danger because of the use of sound and music. It is interesting because the commotion in the shots are still relatively similar, but because of the sound, the mood is completely different.
The symbols in this excerpt are limited because there is not a fixed shot on an object. One symbol that I found interesting was the floating painting that was owned by Rose. I felt that the painting represents the wealthy class and from this it can be interpreted two ways. One is that, with the painting floating, it shows how the wealthy were more fortunate than others in society. Another interpretation is that no one is superior, even with wealth because the painting is submerged in the water. Although only being in the scene for a few seconds, the shot had to have some importance and meaning to be placed in the film.