Assignment Week 3 - Classmate Commentary

   For this assignment, I commented on two blog posts that were composed by my classmates regarding four out of twelve of their shots that impacted me emotionally. I chose to comment on Josh's and Laura's blogs.
   On Josh's blog post, I chose to comment on the extreme close-up shot, the eye level shot, the flash shot, and the POV shot.
1.) I first enjoyed the extreme close-up shot, which, in this case was of a subject's eye up close. According to filmmakingpro.com, close-up shots "help you feel whatever they [the subject] are feeling". I certainly feel that this was applicable to this shot, as they say that the "eyes are the windows to the soul", thus the clear, close video of the eye helped me to see into the subject and their emotions.
2.) Furthermore, I enjoyed the eye level shot which captured the subject at eye level, saying "hi" and smiling. According to filmmakingpro.com, eye level shots make the audience feel like "they are included in the scene". I truly felt that this was true, as the eye level shot gives a feeling of staring directly at the subject as though you were talking to them, which makes you, as the viewer, feel included and connected with the subject.
3.) Moreover, I enjoyed the flash shot, which included a relatively neutral background that is suddenly disturbed by a jumping subject. As a viewer, I was not expecting the neutral view to be obstructed as there was no sign of the subject before the jump, thus I was left quite startled and frightened!
4.) Finally, I enjoyed the POV shot which included the director's hand causing the subject to go flying. According to filmmakingpro.com, POV shots "make you feel like you were placed inside the person's eyes", which is supposed to make you "feel creepy". This can certainly be said for this clip, as it felt like I, as the viewer, was sending the subject flying because my sight was the exact sight level from the director who was controlling the actions. However, in reality I did nothing!

   On Laura's blog, I commented on the choker shot, the dolly shot, the extreme long shot, and the high angle shot.
1.) I first enjoyed the choker shot, which was a close up, all encompassing shot of a subject who appears very confused. Due to the closeness and use of spacing to only show the subject, I truly got to see how the subject was feeling in facial language such as eye movements and mouth movements. Thus, I was able to feel confusion as the subject's clarity in emotion due to the shot was able to relay to me.
2.) Next, I enjoyed the dolly shot which was filmed as the director was heading up a bridge. I enjoyed this shot, because it mimicked the feeling of walking up a bridge myself due to the moving action as if the camera were moving up the bridge on a dolly.
3.) Furthermore, I enjoyed the extreme long shot which showed a large view of a sunset from a high point. According to filmmakingpro.com, extreme long shots give a feeling of being "less significant compared to the world around them". In this case, the intensity and broadness of the view is consuming for a viewer, showing how big the world really is. Thus, watching this did give me a feeling of inferiority compared to the world, yet the beauty of the shot due to the time of day and establishment of the shot on a nice body of water was enjoyable.
4.) Finally, I enjoyed the high angle shot which filmed a subject dancing from very high above the subject. According to filmmakingpro.com, high angle shots "make you feel like the character is less significant", which is completely true. The subject is so small in this clip that one cannot help but feel as though the subject is inferior and vulnerable.

Assignment Week 2-Different Shots

This is a "close-up shot", showing a subject's hands on a close level while using a cell phone. This shot was relatively easy to take, however, due to the closeness of the shot, I had to ensure that the camera was focused to make the clip clear.

This is a "reaction shot", characterized by the fact that the subject is "reacting to something off camera", where in this case the subject appears to be startled by something. There were no complications in making this shot other than ensuring that the camera was still and that the timing was right for the shock.

This is a "tilt shot", characterized by the fact that the camera is moving "up a vertical axis". This shot was simple to make, but the shot just took a long time to create as I wanted to clearly show the entire subject without going too quick.

This is an "over-the-shoulder" shot, characterized by the fact that viewers are able to see a "character's point of view" that includes "part of that character's shoulder". This shot was slightly trickier to make than others, as I had to maintain a steady shot so as to show the shoulder and focus on the content of the cell phone at the same time.

This is a "high angle shot" as characterized by the fact that the subject is "filmed from a high above". This filming process was tricky as I had to stand on a chair to film the subject from the high angle.

This is a "head- on shot" characterized by the fact that the action is coming "directly at the camera". While filming this shot, I just had to perfect the timing so that the subject would run toward the camera right when I began recording as the action was so fast.

This is a "full shot", characterized by the fact that I "captured the subject's entire body" in the clip. While making this shot, I had to ensure that my subject knew the boundaries of the camera so that I did not have to move the camera while she was moving.

This is a "follow shot", characterized by the fact that the "camera follows the subject". Due to the fact that I was walking in this, I had to ensure that the camera was steady throughout which was a challenging task as walking can get bumpy.

This is a "flash shot", characterized by the fact that there is a "shock effect". The only challenging thing about this shot was ensuring that the camera was steady so as not to give away the subject waiting below to jump.

This is a "cameo shot" characterized by the fact that the subject is being "filmed against a neutral background". This shot was easy to make as the only thing I needed to do was find a neutral background and film my subject.

This is a "close shot" characterized by the fact that the subject is filmed from "the top of the head to mid-waist". This clip was easy to make as nothing went into it other than placing the subject correctly and holding the camera still.

This is a "point-of-view" shot as characterized by the fact that the clip was shot from my point-of-view. This clip was challenging to create from my perspective as I had to both film and take part in the clip which made keeping the camera steady and focused difficult.

(All definitions come from AFI Screen Education)

Why am I Taking AICE Media Studies?

I am taking AICE Media Studies to gain a better understanding of an industry I have never been too familiar with. While I recognize how much work and consideration goes into the production of films both large and small, I have never witnessed exactly what happens "behind the scenes". I enjoy broadening my horizons to learn about topics that I am unfamiliar with, and I believe taking AICE Media Studies will allow me to see into a whole new and interesting world. I also look forward to not only learning about filmmaking, but also applying what I learn to make my own production for the AICE exam.