Put most of it together in after effects, attempting to do some more of the trickier stuff now!
Wednesday, 29 April 2015
Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948)
Figure 1. Rope Poster
What’s unique about Rope is it’s story is less of who
committed the murder and instead is about if the characters will get away with
it. As Levy mentions in his review “Unlike other movies, in “Rope,” Hitchcock
is less concerned with sharp characterization and moral dilemmas than with
describing how a seemingly “perfect” crime goes wrong.” (2007, Levy). As Levy
highlights this film is more about building suspense than showing character
development. As an audience we are given all the info of who committed the
crime right at the start of the film seeing Philip and Brandon strangle their
friend David with a rope. The then place him in a book chest which you can see
in figure 2. Knowing this information creates tension for the audience. This is
especially experienced in the scene in which the maid is clearing items of the
chest. The camera is left to focus on her as she slowly removes the items from
the chest, this creates a large amount of suspense as the audience wonder
whether she’ll discover the body.
Figure 2. Murder
What’s also interesting about rope is its continuous nature,
the film itself feels almost like a play unravelling in front of the audiences
eyes. “There is a great stroke of craftsmanship at work throughout the film.
Shot in ten long takes, the movie creates an elaborate illusion that there is
no cutaway or break from the action, as if to indicate a quiet observer is
present in the room for the whole duration of the story” (2014, Keyes). Keyes
mentions that the film is shot in 10 takes, meaning that no editing is involved
with this film. This is what helps it feel like a play or like you’re a
spectator watching. You also feel like the spectator later in the film when the
camera is moved around during an explanation. The camera is made to look around
as if a human would and this successfully involves the audience within the
film.
Brandon and Philip
In modern times it would be obvious to us that the two lead
characters are infact a gay couple. Webster touches upon this in his article “This
modestly successful thriller stands out as Alfred Hitchcock's first colour film
and for the presence of two obviously gay lead characters.” (2001, Webster). Webster
says that the fact they are gay stands out. This would most likely be because
at the time this film was made being gay was not as accepted as it is now. The
portrayal of these characters however fits very much in the trope of one person
in the gay couple being dominant and the other being submissive which is
neither an accurate or fair portrayal of gay men. Though this is representation
in a time in which none was really allowed it is poor.
A unique and thrilling film, Rope proves that a handful of
sets aren't needed for a successful film.
Bibliography
Keyes, D (2014) http://cinemaphile2010.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/rope-1948.html (accessed 29/04/15)
Levy, E (2007) http://emanuellevy.com/review/rope-4/ (accessed 29/04/15)
Webster, B (2001) http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rope/reviews/ (accessed 29/04/15)
Illustration list
Hitchcock, A (1948) Figure 1. Rope Poster http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8e/Rope2.jpg (accessed 29/04/15)
Hitchcock, A (1948) Figure 2. Murder https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAd8gG02UPVL7Jsn8Q3eyYCQo0I7KfQdOzgmmknophCqt5U71e1jKxkBEIzRTXHJbpijKtlsDDPEUkGxSLjqI2Xn9pEIIWAvzwHivnItVIU7kxtkK7c_gxqpkRT2bposDhJPesrPaA7Ta7/s1600/Figure+1.jpg (accessed 29/04/15)
Hitchcock, A (1948) Figure 3. Brandon and Philip http://blogs.presstelegram.com/outinthe562/files/2012/12/grangerrope5.jpg (accessed 29/04/15)
Steven Spielberg's Jurassic park (1993)
Figure 1. Jurassic Park Poster
Jurassic Park is a great example of a film with a story you
can get invested in. In his article Richards talks about the story “It takes
something that couldn’t otherwise be realised (a dinosaur park), fills it full
of characters with wit and depth” (Richards, 2013). Richards is saying here
that the characters as well as the fiction of the story is why this film is
successful. Spielberg creates the image of family with these characters which
helps the audience relate to them and feel for them.
Figure 2. Close Up
We are not only manipulated by the brilliance of the characters
themselves but also by the way in which the camera is used. It feels like Spielberg
has crafted every single shot to perfection. As Ferguson mentions in his review
“only the most Scrooge-like viewer will fail to be transfixed by the thrilling
action and the sheer scale of the director's vision.” (Ferguson, 2013).
Ferguson is impressed with how big the film vision is and this suggests that Spielberg
carried out his shots well. Spielberg uses extreme close up throughout the film
to manipulate his audience and his layout of shots is particularly impressive
in the scene with the electric fence. Is this scene the audience is forced to
watch as the power is being turned on as a character is still climbing over the
electric fence, this makes the audience feel anxious for this character.
Figure 3. T-Rex
The films talents lie in the good mix of CGI and animatronics.
Dunks talks about this success in his review “Spielberg was wise to not rely entirely on
computer images, rather blending the new technology with old-fashioned
practical designs and the result is a film that looks far better than any
modern tentpole blockbuster” (Dunks, 2014). Dunks thinks that this film can be considered
stronger than modern day films because it’s not completely relying on only CGI.
The CGI being used in small chunks makes the film more believable.
Jurassic Park is a clever film that many people will have no
trouble loving.
Bibliography
Dunks, G (2014) http://blog.quickflix.com.au/2014/09/23/play-it-again-jurassic-park/ (Accessed 19/04/15)
Ferguson, J (2013) http://www.radiotimes.com/film/8psc/jurassic-park (Accessed 19/04/15)
Richards, O (2013) http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=138260 (Accessed 19/04/15)
Illustration List
Spielberg, S (1993) Figure 1. Jurassic Park Poster http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/2014-08/12/12/enhanced/webdr10/enhanced-14020-1407861668-13.jpg (Accessed 19/04/15)
Spielberg, S (1993) Figure 2. Close Up http://see-aych.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/jurassic-park-3d-picture3.jpg (Accessed 19/04/15)
Spielberg, S (1993) Figure 3. T-Rex http://www.filmhdwallpapers.com/file/4068/600x338/16:9/jurassic-park-hd-stills-wallpapers_1943510436.jpg (Accessed 19/04/15)
Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Monday, 27 April 2015
Steven Spielberg's Duel (1971)
Figure 1. Duel Poster
Made in 1971 Steven Spielberg’s Duel was originally made for
TV. The film was later shown in cinemas due to its success. Milne says that Duel
was “made for TV but booking its own place on the big screen” (Milne, 2006). It’s
clear that Milne thinks the film is of cinema quality which is impressive due
to it being Spielberg’s first film and also a film with a low budget.
Figure 2. Cars Still
The plot of the film is extremely simple. David Mann, a
salesman, is followed by a driver in a large truck who appears to be trying
kill him. It can be argued however that the story is much deeper and actually
this is a contest of masculinity. Maslin picks up on this in his review “Mann
himself is shown to be a henpecked husband who regains his masculinity only
through the contest on the road.” (Maslin, 1983). Maslin is saying that Mann’s
Masculinity is questioned by his wife and Mann feels as if he needs to prove
himself masculine hence why this contest is fought on the road. We can tell
that Mann’s masculinity is being undermined in the scene in which Mann phones
his wife. What’s interesting about this scene is we view the conversation with
his wife through the window of a washing machine an appliance often associated
with women. The washing machine door could suggest that Mann feels emasculated
by his wife. The cars in the film could also be symbols of the drivers masculinity.
As shown in figure 2 Manns car is smaller, cleaner and less masculine looking
in comparison to the large, gritty truck which is shadowing him on the road.
Figure 3. Close up
Though Duel is simple it is thrilling to watch. Gore talks
about this in his article “The film is terrifying because, as Weaver is attempting
to get folks in the desert to believe that he is being terrorized by a
mysterious truck driver, he finds no support.” (Gore, 2008). Gore here is mentioning that the fear found
in this film is relatable. As we are watching we fear more and more for Mann’s
life as his lack of support grows. This connection with the character is
cleverly achieved through the way in which the camera is used, as shown in
figure 3 we are shown close ups of Mann and this helps the audience to feel
emotion towards Mann.
Duel is a film which shows that big budgets aren't needed to
create a thrilling film.
Bibliography
Gore, L (2008) http://www.esplatter.com/reviews.php?id=754 (accessed 27/04/15)
Maslin, J (1983) http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review? res=9804EFD81138F936A25757C0A965948260&partner=Rotten%2520Tomatoes (accessed 27/04/15)
Milne, T (2006) http://www.timeout.com/london/film/duel (accessed 27/04/15)
Illustration List
Spielberg, S (1971) Figure 1. Duel Poster http://cdn.traileraddict.com/content/universal-pictures/duel.jpg
(accessed 27/04/15)
Spielberg, S (1971) Figure 2. Cars Still https://moviefilmreviews.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/carandtruck.jpg
(accessed 27/04/15)
Spielberg, S (1971) Figure 3. Close up https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzs58xZCGrPaJXUglD4jkXIaXHUqvsGcQPxwo2yNM18aX9HMh2vM7qSPkycatQFH-pfCImVvxcQOEcsoDJvd6Rpzc7YC6hzDaO36Voba1FEc4p9XvmdMt-FbseifDn8sDB5_dz5BnKlM/s1600/Duel-Dennis-Weaver.jpg
(accessed 27/04/15)
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Saturday, 25 April 2015
Friday, 24 April 2015
Thursday, 23 April 2015
Wednesday, 22 April 2015
Fantastic Voyage: Applying my textures to the Influenza models
After deciding upon using this as my texture basis I then went to apply a similar texture to my influenza models.
My first few tests were unsuccessful. The model didn't handle transparency or reflectivity well. I decided to make the model slightly flatter in colour but still keep as much appeal and make it feel like it fits in with my body cell.
These are my final textures for the model. The have a little bit of transparency but are less reflective.