Production Check 1

Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to pick dates to shoot yet but we plan to finish a significant amount through the next two weeks as we solidy our cinematography plans and dates with our actors. We began communicating with them this week and are in the process of finalizing dates and times according to their schedules. We actually may have a problem with the lead actress, and are most likely going to replace her. We are hoping this works out with our replacement actress. Right now, Ali tentatively has scheduled the car scene and the house scene on November 12 and the school scenes either on Wednesday the 16th or Friday the 18th.

As for my cinematography roles, I wasn't able to get access to the school over the weekend or the bowling alleyto get angles to compare for each of the scenes, but I am comparing using photos from films to figure out which angle will work best for critical shots according the emotions we want to evoke.
For the shot where Jonah looks over at June, I was considering a medium shot but I didn't really specify the angle. Out of the two below, I like the one on the left better because it doesn't identify with any particular character. I think that's important because this is the first scene and, at that point, we still want to create anticipation and confusion within the viewer.
                                                                                          
                                                                                       https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j47Ms73NG6s/maxresdefault.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCgk3Hc9ambSp2oMd-T3ZQvHdIQ01clGel32qsPfx8tCJBeWW7

For the shot that is June's reaction to Jonah calling her perfect, I want to begin to reveal the protagonists' insecurities slowly. With these being low angle and high angle, I like the high angle one because it creates a sense that the character is defeated. I really liked the shot exactly as it was, with his head bowed and the camera focused on his hesitancy because it works exactly with the idea that we were trying to create.
 
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/169448004700408618/
http://media.gettyimages.com/videos/high-angle-extreme-close-up-man-with-stubble-beard-sticking-out-video-id642-94?s=640x640

Below, I have two ideas for the final scene in which Jonah reveals his own internal struggle. The first image on the left is useful for us in establishing the scene and for the rising action within this scene. I really like the visual on the left because I can feel a sense of hesitancy in that shot and I want that to be present when we reveal that Jonah, the supportive friend, is also battling something.


https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRfJHmUlNGBS4l9ROvdOo4_eZ1uZ0fntL7Ff6ErygxgST4v0LFMPA
https://readjack.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/two-people-on-a-park-bench-the-wire-and-the-art-of-conversation/

While we are behind in that we are not shooting yet, I think we still are on a good track with planning and after identifying shots like the ones above, I have a much better idea as a cinematographer about where I am going to place the camera in each shot, which will make the actual shoot go by much more efficiently. Likewise, I know Ali and Shay needed a little extra time to get all the releases and the sound stuff totally done. I am pretty happy with where our group is right now, even though we are facing a little bit of a dilemma with the actress. Hopefully, we can figure that out and be on schedule as planned.

Independent Study Checkpoint 3

Fourth Production Check

Genre Presentation Summary

1. Dystopian films are rooted in the literature that was published in reaction to the Industrial Revolution. Novel such as 1984 played on the themes of dehumanization and controlling governments. In the film noir era, more serious and impactful dystopian films were released and there was an increase in dystopian films based on politicial issues, "loss of American innocence" and other historical events. Common elements of dystopian novels include overpowering governments and controlled groups of people. This is used to establish the idea that the public was becoming more controlled by governments greedy for power and paranoid of treason. Along with this idea, themes of artificiality, dehumanization, fear, secrets and lies are included. On the other hand, the resolution to dystopian films include rebels and a protagonist that sees the truth. This protagonist actions enlighten the rest of society, which experiences a kind of rebirth. Famous films in this genre include The Matrix, V for Vendetta, The Hunger Games and Divergent. 

2. Heist films show the planning and realization of a heist. Usually considered the great American classic style, this genre actually was grounded in a European film of 1955. However, films in this genre famous in the 40s and 50s still remain classics to this day. One of the most versatile genres, the heist plot allows space for variation and thus has been able to adapt to each era with ease. Conventions of the genre include a central plot of taking on a high-stakes job involving a large sum of money. Usually, the plot is risky and unthinkable. The characters typical of a heist film include a gang of characters with a diverse set of talents. The heist film includes three parts: preparation, heist, fallout. The unique characteristic of heist film is that it recognizes the honor and purpose in thieves. It recognizes them as people, going so far as to suggest that their job is indeed a real job. Notable films include Reservoir Dogs, Ocean's Eleven and Inception.

3. Lasty, the genre that interested me most was the road film. Road films incorporate various conventions of westerns, comedians, crime films, dramas and action-adventure films. I think it's fascinating that this genre can be such a great amalgam and still be realistic in its portrayal of life and the struggles it brings. The idea of the quest is critical and parallels the journey of a lifetime in that we all have a set path and ideas of where we are going, but we all face unexpected obstacles and learn lesson we had not anticipated. Coventions of this genre include a notable car, car trouble and traveling East to West. This all include ideas of struggles to force enlightment. The car is interesting because the enclosed space fores meaningful conversations that might not otherwise take place, In addition, the long hours of journey may reveal the true nature of people. I really like the idea that a journey can teach a person about themself and about their relationship with the world and other people. This knowledge at the end found in road films is the aspect I would like to most focus on because I think it's a very relevant issue to us as teenagers as we try to find ourselves in the next few years. Some films include My Own Private Idaho, Thieves Like Us and Wizard of Oz. 

Inglourious Basterds Review

A spaghetti western is a movie about the American West made cheaply in Europe, usually by an Italian producer and director. They were typically thought to be inferior to American westerns. However, though the movies were low budgets, some directors used innovative techniques to create a revolutionary styles of film. During its period, this genre did not recieve much attention, but its reputation grew in the 1980s. They are more action-packed than American westerns; there is less dialogue and music is a critical component used to create tension.

 Tarantino uses this genre to emphasize the "mythology" of World War II, rather than the reality. By doing so, he mirrors Western style with the use of intense scenes that involve the exchanging of gunfire. Tarantino may be using this style to create a new way to portray war in his own way. Several key elements are used by Tarantino to distinguish his film into the spaghetti western style. These include music, the standoffs, dialogue or the lack of it. Tarantino uses tense music, such as in the opening shot to minimize the focus on the current happenings and to create anticipation on what is to come, as was common in spaghetti westerns. Furthermore, there are several different standoffs in the film stylized as a western standoff. The scene in the tavern is probably the closest in the one Nazi man vs many Americans. Through his usage, Tarantino both creates action and subversion because the one does not win over the many. Dialogue is also masterfully set in Basterds. Tarantino uses language cleverly. Often, it is not actions that give away a characters, but rather the way in which they talk. In spaghetti westerns, there was an added focus on what characters say because dialogue was limited and, thus, valued. Tarantino uses elements of spaghetti westerns to add additional definition to his film.

Tarantino includes many subversions in his film. Firstly, many of the main characters he introduces are immediately killed off. For example, Stiglets is shown as  a great victory for the Americans, so as a symobol of victory, we would expect him to be present for the entire film as  a representation of hope, but he is almost immediately killed. This contradicts audience expectations and leaves them on edge for more. In addition, though the movie centers around a war, Tarantino puts equal or greater emphasis on language rather than action. His use of language is unique and surprises the audience who is again forced to pay closer attnetion.  Lastly, Tarantino's plot itself is a subversion because though his film is rooted in history, the plot is not consisted with the actual history. Rather, Tarantino focuses on the fiction, deviating from the traditions of a war film.

Lindberg and Scherpschutter. "The Spaghetti Western." The Spaghetti Western Database. N.p., 10 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 Oct. 2016.

Third Production Check

Our group started our script and integrated all of our themes together. In the first page is a basic outline of our storyline. This script gave us a chance to brainstorm locations and actors as well.

Independent Study Checkpoint 2