The Waiting Room - Evaluation

In small groups we were given the task of slowing down time whilst sticking to a brief of using Mise-on-scene to tell a story.
 Firstly we decided what we wanted our scene to be about, and researched into the different ways of extending time (example: raging bull). We came up with many ideas but we didn't feel that we had one that was strong enough to challenge us, so we decided to put a twist on the brief: Instead of telling a story, we could let the audience decide for themselves what was happening.
  So, we started to plan what we would need, props cameras, lighting e.t.c and also managed to book The Cove studio out for filming. This was really helpful as it allowed us to take our time and compose some really controversial and artistic shots. The story eventually was set up and we took our inspiration from the darkness of 'Saw' and the fact that you don't see the person who is committing the crimes. We see as two girls (myself and Tasha) are tied up in a dark warehouse, they are unconscious and a dark figure walks in and sets a time down onto the table, it is set at one minute. The girls are woken by the figure as it leaves, and spot the timer. We watch as they start to panic and struggle to release themselves, the audience are in as much of the dark as the girls are about what will happen when the timer runs to zero.
 The film ends as the timer runs out, the dark figure returns and turns towards the girls. Blackout.
 I really enjoyed filming this piece because it allowed us to be playful with the concept of time and light and we were also able to add our own twist to the brief. I think that not storyboarding this piece was a great idea because it meant that we could add in small parts that we may not have thought about before we actually got into the cove, and set everything up. For example, the shot where the light hits Tash'es eyes as she sees the timer, we would not have been able to plan because we did not know before hand where we could set the lights up.
 Overall i think that the piece worked for what it was, and fitted the brief by creating a story using Mise-en-scene.

Equipment list

• Cannon 55OD 
• Tripod
• Three large reflectors
• Three dedo lights
• Two black screens
• Zoom sound recorder
• Sound booth
• Props including - chairs, scarfs, fake blood, table, ipone, shoe.

Mise - En - Scene

Mise-en-scene ("placing on stage") is an expression used to describe the design aspects of a theatre or film production, which essentially means "visual theme" or "telling a story" —both in visually artful ways through storyboarding , cinematography and stage design, and in poetically artful ways through direction. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mise_en_sc%C3%A8ne 26/05/11


Examples of Mise-en scene
1. Man and lady are sat at the dinner table and their body language (hunched up) could indicate that they have either had an argument or have a decision to make. This storyline is backed up by the way that the scene is cut into three parts (Man/Table/Women) which signifies separation and a barrier between them sets the mood for the scene. The way that the Mise-en-scene is set up, also helps the audience to work out who these people are and their history. For example, the lady in this scene has got an apron on so this shows that she is possibly a housewife, whereas the man has a suit on, possibly a business man. The facial expressions used also adds to the scene, is this picture both of the people are scowling at each other with hands on their face, this again shows that they have probably had a disagreement.          
2. The first part of the mise-on-scene that the audience see in this picture is the expression on the girl in the foreground. She looks fearful, as though she should not be in that house.
 The second thing we notice is the depth of field that separates the characters, they seem very detached from the girl, and this shows separation. It is clear that this girl does not belong, or is a worker or prisoner of some sort. The idea of being a worker is backed up by the clothing that she is wearing, and the bands around her wrist. The house that she is in also looks very well looked after, signifying wealth from the family that she is possibly working for.

 3. Body language and facial expression are the first indications of what is happening in this scene, the lady is hunched over, seemingly comforting herself with her arms, and has a grief stricken look on her face. This, combined with the picture of a man on the nightstand, tells the audience that the Lady's husband/boyfriend has either died of left her. I think that because she is wearing white and not black, it is probably the latter.It is evening, and the audience can tell this by the fact that the bedside lamp is on, and also the clock reads 21.35pm. Another part of the Mise-en-scene is the way the room is set up, it gives the impression of a 1940's bedroom and therefore the audience will presume that this is around that year.

4. In this scene we see a man and women who looked very awkward. There is a space barrier between them and this makes them seem very separate. However the mans expression looks like regret, almost as if he is looking for reassurance. She however looks very distant, as though she is thinking about what has, or is about to happen. There is also regret in her eyes. I think that by the way they are dressed, he is a business man, and is leaving her in bed whilst he goes to work, and she, in bed clothes, is left by herself.                                                                                                                                               

Mise en Scene

Coffee and Cigarettes (Somewhere in California)

Somewhere in California is one out of eleven segments that make up 'Coffee and Cigarettes' - directed by Jim Jarmusch. The clip was originally shot in 1993 but was only made part of the feature film in 2003.It shows Iggy Pop and Tom Wait meeting up for coffee in an old retro cafe and making awkward small talk.
  The film is mainly shot from one angle, a master shot, showing the two of them hunched up at a small cafe table and the shot is split into three: Iggy/Table/Tom - this signifies a separation barrier between them which is enhanced by the uncomfortable body language and tone of voice. Another shot used however, is an over the shoulder shot, which shows close up facial expression that also convey awkward and competition.
  The short is filmed in black and white, which creates a large contrast between Iggy and Tom, helped along with the use of dim lighting. This gives the audience the impression of a large difference between the two, and even if you were not aware of the history between to two, the audience can still tell by the dialogue that they are in competition as to who was more successful.

 "with Iggy playing the shaggy, eager-to-please puppy while the edgy Waits finds ways to take constant umbrage." - http://chicago.metromix.com/movies/review/movie-review-coffee-and/158893/content - I think that this comment underlines the whole basis for conversation in this short which is brilliantly awkward and seems as though the only thing they have in common is the thought that they should reward themselves for not smoking, with a cigarette.

Butterface

 'Butterface' is a three minute short, made for the BBC, written, directed and starring David McLaughlin. The short shows the story of a boy (McLaughlin) on a train, when an attractive girl sits next to him. The audience watch as he debates whether or not to talk to her. The piece is narrated by the boy, and this connects him to the audience really quickly, as they also start to hope that he has the courage to talk to her. The Mise-en-scene is set up really well in this short, because of the body language and facial expressions used by both characters that are both uncomfortable but willing at the same time. The main shot used through-out, shows a small carriage which gives the feeling of the two characters being close together, and therefore gives the audience the feeling of adding more pressure on the boy to talk to her.

Single Camera Critiques

Floating is easy by Graeme and Katy McAulay 
"Floating is easy"is a short film by directed by Graeme McAulay and written by Kate McAulay. The film explains the story of Alison, who has spent the last few years caring for her mother who has a severe case of Alzheimer's. Alison stops her mum everyday from leaving the house early in the morning when she forgets where she is, however one day when Alison for the first time in years sleeps in late, her mother leaves. A while later when Alison wakes, she finds the door open and "fails to raise the alarm".
 "Floating is Easy" was filmed on location in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland and shot on HDCAM (Panasonic HVX900) by award-winning director of photography Paul Riley. The use of Camera shots in this Short, makes the story feel really personal. Using a single camera technique allows very significant moments to be caught such as when Alison is helping her mother get dressed and we watch as her mother is allowing herself to be dressed, but is also slightly fighting it as though she doesn't want to admit defeat to the illness.
 The shots that a linked together throughout the short create a story within the story of Alisons life, and that is the story of her mother. For example, when Alison and her mother are walking through the park, a lady comes up to them offering them a flyer for a spa treatment, when the mother does not take it, Alison steps in and takes it from the lady. The next shot then shows her mother watching an old lady taking part in excercise on the grass. I think that these shots were put together to convey the fact that Alisons mother has almost given up on living and trying new things, but also longs to join in with other elderly people to be normal.
 I think that the sound used in this short defines the relationship that Alison has with her mother and the outside world. With some voiceover and music including, the sound is mostly general movement sounds (i.e the door opening, bed being made, hairdryer) and only a few simple sentences are exchanged between the two. I think that this has been done purposefully to show how lonely Alison is because she is caring for her mother and does not have much to say to her. The Voiceover show a different part of the main character, the guilty side. By using sentences such as "the report said accidental death" and "means i did not kill my mother" it shows that Alison is feeling very guilty for not looking for her mum when she went missing, but is also trying to justify that it was not her fault, an emotional battle inside her. By allowing the audience to hear this at the very beggining, they watch in anticipation to decided wether or not she did kill her mother.
  The use of editing in one particular scene, the first time that we see Alison stop her mother from leaving the house, is very effective  because it is cut at the same pace as Alison running down the stairs, and this shows the struggle she has with caring for her mother.
  Some single camera techniques are used to give the impression of multi camera, and a good example of that is when the shot switches from looking towards the door, then seeing outside of the window, and back again. It gives the viewer an impression of being able to see from all angles.

Single Camera Technique (vs Multiple Camera technique)

Single camera technique means the use of just one camera to film the whole of a program (usually tv programs such as Doctor who) where the actors will have to re-act the scene over and over again multiple times to get the scene from different angles, which is then edited later on in an edit suite.

 Multi-Camera technique means that more than one camera is set up (usually four or five in a news room, soap scene e.t.c) and they are all connected to a video mixer. This allows the director to "live edit" by calling out which camera to cut to, therefore only filming the scene once or twice but still accomplishing many angles.

  The advantages of the single camera technique are that the director has more control over each shot, the lighting can be changed regularly to fit each scene, more angles can be used giving the director more freedom to use artistic shots and also can be cheaper because less camera men will be needed.The disadvantages are that it can be more time-consuming and might not be suitable for quick turnover, for tv programs such as soaps that have a new hour long program every week it would be too slow compared to Multi-camera.

  Some techniques used during single camera can give the impression of multi-camera, for example quick cuts between actors can make the shot seem like it is being filmed there and then with multiple cameras, but the actors have infact acted this scene out over ten times to create all the shots using one camera.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-camera_setup - "As its name suggests, a production using the single-camera setup generally employs just one camera. Each of the various shots and camera angles is taken using the same camera, which is moved and reset to get each shot or new angle. The lighting setup is typically reconfigured for each camera setup." -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-camera_setup

"Single camera formates gives a director more control over a shot, however it is more expensive and more time consuming as a shot has to be planed throughly giving actors correct timing in which to step into a shot. Single camera formats are often used in films joining an array of tracking and panning shots. They are useful in films as they circulate the room and set the scene for the viewing audience." - http://connorrutherfordbtectvandfilm.blogspot.com/2009/09/single-camera-drama.html

 

Submarine (2010) - Critical writing

'Submarine' is a modern comedy drama, that follows the life of Welsh boy Oliver Tate and his journey to achieve goals such as losing his virginity before his next birthday, and keeping his mother away from an old romance who has unexpectedly moved in next door. The film documents Oliver's first real love, and how the awkward and unpredictable relationship unfolds with school-girl Jordana and also the other relationships in his life, such as the uncomfortable but friendly one he shares with his dad, and the "I'm going to pretend I'm crazy so you'll leave me alone" one he has with his mother. 'Submarine' is presented in a documentary style, with Oliver mainly commentating over the footage shown, and a little bit of Jordana's narrative as well.

  'Submarine' was directed by Richard Ayoade (The IT crowd) and produced by Warp Films and Film4. The cast include Craig Roberts (The story of Tracy Beaker) who plays Oliver Tate ,Yasmin Paige (Ballet Shoes) who plays Jordana, Noah Taylor (Almost Famous) who plays the father and Sally Hawkins (Never let me go) who plays the mother.

 The film is loosely based on the novel 'Submarine' by Joe Dunthorne, and after the rights to the book were aquired by Film4, Ayoade was brought onboard for his debut behind the camera. After extensive planning, the audition process began and within a few days, over 100 people had posted online auditions at thecastingscene.com for the three junior lead roles. After a short process, the final cuts were made, and the cast list was decided.

  I really like the way that throughout the film, the different story lines were kept seperate, for example when the screen fades to red and the title Jordana comes up, the audience immediately know that this part of the film is going to be about her. I think Ayoade decided to create this effect to make the film seem even more childish, as though Oliver Tate was directing it himself. I also enjoyed parts of the love montage between Oliver and Jordana, because of the 'dreamland' kind of focus the camera had on them.

 The soundtrack was very effect throughout 'Submarine', firstly because of the music created by Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. He wrote the songs to fit with the film and I think that this added to the personality of both main character Oliver and the film as a whole. I also enjoyed the narrative, spoken by Oliver and Jordana, because I think that by letting the audience in on their inner thoughts and secrets, it encouraged the viewers to become connected to the characters and sympathise with them.

 I think that the film works for what it is because of the target audience that it is aimed at, Teenagers. In a way, the film highlights some part of every teenagers life, whether it is Sex, Parents, School, or Friends, most of the intended audience for this film will be able to connect to some part of Olivers life and in turn, laugh when something goes wrong because they have probably experienced the same event in some way or another. This automatically helps the audience to put their own thoughts into the storyline, and therefore making it seem much more personal to each separate viewer.

  This film makes me feel like laughing, because being a teenager myself, I can look at some of the things that Oliver does, and think about being in that situation and how I would react."You have a character who sees the world differently to everyone else...the idea of the film is that Oliver is kind of directing it."- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyInN7uHR7U&feature=related. I think that this shows that Ayoade fully had oliver in mind when filming, and wanted to bring across that familiar childish way of thinking.

  I think overall that this film was a great success because of the team that worked on it, new director, fresh faced actors and a brand new soundtrack from a well known artist really helped to make the overall project a great coming-of-age comedy that makes people of all ages feel able to relax and laugh along with the storyline.

The Waiting Room - Our Development

  We were given the task of creating a single camera production, which explored the ways you can alter time and atmosphere using lighting, camera work and montage editing. We had to
1.) Convey atmosphere
2.) Distort time
3.) Build Tension
4.) Tell a Story
5.) Give the Situation a Story.
   We got into a group of four, Tasha, Rob M, Rob S and myself, and started planning. We took inspiration from a short paragraph provided by Tim, which was very descriptive about how a room was becoming a prison, a ticking time bomb, and how the character's life within it was about to change forever.
  We first thought about having a boy, sat at a desk in front of a phone, waiting for it to ring. He has a piece of evidence from a crime scene and the police and the criminal both want it back. However, after more planning we decided that it would be quite complicated to convey the whole story whilst also playing with the concept of time. So we started thinking up other ideas.
  Our final idea came as we were booking out "The Cove" from the ERC. Being a dark place, it would be perfect to set up a hostage situation, and so after some thought, our idea became: Two girls, waking up in a dark warehouse, tied to chairs with a minute timer in front of them. They are beaten and bruised and are dreaming of a crash or crime (depicted with noise) but soon wake up and realise the situation they are in.
   I am really happy with the way that the video turned out because i think that it allows the audience to make up their own minds about how the girls are involved, are they criminals, or simple bystanders that have seen too much? We wanted to play around with different lighting and atmosphere,so we set up only three dedo lights with multiple black screens and put a 50mm f/1.4 lens on the camera to give a shallow depth field and give better capture in a low light. I was also happy with the way the post production sound recordings fitted in with the whole video, i think that this is an result of good planning and really adds to the intensity of the tension. Overall i was happy with the way that the video was produced as a whole and also with how the video was perceived by an audience.

The Waiting Room Research

Examples of extending real time - Raging Bull

We watched a clip from Raging bull (1980) that shows Jake Lamotta vs Sugar Ray Robinson in a boxing match. Throughout the clip, time seems to be slowed down in certain parts. For example when Ray is reaching out to hit Jake, the whole scene almost comes to a stand still as we see multiple flashes of cameras behind the character and shouting and screams coming from the audience. I think that the director, Martin Scorsese, created this effect to give a more fearsome and pronounced way of thinking, he wants the audience to hold their breath until the moment were the injured character gets beaten again. By using this method of slowing parts down were Sugar Ray Robinson is angry and against a dark background, i think Scorsese was also trying to give the audience more time to form their opinions and start to pity Jake Lamotta.
 During the fight the camera also helps to distort time by mirroring the characters movements, for example when Ray stops hitting Jake, he stands back and the scene seems to slow down, however it is still playing in real time but the camera has also pulled back and grabbed focus on Ray, making the shot long and lingering. A different example of mirrored movement is when Jake falls onto the ropes, and then a shot of a man at home watching the fight on T.V is shown as he makes the same move into his armchair, signifying defeat.

 Another example of when slow motion is used within the fight, is when Ray is continually beating Jake and we see blood slowing spraying from Jake's mouth and eyes. This gives the audience a better view of the trouble the fighter is in and therefore want the scene to end, however it forces them to watch by dragging the fighting out and making them watch all of the pain he goes through. This also will make the audience feel more connected to Jake as they have suffered alongside him and possibly make them more sympathetic later on in the movie.